Was watching the wee children of a friend wiggling about in church today. They were on a holiday visit home. Remembering they lived in Chicago, I was enthusing about the programs at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Dad was interested in getting them into lessons, but since I saw them last, they'd moved again to Seattle. (Enviably, just up the road from where the Folklife Festival is)

So how do parents find a good introductionary music teacher or program that will give them the joy of making music, not a chore or competition? Particularly in a new location, without an extensive music network in place, what are good signs to look for in a teacher? Mom is a classic violinist (spare time for a doctor) and dad plays folk guitar and banjo, also very spare time. I've not been a parent, but have watched close friends' children both embrace or shun music, after lessons. What makes the difference besides the child?

Joanne in Cleveland