[Menvi-discuss] question about prospective voice teachers

[Miranda]

Hi,
As both a vocalist and voice teacher myself, I can tell you that it's best
to simply answer her questions about technology, transportation, and the
like honestly. You do not want to seem unwilling to be open and honest with
someone right off the bat, because it may leave a bad taste in their mouth
about your level of commitment from then on. Not only are you finding out
whether or not you want to study with this teacher, but they are finding out
whether or not you will be a good fit in their studio as a student. This is
certainly not to say that I advocate discrimination by any means, but I do
not believe this was the intent of her questions. It doesn't seem you feel
this way either, so I am glad of that.

I would know my transportation situation prior to any meeting with a
prospective voice teacher. It's the same as if I were to teach a student in
their home (which I do in rare circumstances). It is also the same as if I
choose a doctor, interview for a job, ETC.
First, I find out the address to which I need to travel. Second, I determine
if the city bus can get me close enough to my destination. If so, I
determine the bus schedules and plan out possible lesson times that would
work with the city bus schedules. I take this information to the first
meeting, and I use my chosen mode of transportation to become familiar with
the schedule, rout, ETC. It may also be beneficial to run through the
transportation situation ahead of time to familiarize oneself and become
comfortable. While taking the city bus may mean that I arrive to lessons 15
or so minutes early, I would not expect my teacher or student to accomidate
that. I would simply wait patiently either in a waiting area if available or
somewhere near the meeting place if necessary.
If paratransit is needed in order to travel to a teacher's location, this
might be something I would take in to consideration when choosing a teacher.
The reason being that paratransit can be outrageously early or late to
appointments, so I don't take it unless absolutely necessary. Furthermore,
my local paratransit costs $3.00 each way versus the bus being $.75 each
way. I calculate these costs in adition to the costs of any activity I
participate in when budgeting. I do also consider the length of time
associated with my chosen mode of transportation. While the city bus takes
significantly longer, it is less expensive and I find ways to productively
use my travel time to complete work, ETC. If possible or necessary, it may
be beneficial to hire a private driver or ask the teacher to meet in a
nearby location accessible by city bus and transport to the lesson location.
I would certainly pay above and beyond the regular lesson fee for such
transport, as I request students to cover travel costs when I travel to
them. I request a $5.00 travel fee in adition to my regular lesson rates,
and my regular rates are competitive in my area so this has never been a
concern.
This may be another option at last resort, to ask the teacher to travel to
you. Please know however that she may not be willing to do so if you have
transportation options available to allow you to travel to her. I have told
students of transportation options available to them if ever they were
needed, considering there is a city bus stop just 3 blocks from my home.
I hope this helps, and have a wonderful week!

In Christ, Miranda

-----Original Message-----
From: Menvi-discuss [mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf Of
Kelsey Nicolay
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2013 11:52 PM
To: menvi-discuss at menvi.org
Subject: [Menvi-discuss] question about prospective voice teachers

Hello,
I talked to a possible voice teacher last week.  An issue came up I would
like to ask your opinion about.  She started the interview off by asking me
questions about what kind of technology I use and stuff like that.  She's
probably curious but she then preceded to ask me how I plan to get to my
lessons.  Do you think that a teacher has the right to ask a student a
question like that they probably would not ask a sighting student? Has any
blind vocalist ever experienced something like this before who can give me
insight on how I can handle it with talking to other teachers?
Thanks,

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