It has been a while since my last post. I am tempted to say I might have been struck by the dangerous and dreaded "writer's block", but I guess it applies to actual writers and so I must refrain. The truth is I was worried that I might not live up to the expectations of the very small but intellectual following that my blog has. And that worry, I know, is futile. Sometimes, you just have to ignore the truth to get on with it. And here I am, getting on with it.
All through my teenage years, I was adamant about the fact that I would never indulge in any aspect of teaching music. I believed vehemently that if I ever got "stuck" with teaching, I would never be able to make it as a performer. There was nothing going to stop me from becoming a performer! However, the day I finished high school and at the beginning of the long summer break before I started University, my dad suggested that I start teaching to get some experience. I guess he always knew I was going to move to the West and that Teaching would be immensely helpful to pay my bills if I had the experience. And so, unwillingly at first, I entered the world of teaching.
It would be an understatement if I said I enjoyed teaching. In fact, I loved every minute of it even though I could never admit it to my dad for the first couple of years. It took me a while before I could tell him how I felt about it without feeling embarrassed. It didn't matter to me what age or level my students were. All I cared about was whether they had the love, the love for music. I nurtured that love, I fed it, I fostered it. I knew that once they realised and experienced the beautiful, fascinating and incredibly life-altering power of music, my job was almost partially done. At least, the emotional side of it was.
The best time to learn music is, of course, when you're a child. It's just like with learning a language, it gets more demanding as you're older and I've had people ask me whether it's too late to start leaning music when you're an adult. But it's never too late to appreciate its beauty, to feel and embrace its intensity. One such example of determination was my 74 year old student, Mary. She was an excellent student, practiced well, came prepared for her lessons every week, had the right questions and above all, was a fantastic singer. I could even say I was motivated by her spirit and perseverance. And to all those people in doubt, she is your answer.
I preferred to take on a more relaxed and approachable style of teaching even though I myself had a rigorous and strict routine. The only reason being my angst that I would put my students off if I was too tough with them. (However, I don't deny the fact that the almost uncompromising method my tutor adopted with me worked wonders for my confidence, confusing as it may sound.) Moving to London and taking up teaching in a music school there also brought about adjustments to my teaching methods.
From 6 year old Simone who wrote me cards and letters while she was away on holiday in Majorca, 11 year old Toby who firmly believed he was the manager of my fan club, and 15 year old Mirren who persisted with me after having had 3 teachers in 4 months, to Ray, an adult student, who bought me a box set of Billie Holiday classics when I was leaving, all my students have given me unforgettable and cherished memories.
Teaching is an art,a talent few possess, a privilege which some are blessed with. As the saying goes, 'As you teach, you learn.' With time, I learnt how approaches had to be altered, confidences boosted, slackness criticized, hard-work appreciated, and above all, for the passion to be kept alive and strong!
All through my teenage years, I was adamant about the fact that I would never indulge in any aspect of teaching music. I believed vehemently that if I ever got "stuck" with teaching, I would never be able to make it as a performer. There was nothing going to stop me from becoming a performer! However, the day I finished high school and at the beginning of the long summer break before I started University, my dad suggested that I start teaching to get some experience. I guess he always knew I was going to move to the West and that Teaching would be immensely helpful to pay my bills if I had the experience. And so, unwillingly at first, I entered the world of teaching.
It would be an understatement if I said I enjoyed teaching. In fact, I loved every minute of it even though I could never admit it to my dad for the first couple of years. It took me a while before I could tell him how I felt about it without feeling embarrassed. It didn't matter to me what age or level my students were. All I cared about was whether they had the love, the love for music. I nurtured that love, I fed it, I fostered it. I knew that once they realised and experienced the beautiful, fascinating and incredibly life-altering power of music, my job was almost partially done. At least, the emotional side of it was.
The best time to learn music is, of course, when you're a child. It's just like with learning a language, it gets more demanding as you're older and I've had people ask me whether it's too late to start leaning music when you're an adult. But it's never too late to appreciate its beauty, to feel and embrace its intensity. One such example of determination was my 74 year old student, Mary. She was an excellent student, practiced well, came prepared for her lessons every week, had the right questions and above all, was a fantastic singer. I could even say I was motivated by her spirit and perseverance. And to all those people in doubt, she is your answer.
I preferred to take on a more relaxed and approachable style of teaching even though I myself had a rigorous and strict routine. The only reason being my angst that I would put my students off if I was too tough with them. (However, I don't deny the fact that the almost uncompromising method my tutor adopted with me worked wonders for my confidence, confusing as it may sound.) Moving to London and taking up teaching in a music school there also brought about adjustments to my teaching methods.
From 6 year old Simone who wrote me cards and letters while she was away on holiday in Majorca, 11 year old Toby who firmly believed he was the manager of my fan club, and 15 year old Mirren who persisted with me after having had 3 teachers in 4 months, to Ray, an adult student, who bought me a box set of Billie Holiday classics when I was leaving, all my students have given me unforgettable and cherished memories.
Teaching is an art,a talent few possess, a privilege which some are blessed with. As the saying goes, 'As you teach, you learn.' With time, I learnt how approaches had to be altered, confidences boosted, slackness criticized, hard-work appreciated, and above all, for the passion to be kept alive and strong!
