If a pianist is at least reasonably good, should teachers discourage performance

Question:

If a pianist is at least reasonably good, should teachers discourage performance and competition?

Some piano teachers constantly discourage piano performance in national programs and competing in competitions, yet, for the same pianists, they encourage attending colleges based around education and becoming a piano teacher. Why? If someone is to teach piano, should they first become the best that they can be by competing nationally? At least they would know how they compare to pianists who have had teachers to encourage them to compete!?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: First:
The best performers and not necessary the best teacher. Sometimes things come so naturally that they won't understand how to help and teach.

Whereas, if someone had to struggle and work out the problems, they can better understand the students' need.

Second:
The best piano teachers also generates the best students.The best teachers won't have time for amatures. Amatures also need to have teachers. So, that's why intermediate pianist are encouraged to be a piano teacher.

Even Juilliard graduates has a tough time finding jobs and they are supposed to be the best in the business!

Third:
The music world is very tough. Not everyone can be the best pianist who wins the Van Cliburn or play piano concertos with a symphony. Most piano teacher knows their student's limitations, and don't want the piano student to get hurt from all the rejections. So, that's why the encourage them to become great educators.

Not everyone has what it takes to compete and be a professional pianist. My friend Chu-Fang just won the Cleveland Competition. She has been living out of a suitcase for the past year. She is maybe home once every 2 months for a couple of days. She doesn't get time off because of sickness. It's a really tough life and not everyone is cut out for it.