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Pauline Lerner

Rosin Opera

September 10, 2007 at 4:15 AM


This is like a soap opera, but it’s about a day in the life of a violin teacher.

Student #1 did not come for her lesson, but she had told me about this in advance. No problem.

Student #2 is a novice, adult beginner. She went for two weeks without a lesson and didn’t practice even once. I had to start all over from scratch. I gave her a lecture on the necessity of practicing.

Student #3 cancelled because he is swamped with schoolwork.

Student #4 had to cancel because he is sick. A lot of kids and adults get sick when school starts and germs are passed around.

Student #5 is a sweet, talented, and motivated student, age seven, who has been taking lessons for less than a year. She has not come for a lesson in a month because of vacations. She only practiced today, just before her lesson. She sounded great! Amazing! I had to make a few corrections, but on the whole, she played beautifully.

Student #6 is an adult beginner who practices regularly and has a good “sense” of music. Before he left, he thanked me for a “fun lesson.” We worked hard, and I’m glad he thought it was fun.

Student #7 is an adult beginner who is very musical and he, too, practices regularly and enjoys it. He stopped taking lessons from me a few months ago because of upheavals in his and his wife’s lives. Today I got an email from him telling me that most of the uncertainties have been resolved. Also, his wife is pregnant, and they’re both thrilled. He has been practicing his violin and enjoying it, and he’s now ready to resume lessons with me.

It’s all in a day’s work.