PlaynLearn – Innovative Piano Learning| Study Days and Concerts with Monika D’Ermo and M° Pietro Sellitto
The cultural and creative sides of Italy and Scotland fused together at St Giles this April, in a stunning concert celebrating talent from aged five to 50 plus.
Two leading Italian pianists held a series of lessons for 10 aspiring musicians from Italy and Scotland, creating a valuable international musical exchange.
The two-day lessons were held at the Edinburgh Society of Musicians and participants refined their repertoire and prepared for a final concert held in St Giles Cathedral with an audience of friends, family and members of the public.
The PlaynLearn project held over April 19 and 20, was carried out in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute , and was guided by Monika D’Ermo (piano teacher at the Accademia Musicale Nocerina) and Maestro Pietro Sellitto (founder of the Accademia Musicale Nocerina).
Monika said: “Over the two days, students had the opportunity to deepen their technical, interpretative, and expressive approach to their piano programs.”
The youngest attendee was just five years old, others were more experienced, but all were brought together by a love of music and a desire to learn new techniques and repertoires.
And on April 20, in the beautiful setting of St Giles Cathedral, each musician and their tutors enthralled the audience.
The concert opened with Monika D’Ermo performing Bach’s Chaconne in D minor in the Busoni transcription, setting a tone of depth and refinement.
Special guests, soprano Annunziata D’Alessio and violinist Giuseppe Musto, further elevated the evening with a selection of opera arias, contributing to a truly enchanting and memorable musical experience.
The concert highlighted the participants’ progress and the diversity of their artistic paths. We would also like to sincerely thank the Italian Cultural Institute for making this initiative possible and for its continued support of collaboration and international cultural and musical exchange.
Both she and M° Pietro Sellitto were impressed by the talent, skill and progression of each of the 10 students.
M° Sellitto added: “Events like this highlight how a career in concert music requires not only institutional support but also the active involvement of families. Seeing so many families travel from across Italy to support and nurture their children’s dreams was deeply meaningful and significant.”
Monika added: “The event was defined by a strong sense of collaboration and artistic development, providing a valuable educational experience and reaffirming the importance of international musical exchange. The setting at St Giles was truly magical, and we would like to extend our thanks to the people of Edinburgh who joined us on the day.”
The students taking part were:
Domenico Cuciniello
Chiara De Brasi
Rafael Sabino Hunt
Serena Cuciniello
Aurora Tarallo
Benedetta Biafore
Michela Donato
Camilla Filantropia
Antonella Di Marino
Mavy Giust Williamson
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“Organising this event has been an incredibly moving experience for me,” says Monika. “From the days of lessons in Edinburgh to the final concert at St Giles, everything has been deeply meaningful. I was born in Scotland and spent my early years there, so returning as both a pianist and co-organiser of this project alongside Maestro Pietro Selitto is a true honour. It also feels like a way of giving something back to Scotland, a place that is part of my roots, before I moved to Italy.
“We would like to think this would be the first of many, re-enforcing the value of musical exchanges”
For more details about their events visit their Facebook page.