<p>So as a theory/comp student, I also need to take applied music (private instrument lessons) and pass a keyboard skills test at some point. The issue is, my school has programs for beginners and programs for advanced pianists, but nothing in between, really. Group piano goes up to level 4. And then the actual piano studios, which is where you do applied music, generally only accept students at the mid-upper intermediate to advanced level. Grad students and piano performance majors get priority. With whatever slots are left, they may accept someone at a lower skill level, but their expectations are much higher.</p>
<p>So I'm frustrated. I'm intermediate. The lowest-level studio I may be able to get into, though I've heard the instructor can be a bit, well, unstable. It could be just a rumor, but supposedly she is known to verbally harass her students in front of other students and exhibit all kinds of weird passive-aggressive behavior. I realize you have to put up with some unpleasant people when you're a musician, but that's not something I am looking forward to. Do you have any advice? I don't know what to do. :</p>