From passion to purpose: Göksen Tosuner’s LCME journey
In the heart of Kayseri, Turkey, lies the Katre Music School. Founded in 2006 by Göksen Tosuner and her brother Kemal Tosuner, who together transformed their passion for music into a centre of music education, the school demonstrates the value of determination and structured learning. Despite holding a master's degree in Turkey, Göksen's commitment led her to pursue and achieve an LLCM Teaching diploma.
Preparing candidates for the international stage
Katre Music School became an official LCME exam centre in 2011. The decision to partner with LCME came from their focus on international standards and providing flexibility for students. As Göksen explains, "LCME's academic structure, comprehensive syllabus, and flexible exam options allow our students to showcase their individual talents effectively."
The school combines Göksen's own internationally recognised piano methods with the LCME syllabus. "The LCME curriculum plays a crucial role in the theoretical development of my students," Göksen notes. "This combination has led to significant academic progress, particularly in the field of music theory."
Creating memorable exam experiences
At Katre Music School they take some unique steps to support their candidates. "We make the exam preparation process a special experience," Göksen shares. "During the exam recordings, we sit at the piano with our students, wearing stage outfits together. This helps them understand the seriousness of the process while also allowing us to celebrate with them afterwards."
The centre provides additional support beyond the exam room. "Our centre provides students the opportunity to rehearse before the exam," Göksen explains. They also employ professional translators to ensure language barriers don't impede their students' success and regularly hold informational meetings with parents about LCME.
"Our candidates often state that LCME exams provide a fair and objective evaluation. The detailed feedback reports, in particular, help them clearly identify areas for improvement."
Building global musicians
LCME certification opens doors for students. One recent success story stands out to Göksen, "One of our students, who started their music education from scratch, consistently participated in LCME exams and reached Grade 8 level. This achievement led them to win an award in an international competition."
The qualifications benefit students across Turkey. "Being an LCME centre has increased the international visibility of our students," Göksen states. "LCME's academic prestige has made our achievements more widely recognised." Students participating in Erasmus programmes can add their LCME diplomas to their resumes and benefit from music courses at schools abroad.
Celebrating success together
The school holds regular celebrations for student achievements. "We organise diploma ceremonies for students who complete Grade 8," Göksen explains. "During the annual special concerts we host, we give our graduate students a chance to share their stories, which serves as a source of motivation for other students."
"Being part of LCME means more than just being an exam centre - it's about being part of a global community,” says Göksen. Want to join the LCME community? To learn more about becoming an LCME exam centre or finding your nearest centre, use the links below: