Parent, Teacher, Mentor, or Psychologist?

This chapter explores the multifaceted role of the applied instructor in the music lesson setting, particularly as it applies to the mentorship relationship. Three established mentorship frameworks are discussed within the context of the music teacher–student relationship. The readers are encouraged to examine their own current practices in terms of the level of support and inclusivity they promote in their studios and to recognize their own qualities as mentors. A large portion of this chapter is dedicated to introducing motivational interviewing—a conversation tool that can be used to handle student concerns in a supportive and productive manner through the elicitation of behavioral change based on the student’s internal motivation, values, and beliefs.