Weird Teacher Behaviour

15-yr-old girl I teach at home also has lessons at school.  With someone I know.  This has been rather amusing for me.  At the very start of her lesson, not even unpacked, she starts with this.

Girl: OH!  Okay, today, something very weird happened.
Me: Oh no!  M [her younger sister] just started her lesson almost the same way.  Is your violin okay?
Girl: Oh yeah.  Ha!  Yeah it's fine.  Okay, well, Mr P, at lunchtime today, we could see him just ... walking... up and down... like this [she walked a couple of metres, her arms flapping gently like wings]
Me: Why... was he doing that?
Girl: I have no idea.  But it was really weird.
Me: Did you ask him why?
Girl: No.  My friend and I were on level 2, and he was on level 1, so he was, like, a long way - a long way - away.  I only saw this because my friend saw him, and said, hey C, you have to see this... So, could you please ask him why he was flapping like a bird at lunchtime today?
Me: Um, sure.

Concert Absence

I'd been working towards a concert performance with a 15-yr-old girl.  For about a month, our focus had been the upcoming performance.  Then, with no explanation, she just didn't show.  In the lesson after, I asked her about it.

Me: What happened to you last week?  With the concert?
Girl: I'm so sorry!  I just ... forgot!  I walked home, and then... went... oh yeah...

No Lesson at Easter

My first-thing Saturday morning student comes nearly every week.  Of the year.  The Saturdays closest to Christmas and New Year are usually taken off, but apart from that - unless I'm away - he has a lesson.  He's now 15, and his mum always comes to the lesson too.  At the end of every lesson, his mum asks "Same time next week?" and usually my reply is yes.  But last week:

Boy's mum: Same time next week?
Me: Ooh - actually, no, don't come next week.
Boy's mum [surprised/concerned]: Oh - why not?
Boy [in that "I can't believe I have to explain this to you" tone of voice]: Mum, it's Easter.  She wants a holiday!

Like, duh.

Teenage Birthdays

15-year old girl, whose dad comes to every lesson.

Dad: Next week, L is in exam block, so we won't be coming to a lesson then... And the week after that is her birthday.  She tells me it's in her contract [smiles] that she doesn't do lessons on her birthday.
Me [smiling]: Oh, I understand.  I totally agree with that, actually.  So how old will you be turning?
Girl: 16. [Grimace] Ancient.
Me: What's that?  Ancient?
Girl: Yeah.  16 is ancient.  I will be ancient.

The Problem Bit

15-yr-old girl is a boarder, from Hong Kong.  During the holidays she has lessons with her teacher over there, who usually gives her some new music.

Me: Which piece do you want to play for me first?
Girl: This one.  It's ... um... well, it's mostly okay.
Me: Mostly?
Girl: Well, it's just ... this bit... [pointing to the whole of the second page].
Me [laughing]: That's half the piece.
Girl [indignant]: But it's so high!  And fast!

The Castle

15-yr-old girl.  We'd stopped playing for some reason.

Girl: Ooh, can I ask you something, like, totally off-topic?
Me: Um, sure...
Girl: Okay, well, have you seen the movie, The Castle?  From, like, 1997?
Me [smiling]: Yes.
Girl [really enthusiastically]: We watched it on the weekend.  It is so funny!  Now I know where all the things my dad say are from.  It was hilarious!!! [It's true - her dad is very Castle-like].  And the narrator - like, "My brother and I are really close. 
- How's dad?
- Good.
- How's mum?
- Good.
- How are you?
- Aright."
So funny!!

Duet Eyes

Last lesson for the year with a 15-yr-old girl, and we were playing duets.  She was playing the top part, and when we got to the top of the second page, she just... stopped.

Girl: Agh!  I mean... what?
Me: Um... we're up to here [pointing to page 2]
Girl: Oh!  I know!  I mean... my eyes... just... forgot how to go on.  Sorry.