Hello,

I am 21 and have high ambitions of becoming a flute teacher.
I did music GCSE and A Level and went on to start a degree in Music and English Literature. However, I didn't complete the degree because I left university after six months.
I am now in a job that I enjoy but I have always wanted a musical occupation and have come to realise, over time, that flute teaching is what I'd dearly love to do for the rest of my working days.
I have played the flute since primary school and although I have only done up to Grade 5, I have reached grade 7 standard of playing. Doing A Levels meant my focus was not on Grades but on recital pieces and leaving University meant I couldn't follow on with and exams. Now that I have got my mind and heart set on what I want to do, and whilst I'm young (fairly!!) I want to begin to pursue this at full pace.
What I would like is some advic e really on what I need to do now. I plan to contact my old flute teacher who I'd had lessons with for many years, and hopefully she'll be able to advise me too.
I understand that I shall need to complete my and Grade 8. But can I do the diploma in the mean time? What options do I have with regard to the diploma? Are there different ones to chose from and quite importantly how long to they take to complete and what are the entry requirements?I aspire to be a flute teacher, teaching in schools, primary and secondary, and possibly privately in years to come.
As much advice as possible would be greatly appreciated on this.

Thanks,

Katharine Lloyd

NB. I also play piano to same standard, completed recorder grades and have grade 5 theory.

If you go to the main AB site - click on the banner at the top of the page - go to "Exams" and then "Diplomas" - you can download the syllabus for each flavour of Diploma there. Best that you get as much info as possible from the actual source.

Grade 8 is a prerequisite for the AB diploma unless though there are approved substitutions - check the syllabus. Generally wouldn't say that the diploma was something you did in the "meantime" before grade 8! (although you don't need to have G8 theory)

I've done the performing diploma, I'm sure there are others who can tell you more about the teaching version. One thing I think we all agree on is that the diploma (whichever version you take) shoudn't be considered a "grade 9" - quite a bit more work.

Good luck!