<p>Sounds to me like even more of a reason not to get someone like that annoyed at you.</p>
<p>the alternative is to stay and have them make pretty big decisions for me.</p>
<p>I'm plenty confused. Are these decisions that are NOT in your best interest as a performer? If the person you are describing has such stature, they certainly should be someone who can help you in very positive ways. </p>
<p>And even if you don't view it that way...burning bridges in the small music performance world is not a wise idea...in my opinion.</p>
<p>Well, you are the one who has all the information and you will be the one to bear the consequences of whatever decision that you make. On the one hand, you now have a well-connected teacher who could do you a lot of good with a few words in the right ears. On the other, if the teacher/student relationship is not working out and you do not like the direction in which you are headed, then it would seem that you really do need a different teacher. In that case, the question is how to extricate yourself from your current situation while doing the least amount of damage.</p>
<p>Obviously, I do not know the personalities involved and therefore I am in no position to tell you what to do. However, I do know that some people are very sensitive about having students or employees go over their heads to their boss with any concerns that they have not been told about. I also know that people who have never had it done to them may not realize how it feels to be blindsided like that, and that they tend to underestimate the consequences of doing it to someone else. Consider the advice worth what you paid for it.</p>
<p>Along the way, you will find people that will open doors for you, some that will hand you a map and expect you to figure out north from south, a few will point you in the wrong direction. Occasionally, a few may even place man traps and mines along your path.</p>
<p>I, like thumper, am puzzled. Is this instructor not working in your best interest? What you perceive as "making big decisions for me" may be the quickest or most effective means to your end. </p>
<p>Or, are they telling you things you don't necessarily want to hear?</p>
<p>On the other hand, if these choices run contrary to your ultimate goals, you have to voice your reservations and concerns.</p>
<p>Having a teacher/performer of high stature, and thus able to provide insights many students never get is normally a very significant plus in your development.</p>
<p>Vieuxtemps5, I'm sorry that you seem to be so unhappy in your current situation. Sometimes the best option is to transfer. At other times, it may be better to stick with this path a little longer. However, in my opinion, it is important for you to discuss this fully with a trusted adult. Perhaps one of your parents or a former teacher can fill that role. If they can't help you, your school will definitely have counselors available. Students like you are under extraordinary pressure and face unique challenges. A counselor must observe confidentiality rules and can help you sort out and address the various issues.</p>
<p>yea the thing is with this person it isn't really possible to "go over their head"... I don't want to say the name but this person is powerful at just about every level of the industry, and I certainly don't want to cause any trouble for anyone.</p>
<p>This person is very nice but they want me to do things in a certain way and follow a path that I'm not really fond of, I also hate being in a conservatory.</p>
<p>I'll see how it pans out... maybe I'll stay because the benefits are pretty huge and there's a ton of people who would want the same opportunity, but I'm losing motivation more and more.</p>
<p>It may be that you are discovering that total immersion in music is not for you. My S did the major NYC conservatory thing, convinced that this was what he was. He had previously been at a performing arts high school. He had been to Encore and Meadowmount. We thought and he thought he knew what he was getting. Within the first year he was bored, had lost his motivation, was antagonistic about his teacher, knew he wanted and needed a different kind of experience, with fellow students who had other interests and topics of conversation. He transferred to a large state university. He is finally getting an education, but it has taken a while for him to find an area which engages him like music did. He felt like he was hearing a foreign language in many of the core course areas. He has kept up his playing, but he has not taken auditions. Now, finally he is enjoying his music again, practicing, and some nice opportunities have come his way. He has friends in the music department, but also roommates who are not in music, associates from a part-time job, and a LIFE! </p>
<p>So maybe this is not about the teacher as a teacher, but about what the teacher's goals are for you, and what the teacher knows you need to be doing to get there, and you are no longer interested at that level. On one of your earlier posts, you expressed that you wished you had gone to Princeton....it sounds like that was an option you regret not taking. </p>
<p>You can get an excellent musical education at a different kind of institution, or you can find something else to do with your life. Transfer application deadlines are later than incoming freshman deadlines. Good luck. Lorelei</p>
<p>Vieuxtemps5, you know that Perlman has students such as Rachel Lee at Harvard and Caitlin Tully at Princeton. Not everyone is forced into the conservatory route.</p>
<p>My personal experience is not with young IMG Artists, but with a pre-college teacher who frequently insisted that students be home schooled to allow for their 6 hours of daily practice. Worked for some, destroyed others. Not everyone caved to the teacher's demands - a number now have management contracts and careers. </p>
