by Haley Hoops
’Tis the season of music school auditions when serious horn students take the next step in their musical journey by seeking a college professor who feels like the right fit.
There are many outstanding horn teachers, each offering unique perspectives, skills, and experiences. When my students prepare for auditions, I encourage them not only to play well, but also to pay attention to how they feel in the environment. Comfort, curiosity, and trust matter. Listening to one’s intuition is an important part of choosing a teacher, as we all have individual paths of learning, and certain teachers will naturally resonate more than others.
Over the years, I have studied with a variety of teachers. Some experiences were deeply formative, while others were more challenging. Even so, I have come to believe that all experiences can offer valuable lessons—sometimes by showing us what we want to emulate, and sometimes by clarifying what we hope to avoid in our own development as musicians and teachers.
From a student’s perspective, these are qualities I would look for in an ideal teacher:
- a genuine passion for teaching and an understanding that each student is unique
- the ability to demonstrate clearly and musically in lessons
- honest feedback offered with kindness and encouragement
- a strong knowledge of horn pedagogy and its literature
- a thorough knowledge of solo, chamber music, and large ensemble repertoire, and how each informs musical development
- the use of a variety of etude books, chosen thoughtfully
- openness to questions, answered without disparagement
- healthy, inspiring practice strategies and practical problem-solving tools
- awareness of current equipment and the evolving horn market
- humility regarding their own limitations
- encouragement of independence and learning from other teachers
- the ability to have difficult conversations with empathy
Conversely, from that same student perspective, I would be hesitant to study with someone who:
- creates an uncomfortable or unwelcoming learning environment
- does not play or demonstrate in lessons
- avoids questions or dismisses curiosity
- surrounds themselves only with unquestioning or adoring students
- presents an inflated ego or an infallible, top-down approach to teaching
- does not encourage further study with other horn players or teaching peers
- makes discriminatory or demeaning comments
- is inconsistent with scheduling or availability
- appears disengaged or unhappy in their role
- uses unkindness or cruelty as a teaching tool
To find a teacher who feels like “the one,” it is wise to seek out a private lesson early on. Bring music that represents your strengths as well as music that truly needs help. This approach can be revealing in understanding how you and a teacher might work together.
Our teachers may be temporary figures in our lives, but their influence often stays with us for years. Choosing a teacher who feels right can help students grow not only as players, but as independent, thoughtful musicians. Ultimately, the most meaningful teaching relationships are built on mutual respect, openness, and a shared commitment to growth.
Haley Hoops has served as Second Horn with the Dallas Symphony since 1999. She also performs with the Mainly Mozart All-Stars Orchestra in San Diego, California, in addition to performances with the orchestras in Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Lansing, Michigan; Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and Richmond.
Since 2000, Haley Hoops has been an adjunct faculty member at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She also maintains a private studio in her home.
In 2013, Hoops won First Prize at the International Horn Competition of America. This has opened up many more teaching and solo playing opportunities; she now presents solo recitals and masterclasses at universities and workshops across the USA. She also continues to encourage others on her YouTube channel, HaleyHoops.
