hersheys:sigh! my gal also loves playing the piano but most of the piano teachers r very strict, stern and shows no patience at all to my extremely reserve gal and they dun seem to hv any passion, they are just teaching as this is just part of their job so I guess this does not motivate my gal. maybe it is just my gal's problem...in any case, sadly, we hv removed her from piano lessons and will start on ukulele in Nov. Hopefully it will be a fun class and she will enjoy it. come one, music is for leisure, what for being to stern and strict?
Insisting and passion are the most important. My students' parents told me same stories had happened to their kids. Teacher must be love kids, love music and love life. I always say teaching kids is not my job because they are my babies too! I always discuss with their parents how to guide their kids learning piano, music, even school subjects. My teenage students always share with me some secrets which they won't tell their parents. I think we are friends and family!