Comments on: Dressing Professionally for the Music Teacher

By: Craig Tompkins

Craig Tompkins — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:49:31 +0000

Great suggestions! I also keep a travel toothbrush, toothpaste and floss in the top drawer of my desk. My studio is a fragrance free zone, so I don’t use cologne, aftershave, scented deodorants, body wash or hair care products. I’ve only had to send two students (both HS boys!) home from this location because they had overdone the scent!

By: Atara

Atara — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:53:02 +0000

I wear lots of seperates that can easily be mixed and matched. I always feel good when my parents compliment me on how nice I look! It really is worth the effort! I keep a make-up bag, some body spray, and some hand lotion by my desk for quick touch-ups.

By: Sarah Luebke

Sarah Luebke — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:52:45 +0000

This is a great article. I teach between a high school and my home studio 3 days a week, so there is a dress code to try to uphold when I am at the public school. When I first got into teaching private voice, I read “The Private Voice Studio Handbook” by Joan Boytim, and she has an entire chapter on the topic of dress. She stresses that women should wear skirts for a professional look. However, with all the running around I do in a day for teaching, and with physically moving around the studio to assist students in breathing, a skirt is not an option. I wear tons of capris, dress jeans and casual pants, and it keeps me going all day without worrying about crossing my legs every 5 seconds!

By: Jon Dittert

Jon Dittert — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:00:21 +0000

Nice article, though I think there are some exceptions. For example, we have 5 drum teachers at the store where I teach. I usually dress “business casual,” but I have a lot of younger students and a few orchestral students. Another teacher, however, teaches all drum set and a lot of double bass technique. When someone comes in wanting to play like Joey Jordison (Slipknot), we send him/her to this teacher. He usually dresses in tight jeans and a t-shirt and wears a lot of leather. This actually enhances his credibility with his students. If he dressed like I did, he’d probably get laughed right out of the studio. I think as long as the teacher is conscious of his/her image (and creating that image on purpose), then almost any attire can be suitable.

By: Leah Coutts

Leah Coutts — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:02:56 +0000

I totally agree with the casual but professional look, and it is easy to be comfortable at the same time. One comment I would make when it comes to sleeveless tops and tank tops, it is also a cultural thing. I\’m from Queensland, Australia, where it is impossible for 3/4 length tops to be a year-round wardrobe item. Tank tops are part of our every-day wear, and when teamed with a nice skirt or pair of pants, does not give an \’i don\’t care\’ attitude. Rather, it\’s just part of trying not to overheat. (I agree there are smarter options as well, such as the one you have included as an example).