I'm not a teacher, but I wondered what you guys thought...

I would't give up teaching to play in an orchestra. Viola is my second instrument and I had considerable, invaluable experience playing in orchestras while at school/university I don't think I could play in one full time.

I really enjoy both.

As I've got older I enjoy teaching more and more but still love playing live. I do think you're probably a more effective teacher if you do both; your pupils will probably be more inspired by you if they know you go out there and play for audiences, but having said that I do know some very effective teachers who no longer perform.

However, the idea of an instrument teacher teaching a pupil who then goes on to teach someone who then goes on to teach - and none of them actually get out there and play - is a little depressing.

Violinia