The shortcomings of our virtues. (Independent Music Teachers Forum).(Brief Article)

Thorstein Veblen, the brilliant economist and social critic, began many of his analyses with the observation that economic systems had the shortcomings of their virtues--and the virtues of their shortcomings. As independent music teachers (IMTs) we are abundantly aware of the incredible advantages our independence provides. But it is precisely this independence that can make us the most vulnerable, the most isolated and the most likely to set out to re-invent the wheel.

When a fellow IMT is the target of a vendetta by an irate neighbor or neighborhood association, the first sensation the attacked feels is vulnerability. As MTNA continues to develop, we are attempting to make strides to lessen the feeling of isolation. Nancy Stokes received some very important support from her fellow Georgia Music Teachers Association members and from IMTs across the country who had dealt with--and survived--the experience. Jerome and Betty Kowalsky Stasson from a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, were able to share a great number of suggestions with Nancy and her husband, Lane Stokes, from their arduous, but victorious, battle in Michigan.

These frightening zoning struggles will persist as IMTs continue developing more professional studios in our homes. The growing recognition of the value of group interaction in music teaching and several technology-related developments will certainly increase the likelihood of student traffic issues. The number of IMTs entering the profession seeking to provide a primary, or at least significant, income will increase the visibility of our home-based studios. We will have to become familiar and compliant with our local zoning ordinances. Stokes related her disappointment at the number of IMTs who were afraid to publicly support her because of fear of attracting attention to themselves. Though we may be able to understand this reluctance, we certainly can't be satisfied with the perception that if people found out what we were doing, we would be "shut down."

In the final analysis, we will have to follow the battle cry ...