Hello, Im aware you often get annoying questions from want-to-be teachers however I only ask you because I know you are the best and very much respect your opinions.

Im 17, have been playing piano for 11 years and from september will be studying Access To Music at college. This is a fairly unknown course however it is the equivalent to 3 A levels. I am grade 6 however I know I will have passed grade 8 within the next year or two (not to be big headed but I am serious about my practise and performance). I passed GCSE music with an A* and have just taken As music.

As well as piano I can also play bass guitar, drums and percussion and classical guitar. I have a boyfriend (we have been together since we were 14 and he is studying the same course) who is a very talented 6 string bassist about to do grade 8.

After college we would very much like to become private teachers, possibly creating successful business teaching all aspects or music. I would like to add we are very serious about our plans and extremely passionate about both classical and jazz music.

What I would like to know is if you think this is a good idea for us? Would we be able to do this with our qualifications?

Any advice would be truly appreciated.

I couldn't tell you much about it but if you liked I can try to find out as my (now former) A Level Music/Music Tech teacher has just left to become some sort of national co-ordinator for Access to Music. May I ask where you'd be studying? You may bump into him!

Hi - I think you could build a really successful business. And I also think your enthusiasm is at least as important as a whole string of qualifications. As a private piano teacher I am increasingly asked for (and providing) tuition in areas other than pure classical piano playing - musical literacy, practical musicianship, improvisation and composing etc. You and your partner could do all this plus playing in groups and ensembles - could be fanastic! I have certainly seen possiblities in my area for a sort of mini music school - if only I had your energy (and your youth ... ).

One thing I would say is do prepare for it as a business - as well as building your own teaching and performing skills while at college it could be valuable to do some work on market research and educate yourself on the nitty gritty of setting up and running a busines - financials etc. Boring as all get out I know...

Best of luck with your AS results BTW!

absolutely agree with everything that hils has written- it sounds like a fab idea!

i started teaching when i was 21 and, whilst some people chose to go for a teacher with more experience (which i can completely understand), i still teach my very first pupil four years later and am gradually building a name for myself.

i'm sure that the two of you will be able to offer a great deal.

West Kent College in Tonbridge.

Thank you all for your responces, we feel much more confident knowing peolpe like you believe we could do it!