Piano Teacher Water Cooler...
Would love to swap stories, anecdotes, etc... with fellow piano teachers :-) - I KNOW YOU ARE OUT THERE!
I teach part time. I used to limit my studio to 10 students, but I am up to 16. Covid19 has brought an influx of interest, surprisingly, but not surprisingly. My students are young beginners to late intermediate level. The majority are on the beginner level. I now have a wait list 4 deep. I feel horrible saying no, which is why I am at 13, soon to be 16.
I teach math and study skills at nearby high school, so any more than that, and I will be spread too thin. I also take a lesson every few weeks with my mentor/teacher (vial zoom) from when I returned to piano studies 20 years ago.
I have been "officially" teaching since 2009 and absolutely LOVE it.
My students have the option to return to my home studio in 2 weeks now that everyone is vaccinated in the house.
Success of the week - I have a young student, who just turned 7. She practices willy nilly, and joined me virtually in the fall. She is just about through her first primer (Bastien New Traditions Primer A). Her parents made a rule last week, no TV till she practices... SHE SOUNDED AMAZING today! I showered her with praise, and you could see her confidence soar. I can't wait to meet her in person in 2 weeks.
I have several students I have never met in person because of Covid-19... although challenging for young beginners, it has worked.
Please join in with your stories!
~Denise
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Kind of a big deal for me... after nearly 14 years of completing my bachelors degree in music, with over 10 years of teaching, I have finally applied and been approved as an active member for MTAC (Music Teacher Association of California). I attribute some of the drive to better myself to information here, the pandemic for bringing me back to center and seeking to better myself professionally, and my professor from 2003 who kindly resumed giving me lessons via zoom last year! You are never too old! :-)
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Denise That is the spirit, Denise! I like your attitude and your comment: "You are never too old! :-)"! Yes!
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Well, we just completed our first IN STUDO recital since 2019! :-) I live streamed on FB, I recorded it and yet to edit it from another camera... it was quite the undertaking. Of my 19 students, 1 is in Los Angeles with family because she cannot fly back to China for the summer, Two were out sick, so 16 performed. I had seating in the yard, with speakers and a screen for groups that were not "on deck".
Oh, my, I am glad I do this only once a year!! But my studio is usually only 10 students, but now it is near 20 with a wait list. I am blessed to be doing this.
Here is a link to my FB Live stream if you are interested. The students play in relative level of difficulty, the last group being the most advanced. There are two sibling duets married in, and the finale is a cute Blue Danube duet! One even composed his own piece!! :-)
I do have parent permission to share recordings. (FYI)
If you do take the time to check it out, thank you!
I tell my students, mistakes do NOT define you. How you recover from your mistakes make you a stronger more resilient person in everything you do.
They all did well! :-)(the first 5-7 minutes are checking that the livestream is working - some students have family in Mexico, India... etc...) :-)
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What a beautiful homecoming to teaching, Denise!
I only taught piano in high school and college to make spending money. I realized that I didn't have the patience and discipline to pursue it as a career. Can't wait to listen to your students later this evening!
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Just listened to your kiddos! Great job!
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Gail Starr Thank you!! :-) I still have to edit the other two videos and update my website. I was worried this year. So many variables. Students resistant to memorizing... etc. In the end, they did as well as they could! Success after 2 years of no annual recital. I appreciate you taking the time to watch!!
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Denise They did great and so did YOU! I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to hold an entire studio together remotely. How did you motivate them so well?
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