The Right Teacher
The Right Teacher
Just as a little refresher of who I am behind this website and what I do.
I am Elizabeth- the full time Mom of 4 kids ages 8 and under. I am a wife living the simple life in Latvia. I am the artist behind the hand painted silk you see. I delight in creating one of a kind custom ties for weddings, and other special occasions.
One of the things I want to pass on to my kids is a love for music and the ability to play an instrument. Growing up my parents provided piano lessons, later I took voice and violin lessons and firmly believe music has impacted my life in so many positive ways.
Our experience
When my oldest turned 6 naturally I decided it was time for him to start his music lessons and the popular way being music school here in Latvia I decided he needed to go that route. The first year I let him choose between piano or violin- and he chose violin. Everything started ok, but somewhere along the way I grew to fear his teacher’s method.
After my American private music lesson experience this method seemed very derogotary and negative. Eventually I confronted her on the topic saying I didn’t expect him to be a musician- but wanted him to have a love for music. And perhaps he should switch from the music school program to just private lessons. She said to me, “What would be the point?” I told her that in the USA people take music lessons for their own enjoyment and personal development. She just didn’t get it. . .
Fast forward 3 years- my son switched to piano lessons. We managed to get a sweet, understanding piano teacher at the music school and he is now taking private lessons through the music school. My daugther also started piano lessons with the same teacher last fall and has loved that.
But that violin, sweet, small and inviting stands unused in our house. Part of me hoping at least one of my 4 kids would like to play it- yet fearful of a repeat of our first experience.
New hope awakened
Then somehow I learned of a private violin studio– and wondered if perhaps this could be the answer?! My daughter had begun begging me from time to time that she’d like to take violin lessons. My baby was born and 7 months have passed and I finally got around to setting up a time for us to meet this private violin teacher in her studio.
I sat in on the lesson with my 2 other younger boys (one a 7 mos old baby). Every word, ever gesture, every ounce of her method was inviting and POSTIVE. I sat behind the teacher on a rug with my baby and 5 year old, soaking up the lesson. So much joy and so many quiet tears spilled down my cheeks as she introduced my daughter to the violin- and taught her some little songs (with plucking). The tears again rolled down my cheeks when she told my daughter she was going to play some pieces (musical riddles) about how she felt when my daughter was there (she’d have to guess if they were happy or sad) , and how’d she feel when she left. She broke into some beautiful classical pieces- and it was as if we were at our own private concert.
Music truly is the language of the heart.
Joy, pure joy. Growing up in a positive culture where music teachers are usually optimistic and you learn because you want to had been my childhood experience. But here in this former Soviet country things are done differently as I said- and my hope of finding a positive experience had begun to die a slow death. This lesson showed me how deep that desire was by the unexpected tears that coursed down my face.
The right teacher, so hard time come by at times; yet such a blessing!
