Finding a Teacher

Welcome to OMTA Teacher Referrals! The OMTA Referral Program is a community service to assist parents and students in finding appropriate teachers to meet their individual needs. If you need help in finding a music teacher, please contact Katie Caulley via email or consult our teacher directory.

Music experience should be rewarding and life-enriching, beginning with the very first lesson. It is important that parents and students choose a professional music teacher who provides structured, individualized instruction. The relationship between teacher and student should be one that promotes encouragement and development of the musical potential of each student. These factors, as well as compatibility of goals and personalities, trust, and confidence in the abilities of the teacher, help to ensure the highest possible return for the investment in lessons.

A Note from Katie Caulley

Piano Lessons

If you are looking for piano lessons for yourself or your child or grandchild, you’ve come to the right place. OMTA is the area’s largest resource for piano lessons with over 40 active piano teachers. Our piano teachers are highly qualified in both music education and teaching experience. We meet monthly for continuing education in order to offer you the best experience with piano lessons.

If you contact me for piano teacher referrals, I will usually give you several names of piano teachers for you to contact, depending on where you live and what kind of piano lessons interest you. We have piano teachers in Eugene, Springfield, and other areas of Lane County. We have teachers who specialize in classical piano music and teachers who incorporate popular and jazz styles into their lessons. If you are an adult beginner, or have played piano before but aren’t sure how much you remember, we have many teachers who would be happy to guide you.

Other Music Lessons

If you are looking for a teacher for strings, voice, woodwinds, brass, or guitar I can refer you to several good teachers. If they cannot accommodate you, they can help you find someone else in their area of expertise.

Congratulations on choosing to have music education as part of your life!

Katie Caulley
OMTA Referral Chairperson

Questions

Here are some specific questions that you may want to ask during an interview with a prospective teacher:

  1. What is your training and what teaching experience do you have?
  2. What are your goals as a teacher?
  3. What is your studio policy with regard to fees, cancellations, and make-up lessons? What other policies should I know about?
  4. What strategies do you use to motivate students?
  5. What styles of music do you teach? Classical? Jazz? Popular?
  6. Do you provide performance opportunities for students?
  7. How much time will I need to practice each day?
  8. How can I (as a parent) help my child’s progress in music?

And some questions you may want to ask yourself, or your child:

  1. What are my goals in studying music? Some examples of goals are: to learn to read music, learn to improvise, play with others, compose music, improve sight reading, to prepare for a recital or an audition, etc.
  2. Am I willing to practice consistently? Your teacher can help you decide on an appropriate amount of time to practice each day.
  3. Am I willing to make a commitment to study for at least six months, and preferably for two years?
  4. Can I be content with gradual progress and accept the pace at which I learn music?