Hello people reading this! This is a bit of an atypical review, because I'm reviewing this business…read morefrom the view point of an employee. I've been teaching at Minton's Music for about 5 1/2 years now - and I love it! Even if you're not a prospective teacher, but a prospective student you may enjoy reading this. I have so much to say, so I'll just list it below:
1. Being a teacher here is so fantastic because of a big thing - all you have to worry about is teaching. I don't have to deal with scheduling or technical business work. If you've ever private taught on your own, you know that stuff can be time consuming, frustrating, and just generally take away from the experience and joy of teaching music.
2. Now, if you like having full control over every aspect of private teaching (everything else other than teaching), then this place isn't for you. The people at the front desk do all that other stuff for all the teachers and clients. To me, that's freeing and I love it. To those who want to control all that comes with it... you're not gonna enjoy it.
3. I cannot stress enough the fact that all I have to do is teach - and that means a lot, like: You want your students to learn from a specific series, a specific piece, etc? Just ask the front desk and they'll order the music and deliver it directly to the store. You need some highlighters? Ask the front desk, you got it. Any little knick knack you need to teach, they'll either have it or get it for you. This means a lot for your out of pocket expenses - as in you don't have any, unless you want to get your pencils on your own.
4. There is no standard curriculum - as in you, the teacher, gets to choose what books your students use, or what songs they play. There IS a standard that all teachers have to follow - and that's teaching how to READ music, not just play. Teaching by rote (not talking about ear training, which is a good skill to teach/learn) is not tolerated. As far as I know, all of the teachers currently working at Minton's have either a Bachelors degree or Masters degree in music.
5. Being able to talk intellectually with my fellow teachers about music or teaching techniques is great. It begins to feel more like a team than you on your own. But, if you don't want to chit chat with the others, it's not like you have to. I just personally enjoy that fact. We're all there for the same reason: the joy of music and the joy of teaching it.
6. Twice a year they set up recitals. You get to have an outlet for your students right there in house, on the stage in the back of the building. It's pretty low stress, and it's enjoyable to see your students show off their abilities!
7. They started doing I.P.R.'s (individual progress reports). I really like these because it's just a simple jotting things down about the student's progress. Plus part of it is to come up with a goal for the semester, which you and your student comes up with. I love goals - having something concrete to strive for. Also, if the student does well throughout the semester, they get invited to a pizza party!
Now with all that, hopefully you can see that this really is more of a school than a music store. They do sell some things, but the teachers don't handle any of that so it's always good to call first and see if they have what you need. If they don't, I have heard them say to clients where you might be able to find it, which I think is pretty nice. I know they work with Music and Arts to rent instruments, but other than that, they really are just selling the teacher's time and knowledge.
I bring this up because I grew up in Ashburn, and there was always a general thought that you wont get the best teacher at a music store (sorry to all those other stores, but that was/is how I feel) - only private teachers who teach out of their home were the good ones. So when I got my degrees and I needed a place to teach, I didn't want to be lumped into that category - because I know my stuff, and my goal has always been to be a private teacher in this area that every student wants. The classical musician in me always wants to be the best of the best. So when I heard about Minton's Music, I was a bit wary (because it's a store front). But, once I stepped into the store I realized that this store isn't the same as the others. It isn't a place where they just hire anyone with any type of music ability or background. They hire the best trained and qualified people, and once I realized that, I was honored to be considered one of them. Again, it really isn't a music store - it's a music school. So don't let the fact that it's a store front fool you. I have about 50 students that I see throughout the week right now, and I'm loving every minute of it!
