I know this is probably personal to each person, but any ideas or suggestions for a thank you gift as my D has her final lessons with her teacher? I am sure they will always stay in touch, but I thought a nice gift thanking her for years of support and countless letters of rec would be nice. We’ve given small gifts in the past for Christmas etc, but I was trying to think of something a little more touching than a gift card.
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I’m going to give you an answer as one in the field and who also has adult family members supporting themselves in part by studio teaching. Money. I personally would not find this offensive, nor have my adult professionals. There may well be some who would be insulted, but I can’t think of a colleague that would take a Thank you card filled with new bills in the wrong way. I have received an “extra” check for all the time spent on rec’s and support and as a thank you - I was touched by the gesture.
I say that not knowing your D’s teacher, the financial circumstances, on and on.
We gave one “destination” teacher who did not need extra cash an expensive bottle of wine knowing that the individual had a nice collection.
I have seen the suggestion of concert tickets. Personally and for many of my colleagues, this is like the proverbial “Busman’s Holiday”. Unless you know for certain that the teacher attends concerts and know the specifics of what the teacher enjoys, I wouldn’t go the concert ticket route. For instance, I have received tickets to professional Music Theater productions. I rarely attend musical theater and the production chosen was not one I would ever attend. (although excellently and professionally performed, just not my interest for my time off.) Those tickets went begging.
Gift cards only if you know where and for what the teacher shops. I personally like gift certificates to an online place that I buy music from and to a local music store. If you know where the teacher shops “music” (if they shop “music” - not everyone does after teaching for a number of years), this might be an alternative to cash.
In one of my kid’s childhood studios, a parent had made a giant THANK YOU poster with pictures of the child and teacher through the years. It was a lovely personal gift.
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This very much appeals to my lazy/bad shopper side. 
Heartfelt letter plus money it is. For my D’s teacher, doing a better job of supporting her career by helping publicize and fill seats at her performances (expecting more time for this with an empty nest!) is probably the most valuable way to express gratitude.
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We did something similar, and the teacher was very appreciative! My D actually wrote the letter as if she were writing to one of the teacher’s future/prospective students. She talked about what to expect during lessons—from playing scales to having chats about life. She was able to highlight the challenges and victories they had shared along the way, and added some lighthearted and special memories that future students might look forward to as well. This ‘marketing piece’/ testimonial letter ended up being a really touching tribute!
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