Developing the independent studio. (Independent Music Teachers Forum).(Brief Article)

As independent music teachers (IMTs) we are responsible for every aspect of our studios; from tuition rates to repertoire selection, from technique to sight reading, from practice commitments to performance anxiety. Ironically, we seem to be isolated from our colleagues in some of these areas, operating in a vacuum of information about other independent studios. In other areas, like selection of the newest method book publications, we seem inundated with testimonials and advertisements. Individual workshops, of necessity, focus solely on single aspects of this multifaceted profession of independent studio teaching. Mid-way through my two-year tenure as IMTF national chair, I'd like to focus on developing the professional music studio from a teaching point of view rather than other issues, such as income, studio policies and legal matters that have occupied our attention lately.

We are independent studio teachers. The relative vitality (or malaise) of our studios is based entirely on the growth and development of the students we teach. This, in turn, is a function of the quality of student we attract, as well as the motivation and inspiration we provide. The performance level and personal satisfaction of our students establish our reputation in our community. There evolves an expectation within the studio of certain levels of practice, progress and development over time, defining the level of the studio. I'd like to focus attention on ways we can elevate these expectations. How do we see that each student develops as quickly and solidly as possible? On a studio-wide level, how do we see that our studios develop to provide healthy, thriving, evolving experiences for teacher and students alike?

From the first lesson, I believe in establishing a daily warm-up routine that will awaken the student's sensitivity to the connection of the physical and the aural--what feels good and works well in relaxation and focus, and how it sounds to play that way. Each instrument will obviously have its differences, but from the voice to the keyboard and everything in between, the awareness of the sound and how it is produced physically makes the best starting point for establishing a daily practice regimen that can be habit forming. After all, good habits are what we're after. If a daily regimen is sophisticated enough to advance each student to the next level of ...