Piano and Violin Lessons from LearnPianoViolin
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About
When we teach students, particularly children, we like to treat them as small adults. We respect that each student will have a different way of learning, and try to find what will work best for each person. We also try to draw on other art forms that influence music during our lessons.
We love to get to know people, and to cultivate a love for music in them. It is a true pleasure to share the gift of music with others.
Overview
Hired 11 times
2 employees
19 years in business
Business hours
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Services offered
Subjects of interest
Fundamentals (pitch, rhythm, chords, etc.)
Harmonization
Counterpoint
Music subjects (notation, analysis, ear training)
Level of experience
No experience
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Instrument student plays
Piano
Violin
Guitar
Drum
Reviews
Exceptional 5.0
8 reviews
5
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Read reviews that mention:
Shana M.
Oct 3, 2014
Hired on Thumbtack
As a rank (adult) beginner, I didn't know what to expect from my first ever piano lesson, but knew I needed some guidance to help me reach my goals. Illya has been wonderfully supportive of my quixotic desire to play Bach; but he has also drawn upon a long playing and teaching career to help me pick other pieces, choose exercises, and learn techniques for practicing and playing that have helped me improve a lot in the past 6 months.
He is equal parts encouraging and exacting--which is what I wanted--but I get the sense that he really tries to match his teaching style to his students and cares a lot about keeping his students comfortable and focused on the task of making music that sounds good. At my last lesson, he showed me some Hello Kitty stickers he got to motivate one young student in particular who's an HK fan. (And, yeah, I'll admit it, I got a sticker myself that lesson. Probably the last I'll take off that kid, but I earned it!)
For any potential students thinking about booking a lesson with Illya, I have to tell you that the little room where he teaches is alone worth the price of admission for a trial lesson. I won't give away the surprise, but you'll feel like you're having a real New York moment when you play in that room.
Good luck and enjoy!
Piano Lessons
Karin P.
May 24, 2014
Hired on Thumbtack
Illya teaches my son and daughter piano once a week. He is wonderful with both of them, particularly my son who has autism. He uses the comic book he wrote while teaching and completely engages the kids. I was worried my son wouldn't be able to sit for an hour lesson, but he begs to continue with his lesson and doesn't want to give his sister her turn with Illya. While my son was having a lesson we heard some amazing music. I went to see who was playing and it was Illya and my son! He makes the lessons fun so my kids want to practice what he has taught them. I highly recommend Illya as a piano teacher!
Piano Lessons
Henry B.
Apr 23, 2015
Hired on Thumbtack
Illya is a fantastic piano teacher. I am 29, and I was a self taught piano player. I learned a few pieces, but wanted to take my playing to the next level. Illya has helped immensely. My progress has skyrocketed with his help.
I didn't know what to expect and was a little nervous about starting lessons later in life, but Illya has made me comfortable every step of the way. He maintains a great balance of understanding and pushing you to be a better piano player.
Piano Lessons
Darryl C.
Apr 28, 2014
Hired on Thumbtack
This review is in regard to Illya's wife and VIOLIN teacher, Katha Zinn. Very humbly, Illya sent me a message about Katha. She is currently an active performer and soloist which speaks to her level of success. She was educated at Juilliard (undergrad) and the Mannes School (master's). Her ability to gain entry into such institutions speaks volumes and caught my eye from the very beginning. However, that is not what keeps me coming!
Illya promised me quality instruction. I am a psychiatrist and ex-teacher who played very actively during my youth. I never felt like I reached my true potential. Four months prior to taking lessons, I had another fabulous teacher in Boston. I needed someone who I believed could bring me to the top. After meeting Katha on the first day, I knew that she could do just that.
First and foremost, she is an amazing person. I felt very comfortable from the very beginning. I was greeted with a warm smile. I am normally VERY anxious, yet I do not recall ever feeling like that in her presence. I felt very COMFORTABLE. In her presence, I always feel like making mistakes is OKAY because of her very non-judgemental manner. I mean, here is this AMAZINGLY-trained professional who is making time to get me to the next level. Who wouldn't want that?
I must say that her sound is AWESOME. When I listened to her Bach clip online, her vibrato "had me at hello" (sorry for the corny Jerry Macguire reference LOL). I knew that I wanted to sound just like that. My tense fingers never allowed me to develop a good vibrato over the years. We worked on that from day one and within a week, it was 100% better. Even with other things like bowing, tone, etc, it is almost like a masterclass every week. If you really take her suggestions and apply what she teaches, I GUARANTEE that you will improve 1000-fold. I am proof of that. She has a very scientific approach to determining the pathology of my challenges and values my thoughts in developing a good plan for success. Her suggestions, unlike many other experiences in the past, MAKE COMPLETE SENSE in the way my brain works. :)
In addition to these things, I was able to---from the very beginning---discuss with her my wish list of dream pieces. Although some pieces may be a stretch at this time, she encouraged my aspirations and is helping me find the most effective and efficient way to accomplish my goals. Never once did I think I would be able to get to the Bruch and Mendelssohn so quickly. Now I realize that between my dedication and her patience and skillful ways of teaching that I can actually do much more than that.
I HIGHLY recommend Katha. I leave inspired every week even when I do not feel like I did my best work. Because I appreciate her presence and support in my life, she makes me motivated to keep working hard without ever having to ask me to do so. I am in love with music once again. I can say with complete confidence that over the past months, my life has changed dramatically. I even went back to orchestra as a result!
Lastly, her husband (and musical partner) plays the piano. The icing on the cake is that if you need to practice with accompaniment, that can also be arranged as there is a piano in the studio. Not just any pianist, but a very accomplished one at that. :)
Oh, there is one more thing. Katha can play anything, but she is really into Bach as well as "new music." It is refreshing to work with someone who can go from baroque as well as stay current (and perform) new works by contemporary composers. Where else can you find all of these things? The answer: Brooklyn, NY under the instruction of Katha Zinn. The money I spend on lessons is the ONLY bill I don't fuss about and also take great pleasure in going to the ATM before my lessons. HAHA!
Thanks to Illya for making the connection. Because you believe so strongly in your wife, you have created space in this universe to change the lives of others! I owe you one! :)
Violin Lessons
Brandon C.
Feb 22, 2015
Hired on Thumbtack
I've been taking lessons with Illya for about a month now and it has been great. I am an advanced student, having taken classical for 8+ years in childhood, but have stopped for the past 10 years. We are working on Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No.2, a piece I wanted to always learn but never got around to. Illya does a great job with working on my tone and sound, guiding me through difficult passages and helping correct some of the bad technique/habits I picked up during my time of just playing for leisure. Illya is very friendly and personable and I would recommend him to any other pianists who want to properly get back to playing the piano again.
Piano Lessons