All of us have had teachers who we can recall decades later. Many of us have struggled with a concept right up until the right teacher at the right time comes with the right explanation that makes the pieces fall into place. Teachers can have a profound effect on their students, both through the knowledge they share and the sparks of inspiration they provide.
This effect is especially true in creative fields, where promising new talents are shaped and motivated by established figures. In a newly published paper, Karol Jan Borowiecki, Maria Marchenko and I examine the specific case of music composers. Throughout history, composers have learnt from other composers. In this setting, the teacher–student dynamic involves an individual relationship between the expert practitioner and the novice.
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