Note: I will continue to add teacher responses at the bottom in the form of Comments. Check back! Be sure to see the Funniest Experiences!
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Learning about how other teachers see and do things can be inspiring, informative, surprising, or reassuring — and can make us think afresh about our own approaches. I’d like to offer some posts that allow teachers to describe themselves, starting with those of us who use Music Teachers Helper.
Join me by answering as many of the questions below as you like, and/or by suggesting other questions that you’d like to read answers to — I can incorporate new questions into the list.
I will also be interviewing, by email, some music teachers I know, and hope to present their views in future posts. If you prefer to communicate privately rather than by adding a comment below, feel free to answer the questions privately to my email (mth@edpearlman.net) and I will present your answers in future posts. I have high hopes for an interesting series of teacher profiles here, but only if you write in! Thanks in advance to those who respond, for sharing your views and ideas with all of us.
Remember, you can answer whichever questions you feel comfortable with, but the more the better. It will be more interesting the fuller profile we get. But be fairly concise, there are lots of questions here!
Here are the questions:
1. Your name (or remain anonymous). You can use a pseudonym if you like, or email your answers to me (mth@edpearlman.net) if you want an anonymous listing. You can also choose to list your name or even your web page and email. As you wish!
2. Instrument(s) taught and/or voice?
3. Years of teaching experience? Your age?
4. Did you have formal teacher training?
5. Typical high and low numbers of students during the year? Approximate number of hours spent teaching each week?
6. Do you perform? If so, roughly what percentage of your musical income/time is spent performing vs. teaching?
7. Do you teach music privately or are you an employee of a school (or both)? If teaching privately, do you use a home studio or rent elsewhere? If a school, what kind?
8. Do you have paid work other than music teaching? If so, What do you do? How much time do you spend teaching music compared with other work? Is this by necessity or preference?
9. What are your rates? If you don’t mind, indicate the range of your monthly income from teaching music.
10. Do you limit what students you work with in terms of level, age, gender, style of music, etc.?
11. Do you have student recitals? If so, how often? Are they encouraged or required of students?
12. Do you prepare students for competitions or auditions?
13. Do you teach private students or classes or both?
14. Do you coach ensembles? If so, how large?
15. Do you teach at music camps?
16. Best experience(s) with students?
17. Worst experience that comes to mind?
18. Funniest experience?
19. What is most rewarding to you about teaching?
20. What is most challenging?
21. Have you ever felt burnt out at any time, and if so, what did you do about it?
22. Are you a member of a professional organization?
23. Do you attend conferences, workshops, lessons or classes for your own professional development?
24. When teaching, do you use published materials, your own materials, or both?
25. Do you use recordings in teaching?
26. Do you advertise?
27. Please feel free to elaborate briefly on any of your answers to questions above, and tell us a little about your views on those subjects. Feel free also to add a few comments not covered by the questions.
THANK YOU!
I’ve taught violin/fiddle for 30 years. My only formal training was in other fields, such as teaching English as a foreign language years ago, though some of the concepts have been helpful in teaching music. The rest was learned by experience.
I have 40-60 students and teach 10-15 hours a week. I like to perform, and feel that my teaching is better and my energy is better if I do enough performing, at least a few events a month.
I teach privately, both individual lessons and classes, renting studio space at two music schools associated with music stores. I have coached ensembles ranging from duets to groups of 40. I often teach at music camps in the summers. Rates are $25/half-hour but lower for hour lessons, and also lower for those who schedule weekly and pay monthly. Classes range from $6-$12 per person depending on size of class.
Best experiences with students have been at music camps where students are immersed for a week and glow with energy and enjoyment; also enjoyed seeing some initially wary students thoroughly enjoy playing together with others at a recital or session. Worst experiences have been the rare misunderstandings or inadequate communications due to hasty emails and overly busy people. Funniest: when my daughter contrived to have a lesson with me with the help of her friend’s mother who signed her up as a new student through MTH. I should have been tipped off by the new student’s name: Eleanor Rigby!
Most rewarding to me: seeing people who have picked up music from scratch make it an important part of their lives, getting together with others to play, and seeking out more in lessons and classes.
Most challenging: consumer attitudes among some students or parents of child students, as if learning can be bought.
A few times over these many years, I’ve felt burnt out to varying degrees but it seemed to help me readjust my approach, and better organize my material and schedule so I looked forward to teaching without feeling overwhelmed. It also helped a great deal to make sure I had enough time to perform, rehearse, do creative work.
Joined a professional organization for a few years, and got a lot out of their conference, but it was a big expense, and the publications unfortunately weren’t that helpful. Joined another professional organization primarily for the insurance benefit. Teaching at music camps is a paid way to work with colleagues and develop skills.
I use my own teaching materials, including instructional CDs. In addition, I use sheet music and .wma or mp3 music files I record, which are available to students on my File Area in MTH.
