What are the roles of the teacher, student and parent in order to have a  successful lesson experience.

Role of the Teacher Assess the student’s goals and ability and give material appropriate for their development. Teach the student on a weekly basis regardless of their level of preparation.  There is always something to learn.  Keep in mind that continually being unprepared or underprepared will limit the advancement of your student. Find out the students likes and dislikes and make sure that the student is getting both what they want and need out of their lessons. Keep current with upcoming events. Keep current with new and old teaching techniques to find the best fit for each individual student. Communicate effectively with the student and communicate well with the parents. Help and guide instrument selection. Provide constructive, accurate feedback to both student and parent(s). Discuss student development and strategies to encourage practice and growth. Respect and honor your student, regardless of their level of ability. ​

Role of the Student Prepare for lessons Follow practice instructions. For example: if the instructions are to play each measure or phrase repeatedly before moving on to the next one, do it.  There is a reason behind it and science to back it up.  Practice that doesn’t follow practice instructions is wasted and doesn’t fulfill the practice requirement. Follow what is written in your practice planner. Communicate questions to your teacher. If you are unhappy with something we are doing in lessons speak to your teacher. If you want to do something in lessons that your currently doing...ask your teacher. Keep your flute in good working order.  You can’t practice when your flute isn’t working.  It’s hard enough to learn to play on an instrument that is in perfect condition. Schedule your lesson time and stick to it. Use all the tools you can when you practice: listen to youtube videos of various people playing your solos, use your tuner when you do long tones and scales as you warm-up to check your intonation tendencies of every note, use smartmusic to learn the piano part and practice your entrances, practice sight-reading, rhythm exercises and scales using smartmusic. Remember there is more to music than right notes and right rhythms.  If you are playing all the right notes and rhythms you are only on step one of many.  This should be done within the first couple weeks of getting a new piece.  The rest of the time will be all the great things that make music moving and enjoyable to listen too.  And of course speed will come hopefully sooner than later. Respect your teacher. He/She is there to help and guide your way in the world of music. They are not your friend or parent. The teacher/student relationship can be friendly, but the teacher’s instruction must be trusted and implemented. ​

Role of the Parent Do your best to get your student to their lessons on time. Make sure your child sticks to their individual practice schedule.  I hear many parents that want me to make their child practice.  The truth is I don’t have that power.  I’m only with them for 30-60 minutes once a week.  I am not at home to tell them to practice.  The parent needs to be the helper here.  Parents need to remind your child to practice.  Ask them if they practiced.  Set up goals, rewards, consequences if you need to.  Don’t expect every child to just practice on their own.  Practice is like any other habit that occasionally needs your help to keep to it...like exercise, sports, and chores.  As adults we don’t always feel like going to work,  the gym or eating a healthy meal but we know it's necessary.  Practice and doing homework for kids is the same kind of thing, they may know that if they want to be good they need to do it, but sometimes, that book or tv show, or computer is just so much easier! If you are able and willing, participate in your student’s lessons and practice. Depending on the type of relationship you have with your child choose the appropriate level to do this at. Just asking questions of your student after a lesson can help: What did you work on today? What do you need to do for next week? Can I see your assignment planner? Did you practice the hard part today? Etc… Sitting in at a lesson occasionally to see what is going on.  What instructions a student has for the week.  What we work on at a lesson. Encouraging your student for the progress they’ve made.   Attending the student’s musical events and letting them know how proud you are. Acknowledging your child’s desire and what amount of dedication is good for them and you.  Don’t force your child into Track 1 if they have no desire to do it.  That will only make them resent music. If you force to high of a commitment on them it will become a chore that when they reach a certain age they can finally quit. (I hear this from piano students a lot).  I’m not saying to give in every time they decide to quit… let's face it kids go through phases.  As a beginner I wanted to quit, I was dizzy all the time, the December concert was coming up and I still hadn’t had any luck making a sound, I’d get so dizzy I’d get nauseous, and the other flute players at school were making fun of my for my lack of success.  My mom made me stick with it.  She said she had paid for the flute for a year, I had signed up for band, and it was a commitment that I needed to see through. I obviously changed my mind.   THANK YOU MOM!!!!! ​