All About Choosing Piano Schools And Teachers

[Dreamaurora]

ammonite:

To be honest I don't know if it is for performing or teaching. She was son's former teacher's teacher, about 30 years of experience if not more. Son goes to her house and lesson is conducted on a grand piano. No extras, no exams. We are going to her for convenience (son can walk there and back by himself) and I know she is patient and technically sound. She no longer does this for a living.

Hmm, hard to say about this one, so I would refrain from suggesting a fee. Maybe you can ask your son's former teacher for an approximate fee?

[ammonite]

Hm, why is it ‘hard to say’? She has quoted me $180 for 4 lessons after meeting my son. This is a quite a bit higher than the ex-teacher (not complaining), but a little higher than another student who is at the same level as my son but started with her earlier. She was upfront about it, which I appreciated. She explained that the other student is advancing very slowly so she didn’t want to raise the fee, while my son is doing better with half the lessons. I didn’t probe too much since the convenience of having her as his teacher really makes a huge difference to me. I just want to have a gauge of the average fees of similarly qualified teachers.

[OLYP]

Dear all,

My name is Olivia
I've been teaching piano for the past 5 years, since I graduated with ABRSM Diploma in Teaching at the age of 18 years old.
Personally, I have experience with young toddlers as young as 4 years old and I certainly welcome anyone who is interested to learn as my oldest student was 60 years old.


To every parent out there, if you're looking for a way to develop & further nurture your child's interest in music & development, please feel free to contact me.


Personally, I'm a bubbly, lively, enthusiastic & patient teacher to begin with.
Less than traditional overly-strict teachers, I'm more of the interactive & fun-loving teacher.
I may be strict when necessary, however, I believe only when learning is fun & engaging - only will it make music learning more interesting for the kids.


I'm proud to say that I've a group of students that has followed me well throughout the 5 years & they certainly have also made their parents & me proud, by attaining MERIT & DISTINCTION awards for ABRSM Practical & Theory examinations.


Lastly, I take full pride in ensuring that my students learns & understands the full purpose & fun in the journey of music learning.
At this point of time, I believe as a parent, if you're still interested to learn more.

I do teach at student's/my own's place as well.

Please feel free to contact me at the following.
Email: [email protected]
Contact Number: 92769848

[Dreamaurora]

ammonite:

Hm, why is it 'hard to say'? She has quoted me $180 for 4 lessons after meeting my son. This is a quite a bit higher than the ex-teacher (not complaining), but a little higher than another student who is at the same level as my son but started with her earlier. She was upfront about it, which I appreciated. She explained that the other student is advancing very slowly so she didn't want to raise the fee, while my son is doing better with half the lessons. I didn't probe too much since the convenience of having her as his teacher really makes a huge difference to me. I just want to have a gauge of the average fees of similarly qualified teachers.

Well, the subject of piano fee is a thorny one. Personally, I don't really care much about a paper qualification of a teacher. A teacher with lower qualification could possibly deliver better lessons than another teacher with a higher qualification. So, I would rather look at the result and the teacher's studio practice as a whole. But to answer your original question, fee seems reasonable enough in line with the market rate.

[phankao]

Dreamaurora:

ammonite:

Hm, why is it 'hard to say'? She has quoted me $180 for 4 lessons after meeting my son. This is a quite a bit higher than the ex-teacher (not complaining), but a little higher than another student who is at the same level as my son but started with her earlier. She was upfront about it, which I appreciated. She explained that the other student is advancing very slowly so she didn't want to raise the fee, while my son is doing better with half the lessons. I didn't probe too much since the convenience of having her as his teacher really makes a huge difference to me. I just want to have a gauge of the average fees of similarly qualified teachers.

Well, the subject of piano fee is a thorny one. Personally, I don't really care much about a paper qualification of a teacher. A teacher with lower qualification could possibly deliver better lessons than another teacher with a higher qualification. So, I would rather look at the result and the teacher's studio practice as a whole. But to answer your original question, fee seems reasonable enough in line with the market rate.

My son's teacher is a music degree holder and we are paying around that amount.

[ammonite]

Thank you phankao and dreamaurora!

[ngl2010]

What are the teachers’ qualifications do I need to look for if my son wants to study diploma in piano?

[pianoprincess]

ngl2010:

What are the teachers' qualifications do I need to look for if my son wants to study diploma in piano?

Ideally it should be at least one level higher than a diploma- probably a master's, or a minimum bachelor's. I wouldn't rule out a teacher who has done the diploma exam him/herself and only has that certification.

It also depends on which type of diploma your son wants to do- performance or teaching. The teacher should preferably have some experience in that area.

[ngl2010]

pianoprincess:

ngl2010:

What are the teachers' qualifications do I need to look for if my son wants to study diploma in piano?

Ideally it should be at least one level higher than a diploma- probably a master's, or a minimum bachelor's. I wouldn't rule out a teacher who has done the diploma exam him/herself and only has that certification.

It also depends on which type of diploma your son wants to do- performance or teaching. The teacher should preferably have some experience in that area.

Thank you. How long does it usually take to complete diploma?

[pianoprincess]

ngl2010:

pianoprincess:

[quote=\"ngl2010\"]What are the teachers' qualifications do I need to look for if my son wants to study diploma in piano?

Ideally it should be at least one level higher than a diploma- probably a master's, or a minimum bachelor's. I wouldn't rule out a teacher who has done the diploma exam him/herself and only has that certification.

It also depends on which type of diploma your son wants to do- performance or teaching. The teacher should preferably have some experience in that area.

Thank you. How long does it usually take to complete diploma?[/quote]Again it depends on how well he was taught during the years he learnt the piano.

Diploma is a complete new level from grade 1-8 ( ABRSM)- unlike the graded exams where you have 3 set pieces, for performance diploma you need to prepare about a 35 minute recital for the exam and viva voce. The pieces in diploma are technically more demanding, the recital must be done from memory, the student must learn how to prepare for the exam as a performer and not a student- learning to bow, present himself on stage, where to take a break, when to leave the stage and return between pieces, how to select pieces and organise them into a recital-these are things that need to be learnt and discussed. Viva voce would also require some time to prepare for.

If he is dedicated to his practice, has the sufficient technical skills to master the diploma pieces and does not have to divide too much attention between school and piano I would think 1 year is possible. But I think it is safe to say usually it takes 1.5 years at the minimum, or more.

Why not ask his current teacher? I would think he/she would be more able to assess your son as of now whether he is able to attempt the diploma exam and when as she would be the one who knows his strengths and weaknesses.