Piano Lessons

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. I mainly teach elementary school children, though I do have a few adult students.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Years of experience does not necessarily mean good teacher. Sometimes teachers who have been teaching for a long time are burnt out or inexperienced in new methods of teaching or technological tools for teaching. Often younger teachers have a fresher excitement and more skills with new technology. It pays to look at both newer and older teachers.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. As someone who has worked with children both as a piano teacher and in other teaching capacities, I have developed a great level of patience in dealing with someone who is learning a new skill. I teach with kindness, yet still encouraging my students to do the best they can.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I enjoy being able to pass my skills onto others. I think it is a shame that the arts are not valued as highly as in the past, and it gives me enjoyment to see that my students do value their piano education.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Customers generally ask me about my rates for lessons. Because of the variation in the number of lessons each month, based on the number of weeks, I charge a flat tuition of $100 per month. The beginning set of books costs about $30 total.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I have worked playing piano for a number of years, and needed a supplemental job that had a schedule that worked with mine. The natural thing was for me to begin teaching. I have an affinity for teaching and I feel that my piano skills are worthy of being passed on to new learners.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I refer to one of my students as "perfect advertising" because I see her at school (my office is in the church offices next to the school campus) telling her friends how much she loves piano and how they should take lessons from me too. She recently came to her lesson and exclaimed, "Oh! I forgot to bring my paper!" When I asked her what it was for, she said that they had an assignment in class to interview their hero and she wanted to interview me. I was so happy to see how much she enjoys her lessons.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. For 1 half-hour lesson per week, I charge a flat rate of $100 per month, regardless of the number of lessons in the month. I will do my best to schedule makeup lessons if the student misses one; however, these are based on coordinating of our schedules, so it is not guaranteed. If I have to be absent for a scheduled lesson, I will do my best to reschedule; if unable, the student will be credited for the lesson. Books will run about $30 to start; additional books will need to purchased later on, as students progress in levels.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Observe teaching techniques of your own teachers and teachers you admire. Have a strong music theory background, not just piano skills.