Informational Interview

Shalynn Allsup

Informational Interview

March 1st, 2012

1.Title:
D Stewart

2.Occupation:
Voice and Piano Instructor

3. Where do you work?
At home

4. How long have you been teaching music?
over 20 years

5. Where did you go to college?
Utah State University. I graduated in Secondary Education with a minor in Vocal Pedagogy. I am currently working on my Master’s Degree at BYU in Performing Arts.

6. What does it take to become a music teacher?

After receiving my bachelors I decided to not pursue a career because I was a new mom. When my children started school I began teaching friends and family to begin my networking. Then my students came by word of mouth. I have to have my own instruments and other special equipment to properly teach my students according to all levels. I feel it to be a requirement to be proficient on the piano or guitar in order to teach private voice lessons. Above all, a passion for music is just as important as a skill. Every musician should develop a relationship with every piece they perform; both as an instructor as well as the student.

7. What would you consider to be the greatest reward in your profession?

I love that even when I am not “on the clock” I still find myself working on my music, whether it’s writing my own music or performing at weddings, conventions, and other special events which I also do professionally. It’s a part of me everywhere. I control my own pace, hours and students. I don’t have a classroom of students to distract me; so I can provide personal attention in a one on one setting.

8. What is the greatest struggle in your profession? What would you do differently?

I would have started earlier! My greatest struggle is that I am constantly trying to catch myself up in perfecting my own skills as a musician. The greatest teacher is one who is always learning. So my time gets sucked up with lessons that often times I feel my personal growth takes a backseat.

Reflection: I prepared for this interview by calling Diane and scheduling a lunch date. We met at Kneaders in Logan, UT. Before the interview I researched Diane online. I found some of her music she had published as well as some single recordings on iTunes. I discovered her specialty vocal style is Gospel and Folk. She is a Soprano herself, but trains students with all range levels, boys and girls alike.

What I learned from the interview was that Diane has complete control over her career. How much she works, when and where she works all while doing what she loves. She creates unique relationships with her students that I admire and hope to emulate. Diane also has her own recording equipment so that the students can listen to their entire lesson and practice accordingly at home. I believe that is incredibly effective, however, incredibly expensive! The more I learned about Diane’s profession, the more I realized the financial expense in affording the equipment she uses if far beyond what was used during my private voice lessons.

Diane is a friend of mine and we actually have performed together, an experience in which I value. She has a passion for music and lets herself be driven by that love. Though she works from home, she is very professional and reputable. I will continue my friendship with her as well as my professional networking connection for as long as she is breathing!