Piano masterclasses

[pytheamateur]

I was thinking of enrollong on a summer course for amateurs this year.  I think it will be great fun meeting other students and listening to them play.  However, I'm not sure how my teacher would react to this.

Do you let your regular teacher know when you go on a masterclass?  How does he/she react?  I hear that having a second teacher can be a very sensitive issue.  Furthermore, in context of masterclass, there seems to be an implication in the definition that you are going to have a lesson with someone whom you consider to be better than your regular teacher. 

I know going to masterclasses is something routine for conservatoire students, but what if you are only an amateur?  It's probably a lot rarer: why spend the extra money on which your livelihood does not depend.  Perhaps I should just concentrate on what my teachers asks me to do rather than getting side-tracked?

[pianowolfi]

I am a teacher and I'd be ever so happy if some of my students would want to attend a master class or summer academy! I'd encourage them to go there and I would prepare them as well as I can.

[49410enrique]

yeah id let them know, they should be excited for you, usually protocol for master class is you present a well prepared work for the artist/clinician and audience in attendence (i.e. other students , teachers, genral folk ect). then you proceed with the 'lesson' and you do everything they ask to the best of your ability without question or push back, then at your regular lesson you discuss with your teacher, if any of your regular teachers views or opinions are drastically different than the masterclass options, you do what your teacher says, i've yet to see this happen but it can and that's the best way to proceed.  even later on if you want to go with the masterclass option after you 've completed the work with your teacher you can do what you want when you revisit it.

congrats and lucky you! i'd love to participate in something like that!