Performing a metamorphosis: A teaching performer or a performing teacher?

The notion of a teaching artist has gained considerable popularity amongst freelance musicians seeking increased employment and performance experiences. This paper presents findings from the first phase of a longitudinal study which explored a shift in identity from performer to teacher as a professional percussionist retrained to become a classroom music teacher. Aiming to identify the effect that formal teacher training had upon the teaching artist, the study considered: 1) the inter-relationships between teaching and performance roles; 2) the rationale for a change in role; and 3) the balance between the two identities. Using a case study approach, the study comprised of interviews and observation of teaching practice. The participant demonstrated characteristics typical of a career change such as a desire to maintain more regular hours and income, and also a positive rationale for adopting a teaching role following positive teaching artist encounters. Findings emphasise the need for educators to be conversant with the emotional and educational needs of the growing numbers of performers who undertake teacher training so that teacher identity can develop through positive interactions with teaching and communicating music

Musicians as teachers: Developing a positive view through collaborative learning partnerships

Previous research with classical instrumental musicians has highlighted the intrinsic benefits of teaching in addition to the perhaps more obvious benefits of securing a regular income, and yet despite the presence of educational activities in the portfolio of most musicians it remains on the periphery of many music performance programs. The hierarchical inference in musicians? self-report of success as a soloist, instrumentalist or teacher is perpetuated in the separation of education and performance students during their university education. This study investigated the effects of providing a positive engagement with teaching through a unit of study delivered to a combined cohort of 2nd year undergraduate music education, composition and performance students. The unit was designed to increase students? understanding of the realities of professional practice, and to form productive and mutually beneficial partnerships: promoting a better appreciation of career development and self-identity during the formative years of study. Students? responses were gauged with the use of surveys implemented at the commencement and conclusion of the unit. Performance and composition majors reported a positive change in their perception of the role of teaching in their careers, and music education majors reflected a growing awareness of the benefits of working in partnership with performers. The study demonstrated that positive teaching experiences within the training of musicians, increases the likelihood that students will plan a positive engagement with teaching

Musicians as teachers: Fostering a positive view

Previous research with classical instrumental musicians has highlighted the intrinsic benefits of teaching in addition to the perhaps more obvious benefits of securing a regular income, and yet despite the presence of educational activities in the portfolio of most musicians it remains on the periphery of many music performance programs. There is a hierarchical inference in musicians? self-report of success as a soloist, instrumentalist or teacher, and this view is perpetuated in the separation of education and performance students during their university education. This study aimed to investigate the effects of providing a positive engagement with teaching by means of a unit of study delivered to a combined cohort of 2nd year undergraduate music education, composition and performance students. The unit was designed to increase students? understanding of the realities of professional practice, and to form productive and mutually beneficial partnerships. Students? responses were gauged with the use of surveys implemented at the commencement and conclusion of the unit. It was hoped that the study would inform a better appreciation of the development of career and self-identity during the formative years of study. Performance students reported a positive change in their perception of the role of teaching in their careers, and the music education students reflected a growing awareness of the benefits of working in partnership with performers. The study demonstrated that positive teaching experiences within the training of musicians, increases the likelihood of performance students planning a positive engagement with teaching