FAQ  |  recommended resources   |  piano: bare essentials  |  Effective Practice & Motivation

Q: How does one go about selecting a teacher?

A: Are you looking for a teacher to help motivate you and/or provide performance opportunities for you? Are you preparing for a specific goal: performance, recording session, competition, college auditions? Do you want weekly lessons or would you prefer occasional coaching sessions?

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. If you are preparing for an audition or competition it is important to select a teacher who has the qualifications and experience for that level of teaching.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.

Communication is extremely important: use the interview to get a sense of how comfortable you feel communicating with the teacher. 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?