Aglaya Shadrina
About
I am a passionate piano teacher with a Master’s degree and a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Teaching, complemented by studies in child development and neuroscience. I incorporate this knowledge into my teaching approach to help students learn in a natural, effective, and enjoyable way. With over 20 years of teaching experience, I work with both children and adults, creating lessons that support each student’s unique learning style and musical goals. Teaching piano is truly my calling. I love helping students discover the joy of music, build confidence, and develop their skills in a positive, inspiring, and supportive environment.
Teaching Style
My teaching style is warm, encouraging, creative, and deeply student-centered.
I strive to create an environment where students feel safe to experiment, make mistakes, ask questions, and discover their own musical voice. Every lesson is engaging, positive, and designed to inspire curiosity rather than pressure.
I believe music should be associated with joy, confidence, and self-expression. Instead of focusing solely on perfection, I celebrate progress, creativity, and personal growth.
Students often appreciate that my lessons are:
- Highly interactive and engaging
- Playful without losing educational depth
- Structured yet flexible
- Supportive and encouraging
- Adapted to each student's personality and motivation
- Focused on building confidence alongside musical ability
After more than 20 years of teaching children, teenagers, and adults, I have learned that no two students are alike. My role is not simply to teach piano or composition, but to help each person discover their own way of learning, creating, and enjoying music.
Curriculum
My teaching method combines music education with principles from psychology, child development, and neuroscience to help students learn naturally and efficiently. Rather than relying on repetition alone, I focus on developing understanding, creativity, and musical independence.
Every lesson is carefully adapted to the student's age, cognitive development, learning style, goals, and pace. I believe people learn best when they understand why something works, not simply how to repeat it.
My lessons may include:
- Personalized learning plans based on each student's individual needs
- Music theory taught through practical application, games, visual learning, and creative exercises
- Piano technique integrated with musical understanding rather than mechanical practice
- Composition and improvisation from the very beginning to encourage creativity
- Cognitive strategies that improve focus, memory, confidence, and problem-solving
- Progressive skill-building designed to develop independent musicians rather than students who simply follow instructions
Whether a student is four years old or seventy-four, my goal is to help them learn smart—not hard—and build skills that last a lifetime.
Credentials & Affiliations
- Piano Teacher (20+ years)
- Music Theory Instructor
- Composition Teacher
- Online Music Educator
- Art Therapy
I graduated from Saint Petersburg Musical College No. 3 (1996–2000) with an Associate of Arts Degree in Music Education, followed by an additional year of undergraduate studies in Music Education and Piano Teaching.
I also attended Saint Petersburg State University, where I earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in Economics.
Immediately after graduating from music college, I was hired by a private music school in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where I worked as a piano and music teacher from 2000 to 2007.
In 2007, I moved to the United States and established my own teaching studio, originally called Happy Piano Lessonsand later renamed Aglaya Piano. I taught students in California, including the San Francisco Bay Area, and later in Miami, Florida. Throughout the years, I have organized annual piano recitals for my students at various venues in San Francisco and Miami. I would be happy to provide specific venues and dates if needed.
In 2020, I transitioned my studio entirely to online teaching and have continued teaching students remotely ever since. My professional career has always been focused primarily on music education, teaching, and mentorship rather than performance or competitions. Teaching has been my chosen career and calling for more than 20 years.