I advertise especially for fall and winter classes and lessons by posting colorful flyers around town. In addition, I keep my email list and website posted as to upcoming offerings in both teaching and performance.
About above comment: Just figured if I’m asking others to tell about themselves, I should be willing to kick it off myself! Please join in–also make comments about what you find useful in reading about other teachers.
I saw this on the MTH FB page as well. So OK, here goes!
1. My name is Adrienne McKinney
2. I primarily teach piano, but have also had a horn student for the past six years.
3. If you count my first years teaching as a college student and graduate student, I have 20 years of experience. My students think I am younger than I really am, so I’ll just stick with that, ha-ha!
4. I had formal teacher training while studying for my B.S.ed. in K-12 instrumental music. In addition to all the “methods” courses, I did a lot of independent study in piano pedagogy, with the help of my applied piano teacher. In graduate school, I decided to choose a thesis topic that would focus on pedagogy, since the degree was in performance. This way I got the best of both — recitals and pedagogy!
5. My enrollment stays pretty much the same year-round. I usually have between 20 and 25 students, but at one time I had 35, and recently I had 18. This year, I spend about 20 hours a week teaching, but that may increase this summer and fall as I am getting requests to teach my daughter’s friends (she will be in 1st grade this fall).
6. I used to play for local choral groups and for university juries and master classes, but I have not had time in the past six years to do much performing. In 2008 I presented a half-recital for my dad’s birthday party. That took a lot of work, given my schedule and the fact that my children were 3 and 1 at the time. Maybe I’ll try again in a few years.
7. I teach privately in my home studio, or in my students’ homes if there are more than three children.
8. All of my income is from teaching.
9. My rates for 45-minute lessons are currently $100/month year-round, and $132/month for 60-minute lessons. The 45-minute rates will be increased to $105 in September.
10. I teach beginners through college-prep, as well as adult students. I prefer to teach standard piano literature, but try to incorporate contemporary styles as well as improvisation into the curriculum.
11. I have student recitals once or twice a year. I *strongly* encourage, but do not require participation. Students with less than 6 months of lessons are expected to attend, or they may play a duet with me.
12. Most of my students participate in annual Guild Auditions, unless there is a scheduling conflict with the audition dates. I also prepare students for participation in several local festivals and competitions.
13. I teach private lessons, but students also participate in repertoire workshops in the studio a couple times a year. I’m planning to increase this to once each quarter for 2010-2011. I am hoping to teach more live online lessons using Skype, but have not had much success finding students. One student who travels a lot has had a few lessons this way, and it is very interesting!
14. Not really.
15. No, but I would if asked.
16-20. I’d have to give these a lot more thought.
21. Yes, but usually only as a result of being over-scheduled with music organization volunteer-work. Teaching doesn’t seem to cause burnout (yet) — just everything else.
22. YES, several music teaching organizations, including MTNA, NGPT, and NFMC.
23. Yes, whenever I can fit them into my schedule I attend local and regional workshops and conferences. I have yet to attend a national or international convention, but that is on my list of things to do.
24. I use both published materials and my own materials, plus materials that other teachers share online.
25. With my younger students, we do listening activities in their lessons with CDs or MP3s of their pieces. I also record my students’ playing with a portable recorder (Zoom H2).
26. I have a couple of web sites plus ads in the yellow pages. When I opened my current location, I placed an ad in the local family magazine.
27. I’d like to go back and give answers to questions 16-20 at some point. Thanks for sharing the questionnaire, and I look forward to reading your summaries and interviews.
Here’s another teacher’s response to the survey. Hope these responses are helpful in getting a sense of what other teachers are doing.
1. Name: Liz Manduca
2. Instrument taught: piano
3. Years of teaching experience? 32 years age: 54
4. Did you have formal teacher training? yes
5. Typical high and low numbers of students? 25-35 students; 25-32 hours a week
6. Do you perform? yes. 80% teaching, 20% performance
7. Do you teach music privately? yes; at home studio
8. Do you have paid work other than music teaching? Is this by necessity or preference?
–yes, music publishing, by choice; time spent varies according to seasons
9. What are your rates? varies according to programs chosen by students
10. Do you limit what students you work with in terms of level, age, gender, style of music, etc.? — no limitations
11. Do you have student recitals? If so, how often? Are they encouraged or required of students? 3-4 per year, required
12. Do you prepare students for competitions or auditions? yes
13. Do you teach private students or classes or both? both
14. Do you coach ensembles? yes; sometimes full keyboard labs or small chamber groups
15. Do you teach at music camps? sometimes
16. Best experience(s) with students? preparing for performances
17. Worst experience that comes to mind? difficult students-who are often the brightest
18. Funniest experience?
— I was 9 months pregnant and I was teaching a high school girl. I went between two grand pianos to get music and I got stuck.
