About Veronika
What is your professional background?
 |
I was born and raised in Moscow, Russia. I started wanting to be a piano teacher soon after I started studying piano!
I started learning piano at the age of 5 and was accepted into one of the best music schools in Russia, Prokofiev’s Music School № 1 in Moscow. From 1992 through 1997 I studied piano, liturgical music, and choir conducing at St. Tikhon’s University in Moscow, Russia with professors from the Moscow Conservatory and Gnesin’s Institute. In 1998 I was awarded a scholarship to study music in the United States. From 1998–2000 I studied at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in Chrestwood, NY and in 2000 received my MA in music. I continued my professional education studying piano under Julie Jordan at Julliard and conducting under Marguerite Brooks at Yale University.
I started teaching piano in 1992 at a local music school in Moscow. I taught piano, theory, and music history for 6 years before moving to the US to continue my education. I continued giving piano lessons and working as a choir director at churches in Connecticut and New York City. Starting in 2007, I worked at music schools on the East Coast and West Coast, as well as teaching at my own studio.
How is your studio different from other private teachers and music schools?
I started learning piano at the age of 5 and was accepted into one of the best music schools in Russia, Prokofiev’s Music School № 1 in Moscow. From 1992 through 1997 I studied piano, liturgical music, and choir conducing at St. Tikhon’s University in Moscow, Russia with professors from the Moscow Conservatory and Gnesin’s Institute. In 1998 I was awarded a scholarship to study music in the United States. From 1998–2000 I studied at St. Vladimir’s Seminary in Chrestwood, NY and in 2000 received my MA in music. I continued my professional education studying piano under Julie Jordan at Julliard and conducting under Marguerite Brooks at Yale University.
I started teaching piano in 1992 at a local music school in Moscow. I taught piano, theory, and music history for 6 years before moving to the US to continue my education. I continued giving piano lessons and working as a choir director at churches in Connecticut and New York City. Starting in 2007, I worked at music schools on the East Coast and West Coast, as well as teaching at my own studio.
How is your studio different from other private teachers and music schools?
I have extensive formal training in music teaching, from both Russia and the U.S. I was trained as a pianist and a music teacher and it is my sole occupation. I have been teaching for over 20 years and it is still a great source of joy for me. I do not restrict my teaching to classical music, but also include pop, musical theater, and TV tunes—all of these are perfectly suitable for the study of piano, with the right instruction.
What is the “Russian Method” of teaching piano?
In the Russian tradition, musicality is the most important part of playing an instrument. From the very beginning, we pursue the goal of artistry, served by technical skill. We work on technique while nurturing a meaningful relationship between the student and the music. Students improve their piano skills not based on what would come first in a music theory book, but based on what comes first in piano skills. Often, students come to me after a year or two of piano lessons with extremely poor technique and little understanding of why they have learned what they have learned. They end up having to un-learn bad habits. The first years are formative for a student’s future success—we emphasize building good habits to build a proper foundation for future growth.
What is an initial interview?
- You will see my studio and play the piano.
- We will discuss your goals in learning piano and what you are looking for in a teacher.
- If you have studied piano before, you should bring one or two favorite and most recent pieces to share. You may also be asked to sight-read and clap some rhythms.
- We will review the studio policies and discuss practice expectations.
- I will answer any questions you have.
- The interview takes about 30 minutes. It is a great chance for us to get to know each other!
INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE LESSONS
You offer 30, 45, and 60-minute lessons—which is right for me?
30 minute lessons are recommended for very young beginner students (4–5 years old). An older student (6 year olds and up) will be able to benefit from longer lessons from the start.
I urge that students take at least 45 minute lessons. Even 45 minutes is not long
enough to cover warm-ups, some theory, and working through one piece of
music (a repertoire piece). Besides that, there's sight-reading, there's hope that a student
is working on more than one piece of music at a time, etc.
Hour-long lessons are intended for students at the intermediate
level; they are also beneficial for students who are more serious musical education and planing to pursue taking Royal Conservatory of Music exams or to major in music in the future.
What ages do you teach?
I teach students from age four and up, from complete beginners through advanced students playing Beethoven sonatas, Chopin preludes, Ravel, Liszt, Scriabin...
Do you take adult students?
Yes! I have students who are adult beginners and adult piano players who were away from the piano for many years.
GROUP LESSONS
Are group lessons for brand new students only?
Group lessons (3-4 students) are primary for the beginner students. That is because there is a lot of material at that stage (both theory and piano technique) that can be covered as a group lesson. I offer group lessons in order to provide a solid foundation, but at a more affordable price. After students learn the very basics (which takes about 6 months), it is more difficult to find the right balance between students because individual students will progress at different speeds.
What is covered during
a typical lesson?
The lesson covers everything a regular private piano lesson would cover, only in a small group setting. It is not a music-themed play group, but a regular piano lesson that covers theory, ear training, technique, and so on. We do sing and have rhythmical exercises that include tapping and clapping; this builds necessary skills to progress as a piano player.
At this early stage of learning, there is a lot of basic material that needs repetition, which can
be taught in a group setting without watering down the lessons.
Does each student have their own keyboard?
I teach only on one instrument—my piano. In my experience, additional pianos do not improve group lessons.
OTHER QUESTIONS
Where do I park?
There is free parking throughout the area around my studio. Some parents prefer not to park but to drop off their children where I can meet them.
Price of Private Music Lessons
