Finding a good piano teacher can be just as important as finding a good piano. Right from the very first lesson your child needs someone that is competent. A good piano teacher will be someone who loves and understands music and is able to effectively communicate his or her skills, passion and enjoyment to your child.
Teaching music is what we call an “unprotected” profession. That means that there are no government standards that regulate the industry. Anyone can say they are a “music teacher” and start offering lessons.
At Niemeyer Pianos of Canada we love music and want to help you maximize your enjoyment as well. To that end we provide the following helpful hints and tips in finding a good music teacher.
Generally you have two choices: a music school or a private instructor.
Please be aware most of them, also those with the word “conservatory” in their name, are not what you should be looking for! By and large they are there to turn a profit for the owner and have only their own wellbeing in mind. Sometimes these “schools of music” or “conservatories” even hire incompetent staff because by paying their teachers less they are able to maximize their own profits (you still pay as much because of the school’s name). One very good exception is The Royal Conservatory of Music. We encourage you to visit their website www.rcmusic.ca for more information.
Some signs of a poor teacher are:
Private teachers usually are a better choice then a school of music. Teachers working under their own name in most cases have a good reputation to keep and will not be offended if you ask them for their papers. The best teachers have what we call an "ARCT" degree. This degree is not a guarantee for high quality but may be a good indication.
Usually the price difference between an amateur school of music and a professional coming to you home is minimal. Rates may vary between 15 and 30 dollars per 1/2 hour and you really do get what you pay for.
To help you find a high-quality music teacher in your area we are happy to provide the following list. If you know of a good music teacher who is not on this list please contact us and we may consider adding them. Please note however that offering a list of high-quality professional teachers is our top priority so we may decline adding some or your suggestions.