On Mon, 17 Apr 2000, Judy wrote:
> Last night a woman phoned me to discuss the "workshop." I told her that I was
> unaware that it was a workshop, but she proceeded to give me a very hard sell
> on her qualifications, etc. She claimed that many of the participants in
> prior workshops are now performing in Europe. She stated that most voice
> teachers don't know how teach, and wanted to know my teacher's name and how
> she teaches technique.
> But the more I think about it, the more I think that this woman is attempting
> to "poach" on other studios. I am very happy with my present teacher and
> don't think that any Svengali is going to create a great career for me--but I
> can see where other people might be more susceptible to this sort of come-on.
Dear Judy and Vocalist:
Everything you've listed is FLAGRANTLY in violation of NATS ethical
guidelines: the statement "most voice teachers don't know how to teach,"
making (most likely) inflated claims of her own success, poaching on other
studios. I'd report her to NATS, and alert your teacher to this! Other
students need to be warned as well. You could also check to see if she's a
member of NATS. If so, her actions are even more troubling. Here are some
parts of the code that are on point here:
1. It is unprofessional and unethical for teachers to make any false claims
regarding themselves or their pupils.
2. It is unethical and unprofessional for teachers, by misleading statements
or false promises, to induce a student to study singing in the hope of a
career, if the student's talent does not warrant it.
3. It is unethical to advertise in a manner that may deceive or mislead
prospective students by promises of professional appearances or guarantees
of favorable contacts.
7. It is unethical to criticize adversely the work of fellow teachers,
unless such statements can be substantiated with proof.
8. It is unethical, either by inducements, innuendos, insinuations, or other
acts, to proselytize pupils of other teachers.
9. It is unethical to exploit as one's own the results of another teacher's
instruction or to allow one's pupils to do so. Further, it is unethical to
claim as a pupil one having studied less than eight consecutive months with
the teacher making the claim, except where there has been no previous voice
training.
The American Academy of Teachers of Singing has a much longer, more detailed
version of the NATS Code; this was published in the Journal of Singing
March/April 1997, p. 27-30. Here's some additional ammunition for you:
II. Ethical Behavior Between Teacher and Other Colleagues
1. It is unethical for voice teachers to recruit students of other
teachers under any circumstances, either directly or indirectly.
3. It is unethical to condemn the teaching of others. It is impossible
to evaluate pedagogical results without first-hand knowledge over a
substantial period of time.
The scheme that's been perpetrated on you sounds like the old "bait and
switch." The bait was the prospect of an "audition;" the switch, or the
catch, was that it was a workshop which you, presumably, would have to pay
to attend. These people sound disreputable to the core.
The next time you speak to her (if there is a next time), I would quote her
chapter and verse on the NATS Code of Ethics (the full version can be found
on their website, www.nats.org). I imagine she'll quit bothering you.
How aggravating!
Jana
--
Jana Holzmeier
Dept. of Music
Nebraska Wesleyan University
5000 Saint Paul Ave.
Lincoln, NE 68504
jjh@n...
402-465-2284
Visit the Music Department website at http://music.nebrwesleyan.edu/
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