Diploma Courses in Music Teaching & Performance

The Cape Town Academy of Music (CTAM) offers personalised, quality music education 

CTAM is aligned to the international exam syllabus of Trinity College London, which offers the best in world trends and syllabi for all ages and levels. Dr Kinsey has been successfully supervising and mentoring students in these studies since 2016.

ASSOCIATE & LICENTIATE TEACHING DIPLOMAS – Trinity College London (ATCL & LTCL) normally 2 years in any instrument or voice (popular or classical styles) 

1. Registration fee per year, which includes a no obligation once off-consultation.  R600.
2. Music Education Theory:  R6000. per term x 4 terms.
3. Music Education Supervision/Editing of written thesis:  R6000. per term x 4 terms (Extras: Books and Internal CTAM and External TRINITY ATCL or LTCL exam fees)
4. Grade 8 (NQF4) practical (a Trinity prerequisite for ATCL & LTCL diploma exams) can be done alongside  the teaching diploma studies, but must be passed,  before entering the Diploma examinations.
5. The length of study is dependant on the age (minimum 18 years of age) and the level and experience of the student studying. The average period is 1.5 to 2 years of study. Preferably 2 years.
6. An ATCL is equal to a first year university and a pass of 60% is required
7. An LTCL is equal to a final year degree level and a pass of 60% is required
8. Note that these are UK internationally accredited exams and the standard is overall much higher than we have in South Africa at present, so in reality the ATCL is equal to a Degree level and the LTCL is closer to an Honours level.

 

GRADE LEVEL STUDY

  1. Dr Kinsey’s philosophy is to cater to the needs of the individual, offering discipline with creativity, and care for the person as a whole. One on one classes and small classes only. We can custom design to meet the individual’s aims, needs and abilities within the requirements of international graded study.
  2. There are 8 grades to music (1-8), which under normal circumstances requires some 8 years to complete. Many of CTAM’s students, due to the personalised level of instruction, are able to complete the grades in a significantly reduced time. A student must have completed up to a Grade 7 level to be prepared for music at a tertiary university level, unless exempt, and Grade 8 for Diploma studies.

 

ASSOCIATE & LICENTIATE TRINITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC LONDON (ATCL, LTCL) in Teaching or Performance (requires NQF 4 or Grade 8 Practical from a recognised institution) while FTCL requires an LTCL pass

CTAMs international level Diploma Courses, ATCL, LTCL, MA Dip and PD Dip are designed to provide a practical, highly relevant and professional series of courses that not only offer skills for employment in the industry, and for self employment, but are musically and personally rewarding.

  1. FTCL advanced diploma requires an LTCL pass and is equivalent to a Masters degree.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DIPLOMA COURSE (PD DIP)

  1. Professional Development (PDip.) takes a minimum of 1 year to complete – accepted after an audition [starts Jan]
  2. It can be completed online or in person and full time or part time. Classes are one hour long.

PD Dip PRACTICAL SUBJECTS:

  1. Guitar (Classical, Acoustic, Electric), Voice (Rock/Pop incl. Musical Theatre), Piano & Electronic Keyboards and some other instruments depending on demand and availability of teachers.
  2. Songwriting/Composition, Arranging and Orchestration (optional)
  3. Sight reading, Ear training, Score reading and Improvisation
  4. Personal Style and Genre Development with Voice or Own Instrument

PD Dip THEORETICAL SUBJECTS:

  1. Hit Song Study (understand different genres, form, melody, chord structures and prosody)
  2. Entrepreneurship, Marketing and the Business of Music

THE MUSIC ARTIST DIPLOMA COURSE (MADip)

  1. Music Artist (MADip.) takes 1 year to complete – accepted after an audition [start in Jan]
  2. Music Artist (MADip. part time), (takes 2 years to complete – accepted after an audition)

 MA Dip PRACTICAL SUBJECTS:

  1. Guitar (Classical, Acoustic, Electric), Voice (Rock/Pop incl. Musical Theatre), Piano & Electronic Keyboards and some other instruments depending on demand and availability of teachers
  2. Songwriting/Composition, Arranging and Orchestration
  3. Sight reading, Ear training, Score reading and Improvisation

MA Dip THEORETICAL SUBJECTS:

  1. Theory of Music (start at any level and go at your own pace)
  2. Hit Song Study (understand different genres, form, melody, chord structures and prosody)
  3. History of Music (from antiquity to rock and contemporary music)
  4. Entrepreneurship, Marketing and the Business of Music
  5. Music Education (individual and class music teaching options) – optional
  6. Research and writing about music, Music Analysis and Music Pedagogy – optional

DOWNLOAD THE DIPLOMA COURSE DETAILS: CTAM PROSPECTUS 

FEES 2026–2027

Professional Development Diploma (PD Dip) 1-2 Years
1. Practical subjects: Voice or Instrumental: R6000 per term x 4 terms, per practical subject
2. Practical subjects: Ear Training, Improvisation, Score Reading for optimal studio recording  professionalism. R6000 per term x 4 terms
3. Theoretical subjects: Songwriting and Arrangement, form, lyric, melodic and chordal study including prosody R6000 per term x 4 terms
4. Business of Music Course includes Proposal Writing, Selling Yourself, Understanding legalities in
5. Music Business, & Own Business plan and Implementation R6000 per term x 4 terms.
Music Artist Diploma (MADip) 1-1.5 Years
1. Practical subjects: R6000. per term x 4 terms
2. Theory of music: R6000. per term x 4 terms
3. History of Music: R6000. per term x 2 terms
4. Business, Entrepreneurship and Marketing of Music = R6000. per term x 2 terms
[NOTE Additional modules are R6000. each per term x 4 terms]

Extras: Students may add on extra modules such as teaching, composition/songwriting or producing. Trinity Int’l accredited practical and theory exam fees depend on the grade entered.  80% attendance at classes throughout the year.
Application forms are available on request by sending an email to akinsey@mweb.co.za or ctacadmusic@mweb.co.za
We will get back to you in 48 hours, except over the December holiday period when we are closed from early December to late January.