About
Highly-experienced, award-winning, Russian-trained pianist offers top quality lessons either online or in person in Knoxville TN.
I was born in Moscow, Russia. My mother was a piano teacher and started me playing at 4. I studied at the legendary Moscow Conservatory with Victor Merzhanov. After my family emigrated to the US, I continued my education and earned my Bachelor's of Music at the University of Houston. I won the Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition and debuted with the Symphony performing Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto.
After that, I continued to give my own recitals and take private lessons with renowned concert pianists.
For my Master's, I studied organ at Rice University with the world-famous teacher Clyde Holloway. I won many national competitions, including Gruenstein Memorial Organ Competition in Chicago and San Antonio Pipe Organ Competition.
The Russian School of Playing has produced some of the world's greatest pianists. This method lays down the foundation for a relaxed way of playing, which gives confidence and technical security, while enabling one to produce a beautiful "singing" tone on the piano. This helps students to take their piano-playing to new heights.
Tracing my pianistic lineage through all the great teachers I studied with, it turns out that:
I am a 4th-generation pupil of Franz Liszt and 6th-generation of Beethoven. Because I was one of the fortunate few (Garrick Ohlsson among them) to study with Roberto Eyzaguirre, who was a student and friend of Claudio Arrau, one of the 20th-century's greatest pianists. Arrau studied with Martin Krause, who was one of Franz Liszt's final pupils. Liszt was taught by Carl Czerny. And Beethoven was Czerny's teacher.
Through this great lineage, learn an incredible technique that will enable you to play the music of your dreams!
I have been teaching piano for over 30 years, on the college level and privately.
Highlights
Specialties
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Student has instrument
Interested musical styles
Reviews
hillary S.
at the piano. She is extremely knowledgeable, talented, and dedicated. She is very
particular about how you play and making sure you get it right, which I appreciate a lot. I
have had one previous piano teacher from China, and it has been interesting ... Show more
James L.
connection between us and understanding my reason for learning the piano! I would highly
recommend her to aspiring pianists of any level.
Melody C.
really listen and feel the music. She is also helping me to learn technically how to achieve
the musical expression I desire.
Theo C.
piano. Her approach to teaching stresses technique and fundamentals and allows for a
tension-free style of playing that is enjoyable and meditative. I would highly recommend
lessons with Maria.
Will H.
on proper technique and really feeling the music as opposed to just playing the keys. Highly
recommend!
Evan L.
significant improvements in my overall technique and comfort while playing. Her feedback
during lessons has been amazing, not just shallow compliments but solid criticism that
most teachers would avoid.