The Quest for Ideal Violin Teachers: Best Qualities and Qualifications (Part 2 of 2)
In part 1, we went through some qualities and qualifications of a good violin teacher.
An employee who is applying for a job is required to submit a resume or curriculum vitae. It gives the employer an overview of the applicant’s educational background, skills, and work experiences. In a similar manner, parents who are looking for violin teachers for their children, may do the same. Or find a way to get such information.
Teaching is a profession. It requires one to have professional credentials. As a parent, you want to entrust your child only to a professional who can impart knowledge and provide training methods for your child’s violin skills and development.
Having a set of qualifications in mind could help you size-up your prospective teachers. Here’s a listing of credentials that could help you decide who’s the best man or woman for the job.
Checklist for Evaluating the Qualifications of a Prospective Violin Teacher:
- KNOWLEDGE: Knowledge could come from both educational background and experience. Does the teacher have a music degree or has taken a music course? Does the teacher have sufficient knowledge due to a vast experience in playing and teaching violin? Violin lessons include music theory and other violin facts and figures that could make the lesson interesting. Is the teacher equipped to pass on his/her knowledge to your child?
- EXPERIENCE: Experience could be gained through time and ample exposure. How long has he/she been teaching violin? Does the teacher have experience in teaching your child’s age bracket? A teacher’s experience is valuable in handling the learning challenges your child may encounter while playing the violin.
- SKILL: It is important that a violin teacher should have mastery of skills in playing the violin. Someone who could play what he preaches, so to speak. He/ she should be able to actually demonstrate or execute the violin theories and playing techniques to small children and beginners in an understandable manner.
- PERFORMANCE AND SHOWMANSHIP: A teacher can inspire and motivate his / her violin students by performing for them. Showing them ‘the big picture’ could encourage them and make them appreciate the value of those repetitive drills and exercises.
- REPUTATION: If you have a short-list of teacher candidates who are all almost on equal standing, their reputation could stand as the deal breaker. Go out of your way to get feedback from other past and present students. Investigate the reasons some students quit or transfer to other teachers or music schools. Research for any review or feedback online. Take a peek at the teacher’s Facebook or social network accounts. It could reflect his/her character and personality.
- AVAILABILITY: Does the teacher have regular teaching days and time slots? Find out his lesson cancellation ratio. Irregular schedules could stall your child’s learning pace and progress.
- FEE: Is the professional fee within your budget? Is the amount commensurate with the qualifications and skills of the teacher? Evaluate the budget you could afford without sacrificing the quality of your child’s education and training.
The search for the right violin teachers require time and effort. You should be resourceful and creative in getting information. You should ask lots of questions to and about the prospective teacher. Do your own research. Investigate. Negotiate.
Finding the perfect teacher for your child could be easy if you know what to look for. These guides should cut by half the process for you. Money is hard to come by these days so be wise and invest in true fashion in your child’s education, whether academic or musical. Violin lessons will definitely give our child advantages now and in the future. So go ahead and scout for your child’s violin teachers now.