About Me
I grew up in a home where music was highly valued and was a constant companion. My grandmother had been a highly respected piano teacher for many decades, and my engineer father, who picked up the violin in his childhood, performed for many years in a number of ensembles. When I was a child I enjoyed exploring the piano and experimenting with sounds. My journey with the piano began when my mother taught me to play some tunes by watching her fingers, seeing patterns, and listening. Starting in third grade I began traditional piano lessons, which I continued on a weekly basis all the way through high school. During these years, I enjoyed improvising in various styles, as well as performing classical music, including piano-violin duets with my father. Later, I studied classical and jazz music at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and for a short time had the privilege of being a student of Leonard Hokanson.
After university, I was involved in the music business in Nashville, arranging and producing music for songwriters. At this time, I also began teaching piano lessons.
Later, my career path took a different turn, and after finishing graduate school with a Masters degree in linguistics, I (together with my wife, Gwyn) moved to Russia in 1994 and immersed myself in the world of translation, cultural documentation and ethnomusicology. During this season of our lives, as a family of four (now with a daughter and son), we experienced the richness of diverse cultures, histories and traditions, including an amazing variety of musical traditions.
After returning to Littleton, Colorado in 2007, my career consisted of a combination of piano teaching, photography and filmmaking (I was making expeditions back to Russia and other countries, including Azerbaijan, to produce a documentary film Yikbi, and create a collection of cultural photographs).
When it comes to the piano, I love to teach the essence of good technique, the knowledge of the ‘why’ behind music (i.e. theory), ear training, rhythm and reading skills, memorization of a wide repertoire from the great composers, and efficient practice time. But most importantly, the goal of my approach is to make sure that students are thoroughly enjoying the piano!
In addition to teaching, I enjoy performing and composing music. I also continue to take delight in photography and videography. But there is something special about teaching, and it is truly an honor for me to be able to pass on my knowledge and skills to others who can then share their own talents with the world.
Gwyn and I with our children.