LCME strengthens Italian partnerships with cross-country centre tour
In October 2025, Ben Norbury, LCME's Head of Exams, travelled across Italy with Luca Pellizzaro, LCME's representative for Italy, to visit existing and new exam centres. The tour included stops in Sarzana (Liguria), Milan, Turin, and Reggio Calabria, with additional online training with The Hub Creative for those who could not attend an in-person session.
Understanding LCME's international partnerships
The visits allowed Ben to see first-hand how LCME centres operate across different regions of Italy. "When you work with partners across the world, it's easy to see them as names on a database," he explains. "Which is why I make a point of going on the road and engaging with the LCME community. I loved visiting the schools, meeting teachers and students who have built meaningful relationships with LCME. It gives you a real insight into the passion, challenges and opportunities that exist in different parts of the world, and that insight is so powerful in helping us make plans for the future."
For Luca, who took up the role of LCME representative for Italy in 2025, the tour was a powerful experience. "Being on the road with LCME and meeting actual LCME customers in person for the first time has been incredibly inspiring," he says. "Some of these schools have been doing exams with us for 13 years. There's a great network across Italy that truly values LCME's core principles and uses them to teach the next generation of musicians and performers."
Established network of Italian centres
The centres visited, and indeed all the teaching locations across Italy, are offering students access to rigorous and internationally respected LCME qualifications that work with local teaching approaches.
Reflecting on the tour, Ben expressed his gratitude to the Italian centres. "I want to thank everyone who took the time to meet with us during the tour. The warmth of the welcome and the dedication we saw at each centre was remarkable. I met some amazing people and heard some inspirational performances from students aged from 7 to 75. It's clear that LCME has a strong future in Italy, and I'm excited to see how these partnerships continue to develop and grow."
Become an LCME centre in Italy
Schools and academies in Italy interested in offering LCME exams can contact Luca Pellizzaro at lcmeitaly@lcme.org.uk. For more information about LCME in Italy, and to find your nearest public centre, please click here.