A Narrative Study of Professional Artistry in Selected Thai Music Teachers

Abstract

The research question of the study is, çHow is music teachers’ professional artistry in Thai society polished and expressed? There are three objectives: 1) to study music teachers’ professional artistry in Thai society by observing the teaching and learning process and relationship between teachers and students, 2) to study the relationship of music teachers’ professional artistry, teachers’ identification, and teachers’ experience.

The Narrative Approach was employed to explore the three stories of three music teachers; Prof. PoonpitAmatayakul, DussadeeBuntasnakul, and Assoc. Prof. PichitChaisalee. Semi-structured interview, nonparticipant/participant observation and document review were employed for collecting research data.

The research result found that family, music teachers, friends, and musical experience are important elements influencing music and teacher identification. Professional artistry as a music teacher was developed by teaching experience. Music and teacher identity are the basis of professional artistry. All participants used 4 dimensions of professional artistry; the art of teaching, problem-solving, communicating, and living. They expressed the professional artistry by employing oral tradition approach, developing artistic creativity, focusing on individual differences, developing and keeping faith, and teaching social skills.