*** YORKIEGIRL, BOBBYBOBBOB, other music teachers out there? ****

[kitegirl]

I found through an archive search that you teach instruments.. Can you advise?
I am thinking about becoming a piano teacher, lower grades only (1-4). I have Grade 8 piano which I passed lightyears ago but took up lessons again 6 years ago. Last year I completed, as a mature student, a music degree (BMus. didn't study performance though). I really want to do it, and I would love to teach children, but I wonder if I need additional qualifications such as a teaching diploma?

TIA!

Message withdrawn

It's an interesting one - you definitely don't need a teaching diploma, but I would say that you have to be certain about what you're teaching iyswim! In that, you don't want to start people off with wrong technique. On the other hand, lots of the best teachers don't have any teaching qualifications at all - lots of it is getting the children to practise by inspiring them!

Some parents won't consider a teacher without a teaching diploma, but I think they are few and far between!

The daughter of a friend of mine was asked by her piano teacher to do some teaching of littlies when she was just 16. She was fantastic with young children (had a younger sister herself) and had just passed her grade 8. The teacher was oversubscribed, and wanted someone to take on some littlies for the first couple of years to see who had the talent, temperament, and commitment to progress. It worked very well.

I would have considered someone similar to teach my ds, but couldn't find anyone.

So I think with your experience and qualifications you should be able to find customers.