Private piano lessons in Gaithersburg, MD, for children and adults, available for beginner, intermediate and advanced students.
Sofia offers lessons in piano and music theory. She is also available as an accompanist for vocalists, choirs, and instrumentalists, and as a chamber ensemble coach.
Sofia holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in Piano Performance, Accompaniment, Chamber Music, and Pedagogy from the St. Petersburg State Conservatory of Music, St. Petersburg, Russia. [Resume]
Teaching philosophy
My goal is to teach students to love and understand music and to develop the skills necessary to express themselves through playing an instrument.
Individual versus group lessons
Lessons are carefully tailored to the specific needs of the individual student. Everyone learns at his/her own pace, depending on ability and musical goals. Group lessons cannot be individualized in this way and are less effective as a result.
The importance of learning to play a musical instrument
Learning to play a musical instrument teaches the student how to enjoy and understand music. Furthermore, learning music teaches how to learn in general. It develops concentration, analytical skills, self-discipline and the ability to consider several components (notation, timing, rhythm) simultaneously.
The duration of classes: 30, 45 and 60 minutes
The length of the class depends on the attention span of the student. For very young students, whose attention span is short, a 30-minute class is sufficient. But 30 min is too short for older students who need more lesson time to make adequate progress. As students develop, 45 min and one hour classes are recommended. For the professional musician, classes can be extended further.
Parental involvement
Parental involvement is very helpful. It is difficult for young children to retain all the information they are getting in class. Parents can help students remember key points of the lesson and can reinforce the lesson by encouraging good practice habits and showing appreciation for the student’s efforts.
The end result
Students who develop the skills required to play a musical instrument become self-reliant learners and continue to play and enjoy music throughout their lives.
Students of all ages and levels are welcome - it is never too late to learn and enjoy music.