Music in Westchester
Piano, Violin & Viola Lessons in Chappaqua, Mount Kisco, Bedford & Pleasantville, NY
Theory & History of Music, Ear Training, Chamber Music Coaching
Alexander and Marina have graduated from internationally renown Tchaikovsky National Academy of Music in Kiev, Ukraine.
Since moving to United States in 1997, they actively perform and teach in New York.
Marina Rogozhina (piano)
Alexander Abayev (violin)
Our Teaching Philosophy
We believe that music is an important "food for the soul" for every human being.
Albert Einstein once said, "Life without playing music is inconceivable to me. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music... I get most joy in life out of music."
It is truly a universal language that helps people communicate, to interact creatively and experience the most significant emotional and aesthetic encounters of life by MAKING MUSIC, especially - making music TOGETHER!
While becoming a skillful musician is not an easy task and (let's admit it) takes a long time and effort, yet it does not necessary have to be an overwhelming or frustrating process.
Yes, it requires consistency and regular practicing, but the reward is obvious - the satisfaction for the parents and students to see their initial steps of progress and first significant achievements in creating music, either performing public recitals or in the intimacy of the family circle.
Recent studies by the National Institutes of Health have proved that "...music training spurs emotional and behavioral growth in children" (Washington Post).
Playing a musical instrument will help your child in the development of their fine motor skills and aid in emotional and behavioral maturation.
Not to mention students' wide exposure to the richness of the world's different cultures and heritage of the past and present.
Also, there is evidence that academic skills are dramatically improved when combined with musical training.
Our History
We began as A Violin/Piano Duo performing together back in Ukraine during our studies at the National Academy of Music in Kiev.
After completing our PhD degrees in Music Performance and Music Education, we began teaching at Lysenko Specialized School for Gifted Children as well as The National Academy of Music in Kiev, Ukraine.
After having relocated to Westchester, NY we conceived of and opened our one of a kind private home studio in Mount Kisco, NY where we provide instruction in violin, viola, piano, music theory/history and ear training.My wife Marina also is on the faculty at Westchester Conservatory of Music in White Plains, NY and I, Alexander serve as Concertmaster of The Symphony of Westchester in New Rochelle, NY.
We are very proud that many of our students have become truly accomplished musicians!
Some of them have won music contests and competitions, have already performed in the US and Europe in a variety of concert venues and have taken part in international music festivals.
Just recently, several of our students were admitted to the prestigious undergraduate and graduate programs and we believe that their impressive musical resumes undoubtedly contributed to the college admission process. We congratulate Benjamin Lee who (just recently) was selected to play with New York ALL-STATE orchestra!