Approach to Teaching

I am a passionate educator, devoted to cultivating an appreciation and love for classical music. I have enjoyed several decades of teaching in various settings, whether in the private sector or public non-profit organizations. With this breadth of experience, my approach to pedagogy evolves with time and with the needs of each individual.

Coming from a strong Germanic and Russian training in piano, I possess a detailed approach to music-making, focusing on building both technical and musical foundations in music. I encourage my students to value hard work, discipline, focus, and patience. Most of all, I teach them how to find joy in the process of long-term learning rather than quick results. While my students participate in competitions and examinations, these are viewed as tools in the learning process and not the main reason for studying music.

Moreover, a personal practice of meditation informs my work with students. Teaching with compassion, intuition, and insight—while also being firm and demanding—is a function of a decade of meditation practice. Ultimately, teaching students to develop insight into themselves and to learn personal responsibility through piano practice may be the most valuable lesson for life.