ARCT Piano Performance: Benefits?

[sonata58]

I've been considering taking the ARCT exam with The Music Development Program (I live in the United States).
https://musicdevelopmentprogram.org/

I was wondering what your thoughts are on this program and what benefits it would give me as a private piano teacher. I already have a BA in Music and a MA in Music Education. I have never done any of the RCM exams before, but I am capable of performing the ARCT repertoire (I've been working on my program for a year or so).

However, I am now a full-time private piano teacher (30+ students). And I cannot find time to practice, so I now feel petrified about performing. (I was able to do my junior and senior recitals, but that was when I could practice 4+ hours a day).

So, here are my questions: Is preparing for the ARCT worth it for someone who already as a Master's degree? What added benefits would it give me as someone who wants to mainly be a private piano teacher in the US? Would I be better off just working on my NCTM, (Nationally Certified Teacher of Music) the MTNA certification?

I'm in need of encouragement or practical advice. :-)

[awesom_o]

If you are already happy with your level of musical skill and you are making good $$ from teaching..... why would you want to waste money on getting another expensive slip of paper?

Would it enable you to teach more students? No... you already are teaching full time!

Would anybody who is already taking lessons with you want to pay you a higher fee because you went and got a performer's ARCT? I don't think so! And the exam itself is expensive!

Work on the NCTM if you must, I suppose. But again, if you are doing well locally as a piano teacher already, why do you need more certification?

[sonata58]

Thanks for your input. I am leaning towards not pursuing it. I have already put down $100 to transfer my university credits. But I was looking at the fees on their website. With the performance exam and all the theory exams, it could add up to $1,000.

Plus, you're right about it not adding anything except for fancy initials. Some of my friends who are piano performance majors have never heard of the RCM program. So, I doubt my students' parents would care. Now, if I lived in Canada or Great Britain, perhaps it would be a different story.

Perhaps what would be better for my teaching credentials is to enroll some of my more serious students in the early level tests.

I just feel bad quitting, because I've never been a quitter in my life.