| In my ten plus years of experience as a piano teacher, | | | | the teachers invitation to the studio. If the teacher does |
| I often find parents are at a loss when it comes to the | | | | not invite you to the studio, ask if it is possible for a |
| process of finding the right teacher for their child. In | | | | visit. |
| music, the better one plays, the more fun one has. | | | | Before the visit, create a list of questions you want to |
| Therefore, I think that it is important to find the best | | | | ask the teacher. For example, what are his or her |
| teacher one can afford, regardless of current | | | | teaching philosophies, methods, credentials, etc? What |
| aspirations or uncertain musical futures. | | | | experience does he or she have? When you arrive at |
| Before I go on, let me explain what "Best Teacher" | | | | the studio, look around the inside and the outside of the |
| means to me. The "Best Teacher," for your child, is | | | | studio. Do you feel comfortable in the environment? |
| one who will inspire your child to reach their greatest | | | | Does the teacher keep the studio clean and well kept? |
| musical potential. This may or may not be a concert | | | | Does it seem like a place of serious study or a place |
| artist. This may or may not be a teacher who has a | | | | of imaginative fun? Which is more important to you? |
| doctorate in music, charges the highest fee or the | | | | During the interview, the teacher might show you |
| lowest fee or is closest to your home. While those are | | | | around the studio, talk about other students, tell you |
| important factors, they should not be deciding factors. | | | | what methods they use to teach, what your child can |
| To find the best teacher for your child, begin with a list | | | | look forward to, what the benefits are of studying |
| of teachers to consider. After creating the list, consider | | | | there, etc. Teachers, also, like to hear prospective |
| what you want in a teacher and what your child needs | | | | students play, even if they have never taken lessons |
| in a teacher. You are looking for a great piano teacher, | | | | before. |
| one with whom your child will want to study for years | | | | Some things for you, the parent, can be thinking about |
| and who shares your goals and/or those of your son | | | | are: |
| or daughter. | | | | Do you feel a rapport with the teacher? |
| Then, contact each prospective piano teacher on the | | | | Does the teacher make the student feel at ease? |
| phone. Do not use email. You want to discover if this is | | | | Is your son or daughter responding to the teacher? |
| someone, with whom you want a professional | | | | Is the teacher encouraging? |
| relationship. A phone call can tell you volumes more | | | | Is the teacher listening to you and your son or |
| about a person, and your interest in establishing a | | | | daughter? |
| relationship with them, than an email. | | | | Does this person seem like a good fit? |
| Begin the call by expressing your interest in finding a | | | | At the end of the interview, thank the teacher for his |
| piano teacher for your child and his or her age. Some | | | | or her time. Express your interest in talking to other |
| teachers do not teach children under certain ages. | | | | teachers before making a decision and repeat the |
| Then, simply ask, "Can you tell me a little about | | | | process. |
| yourself and your studio." At some point during the | | | | Finding the best piano teacher you can afford, takes a |
| phone call, the teacher should invite you to his or her | | | | little extra time and effort. But, in doing so, your child's |
| studio to answer any other questions, for an audition, | | | | chances for finding their own musical voice, playing the |
| or for an informal meet and greet. If, after talking to this | | | | piano with joy and having a lasting relationship with a |
| teacher, you are interested in finding out more, accept | | | | great teacher greatly improve. |