What is right for my daughter?

[windswept]

Hello everyone. My daughter is 12 years old. She's been playing piano for 6 years with lessons from a local piano teacher. I've decided now that she needs more advanced instruction at this time as well as a teacher that will put fourth the time into her. Im thinking of a prepatory school of fine arts for her which will give her a 45 min lessons on Saturdays. I was informed that the teachers are highly recomended, what are your thoughts on this?

Also my other question is currently she practices an hour and half each day, how much should she actually be practicing per day?

[oxy60]

I would vote for the school. At a certain point in anyone's musical development they should come into contact with other musicians. I feel the sooner the better. As a parent you can quickly see how your daughter fits into the competition. Don't wait until she must prepare an entrance recital for a university.

[asiantraveller101]

It is a tough decision for you and your daughter to make; more so for us, strangers to gauge whether your daughter needs to change her current teacher.

Food for thought:What makes you think that the current teacher is not providing the guidance that she needs? Do you doubt the teacher's ability to take her to a higher level? I do agree that some teachers are better as beginner teachers and after a while, the students need to switch to a teacher which deals with more advanced students. However, there are teachers out there, like me, who teach beginners from the start, and take them to the completion of high school. There are clues to find out if the current teacher teaches any advanced students. From the recitals that the teacher organizes, are there any advanced students performing? After 6 years, you would have gotten to know the teacher well, and his/her reputation whether he/she would be able to tackle more advanced students. Another clue is from the possible competitions or festivals that the teacher participates in, whether his/her students have performed more advanced repertoire.
There are benefits of learning under an institution. Your daughter will get more exposure, interaction with more teachers and students, and etc. On the other hand, if she is working well with the current teacher, why switch?

Personally, may I assume she is only taking 30 min lessons? For a 12 year old who has played for 6 years, 30 or 45 min lesson is not enough! She needs at least an hour or more.
Lastly, I won't be able to comment on the practice time, since I do not her level nor her repertoire. You will need to discuss that with the teacher. It also depends on how serious your daughter is in pursuing her piano learning.
Best of luck!
Let us know what you decide eventually.

[windswept]

The reasons why I feel my daughter needs a new teacher is because her teacher has too many outside distractions going on during the lessons and inbetween. further more her teacher has told me that my daughter is the most advanced student she has and If I wanted to go to the next level I would have to see the teachers mother for lessons. Additionally I asked the teacher about my daughter going to a performing arts high school in order to further her music education and the teacher stated schools like that are not important. The teacher only has one recital at Christmas time and no other activities or festivals.

Yes, 30 min lessons and I usually add an extra lesson a week to two 30 mins.

I have been told by two different teachers that for her age she is an advanced player and a intermediate reader. My daughter loves to play but she needs to be inspired.

[asiantraveller101]

The reasons why I feel my daughter needs a new teacher is because her teacher has too many outside distractions going on during the lessons and inbetween.

Big NO NO!

further more her teacher has told me that my daughter is the most advanced student she has and If I wanted to go to the next level I would have to see the teachers mother for lessons. 

So she has mentioned that she is incapable of teaching higher level.

Additionally I asked the teacher about my daughter going to a performing arts high school in order to further her music education and the teacher stated schools like that are not important. The teacher only has one recital at Christmas time and no other activities or festivals.

So, she is not a very serious teacher from the few clues you have given.

I have been told by two different teachers that for her age she is an advanced player and a intermediate reader. My daughter loves to play but she needs to be inspired.

Yes, then I will strongly recommend for a change to an institution, where she will be inspired, challenged, and nurtured. Your daughter deserves better. She will have so much musical exposure that has been lacking from the current teacher. Best of luck to you and your daughter.

[windswept]

Thank you so much asiantravller101 and thank you oxy60. I very much appreciate you taking the time to help me and reply.
This has really helped me so much and confirmed my gut feeling.

[asiantraveller101]

Glad to be of help. Keep us posted on your daughter's progress.

[christefan]

Try to get the best teacher you can find for her if you and she are serious about musical studies, she may have to audition for such a teacher but if you can find a highly capable teacher and afford it the results will speak(play) for themselves-good luck

[bachbrahmsschubert]

The preparatory school is a perfect choice. It will provide her with an immense amount of opportunities (performances, competitions, constant exposure to students her level and more advanced). She's at a very important time right now as far as learning growth is concerned, and finding a great teacher for her is the best thing you could do.

However I would not recommend a performing arts high school unless she is COMPLETELY dedicated to music. That is the easiest way to burn out a student of her age unless she truly wants to be there.

As far as a practice schedule goes, talk it over with her new teacher (assuming you get one). Typically for any advanced student, I would recommend about 3-4 hours. This suggestion, however, has many variables, most of which I am completely unaware of (the most important being what she wants). No matter what, please continue to support her.

Best wishes,

[oxy60]

I like what everyone has said so far. Just keep in mind that musicians live a rather isolated life: especially true for piano players. The reason I still vote for the school is the interaction aspect. I think back now to when I was 12 and wish there had been an arts school to join. I played in public all the time but I had no idea at which level I played. Most of what I played were patriotic or church pieces which were prepared on short notice. Later I got the first church job  for which I auditioned and every job after that.

Also let the school do the work for you auditioning teachers, background checks, etc. The school has a lot on the line and they need to find the best.

[windswept]

Thank you so much everyone. Everything everyone has said was all very helpful information for me as I have no experience with this at all. So glad I found this forum.

I talked to the school and after a long conversation they were very helpful and concerned in selecting the right teacher, as we did agree on one that we both felt would be the best for my daughter. They say she is one of the top three teachers they have. Her first class starts on Sept 3rd. She is so excited and counting down the days

Will keep you posted and thank you again