Interviewing Music Teachers
Parents without music training are often intimidated by the task of interviewing teachers. Often, even
parents with some music training in their background are unsure of what questions to ask or how to
go about evaluating teachers’ qualifications and temperament. Keep reading for a few questions and
ideas to get you started.
First, evaluate a teacher’s qualifications. Once you assess whether a teacher is, in fact, qualified to
teach, it’s time to remind yourself that a good personality fit is as important—or in some cases even
more important—than any specific credentials a teacher may have. Some children thrive in a
competitive environment, others do not. Some children relish in the act of performance, others do
not. Good teachers come in many styles and temperaments. Keep in mind that you want a teacher
who will work well with you and your child. After qualifications, the other three primary areas to be
evaluated, student activities, expectations, and business policies, are really just tools to help you
determine if the teacher will be a good fit for you and your child.
A note on "commercial" service providers: In recent years there has been a proliferation of
"commercial" lesson providers. They advertise in kid-focused publications and on the internet. They
may or may not screen teachers for minimal qualifications (usually requiring prior teaching experience
and a Bachelor's degree—though not necessarily in music). They'll give you a pitch such as "Great
Teachers: Study in our studios or in your own home." Or, "We come to you!"
Mostly, these businesses simply function as middlemen. They provide billing and payments
management services to their contract teachers (usually) and they advertise for new students. But
they won't do much for you: they'll send you to the local teacher's studio (usually the teacher's home)
or they'll have the teacher travel to you. For this service, they'll take a cut of between 25% and 50%
of tuition revenue. There is nothing wrong or unethical about this arrangement, but I urge you to
consider what practical value such a service provider gives to you, the prospective student/parent.
If you take the time and effort to find a local operator, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing
you've done your own due diligence to find a good teacher—and you'll likely find someone both
better qualified and more suited to your own personality and goals. And, 100% of your tuition
revenue will be going to support the teacher and/or local studio directly, without being siphoned off to
a home office in Nashville or New York or wherever.
You can find a great teacher all on your own! And no matter where or how you find your teacher,
you always want to insist on an interview before you sign up for lessons. Read on!
parents with some music training in their background are unsure of what questions to ask or how to
go about evaluating teachers’ qualifications and temperament. Keep reading for a few questions and
ideas to get you started.
First, evaluate a teacher’s qualifications. Once you assess whether a teacher is, in fact, qualified to
teach, it’s time to remind yourself that a good personality fit is as important—or in some cases even
more important—than any specific credentials a teacher may have. Some children thrive in a
competitive environment, others do not. Some children relish in the act of performance, others do
not. Good teachers come in many styles and temperaments. Keep in mind that you want a teacher
who will work well with you and your child. After qualifications, the other three primary areas to be
evaluated, student activities, expectations, and business policies, are really just tools to help you
determine if the teacher will be a good fit for you and your child.
A note on "commercial" service providers: In recent years there has been a proliferation of
"commercial" lesson providers. They advertise in kid-focused publications and on the internet. They
may or may not screen teachers for minimal qualifications (usually requiring prior teaching experience
and a Bachelor's degree—though not necessarily in music). They'll give you a pitch such as "Great
Teachers: Study in our studios or in your own home." Or, "We come to you!"
Mostly, these businesses simply function as middlemen. They provide billing and payments
management services to their contract teachers (usually) and they advertise for new students. But
they won't do much for you: they'll send you to the local teacher's studio (usually the teacher's home)
or they'll have the teacher travel to you. For this service, they'll take a cut of between 25% and 50%
of tuition revenue. There is nothing wrong or unethical about this arrangement, but I urge you to
consider what practical value such a service provider gives to you, the prospective student/parent.
If you take the time and effort to find a local operator, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing
you've done your own due diligence to find a good teacher—and you'll likely find someone both
better qualified and more suited to your own personality and goals. And, 100% of your tuition
revenue will be going to support the teacher and/or local studio directly, without being siphoned off to
a home office in Nashville or New York or wherever.
You can find a great teacher all on your own! And no matter where or how you find your teacher,
you always want to insist on an interview before you sign up for lessons. Read on!
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Piano Studio of Andrew Horowitz