Sonata Piano And Performance Studio

With a beginner student, I typically begin with keyboard orientation (to get familiar with keyboard), finding comfortable hand positions, and learning simple musical pieces on the black keys. 

With younger beginners I use a variety of games and fairy tales to develop student’s musicality and musical inner hearing. With older beginners we also develop inner hearing by playing by ear and transposing simple musical pieces.

With more advanced students, I first access their skill level, then concentrate on improving any possible weaknesses in technique. We then work to develop more advance skills and learn new pieces.

Originally from Russia, I received my Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, Collaborative Piano, and Pedagogy from Khabarovsk College of Music and my Master of Music from the Pedagogical Institute of Irkutsk State University. 

I recommend 30 min lessons for 4-7 years old and 45 min lessons for ages 7 and older, with 1 lesson per week (4 lessons per month) for optimal learning. 60 min lessons are also available upon request and recommended for an adult student. 

60-minute lessons: $240 monthly ($60/lesson)

45-minute lessons: $180 monthly ($45/lesson)

30-minute lessons: $120 monthly ($30/lesson)

There will be one make-up lesson a month allowed in the case of a missed lesson. Payment is due by first lesson of the month. 

I began my teaching career at the Children’s Institute of Arts of Russia, where I prepared students ages 6-17 for college admissions and piano proficiency exams. My students repeatedly won regional and national piano competitions. I also served as the creative director of numerous concert series, including a showcase of the Baroque era and a series highlighting 20th century Russian composers Prokofiev, Shostakovich and Kabalevsky. I have over 15 years of experience as a collaborative pianist and accompanist for instrumentalists, vocalists and choir groups.

I worked with beginner students and advanced, from 4 years old to adults. 

I would advise students to search for professional pianists who formally studied piano at the university level and earned a degree in piano/music. Knowledge of pedagogy (the art of teaching) is preferable because it places student development at the center of the learning process, focusing on student’s individual needs, as well as ensures proper teaching of technique. 

What formal education do you have? What is your previous professional experience? What age groups do you teach? What genre(s) do you specialize in?