19. What is most rewarding to you about teaching? most everything
20. What is most challenging? searching for and keeping current with a great range of repertoire
21. Have you ever felt burnt out at any time, and if so, what did you do about it?
— yes, I felt very isolated, so I hired an associate teacher
22. Are you a member of a professional organization? yes, MTNA
23. Do you attend conferences, workshops, lessons or classes for your own professional development? yes
24. When teaching, do you use published materials, your own materials, or both? — both
25. Do you use recordings in teaching? yes
26. Do you advertise? — no
1. Your name: Miranda Studio: Kal Voice Studios: Website: http://www.kalvoice.com
2. Instrument(s) taught: voice
3. Years of teaching experience? This is my 10th year of teaching. I began teaching my first student while still in high school.
4. Did you have formal teacher training? Choir from 5th through 11th grade, took 1 semester of private voice. Started performing at the age of 8.
5. Typical high and low numbers of students during the year? Dependent on time of year. Highest was around 10, and 6 of them were due to a subbing position I took at a local homeschool co-op for the voice teacher on maternity leave.
6. Do you perform? Yes, when I can get events, my husband and I minister through Contemporary Christian music.
7. Do you teach music privately? I teach in my private home-based studio, and I will travel to a student’s home within my county for an aditional $5.00 travel fee.
8. Do you have paid work other than music teaching? No, because I plan to stay home and homeschool our children. My husband will start a new job near our home this year.
9. What are your rates? $10.00 for 30 minute lessons and $15.00 for 60 minute lessons, with family plans and earlybird registration available. I operate an LLC, and due to expenses and future growth plans, I don’t currently make money myself. I’m alright with this.
10. Do you limit what students you work with in terms of level, age, gender, style of music, etc.?
Private lessons are offered to students from age 7 to adult. I teach beginner to advanced, but I want to know that the student will progress and is actually interested in lessons.
11. Do you have student recitals? If so, how often? Are they encouraged or required of students?
Winter recital in conjunction with Christmas party and caroling at local nursing home, and Spring recital/student awards in conjunction with my music ministry’s anual benefit concert for various causes or an end-of-the-year voice studio party.
Recital participation is strongly encouraged, but not required.
12. Do you prepare students for competitions or auditions?
I’ve had a student travel to Europe with the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp International Choir, while other students have been in local tallent shows, community choirs, musicals, sang in church, performed the National Anthem for local baseball games, ETC. Students may do solo and ensemble or NATS competitions. I try to find opportunities for my elementary and adult students, as I don’t find them like I do for junior high and high school/college students.
13. Do you teach private students or classes or both?
Private students and group workshops.
14. Do you coach ensembles? If so, how large?
No, but I’ve considered it. Any thoughts from voice teachers?
15. Do you teach at music camps?
No, but I may volunteer to assist with local camps in the future. I plan to facilitate summer day camps for elementary and junior high students in the 2011 summer semester.
16. Best experience(s) with students?
Feeling great pride and joy as I witnessed a student’s homecoming concert after his tour to Europe, and being proud of a 10-year-old student for performing the National Anthem at a local baseball game!
17. Worst experience that comes to mind?
Having to send an adult student’s payment to collection after she didn’t show up to lessons or commanicate with me for over a month!
18. Funniest experience?
Somehow, an 8-year-old student and I began discussing the return of Jesus Christ during one Michigan winter’s day lesson. Student’s comment, “I don’t think Jesus would want to come back now.” After I ask, “Why?” she seriously says, “Because, he wouldn’t like the snow! He’d take one look at us and he blow away in the wind!” LOL!
19. What is most rewarding to you about teaching?
I absolutely love seeing students reach or exceed their goals! I love when a students’s lightbulb turns on, and they just “get it”!
20. What is most challenging?
When I don’t see progress, or when a parent thinks I can “fix” their child’s singing.
21. Have you ever felt burnt out at any time, and if so, what did you do about it?
I’ve felt burnt out, and dropping work after business hours instead of going crazy trying to fit it all in one day helps. I take weekends for my family, and I’ve scheduled my workshops, camps and clinics in such a way that even when a Saturday is used teaching those weekends are spaced apart.
22. Are you a member of a professional organization?
I’m looking in to NATS and MTNA. However, MTNA’s devision in my town doesn’t have any voice teachers.
23. Do you attend conferences, workshops, lessons or classes for your own professional development?
I haven’t as of yet, but I’d enjoy doing so.
24. When teaching, do you use published materials, your own materials, or both?
Both. I try to find a variety of resources to aid in meeting mine and my student’s needs.
25. Do you use recordings in teaching?
Absolutely! I’m much better at voice than I would ever claim to be at the piano!
26. Do you advertise?
Yes! Both online ane in print, although I’m careful about how much print advertising I do. I want to be wise with the money I have.
27. Please feel free to elaborate briefly on any of your answers to questions above, and tell us a little about your views on those subjects. Feel free
also to add a few comments not covered by the questions.
I’d love to connect with any of you, so don’t hesitate to connect with me via my website! Click on my studio name where it says, “Kal Voice Studios says”, and you will enter my studio website.