Recently, I’ve been feeling slightly blue. One of my most diligent and favourite students had to stop lessons because her family is relocating back to her home country.
Having taught for several years, I grown accustom to students coming and going. That’s just the way the world works.
But I’ve never grown accustomed to ending a great run.
Sometimes, my students and I just click. When that occurs, magic happens. What happens next is usually one of the most productive and enjoyable learning journeys for both the student and myself.
Prior to this recent case, the last time I felt this sad, was when I stopped teaching at Ngee Ann Polytechnic Strings. I previously worked as a classical guitar instrutor there, but had to stop to serve my national service.
Getting to know the students on a personal level, watching them grow and develop and sharing with them the magnificient gift of music are some of the greatest things I have experienced.
I work hard for my students, and I leave little doubt that I sincerely care for them. If a student had a problem, I try to solve it. If a student doesn’t understand something, I do my best to explain.
When it comes together nicely, magic happens. Teaching, inspiring and guiding students on the wonderful journey of music is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done.
When I stopped working in advertising to pursue my Bachelor’s in Communication, I wondered if I was committing career sucide by choosing to teach classical guitar instead of continuing to work in the media sector.
I greedily decided to have my cake and eat it. Teaching classical guitar would be my main source of income and I would take on small marketing communications jobs on an ad-hoc basis.
Time will tell if this was a poor career choice.
But if there’s one thing I know for certain, it is that teaching classical guitar has been one of the great joys of my life. I want to keep teaching for as long as it is feasible.
Still, it makes me sad to see a good student and friend go. But it is only through experiencing great joy that we can experience great sorrow.
I am glad to have experienced both.
Well saided :). With so many * tan chiak " music teachers around , its always a great pleasure to study with a maestro who`s committed to teaching his art well .