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Well, the time has come--despite my protestations and denials, the kiddo had his final lesson with his beloved first piano teacher last week. The past 9 months have been full of surprises, and we couldn't have asked for a better "end of the beginning" than the Top-Talent Circle Rating the little guy received on his very first Guild Audition (Elementary Special, International) this past weekend.

I placed a call this morning to the new teacher recommended by the old (yes, I've been procrastinating), and am waiting to hear back. I've heard just enough about her to be a little nervous (I'm hoping comments like "You're throwing him to the wolves?" are meant only in jest...), but will keep an open mind and reserve judgment. To that end, I would like to ask this forum for help following proper etiquette when transferring teachers:

We already have the first teacher's blessing, as it was her recommendation in the first place. The first teacher has already spoken with the new teacher, as well. Obviously, I'm hoping our initial meeting is a good one. If for some reason it isn't, should we give lessons a try anyway? Should I interview other teachers regardless, or only if the initial meeting does not go well? Thank you in advance for your help!

I haven't followed earlier threads. I don't think there is anything particularly wrong with talking to several teachers, but do you have a particular reason for worrying about the one that has been suggested? Take things one step at a time ... relax.

Why is your kiddo transferring?

I think you should certainly interview 2 or 3 teachers you find on your own. You are under no obligation to work with the recommended scary teacher #2. And I still think the whole idea of teacher #1 abandoning your son after just one teaching season is silly and unfortunate. I'd like to speak to her, and get her to change her mind.

Always better to interview with several.

I agree that it's good to interview other teachers besides just this one. In answer to your first question, if the initial meeting with this teacher is not good and you do not have a good gut feeling, then I would not sign up for lessons with her.
But keep an open mind going in to this interview, because rumors can be just that. Maybe somebody had a bad experience with a teacher and then that student told someone else, and on it goes. 2 sides to every story.

If you read the earlier posts of the OP, apparently his kiddo, at the age of 5, after a few lessons, was playing better than many who have played years.

His current teacher didn't feel comfortable of continuing teaching such a rare talent, and insisted to transfer him to a more capable teacher. The teacher being Edna Golandsky or one of her associates.

Not sure if this makes a difference.

So teacher #1 did not abandon the child, but rather took a loss of income to look after the child's best interest and place him with a teacher commensurate with his abilities.

Excellent

I don't know any of the backstory besides this, but I agree, this sounds like a good situation. I would trust the teacher, and try to stick with the recommendation unless the new teacher ends up being really terrible with a kid or something. I think even a not-so-good teacher (by her own admission or not!) will be a better judge of the abilities of a prospective teacher than a non-musical parent who is simply interviewing several teachers.

This is my view as well. I'm assuming the best, and that "scary teacher #2" is actually a well-established and -respected pedagogue who can take the kid to the next level and let him blossom musically.

And if all else fails, there's no obligation to stay with teacher #2. It's a free country.

Thank you all! I spoke with teacher #2 yesterday, and she seemed serious but not scary (at least over the phone), so we made an appointment for this weekend. She asked me a myriad of questions, including my son's age, how long he's been playing, current lesson length, current repertoire, and what time he wakes up and goes to bed (I'm hoping the last questions were only to help in scheduling lesson times vs. calculating how many hours he can potentially practice within a 24 hour period .

From your responses, it sounds like it would be perfectly proper for me to interview other teachers, but to red-rose's point, I'd likely make a poor judge of actual teaching ability. Are there particular things I should ask about or look for in trying to ascertain this?

Just be honest. You might even express your confusion over why teacher #1 is deferring to teacher #2, when your son had such a splendid relationship with #1. The specifics of #2's response to you matter less than her heart, and her appreciation of relationships. You could also discuss her views on prodigies, if in fact your son might be one.

But didn't teacher #1 tell #2 in detail about your son to smooth this transition?

I looked up the earlier thread, since I study with a Golandsky Institute faculty member, and the mention made me curious. From what I know, all the teachers there are great to work with, extremely supportive and nothing scary.

I recently saw Edna give a master class with an 8-year-old player. I thought she was wonderful in working with the young girl.

I would suggest trusting teacher #1's recommendation unless you find something that makes you unhappy.

It should; she's one of the most respected teachers in the Americas. What surprised me (and I should have known better) is that Ms. Golandsky is teaching out of Vancouver, BC. For some reason, I thought she was NYC based.

I wasn't the OP, don't know where the OP is located.

Just to be clear, the new teacher recommended by teacher #1 is NOT Edna Golandsky, nor a Golandsky Institute certified teacher, as there are none in our area. Teacher #1 has said she envisions my son one day studying with Ms. Golandsky should he continue down this path, that is all, and suggested sending a recording for her assessment (a request I demurred as I think it premature).

Update: We met with Teacher #2, and I have to say, she was a little intimidating. It's possible I have a warped perspective, as my only experience until now has been with Teacher #1, who simply exudes rainbows and sunshine... On the other hand, Teacher #2 definitely seemed a very capable teacher, and I think my son would be able to learn a lot from her.

Teacher #2 did not engage in any social pleasantries, but got right down to business, handing me her studio policy to review and gesturing my son to the piano. She directed most of her questions to the kiddo rather than myself, which I appreciated and found very respectful. She had him play a couple pieces and a few scales, ripped apart his technique, then whispered to me "It's not his fault--he only knows what he's been taught." She said she had spoken with Teacher #1 and was willing to take him on as a student, and that we would see how far he truly can go. When I replied that I don't want to push him, she said that it would be up to us. She told me to call with any questions, and we thanked her for her time. As we were driving home, I asked my son what he thought of Teacher #2, and he said, "I like her, but she's not Mrs. [Teacher #1]."

My spouse and I still need to discuss things, but my preliminary thinking is to ask if we can do a trial period of, say, 2 weeks of lessons to see if it's a good fit. Teacher #2's termination policy requires a one month written notice PLUS an additional one month's tuition, so I am hoping she will agree to waive this requirement within the 2 week trial period. During this time, we would pay her regular tuition rate but not take up a regular spot on her schedule--we would only squeeze in at her convenience. Does this sound like a reasonable request?

Not in my opinion.

It usually takes longer than two weeks for a teacher to get used to a student, and vice-versa. Sometimes it takes several months.

It sounds like she is a very good teacher of piano, which is what you want. Knowledgable and down to business. And she apparently knows technique, which is foundational to playing well. and which way too many teachers ignore, including perhaps teacher #1.

I say jump in and expect her to be a great asset to your son's music life.



You put a frown smiley after this...why?

I would say your son is wise, and the fact that he likes her, and does not expect her to be cuddly like #1, which seem to be your issue, not his, indicates further a "go" situation.

I personally would be thrilled to have such a teacher for my son.

Unless teacher 1 asked you to leave her studio, I would expect to follow the written contract - the one month notice+one month and not ask for special considerations.

Does nobody else find this odd and unreasonable? If I am understanding correctly, then simply by signing up with this teacher you are agreeing to basically give her an entire month of tuition... FOR NOTHING? (Whenever you leave, since, everyone will leave eventually, right?) That is a lot of money! What is the rationale behind this? Why not simply say you have to give 2 months notice, since that is the same financial result for the teacher, but at least the student "gets" something reasonably fair (and of course they have the option to simply not take the 2 months of lessons.) Or why not require people to pay a non-refundable month of tuition when they sign up, since that's basically what this is? (Wouldnt that be hard to enforce once they've already left? Why not make them pay upfront if they're going to pay it eventually?) That at least to me, seems a "less sneaky" way to try and get maximum amount of money out of people!

It isn't a contract I would have signed. However, the parent DID sign it, so they should uphold their end.