The Art of Ethics in Business and Community

There is an art to ethics in, well, art—the business of art. Any working artist knows for every step you take, you must take two more for the business of you and your art. It’s inescapable. Enter ethics and etiquette.

We debated whether or not to share our recent thoughts with the Hickory Arts community regarding an unethical situation. Ultimately, we decided to do so in the hope that this will serve as another teaching moment.

An Unexpected Departure and Ethical Dilemma

At the end of August 2024, an instructor who had been with us for six years gave us just one week’s notice. He told us he needed to stop teaching in order to pursue another vocation. "It has nothing to do with ya'll. You're the best boss I've ever had." However, over the course of that week, we learned he had solicited nearly all of his students to continue lessons with him at his home.

This was not only a financial hit for us, but also a profound personal disappointment. Some students recognized the ethical dilemma and spoke out, for which we are grateful. But the situation left us shaken—especially given everything else we are going through.

A Personal and Professional Betrayal

This instructor was someone we had known since he was twelve. He taught our son, Coble. We spent six years promoting him, integrating him into the identity of our studio, and recommending him for work as an instructor, musician, and recording artist. Most importantly, we vouched for him as a good person.

His departure, under these circumstances, was a first for us in 14 years. Other instructors have always worked with us on proper transitions, allowing for continuity in teaching and a respectful handover of students. I’ve extended the same courtesy to former studios where I worked. In fact, when I left a studio where I had over 50 students, I knew it was unethical to take them with me—even the ones I had brought in. The right thing to do was to work a six-week notice, transition my students to other teachers, and step away professionally before eventually opening my own studio.

This is the standard we have always upheld. This is the expectation we have followed. This is the way professionals operate.

A Question of Integrity

When this instructor told us he needed more time to tune pianos, we understood and supported him. But in the very next breath, he revealed that he planned to continue teaching—just from his home. That was a complete contradiction. Since then, we’ve learned that almost all of his students have switched to his house. That’s not just disappointing—it’s disingenuous, insensitive, and unethical.

If we are misunderstanding something, we are open to hearing it. But from where we stand, it’s clear that this was handled poorly, both professionally and personally.

The Ethics of Transitioning in a Studio Community

Teaching at a studio isn’t just about lessons—it’s about trust, expectations, and community. Studios make financial and promotional decisions based on the instructors they support. We invest in our instructors, and in return, we trust them to respect the integrity of our business.

Throughout our history, departing instructors have honored that trust:

• Our first Violin instructor transitioned her students to Andrea Barklage before leaving to perform more frequently with her Celtic trio.
• Our Classical Voice instructor Corey Lovelace transitioned her students to my mentor and me before touring.
• Our first Guitar instructor ensured his students were placed with other teachers before accepting a position at Wells Fargo.
• Our next Guitar instructor entrusted his students to this very instructor when he had to leave for health reasons.

This is how we honor our commitments to students, fellow instructors, and the broader arts community.

A Deeper Disappointment Amid Personal Loss

Beyond the financial and ethical implications, this situation has been personally painful. We are still reeling from the loss of our 19-year-old son, Coble, who was killed by a drunk driver. This instructor was not only part of our business—he was part of our personal lives. He taught Coble for years.

Yet, he didn’t attend Coble’s memorial, didn’t offer condolences, and made no effort to check in on our family. While other instructors stepped up to help with the studio in our absence, his lack of presence—both physically and emotionally—was noticeable.

Even as we faced personal and financial hardship, we still managed to get him a wedding gift, including a commemorative guitar pick of Coble. We never received a thank-you. These are small things, but they reflect a larger issue—one of character and consideration.

Lessons in Ethics and Moving Forward

We are not angry. We are simply disappointed—professionally and personally. If we didn’t care, we wouldn’t say anything at all. We held this instructor to a high standard because we believed in him.

Ethics matter. They matter in business, in art, and in life. We hope this experience serves as a lesson—not just for him, but for anyone navigating similar decisions. Integrity is about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. It’s about honoring commitments, respecting those who have invested in you, and considering the impact of your actions on others.

Wherever his journey takes him, we hope he learns from this. Life will teach all of us lessons in time. We encourage everyone to revisit our original article on The Art of Ethics for a deeper exploration of these values: Read More

— Jeff Hartman, Artistic Director