In a message dated 03/05/2002 10:58:57 AM Central Standard Time, ydechance@h... writes:
<< While I understand your overall point, I must take exception to the concept that teaching in one's home, or the age or goals of one's students, must affect the cost a teacher charges for lessons. The concept that a teacher who works in a place other than a school or rented studio, specializes in younger students (or older, or non-classical, or whatever), and accepts students who are not planning on professional careers...that that teacher is automatically less of a teacher than others is an unfair assumption. There are good teachers and bad in every category. Those teachers dedicated to the nurturing of beginning musicians are, in my mind, to be particularly esteemed, because they provide the foundation for further study. >>
Thank you, Yvonne! I feel exactly the same way. I have chosen NOT to teach in a conservatory or college setting. At the local conservatory, they would charge the students slightly more than I'm charging now - but I would get a little more than half of that. As a self-employed person, I am responsible for my OWN health insurance, paying quarterly taxes, setting up my studio to the best possible advantage for myself and my students, establishing a retirement account -- my income as a teacher is not just a little extra pin money. I also have to pay out of pocket for any further education -- I try to go to at least one NATS-sponsored event per year.
And my students may or may not decide to become professional musicians, but I treat them as though they ARE going to from the minute the walk into my studio.
<< Like Sharon and many others on this list, I love what I do, but I expect to be compensated for my skills and experience, not where or who I choose to teach.>>
Exactly!!
Christine Thomas Wauwatosa, WI <A HREF="http://hometown.aol.com/mezzoid/myhomepage/profile.html"> http://hometown.aol.com/mezzoid/myhomepage/profile.html</A>
"I love to sing-a, about the moon-a and the June-a and the spring-a"
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