Choosing pieces for first evaluation with a new teacher!

[yooniefied]

Gah, that title was a mouthful.

Anyways. I am a Juilliard alumni in the process of finding a new teacher to progress my studies on the piano now that I am back home.
I am not really confident with my playing these days (perfectionist alert..), and I rarely ever practice(gasp!), so you can imagine how worried I am that my next teacher will find me sloppy, and of little skill and aptitude. I want to leave a good impression.
I know he/she will ask me to play a piece or two during the first lesson, in order to give them an idea of my level and strengths, but I have had bad experiences during similar situations..so I dread even the idea of playing for them. I am determined to select the BEST piece to show them, even if it means I have to learn new ones beforehand.

Is it a better idea to select an easy piece that you play outstandingly, or a difficult piece which challenges your technique, even if it means sacrificing some perfection? Would it be a good idea to play a Baroque or Classical piece simply to show technique or a Romantic piece which shows emotional performance?

I would select one of the last few pieces that teachers gave me, but I really never enjoyed any of them, and I've never felt challenged by them. I've always learned the ones I liked on my own time.. pathetically jumping around the keys in an attempt to play Liszt or Chopin or difficult Beethoven sonatas...it might seem "airy fairy" and "unrealistic"  to play an etude or something 'Virtuoso' and expect them not to criticize my horrendous technique and lack of fingering;however, at the same time, I don't want them to underestimate my abilities.

Would a full sonata be a good idea? Or perhaps a short romantic piece like a waltz or something? What should I prepare? Should I learn something new? If you were a teacher, what would you prefer your student play on a first lesson?

Any thoughts?

[m1469]

My main goal as a teacher, when interviewing a new student, is basically to determine how much I can actually help the student from exactly where they are at (not "supposed" to be) when they walk in the door and sit down.  So, I look primarily for the following things in the very first lesson (or interview) :

Musical interests
Physical comfort at the keyboard
General level of confidence as a person and musician
Ability to learn
Level of Adventurousness
General Attitude
and more...

With that in mind, I would ideally want somebody to play for me something that they feel truly comfortable with, as well as something that the student feels truly reflects them as an individual.  However, a lot can be learned from somebody who walks in and plays a piece of music that they hate and do not feel comfortable with, too.  The former would be my best advice, and imo gives a better idea to the teacher (on first impression) about exactly what they are going to have to work with in you.  I would also recommend playing at least 2 contrasting pieces... maybe one Baroque, one Romantic.  Or one Classical and one Impressionistic.  Etc.

Remember to think as specifically as possible about what you are looking for in a teacher too.  For example, if you did walk in and play some of the pieces that your last teachers gave you, but you do not like them, it would be interesting to know how a teacher would react to that information.  Play first, see what questions arise.  If you have the opportunity to tell the new teacher that you did not actually enjoy playing this piece (and why), what is his/her reaction ?  etc.

Good luck !

m1469