All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers
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Crm’s post towards Dreamaurora was really mean and uncalled for. Dream’s reply was classy. If I am Dream I would have demanded explanation and apology, you mean can deduce how a teacher teach just from Youtube videos of students’ performances. Even then, I dare to say a lot of teachers would be more than happy if their students can play as well as Dream’s students.
We all can agree that Dream is undercharging. What I don’t understand is his obsession to achieve competition winning standard as benchmark of good teaching. I only have vanilla grade 8, not even distinction, and I did not feel shortchanged at all by my ex teacher. Dream, I know you have high expectation of yourself, but few teachers are like you. If you think you are just "average amateur teacher", then how about those teachers who did not achieve as much as you? Terrible teachers? -
Oh My Gosh:
One of my friend recommend me this piano tutor with \"BMUS CTAABRSM\" behind her name. What does this mean since I knows nothing about music. How much will a piano teacher at this standard charge typically (trying to assess if her fees are reasonable)?
From experience, those with a more illustrious career will charge higher fees, assuming these teachers possess at least a music degree.
My kids' previous piano teacher has all the relevant qualifications including music degree and teaching diplomas etc with 20+ years of teaching experience. She charged $210 for 4 one hourly lessons for grade 5 and $230 for grade 8. Her students ranged from beginners to diploma and even those sitting for A levels exam. But she's not into performance teaching.
My kids' violin teacher is a well respected Singapore violin soloist. She held two scholarships (to US and Germany) when she was just 15 years old. Her charges - a flat $90/hour per lesson.
It was mentioned to me that Ms Julie Tan (President of http://www.smtasingapore.com/smta-office-bearers) charged $100/hr (2 years ago). However, she doesn't send her students for music exams.
Looking at some music schools, charges tend to be on the higher end at first glance. For instance, Forte Musicademy charges $126 per hour lesson from grade 1 to grade 8. However, majority of their teachers are often highly acclaimed performers in their own fields. http://www.fortemusicademy.com/p/faculty.html
Other music schools may charge lower fees but that does not necessarily mean their teachers are of a lower standard. I remembered I paid $30 for a 30 minute lesson when they first started learning violin. But the teacher is very well respected and is no less qualified. -
sacredmusicals:
Truth be told, Crm is entitled to her opinion. It may not be a positive opinion, but as a musician and teacher I must be receptive to criticisms and use them to spur me to greater heights. If we can only write nice things, then cannot write negative reviews for concerts liao. Remember even Li Yun Di got savaged by Chang Tou Liang for his Tchaikovsky Concerto performance with SSO last time.Crm's post towards Dreamaurora was really mean and uncalled for. Dream's reply was classy. If I am Dream I would have demanded explanation and apology, you mean can deduce how a teacher teach just from Youtube videos of students' performances. Even then, I dare to say a lot of teachers would be more than happy if their students can play as well as Dream's students.
We all can agree that Dream is undercharging. What I don't understand is his obsession to achieve competition winning standard as benchmark of good teaching. I only have vanilla grade 8, not even distinction, and I did not feel shortchanged at all by my ex teacher. Dream, I know you have high expectation of yourself, but few teachers are like you. If you think you are just \"average amateur teacher\", then how about those teachers who did not achieve as much as you? Terrible teachers?
When I say I am an 'average amateur teacher', I put it into the context of my end goal, that is to produce competent performers and teachers. Comparing my current achievements to what is required for my end goal, obviously I still have long way to go. Like you said, not all teachers are like me. Although yes, successful performance focused teachers are getting most of the limelights and recognition, there really is nothing wrong with teachers who don't.
I think it will be very sad that if we only consider teachers who produce prize-winning students as good teachers, and I am pretty sure not many parents want their children to go down that route as well of only chasing results and prizes. I have utmost respect for teachers who teach passionately for long time even if their students are not illustrious. Isn't really the main goal for most parents in sending their kids for music lessons to instil a life long appreciation for music? -
metz2:
Actually Julie Tan does not mind students taking exams. She will refuse if parents request for the exams, but if students themselves want the exams for the right reasons she will help them prepare. Must be the students' personal projects in her own words.Oh My Gosh:
One of my friend recommend me this piano tutor with \"BMUS CTAABRSM\" behind her name. What does this mean since I knows nothing about music. How much will a piano teacher at this standard charge typically (trying to assess if her fees are reasonable)?
From experience, those with a more illustrious career will charge higher fees, assuming these teachers possess at least a music degree.
