A pupil who I am particularly fond of had her final lesson with me (for a while at least) as her families finances can not stretch to regular lessons. She bought me a lovely pressie and a card, and I was nearly in tears.

Wanted a rich benefactor in Suffolk to reunite teacher and pupil... one that will not exploit the fact that she is an extremely talented little girl, but only 7 years old.

I've taught her singing now since she was 5, and will miss her very much.

It's always sad to say goodbye to the ones you become attached to...but you have started her along a great musical road and I'm sure she will never forget that.

I've had a few of those in the last year - parents being made redundant. Yes it is sad to say goodbye to ones you like, and others you'd rather see the back of, keep coming and coming!!

Don't Fame Academy give money for tuition? It's a bit late to apply this time (I think), but you could check on the BBC website as she's in the younger category and they are supposed ot be making the awards at the moment for the 11-16's, it's worth considering for next year anyway

Yes, there are various bursaries you can apply for but I'm not sure if you're only 7 years of age that they apply. See here for general details for any others who might be interested.

I always look forward to my summer break in August as a chance to recharge tired, worn out me, but I also dread it because of the "goodbyes" that must be said too. Tomorrow I say goodbye to a lovely 18-year old who I've taught for 12 years. She's the last member of her family to move on so it's the end of an era.

Ah well, I've just put the phone down after chatting to a mum who wants her 11-year old to start the oboe in September. I think I may be able to squeeze her in somewhere (try very hard not to turn oboists down!) and the cycle of new pupil, new excitements, new challenges starts all over again. It's what makes music teaching rewarding really.

Sorry to hear about your little pupil jod and hope you may yet manage to sort something for her.

I know how you feel jod. I've has to say some goodbyes this year to pupils moving on to university or similar and one little boy who had just started showing progress is moving to the States. Last year it was even worse as it was goodbye to some who had been with me for nine or ten years.

I do hope you can find a sponser for your little pupil. Meanwhile remember that you have given her something that will always remain part of her, whatever happens.

I had a pupil this year who had to leave because of finacial difficulties, it was really sad too, she had just bought her self an amazing old Buffet R13 and a wooden selmer Eb together for under £1000 but had to sell them back to him and go back to her B12. It was so sad, I enjoyed having her so much I almost suggested she came once a month for a free/0.5 price lesson, but thought better as it was probably a terrible idea - yes, I'm relatively new on the old teaching scene and have to accept that pupils come and go.