Recently I had to part company with my teacher because I was out sick (Part of August, all of September & October) when the fall session began. When I was ready to resume, she informed me that her schedule had gotten busier than expected this semester and she didn't have a place for me. She reluctantly had to turn me down. Bad luck & bad timing for both of us. I was disappointed because it had been a struggle to find a good teacher and I felt lucky when I found her. But I understood because she was stretched too thin. My next thought was how much time & effort it would take for me to find another teacher that I would like & feel good about working with. Anyways, we wished each other well and she gave me the names of a couple other teachers to check out. I pondered my next step for a day or two and then decided I'd at least try contacting a few teachers just to chat. The first day I called, I was busy with other things & only had time to make one phone call. I figured I'd likely have to wait until after the holidays to start up with someone.

It didn't take long.

Three days after bidding farewell to teacher #1, I spoke with teacher #2. I didn't expect he'd have any openings but it turns out the store manager who I am friendly with had spoken to him about me. The day after chatting on the phone with him I had my first lesson.

Wow !

He's a Steinway artist who teaches at the local Steinway store. He also travels around the country performing, giving master classes, accompanying other performers etc. He's not on the store's published teacher roster because he doesn't use any of the studios above the showroom (so I didn't know he taught there).

Here's the best part: he instructs students after hours on the store's gorgeous Steinway D ! Its prominently placed on a small elevated stage in the main showroom for when various Steinway artists are in town making promotional appearances.

Now going home to my Yamaha upright is going to seem like parting company with a super-model for....(fill in your own best analogy).

BTW, here's an interesting little tidbit: He was a few minutes late for my lesson because he had just met with his insurance agent. He explained that if you own a Steinway grand (I don't know what kind he has at home), it requires a rider on your homeowner's policy to insure it. A standard policy alone won't cover it.

Anyways...I feel blessed !

Congrats!


I think the homeowner's insurance issue depends more on the individual policy than anything else.

You are blessed!

ps...it isn't just Steinway grands...just about any piano of any value requires a rider.

..but is he a good teacher?

Andro, Good question. Its early in the game of course, but I was impressed after one lesson. I only played very briefly (less than a minute). He stopped me and we focused on some technique tricks and artistic expression ideas rather than the more mundane things (like fingering for example). He also gave me some pointers on how to relax more.

BTW He didn't charge me for the lesson because (in his words), "we spent more time talking than playing". He also came highly recommended from my first teacher and I'd heard good things about him from others (including other students). I should also add that often you can just tell when someone is very good at what they do just from how they are. He comes across that way if that makes any sense.

Well I just learned something then (I've never owned a grand you see so thats a problem I've never had to deal with). If I ever win the lottery, well.....

very good stroke of luck dmc.
One door closes and another opens...

What fun to play on a grand on a ministage each week. That would help one's performance i bet. Enjoy discovering your new teacher

Yes, most home insurance policies have strict limits, into which a piano (even a modest "ordinary grand" like my old 6-ft Yamaha) very often will not fit.