[Quazel]

I am moving in a few weeks. I currently have an excellent private instrumental student. I recently heard that my former flute teacher, an amazing and extremely accomplished flautist, was teaching locally. I had taken lessons from her 17 years ago when I lived 1.5 hours from where I am now. At the time, I had never taken private lessons and I was NOT a good player, nor was I as dedicated as she would have liked. I greatly improved when I went to college. I truly found a passion for playing in college and was quite good when I played professionally.

I emailed my former teacher through the university website. I told her who I was, when she had taught me, where I had gone to college and that I was looking for a private teacher for my student. I received a beautiful email back from her talking about how happy she was to hear from me, she wishes I had gotten in touch with her when I had moved to this area. She said she would love to see me and would be thrilled to take on a student of mine. I was completely shocked. I really was not a good student for her. Toward the end of the email, she mentions that it was a shame I left the university she used to teach at. I then realized she has me confused with someone else. I did not attend her university or even audition there. That made more sense then her being thrilled to hear from me

I guess the right thing to do is tell her she must have me confused with another flute player. There is a part of me, though, that would like to just put her in touch with my student's parents. She is VERY hard to get in with, I didn't think I would get my student in but she is so amazing it was worth trying. It would be dishonest for me to just go with the flow even though I know my student will flourish and be amazing under her tutelage. There is a small part of me that hopes she actually remembers me and just has the college thing off but I really doubt it. How do I address this with her? TIA!

[nowpoints]

LIKE your idea to just put her in touch with your students parents to get the ball rolling, after all, they must meet 1st and see if it goes well.
Let God's plan unfold for this student.

Should you be re-asked, be honest. It is the student who must prove herself now anyway. Maybe she loved your kind spirit/soul & that is what this former Teacher rememebers and forgot details that don't matter these many years later.

[Kayline]

I think you should be honest with her. I don't see how that could possibly affect whether or not she takes your student.

[bluegoddess]

If you want to continue to be in contact with the teacher, come clean. Otherwise, I don't see a benefit in making both of you feel incredibly awkward. Make the connection with your student and leave it at that. Plus, you can keep hoping that she remembers you and just got the school wrong

I'm the kind of person who won't correct someone if they get my name wrong in passing and I don't think I'll ever see them again. Just doesn't seem worth the hassle and embarrassment for little benefit. Some people aren't like that, and if you're that kind of person then bring it up.