Gloria Taylor

I began teaching when I was sixteen under the eagle eye of my mother, Jean Trubshoe a registered piano teacher and Sister Gabrielle my teacher in Hamilton . Having a mother at the other end of the hall was a marvellous way to learn how to teach, as I could get answers to any problem immediately.  During the next few years I gained my ATCL performers, LTCL teachers and LRSM teachers. At twenty-one I went to Auckland Secondary Teachers College and did the Div.Ccourse as well as LTCLCMT. After this I taught at Rotorua Girls’ High and later Western Heights High School as well as private teaching, and some itinerant teaching of woodwind and piano and raised a family of three.

In 1995 I was struck on the head from a white board and gained a  brain injury. Since I have not been able to teach in a class-room situation and have chronic fatigue. I began my rehabilitation by teaching one beginner and gradually increased this over the years until I have ten pupils.  Over the last five years I have taught twelve students Advanced Performers, ten students ATCL recital, three LTCL recital and one FTCL recital. The eldest of my pupils being seventeen.  I have been fortunate to have one pupil who gained Advanced Performers with 88% at the age of nine.  She has since gained ATCL at eleven and LTCL at fourteen and is working on FTCL at seventeen.

As these young students wanted to learn how to teach I ran a course of one hour a week for a year.  The course included all aspects of teaching from lesson plans, repertoire, technique, theory etc. to first aid, tax, and teaching students of all ages and nationalities.  These students now are teaching 27 students between them and gaining very good results.

I have written several books for the piano to help make teaching easier. Theory, aural tests, technique and the latest “Partner books”. I plan to write a book on how to teach for the young teacher, next year.  At present I am teaching students, writing books and mentoring student teachers.  I am now a mentor for the Registered Music Teachers NZ.