Interviewing Music Teachers
Finding a Qualified Teacher
Qualifications:  In the United States, unlike most other industrialized countries, there is no degree,
credential, or license required to teach music lessons.  Anyone, no matter how great or small their
skills, can get a business license from their locality and start teaching.  Just because someone is
teaching piano lessons doesn’t mean they are qualified to do so.  If you’re looking for instrument-
specific education (and not a general music class such as Music Together or Kindermusik), you want
your teacher to be an expert at her instrument.  Even if she specializes in beginners, and even if you
have a young or non-gifted child, the teacher should be a professional in her field.  In fact, the less
intuitive a learner your child is, the more important it is that they work with a professional teacher
with clear credentials and extensive experience.  Unlike many gifted students, the "average" student is
apt to do poorly absent good instruction.  Screen out teachers who lack clear, easily explainable
qualifications.  Parents often ask “Does a teacher really need a music degree to teach beginners?”  
Strictly speaking, the answer is…not really.  But if you want a firm foundation that will allow the
student to advance beyond the beginner level, and to enjoy a lifetime of music making and listening,
the answer is absolutely yes.
Piano Studio of Andrew Horowitz
Next page: Evaluating student activities
  • Do you have a degree in music?

  • Red flag: “I don’t need a music degree to teach beginners.”

  • There are three undergraduate degrees that are commonly offered to pianists.  Bachelor
    of Arts (B.A.) with a major in music, Bachelor of Music (B.M.) with a major in piano,
    and Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.).  A B.A. is a traditional liberal arts degree.  
    There are many general education requirements, and music classes may make up as
    little as one fourth of the course load.  A B.A. with a minor in music may in some cases
    mean that the graduate has taken as few as six music courses.  The B.M. degree is a
    “performance” degree, meaning most classes concentrate specifically on the
    performing art.  While knowing the theory and practice of teaching is important, it’s
    even more important to attain mastery in the subject area you’ll be teaching.  Someone
    who holds a B.M. in piano has probably demonstrated this mastery.  A B.M.E. degree is
    typically earned by those who wish to teach in public schools and offers three usual
    tracks: choral, band, and orchestra.  B.M.E. students learn to play and teach all the
    instruments in their track.  A B.M.E. degree with a band or orchestra focus contains
    little piano instruction; a choral focus requires more piano.  Students who are studying
    to become piano teachers usually earn a B.M. degree, sometimes with a pedagogy
    focus.  Master’s degrees follow a similar pattern, with an M.A. being the liberal arts
    degree, and an M.M. being the performance degree.  A Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.
    A.) is the terminal degree in the performance field.  Ph.D.’s are awarded to education
    or history scholars.  Advanced performers beyond the undergraduate level may also
    earn "Artist Diplomas" or other similarly named certificates.  In most cases, only a
    small elite chooses this route.

  • You should demand a teacher who has earned a music degree (either undergraduate or
    graduate) with a focus on the instrument they are teaching, or equivalent credentials or
    experience.  It should be the teacher’s responsibility to convince you that they have
    experience equivalent to a degree.



  • How long have you been teaching?

  • Don’t be too biased against young teachers.  A 22 year old teacher may well have been
    teaching since she was in high school.  Experience is valuable, but a thorough mastery
    of the subject matter and boundless enthusiasm are both more important.  


  • Are you Nationally Certified?

  • Red flag: “There is no certification for piano teachers.”

  • Red flag: “Certification is a waste of time.”

  • Don’t hold out for a teacher who is certified.  Most teachers are not.  If your
    prospective teacher is not certified, don’t fret.  However, it’s a red flag if they are not
    aware of, or cannot speak intelligently about, any certification programs.  Certifications
    commonly found in the United States are Guild and MTNA; less frequently
    encountered, but more rigorous, are ABRSM and RAM.  Certifications made by the
    school or store where the teacher works are nearly meaningless, as are certifications
    awarded by instrument manufacturers.  For-profit and non-profit organizations selling
    franchised teaching methods or systems (the largest of which are Music For Young
    Children, Yamaha, Kindermusik, and Musikgarten), also certify their teachers.  These
    certifications are an indication that the teacher is qualified to teach the particular method
    that awarded the certification, but not other methods or general individual instruction.


  • Are you a member of any associations or groups of music teachers?

  • Red flag: “There aren’t any groups of music teachers in my area.”

  • Red flag: “I’ve never heard of an independent music teachers’ association.”
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  • Local music teachers’ associations are how teachers get out of their independent
    “bubble” and supply themselves with professional connections, education opportunities,
    and performing opportunities for students.  In small towns in rural areas the teacher
    should at least be aware of, or belong to, the state chapter.  With thousands of local
    music teachers’ groups across the U.S., even the smallest cities probably have a local
    chapter.

  • Many teachers who work at for-profit and non-profit community music schools are
    not members of the state and local music teachers' associations.  This is not necessarily
    bad, as long as they can point to the professional connections and continuing education
    they receive through their employers.


  • How many students do you have?


  • Do you still play the piano yourself?
Questions to ask