Piano, Singing, & Band Instrument Lessons

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

A. I have three children who play instruments and/or sing myself in addition to having taught hundreds of students over the years. I look for a teacher I can trust, who has clear studio policies so I know what is expected from myself and my child/teen, as well as from the teacher. You also should look for a teacher who communicates with you and you feel comfortable communicating with. The teacher should be a member of some sort of organization so they have colleagues to ask questions of and have easy opportunities to learn about new teaching materials and methods. An experienced teacher will use the lesson time better than an inexperienced teacher also, but you do want either to have enthusiasm but not be scatter-brained!

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. If I was looking for a music teacher of a specific instrument, I would want the teacher to have performance experience on that instrument and be able to play any assignment well for me, perhaps recording it, so I would have a correct example to follow. Usually teachers who are experts on a particular instrument also have special knowledge of the instrument that can't be found in any books.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. Before you hire a private music teacher, you should have them audition for you on the instrument they will be teaching or sing an example of the type of songs they use for teaching. I would also request recordings of their playing or singing they have done and any YouTube videos of themselves or their students performing.