Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ | recommended
resources | piano:
bare essentials | Effective
Practice & Motivation
Q: How does one go about selecting a teacher?
A: Is there a particular style of music you are interested in
learning? Are you interested in beginning
instruction or are you preparing for a specific goal? Do you
want weekly lessons or perhaps, you would
prefer an occasional coaching session.
I recommend getting referrals from various sources such as friends,
teachers, musicians, schools, and community leaders. Music organizations
such as: The New
England Piano Teachers' Association and
the Music Teachers'
National Association may provide lists of teachers in your
area. Teachers have many
different qualifications and it can be difficult to decide what
qualifications are important to you. Usually, if you take the
time to ask a lot of questions, you will have a better idea
as to what kind of teacher will be best for you.
Request an interview with prospective teachers. An interview
provides an excellent opportunity for you to
meet with the teacher so you can each communicate your needs,
expectations, and goals. A good interview
will provide insight into how a prospective teacher might work
with you. I believe that for a student/teacher relationship
to be effective it is important that the teacher and student
establish and cultivate a positive working relationship. This
is an ongoing process, not something that will be completed
during the interview. However,
the interview will give each of you an opportunity to determine
whether or not you will enjoy working together. Ideally, an
adult student should feel that his or her goals and needs will
be supported by the teacher. If the student is preparing for
an audition or competition it is important to select a teacher
who has the qualifications and experience for that level of
teaching.
Communication is extremely important: use the interview to get
a sense of how well you and the teacher are able to communicate.
Try to get a sense of whether or not you are a 'good fit'.
Studio policies vary: they can be specific, vague; strict, lenient
and many places in between. Ideally, you should be comfortable
with the policy. Is there a set schedule and if so, is payment
made for individual lessons or by the semester? How are lesson
cancellations handled? Does the tuition include recitals, workshops,
and/or group classes? Is the teacher able to provide performance
opportunities for you?
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