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Barb,

Prior to engaging another teacher, did the parents ask you about giving the siblings a second of set of lessons each week? If so, did you ask them why they wanted this?

Tell us a little more about that conversation.
Ed

I will reiterate what I have said on this topic many times.

For a number of years my son studied with two teachers, but sequentially during the year instead of simultaneously. His primary teacher did not teach during the summer, and I did not want him to go three months without formal instruction. But at some point, his primary teacher began to teach in the summer. Instead of using her, I kept him with the other teacher during the summer. He worked well with both teachers. They had different styles and personalities. And I saw real benefit to him of working with this other teacher over the summer. They tended to work more on lighter music, more popular stuff, and on lots of sight reading. The work he did with her was largely complementary with his other teacher's style and program. The two teachers knew each other as well, and they got along just fine.

I would not be inclined toward simultaneous lessons with two teachers unless those teachers coordinated quite fully and completely, and this would be especially true if the student is quite young. The potential for confusion and misunderstanding seems too great.

I was asked to come to their home to work with them in the evenings and said no.

I was asked to come to their home to work with them in the evenings and said no.
(this would have been in addition to their 45 minute lessons with me once per week, at my studio). Parents wanted more teaching time for the kids. I said 45 minutes per week (kids are ages 6 and 8) for lessons was enough in my opinion.

I called and spoke with both parents on a conference call. They want the kids to be "the best they can be" and therefore want as much teaching as possible.
They have asked teacher #2 to help the kids practice, 2 nights per week, one hour per kid each night. They will practice the material we cover at lessons at my studio .
This teacher will also help the kids with their school homework as well.

We'll see how this goes. I brought up the concern of confusing the kids with possible conflicting information and the parents seemed to be on board with me on that. I'll report back here, hoping this situation works. thanks for your suggestions and comments.

A tutor is a very different scenerio. Interesting.

An hour's guided practice is a lot for a 6 year old.

Since this is the case, I would insist that you discuss things with this teacher. Communication between you two will be very important. If a student is having trouble practicing such-and-such measures in this piece, wouldn't it be great to know that's been an issue at the next lesson? I think an initial phone conversation with teacher #2 would be needed, and then after that this teacher can just send you follow-up emails once a week regarding their practice sessions.

A concern that I have, however, is that part of the value of studying an instrument is learning how to problem-solve independently. I anticipate that you will run into the same issue that students whose parents play piano and are too involved in practice time by demonstrating how it goes, correcting wrong notes, etc. The student makes lots of progress but doesn't fully get to understand how to deal with these things on their own.

Since this is the case, I would insist that you discuss things with this teacher. Communication between you two will be very important. If a student is having trouble practicing such-and-such measures in this piece, wouldn't it be great to know that's been an issue at the next lesson? I think an initial phone conversation with teacher #2 would be needed, and then after that this teacher can just send you follow-up emails once a week regarding their practice sessions.

An hour's guided practice is a lot for a 6 year old.