OK, mine is a 6th grade girl who never makes excuses, even though I know she is quite busy. She is usually well prepared. She isn't the best sight reader, but she tries hard and she interacts with me and offers her own opinion, tells me what is challenging for her, and what she enjoys. We have a good time together, can laugh together, and she makes me a better teacher. She listens well and wants to play the piano well. What more could I ask?

Yours?

Carol

Those great students that have that light that turns on in their eyes when you teach them something really cool:)

Dave Frank

Every one who tries.

I've had quite a few very satisfying students. One girl I taught up until last year, in 1 1/2 years, went from barely being able to read music (though she could read a bit and I put her in Level 1 Faber at the time) to RCM Grade 3 piano, which she got an excellent mark (an 87). We worked on some of the RCM grade 4 student until she moved away. She almost always practiced, learned new concepts quickly, learned new pieces in 2-3 weeks, always did her theory assignments. Her family provided me with several referrals too.

Then there is this pair of brothers (13 and 9 years old)I teach, the older one is mastering RCM Grade 6 pieces in about 3 weeks, and the younger one sometimes learns RCM Grade 3 pieces in one week, though usually two. When their dad lost their job, because they are such excellent students, I offered them the privilige of them working for me. They have excellent sight reading and ear skills, and they are sure-fingered on the technical elements. The boys were very upset when thir dad originally told them they would have to stop their music lessons because of dad losing his job, but because I need help with a bunch of small things in my studio, I delegate the tasks.

A clarinet student I taught for nearly 2 years before I moved him to a teacher specializing in more advanced students, is doing RCM Grade 6 clarinet this week. Only once did he have an excuse for not practicing much, and it was valid, I quite remember the morning when his dad called me to let me know he had a minor injury on his arm and might have difficulty playing.

A number of my current and former students keep in touch with me via Facebook.

Meri

My most satisfying student!

Well, my most satisfying student came from a classical teacher, but he wanted to play jazz and blues. So I wanted him to get the best teacher and gave him names of one other great jazz and blues teachers (even gave him the name of my former jazz/blues teacher)! He interview several, but wanted me. His mom said she let him pick the teacher he wanted.

He has turned out to be a real inspiration to me. He comes from a single home! But he has not let this stop him. He has an amazing musical ability beyond the normal. He is in a rock band and they are making money on gigs.

I can honestly say that in the 5 years that I have taught him, he has never come to a lesson and said he couldn't practice! Not once!

Right now my most satisfying lesson each week is with a six year-old who will be seven in a couple months.

His father has been part of the lessons since day one. This boy already has belts in martial arts, and his dad coaches baseball.

Today I was talking about using the least amount of movement possible so long as there is no loss of power and no tension. His dad immediately said, "Less is best". I loved it, told him I'm going to steal that phrase. Dad and son get everything. The son practices at MOST 30 minutes a day, but the practice is so perfect and so efficient that I am able to teach scales and arpeggios, plus and I've already covered root position major, minor and diminished triads in all keys. I'll add augmented in a week or two.

Every lesson is a pure joy. And he loves to perform, so he's a total natural in both music and in sports.

I have a very little girl who can improvise amazing pieces (while I accompany on the lower register.) I feel like I am witnessing some sort of miracle when it happens....I am baffled by young talent and feel very lucky when they fall under my direction...This does not happen very often....every blue moon or so.

I'd started making a post when this topic first came up, but got distracted, and the rest is history.

I'd have to say my most satisfying is one who was a transfer to me, and ALWAYS put her hands in C position EVERY time she sat down at the piano. (She's also the student who says not 5 words a lesson.) In any case, she's gone from that (and not really reading notes at all,) to pretty much learning her pieces on her own with direction, and with pieces not in any position, at that. I am not a personal piano trainer to her, and it's great. She occasionally says she hasn't had time to practice, but there's always something else we can work on. She never misses unless she's truly sick. She always has her stuff.

I think she started classes either in March or April, and I'm going to miss having her as a student when I move. (less than a month of teaching left.)

My most satisfying student is my son. He has really caught the vision and is so enthused about his music. I often kid people about wearing 2 hats when he's in a competition: the 'mom' hat and the 'teacher' hat. He's a joy to work with, eager to learn, and motivated to get better. AND . . . he's 15! A difficult age to keep boys at the age motivated. Besides doing well in competitions he was just named as principal pianist for a well known youth orchestra and will be playing jazz which has really put the fire back into his learning and has increased his sight reading capability. I can't begin to tell you how pleased, excited and fulfilling this has been. I'm so excited - and so is he.

This is going to be a hard one to pin down. I have a lot of satisfying students--I could literally teach them for free. Heck, for some of these kids I'd pay money to teach...they're _that_ awesome.

My most satisfying student would have to be this 6th-grade boy. He's not very talented, and is mediocre at best. But he tries hard every week. I keep on raising the bar, and he continues to try to reach the bar. He told me all his friends at school quit piano, and he was tempted to "join the crowd." But he is determined to stick it out until he passes CM Level Advanced. He explains that, if he quits now, all his previous work would have gone to waste. He's really mature for his age, and his work ethic astounds me every week.

I have several students who are infinitely more talented musically, but don't put in half the effort he puts in. That can get frustrating.