Finding the right music teacher for your child is important, both for their success and your sanity. Some students will do well whomever they work with but most will require the right match in order to learn with a positive attitude. The teacher who suits one will not necessarily suit another so, while word of mouth is a great way to narrow the field, you will need to consider three main factors before settling on a particular studio. . .experience, personality, and location.
Part I of this series will focus on experience.
There are a lot of people out there calling themselves piano teachers but they are definitely not equally qualified. If we divide the group into four categories it might make it easier to make a decision.
1. Experienced teachers with substantial qualifications – Teachers in this category will have years “in the field” so they will know how to deal with students of all personalities, they will be familiar with preparing for exams and festivals, they will have considerable knowledge of the repertoire and they will have connections within the music community. Their qualifications could include undergraduate and post-graduate work in pedagogy (the art of teaching) and piano performance, and they will likely attend conferences and workshops to continue to improve their own skills. All this knowledge will be reflected in their lesson fee, but if your child learns quickly with good technique and a positive attitude, its worth the cost in the long run.
2. Experienced teachers with minimal qualifications – Teachers in this category will have hands on experience and much practical knowledge although their formal training might be limited. They could have been teaching for years without attending post-secondary classes but they should have a level 10 or higher RCM equivalent in order to be able to demonstrate good technical skills. Conferences and workshops could also be part of their teacher development along with a strong network of teacher colleagues to rely upon.
3. Qualified teachers with minimal experience – These teachers will have pedagogical training and maybe performance experience but they need the practical knowledge that comes from working with live students. They will likely be quite enthusiastic and eager – positive attributes for any teacher – and these traits can offset the bumps that may occur in the first stages of their careers. Everyone has to start somewhere and if teachers in this category have the educational background to support them in their first years, that will definitely make things easier.
4. Unqualified teachers with minimal experience – Individuals in this category include pianists who’ve taken some exams (maybe to a relatively high level) but have no teacher training. Asking this kind of a “teacher” to work with your child follows the same logic that a Grade 12 high school student will make a good kindergarten teacher. On the one hand, both individuals can read and play/write; on the other, neither is at all prepared for the practicalities of teaching. Any advantage gained by inexpensive fees and good intentions will be offset by slow progress and the development of poor technique that will take months or years to correct later on if the student happens to show real interest or aptitude in the piano. Of all the above categories, this is only one I STRONGLY suggest you avoid.
There are professional associations of music instructors in both Canada and the US that require teachers to have a minimum level of experience and educational background, these are a good place to start when looking for a qualified teacher. Check out the CFMTA in Canada and their Provincial Branches, the MTNA in the US as well as individual state organizations, and the RCM Teacher Directory.
In the end, a teacher’s abilities should be judged not just by the letters behind their name or the years they’ve been teaching but also by the success of their students. I’m not talking about the ability to produce students who win awards and high marks (which is always impressive) but rather about the ability to bring out the best in all students, even the most average of players. If a teacher can inspire students to play musically with good technique whatever their level while at the same time instilling a life long love of the piano, your time and money will be well spent.
Check out Part 2 in the series for ideas on finding the best personality match for your child.
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