Should I change my piano teacher ?

[chillpianist]

I’ve had the same piano teacher since I was a kid, and they’ve always been great. But lately I’ve reached a level none of their other students have reached, and I’m aiming for high-level competitions. I want to work on advanced technique—phrasing, voicing, pedal control, all the fine details that really matter on stage.
My teacher is still good, but they’re mainly focused on early and intermediate levels, and I’m not sure they’re the best fit for the kind of refinement I’m trying to achieve now.
I’ve been considering switching to a teacher who specializes in advanced students, but I feel guilty about leaving someone who’s been with me for so long.
From an expert perspective: is changing teachers at this stage actually necessary, or can I keep progressing with my current one ?

[dizzyfingers]

From an expert perspective: is changing teachers at this stage actually necessary, or can I keep progressing with my current one ?

You've already determined the answer for yourself:  Yes it is necessary to change teachers.

How long have you been studying with this teacher?
How big a town/city is it?
How old are you?
I ask these questions to help you manage the switch, not whether it should happen or not.

Many of us have been in this situation.  Teachers like hard-working, motivated students.  They'll hope to keep such students, it makes their time/effort worthwhile.  But an intelligent person will understand that a student needs to move on.

[essence]

Even if the teacher is very capable of leading you into more advanced studies, it can be useful to change teachers if only to get alternative insights.

[lelle]

My old professor used to say that it can be good to change teachers every 5 years or so. A new teacher comes with fresh perspectives and angles on things, which can help you understand things further. That being said, if your teacher is good and it turns out they CAN help you with those advanced concepts, you don't HAVE to switch.

But it sounds a bit like you feel like you might need to switch?