<p>Recently I saw an ad in a strings magazine for cello studies at Mercer University with Hans Jensen listed as a faculty member. I know he is the cello professor at Northwestern where my son is applying. We hadn't heard of the McDuffie Center for Strings. What is its reputation? And more importantly, how do schools work where famous faculty members teach at two schools? My son is afraid that he'll end up being taught by graduate students. How do we figure this out other than applying to and visiting the school (which is an expensive prospect seeing as we live in Arizona)?</p>
<p>It’s extremely common that top musicians teach at multiple programs.Check out the faculty of Juilliard and Curtis. It doesn’t mean the student will study with grad students, but it does usually mean that the professor commutes to multiple schools- or that the student commutes to the professor. This may mean that the lessons are not once a week - that would vary with the program. And it may mean that an assistant professor runs the studio classes - again, this will vary from instrument to instrument, and school to school. But, just because the professor teaches at multiple programs, does not mean the student will have a lesser experience.</p>
<p>Yes, lots of top teachers teach at 2, 3, or even more schools. I’m envious of their frequent flier miles. </p>
<p>As far as I’m aware, McDuffie faculty is all professional, not grad students. </p>
<p>At top conservatories, the TAs are generally top-notch teachers in their own right. My daughter did a split studio for undergrad at Juilliard (that means that, by her own choice and with approval of both teachers and the dean, she was in two studios.) Each of these teachers had a TA that she also had lessons with, but the TAs were excellent and occasional lessons with them added depth and new understanding to her studies. This may not be the case at every conservatory, but in general, the TAs you find in top conservatories are an advantage not a drawback. </p>
<p>Every studio has a different system for classes. At my daughter’s school many of the teachers have playthrough classes in addition to studio classes. The playthroughs are usually run by older grad students; again, it’s seen as another layer of feedback, not second class instruction.</p>
<p>Richard Aaron at UM also teaches students at Julliard using a sort of video conferencing system so that he doesn’t have to travel so much.</p>
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