[musictlk] would this make you uncomfortable

[Kelsey Nicolay]

Hello,
I was given a list of voice teachers by my choir president.  
There were about 10 or 15 of them on the list.  One of the 
teachers I contacted got back to me (this was a couple months 
ago) and he told me that he would do lessons in his apartment in 
Montville Township which is part of Medina.  He also said that he 
does not play any instruments and therefore relies on the use of 
backing tracks to teach his students.  He also does not have a 
music degree.  Rather, he bases his teaching off of performance 
experience.  I know there are some teachers who teach like that 
and that's not what makes me uncomfortable.  The part I am a 
little uneasy about is taking lessons from a male teacher in an 
apartment.  Part of the reason I'm considering him is because 
he's in my budget.  He also suggested that I should contact the 
high school choir director (which by the way I have no way to 
reach) and request a practice room at the high school.  I am 
wondering if you guys think this approach sounds suspicious at 
all.  I would be ok studying with a male teacher, but only if it 
was in a place where there would be others around.  Otherwise, I 
would definitely prefer to study with a female.  What do you 
think? Are my concerns about this teaching style valid or should 
I contact him again and see if he can come up with a different 
approach?
Thanks,
Kelsey Nicolay