As a child, I never thought I’d see the day that I would become a piano teacher. I took piano lessons and hated it! I disliked the practicing, the repetition, the isolation, and the day after day routine. Every year I asked my parents to allow me to quit. The answer was always a firm ‘no’.
I ended up auditioning to music schools because I wanted to be a jazz singer. I loved the syncopation, the harmony, the accapella sound. Piano, of course, was part of the audition. Low and behold, I was accepted as a piano major. I took music education classes with piano as a major and was determined to never practice again after I graduated. I was put on the track to teach elementary classroom music and choir. I loved the classes and got my first job doing just that. Although I didn’t end up being a jazz singer, I was happy.
As any teacher starting a career, I needed extra money. So I took a few piano students vowing to stop as soon as I was financially secure. It felt very hypicritical asking kids to practice so I could make some money. Would I really put them through what I perceived as torture? In doing so, I discovered that although practicing and performing was not my desire, I loved teaching the instrument.
Many years later……
Now I am married, have college age children, and have taught public school music and piano for many years. I have discovered I truly believe in the value of piano lessons. I have found that some of my most valuable lessons, exciting career advancements and opportunities have been through teaching piano. Piano lessons are much more than about music and this is why I teach piano. It’s the benefit of the non -musical goals, such as discipline, reaching for perfection, learning to accomplish long term projects why I teach piano. These are the skills that will benefit the child the rest of their life.
