Teaching while pursuing non music degree?

[txpianogirl]

I have a question about teaching part-time while going through school. I'm going to be starting some classes this fall (part-time for now) and also need to note that I am not pursuing a music or arts-related degree (and sadly will not be pursuing it as a career either). That said, I'm considering teaching piano part-time while going through school. I was classically trained for over 10 years and also received some excellent coaching in the area of piano pedagogy (my original intent was to be a teacher).

As much as I would love to have my own studio, I don't think with everything else I have going on it's worth the time and effort to get that up and running (I could also stand a ready client base!). I'm thinking the best option is to teach at a music academy; I know the pay isn't great and I would be lucky to get even one serious student, but I think it's probably the best option right now, unfortunately. 

So my question is when reaching out to people about teaching opportunities, when should I mention that I will be taking classes and more importantly, not in music? Should it be when I first reach out, or if they invite me for an interview? I want to be upfront and honest but not sure when the best time to mention this would be. I'm not sure how much it will matter in the end because the academies I'm interested in teaching at all consist of degreed teachers, so not sure they are going to be interested in someone who doesn't have (or currently pursuing) a music degree.

Thoughts?

[quantum]

Focus on what your musical experience and education is.  Don't focus on credentials or other things you don't have.  Focus on what you can bring to teaching, what your strengths are.  You might want to take time and examine any transferable skills you can bring into your teaching studio. 

Pay will likely be less than degree holders or those in music school.  However, this will give opportunity to you to find out how a music school works, and maybe give you ideas of what you would like or not like to do in your own studio.   

Not every level of music student needs a teacher with a PhD in music.  You may excel with a certain age group or level of music student.  On the other hand know your limitations, and if you ever get a student that requires expertise far beyond your current capabilities know how to pass them on to another teacher gracefully.  As someone without a music degree, you might find fellow teachers find ease at expressing certain concepts or feel that you have some gaps in knowledge, these things are often covered in university foundations courses.  It is okay not to know something, as long as you take actions to do something about it, such as making effort to acquire additional skills in certain areas.  Topics such as developing robust musicianship skills, dictation, transcription, sight singing, and developing a vocabulary of internationally recognizable musical concepts are not commonly taught in pre-university studies. 

Write your cover letter and CV to highlight your music experiences.  Where I live, music jobs (even those in neighbourhood music schools) tend to prefer CV to resume. 

I'm not sure how much it will matter in the end because the academies I'm interested in teaching at all consist of degreed teachers, so not sure they are going to be interested in someone who doesn't have (or currently pursuing) a music degree.

Throughout this process, your aim as well as attitude should be to make the school interested about you, to make them want to know more, to generate enough interest that they call you for an interview. 

[txpianogirl]

Thanks for your helpful response!

I'm not sure how much it will matter in the end because the academies I'm interested in teaching at all consist of degreed teachers, so not sure they are going to be interested in someone who doesn't have (or currently pursuing) a music degree.

I just realized how pessimistic this sentence sounds, lol. To be clear, I usually only apply to places that I actually want to work at so that I can sound genuinely interested in my cover letter or letter of interest. I would like to work at the academies I was referencing in that sentence and will certainly convey that when I reach out. I just meant that my original question (when should I tell them that I am simultaneously pursuing a non-music-related degree) may not matter in the end because it seems like they are only hiring teachers that already have degrees or are at least pursuing arts-related degrees, of which neither applies to me.

[quantum]

If the topic of having a music degree comes up during interview, prepare a response ahead of time.  Use this as a jumping point to highlight another skill you have that would bring benefit to the academy. 

Many needed skills to be a professional music teacher are not taught at university music programs.  Things like entrepreneurial skills, studio operations, new and emerging technologies in music education, project management. Education specialties such as Early Childhood Education, are a completely separate diploma from a BMus.  If you have any of these skills be sure to highlight them. 

A music major might be very comfortable on the music side, but have gaps in knowledge with regard to the business side of music.  Music degrees tend to prepare a person to work in academia, and often do not cover much of the skills needed to work outside of an academic stream.  If you have business skills be sure to highlight them.  It might make you stand out from the pile of BMus applicants they are reviewing. 

[txpianogirl]

Thanks so much for your input, I appreciate it!

[pianoteacher5]

Regarding your schedule, I would recommend being up front about your availability. Find days and times that you will be able to consistently be available and offer those times.

Some music schools want a commitment of at least, say, 8 hours per week. If you can't do that, they might be willing to have you as an overflow teacher (e.g., for 1 or 2 students who they can't fit in otherwise) or as a substitute.

Or you can look for another music school that better fits your availability.

[txpianogirl]

Regarding your schedule, I would recommend being up front about your availability. Find days and times that you will be able to consistently be available and offer those times.

Some music schools want a commitment of at least, say, 8 hours per week. If you can't do that, they might be willing to have you as an overflow teacher (e.g., for 1 or 2 students who they can't fit in otherwise) or as a substitute.

Or you can look for another music school that better fits your availability.

Thanks for your input!