My kids' previous piano teacher has all the relevant qualifications including music degree and teaching diplomas etc with 20+ years of teaching experience. She charged $210 for 4 one hourly lessons for grade 5 and $230 for grade 8. Her students ranged from beginners to diploma and even those sitting for A levels exam. But she's not into performance teaching.
My kids' violin teacher is a well respected Singapore violin soloist. She held two scholarships (to US and Germany) when she was just 15 years old. Her charges - a flat $90/hour per lesson.
It was mentioned to me that Ms Julie Tan (President of http://www.smtasingapore.com/smta-office-bearers) charged $100/hr (2 years ago). However, she doesn't send her students for music exams.
Looking at some music schools, charges tend to be on the higher end at first glance. For instance, Forte Musicademy charges $126 per hour lesson from grade 1 to grade 8. However, majority of their teachers are often highly acclaimed performers in their own fields. http://www.fortemusicademy.com/p/faculty.html
Other music schools may charge lower fees but that does not necessarily mean their teachers are of a lower standard. I remembered I paid $30 for a 30 minute lesson when they first started learning violin. But the teacher is very well respected and is no less qualified.
Anyway, charges can really vary widely. But with higher charges, come also higher expectation, and if charging big bucks must be consistent to deliver quality lessons all the time. -
Dreamaurora:
I am not sure how close you are to Ms Julie Tan and what she told you exactly. But my son's classmate had to find another piano teacher as Ms Tan would not prepare him for exam. Another person has also shared with me recently that Ms Tan is not into preparing students for exams.
Actually Julie Tan does not mind students taking exams. She will refuse if parents request for the exams, but if students themselves want the exams for the right reasons she will help them prepare. Must be the students' personal projects in her own words.
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Dreamaurora:
Regardless of the fees charged, I would expect a responsible music teacher to be consistent in delivering quality lessons (to his/her best ability) all the time.
Anyway, charges can really vary widely. But with higher charges, come also higher expectation, and if charging big bucks must be consistent to deliver quality lessons all the time.
If a teacher is unable to do so, I wouldn't advise any parent to engage him/her even if he/she charges peanuts. -
metz2:
Orh, I bumped into her a few months back and we chatted about teaching. I did ask her about her infamous reputation of refusing to prepare students for exams, after all she's researching a paper about the impact of music exams for her doctorate. She shared to me one of her students did very well for grade 5 ABRSM, but she was clear to point out that this was because the student made it her personal project. I do share similar belief as her. Exams are not evil and can be used for great purposes, but too often music learning in Singapore are centered around the exam.
I am not sure how close you are to Ms Julie Tan and what she told you exactly. But my son's classmate had to find another piano teacher as Ms Tan would not prepare him for exam. Another person has also shared with me recently that Ms Tan is not into preparing students for exams.Dreamaurora:
Actually Julie Tan does not mind students taking exams. She will refuse if parents request for the exams, but if students themselves want the exams for the right reasons she will help them prepare. Must be the students' personal projects in her own words.
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Dreamaurora:
Great, I'll give her a call and enquire about that. My son is looking forward to preparing for his Diploma exam. I hope she will give me a positive reply.
Orh, I bumped into her a few months back and we chatted about teaching. I did ask her about her infamous reputation of refusing to prepare students for exams, after all she's researching a paper about the impact of music exams for her doctorate. She shared to me one of her students did very well for grade 5 ABRSM, but she was clear to point out that this was because the student made it her personal project. I do share similar belief as her. Exams are not evil and can be used for great purposes, but too often music learning in Singapore are centered around the exam. -
metz2:
Word of advice, ask your son to call her himself. She wants independent student who is personally motivated.
Great, I'll give her a call and enquire about that. My son is looking forward to preparing for his Diploma exam. I hope she will give me a positive reply.Dreamaurora:
Orh, I bumped into her a few months back and we chatted about teaching. I did ask her about her infamous reputation of refusing to prepare students for exams, after all she's researching a paper about the impact of music exams for her doctorate. She shared to me one of her students did very well for grade 5 ABRSM, but she was clear to point out that this was because the student made it her personal project. I do share similar belief as her. Exams are not evil and can be used for great purposes, but too often music learning in Singapore are centered around the exam. -
Dreamaurora:
I would probably call her first and arrange for him to meet up with her. In fact, I already have a few teachers in mind for him to meet up with.
Word of advice, ask your son to call her himself. She wants independent student who is personally motivated.
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