Teacher Search

Thoughts on Finding a Music Teacher

In a survey of adolescent students the qualities of a piano teacher that they considered most important were patience, understanding and caring about the student, having a good sense of humor, being kind and encouraging, and knowledge of the subject.

It is important to interview a prospective teacher to find the right match. Getting references is a good idea and, if possible, attend a studio recital. Doing that allows you to see first hand whether the teacher has a variety of students (ages and levels). Some of the things to evaluate would be:

1. Education and experience: this includes any degrees the teacher has, how long he/she has been teaching, how many students he/she has. You might also want to know if the teacher performs but keep in mind that the best performers are not always the best teachers. Teaching is a separate art from performing.
   
2. Personality: look for a positive attitude, warmth, someone who genuinely likes children.
   
3. Philosophy of Teaching: this would include the styles of music taught, performance opportunities and requirements, and participation in auditions and competitions. You want to find a teacher whose philosophy matches your needs and desires. You should also find out how much practice time the teacher requires.
    


4. Business Practices: The teacher should have a clear studio policy regarding payment of fees, cancellation of lessons, etc.

It is important to remember that the teacher must enjoy the youthful spirit of young people---hoping to instill in them the love and joy of music. Sprinkled with patience and understanding, it's a win-win situation.

from Gelene Lewis