End of Term: Teaching Across Schools and a Lives

Some students come and go. But every year, one or two stay with you. There’s one I’ve taught since he was barely old enough to hold the sticks. Three years later, he’s eight, and he’s earned everything! Every fill, every groove, every inch of progress. I don’t say that lightly.

This was a year of quiet wins. Not just flashy recitals or big performances (though I had a few of those). But the in-between moments: tuning a guitar for a student whose teacher didn’t show up. Watching a pair of twins (usually shy and unwilling to step out of their comfort zones) perform on stage. Their mother was so extremely thankful; that stuck.

I work across three international schools: NLCS, Brighton, and SJII. Across all three schools, you see the same patterns: the kids who light up when they get it right, the ones who start to drift from music but still show up.. not because they’re in love with the drums, but because our sessions feel good. And that counts for something too! I must be doing something right.

Besides, I’ve been more involved with NUS Voices looking towards helping with concert prep next year and, hopefully, stepping into a more central role. At NTU, I ran a kind of masterclass, and saw that “lightbulb” moment spark in students' eyes. Those moments? That’s the payoff. I lecture at SRMC and thesis advise; I hope to add more schools to my roster this coming AY!

What changed in me this year? I stopped being a mercenary.. or I’m trying. This job is freelance. It’s hourly, yes, but it’s not just that. I see too many peers treating it like a hustle — just money in, time out. But we’re not just teaching songs. We’re shaping artistic identity. We’re showing kids how to listen to themselves. Also: I’m still learning patience. Some students take longer. I used to rush, push. Now I breathe, try again. Still not perfect. But better.

Maybe that’s what this whole year was: growing up as a teacher, just a bit. Not chasing gigs, but building roots. Not filling hours, but planting seeds: artistic ones, human ones! I don’t know what all this leads to, but it definitely is something bigger than each of us individuals.

The path reveals itself.