The Importance of Performances
Two common struggles of teachers/studio owners are motivating students and keeping students long-term. These are, of course, related to each other. A student who isn’t motivated to practice his instrument probably isn’t enjoying the experience and isn’t progr
essing, and it’s likely that it won’t be long before his family feels the investment is a waste of money and decides to pull their child out of lessons.
That said, I’ve never been one to implement reward programs to try to motivate a student. I’ve known teachers who provide prizes or even monetary rewards for students who practice a certain number of times per week, but in my experience these can be ineffective and expensive. Instead, I have found that providing students with performance opportunities motivates students to practice and in doing so, helps encourage a long-term relationship with the student and his family.
Attention: Music Teachers! Do you know how your students can get to Carnegie Hall? Of course they have to “practice, practice, practice,” but you can increase their chances by recommending that they participate in The Carnegie Hall Royal Conservatory Achievement Program (TAP for short).
A month ago I added an iPad to the collection of devices in my house. It’s a fun toy and I have enjoyed adding apps, books, and games. But the real reason I am excited about my iPad is the almost endless ways I have begun to use it in my teaching studio.