Letter to young musicians and pedagogues
Dear all,
You are surely familiar with the current situation in French-speaking Switzerland.
Each year, many very talented musicians graduate from the Hautes Écoles, they crown long and brilliant studies with one or more Masters, distinguish themselves in international competitions, even win prestigious scholarships!
And then...
The current reality is that it is very difficult to find a job after studies.
Not only are job openings not rushing for classical musicians, unlike other professions, but even to be invited and/or simply to obtain an interview for a vacancy, it is generally necessary to perform a somersault with an accordion and look for a unicorn surfing at dawn on our good Lake Geneva...
Result: many young professionals, virtuoso performers, talented teachers, look for work for years, survive thanks to occasionalstamps .. without any stability and possible projection on their future. Of course, there is probably no need to comment on the Covid episode which has hit and is still hitting the musical world terribly and in particular young professionals.
Within Neo Académie, we believe that this situation must changeand at the same time, the musical education of children in Switzerland can and must always develop. We're not saying it's bad right now, but the world is changing, society is changing and with it the children who build it. We must adapt and seek new ways for better results.
As part of the mission “ Increasing the job market for young music professionals”, we recruit teachers based on their talent and potential.
Even if you have not yet completed your Master's degree in Pedagogy, or if you have chosen another specialty, this will not prevent us from hiring you. Teachers joining us will develop their skills by teaching with us.
The diplomas have never made the quality of a musician and even less that of a teacher!
Practice, exchange, research, failures and victories certainly remain the best learning for all.
Which brings us to the mission: “ To improve the musical education of children in Switzerland”
Well...we see daily that society is changing, accelerating and many parents and children refuse to practice music, because there are so many other activities, bringing more instantaneous pleasure. Without forgetting that it is restrictive for a large majority of them to move for different extra-curricular activities, day after day.
This is how the concept of Neo Académie was born, a music school at home within an adaptive academic structure. Thus, parents do not need to travel and at the same time, can be serene about the quality of their children's education, the development of their social ties thanks to group lessons and projects and also about remuneration . - in good standing - teachers.
ATTENTION : As a reminder, major fines can be returned to the person paying an “undeclared” teacher in Switzerland...
We believe that teaching is constant research and development. Our goal is therefore to help and support teachers in this area. Next September in Geneva, Neo Académie will have the immense privilege of welcoming, for a Masterclass day dedicated to pedagogy, the famous cellist and pedagogue Xavier Gagnepain, who will come especially to share his experience with the young teachers of tomorrow.
In addition, the Academy is currently developing educational materials for teachers and in the future we will organize group meetings to discuss urgent and recurring questions, problems faced by teachers and find SOLUTIONS TOGETHER.
As you have already understood, the Academy was not created as a thoughtless platform for contact between teachers and students. We want to create a great TEAM of like-minded musicians/educators with whom we will, together, develop the music market in Switzerland and an ever better music education.
You are still wondering“but why would I suggest that my private students enroll with Neo Académie when everything is going well…?”
Here are the benefits for you and your students of joining us:
The benefits for teachers of the Academy:
Teachers are protected in the event of last-minute cancellations and schedule changes. In situations of conflict or misunderstanding, we are there to resolve them.
This period of Covid has shown us that many private students lose some motivation and end up simply stopping the practice of the instrument overnight. Here, studies cannot be interrupted before the end of registration and our experience shows us that students take their studies more seriously.
The teachers are salaried, with contributions to the AVS (obviously essential to build a future).
The Academy is building a brand based on developing “sustainable” and quality music education, and as a result, this applies to our teachers.
We support and contribute to the professional development of our teachers.
As far as possible, we try to geographically group students and teachers, to save time and comfort.
The opportunity to show initiative, creativity, and influence the development of music education in Switzerland.
Benefits for students joining the Academy:
Individual lessons take place in a comfortable atmosphere at home, no time wasted on the journeys.
Development of a schedule in correspondence with the teacher and the student.
According to his wishes and the opinion of the teacher, the student builds his course of study (Solfège/Concerts/Exams/Competition/Group lessons…). Everything is optional and is chosen according to the desires and objectives of each.
The concerts, meetings and other events that we organize regularly are a definite driver of student motivation.
Healthy and enjoyable development on the instrument is what we believe in and work unconditionally at the Academy. We follow the progress of each student.
Our online music theory platform is already on the site, and all our academic students can use it and learn music theory with the whole family.
Presentation of diplomas and certificates following the examination at the end of each year.
You can participate in the development of our missions, by sharing our Academy with any student who might be interested in joining a structure like ours.
Become a partner by helping to expand our student base. You will find the necessary information below:
Thank you for the time you have dedicated to reading this letter.
The Founders of Neo Academy