<p>You are the best judge of what's right for you, your talent, your level of current accomplishment and your ultimate life goals. My advice (for what it's worth) is to take the emotionalism and frustration out of the situation and consider your options as objectively as possible. Realx a bit. It's not always clear what route is "best" - take advantage of all the good things open to you on your current path as you consider other options. Your answer may be found over months or years, not days or weeks. Best wishes!</p>
<p>yea I want to do what Cait is doing, but I realized it too late. It's less than an hour on the train, and I really love Princeton. </p>
<p>Also, I don't think it's wise to homeschool. You can do 4-6 hours a day while doing many other things. I have lots of friends doing half days at professional childrens school or Laguardia, and a few other YAP programs around the country.. that way you're around kids.</p>
<p>Vieux, personally, I’m with you on the home schooling. Although I’d be the first to say that it’s terrific that families have choices in this country. I have known several for whom home schooling was the best option for their serious music study. Each family and student should decide for themselves.</p>
<p>I have to ask, if it’s not too personal… I love the screen name, but why Vieuxtemps5 in particular? Is it a favorite? I, myself, have great memories of the work – gorgeous and short- an entire concerto in the same time as the first movement of others! Much better than Vieuxtemps4. But, why not Wieniawski1 (as opposed to Wieniawsksi2) or Prokofiev1 (my favorite) vs. Prokofiev2? Or how about a simple Glazunov or Conus (did you avoid that one, my S did!).</p>
<p>Seriously, best of luck to you. I hope everything works out. The decisions that you are looking at are tough…</p>
<p>A lot of kids played it in studio class recently for some reason, so it's stuck in my head.</p>
<p>I'm pretty happy that the vieuxtemps 4-5/paganini/wienawski 1 concertos are a thing of the past for me. I love the prokofievs, I think I'm playing #1 this summer but I'm waiting to hear.</p>
<p>In defense of Vieuxtemps5's plan, it is sometimes necessary to work around rather than with a powerful and egocentric person, and IF the person has a reputation for being such, it will not hurt his/her reputation if it becomes known that he/she did so.
I briefly studied with a major soloist in the UK. Very quickly I realized that a) the person was entirely incompetent as a teacher and not at all interested in teaching, b) my lessons would be few and far between, and c), this person had NO other students at that time, and for good reason.
I went to the head of the department with a more diplomatic version of my concerns. He worked hard to find me another (much better, if much less famous) teacher at the same institution, but advised me NOT to discuss the change with the first teacher until the new assignment was official.
While of course the first teacher was irritated that I had not consulted with him/her along the way, I was able to pass the blame along to the head of the department (with his permission) and will probably not be subject to much political harm from the teacher I left.
This situation is far preferable to the nightmare alternative: consulting with your teacher along the way, as you try to leave them, but the transfer falling through, and you being stuck with a giant black storm-cloud over your head in the same old studio. Depending on the size and fragility of the teacher's ego, that may be the worst outcome of all.</p>
<p>fiddlefrog, thank you for your insights. While many of us here are parents, it is imperative that input as yours be provided as well. Current students, having "been there" often have different viewpoints and specific experiences that serve as additional input.</p>
<p>The key factor here is to weigh options and potential consequences, and make informed decisions consistent with one's personal and career goals. Your plan of action illustrates a balanced and thoughtful approach. I'm glad it worked well for you.</p>
<p>I'm sure you had more than your share of angst getting there. Continued success.</p>
<p>Vieux...I truly understand your dilemma. You really do need advice from someone on the inside whom you completely trust...like a former teacher or friend. Someone who knows the players involved and can give you really good advice. If you leave this teacher (in the lurch, without a great reason that doesn't affect his ego), you will be feeling the consequences for a long time. Is there a former student of this teacher who is trustworthy and can help you navigate?
It is possible to leave big teachers...but departure must be done masterfully, and navigating egos is part of a musical career. It's very tricky, however, and is like playing chess with dynamite. You have to have a reason that has nothing to do with them, but one they can understand and, even better, identify with.
It is not too late to go to Princeton, if that is what you really want to do. Feeling trapped will not do you or your music any good. I truly wish you well. Let us know how it goes!</p>
<p>PS...S is one of the new generation of kids who will probably do the university route instead of conservatory for undergrad. He has a great teacher here who is intent on putting him through his paces. I understand that you want something more than what a conservatory can offer at this point. If you decide to go to Stanford, PM me. You may already be familiar with the music scene out here, but it's very different than Manhattan...another world...a warmer one:)</p>
<p>Ohio State School of Music vs. Oberlin Conservatory of Music; this is for a vocal performance major (BMVP).</p>