Louis
I write this recommendation of Riverside Music Studios because of the extraordinary experience I have had learning piano with my teacher, Dr. Dimitry Alexeev. My background is not as a musician but as a long-time science teacher, now retired. I did read music (treble clef only) from having played clarinet some 50 years ago, but that was it. I was quite motivated to play piano, and knew that I was willing to practice on a regular basis (pretty much on a daily basis.) But I had real doubts about whether learning to play piano was really possible as a 71-year-old. Long story short, I found Riverside Music Studios and Dimitry through an online search and decided to give lessons a try. Dimitry is not only a brilliant musician but also a superb teacher. He answers my questions patiently. He finds music that stretches my ability but does not frustrate me, and it is always either music that I have expressed interest in playing, or pieces that he thought that I would enjoy playing, and would help me to improve as a piano player. I have learned some beautiful classical pieces, but I have also played some Ragtime as well, something I never thought I could do. It is such fun, and Dimitry’s ability to help me through difficult passages is beyond anything I could have hoped for. He is insightful and honest, always kind, and always encouraging. Dimitry has inspired me to reach for my best musical self. I am learning to love the process while also pursuing a goal. I could go on at great length about how my experience at Riverside has greatly enriched my life, or how thankful I am to have found Riverside and Dimitry, but let me simply finish with this: if you have a musical goal, whether as a professional musician or as an amateur who simply loves music like me, I encourage you to reach out to Riverside Music Studios. I feel certain it will be a decision you will not regret. While my lessons are with Dimitry, I feel sure, based on the high standards he sets for himself, that the other teachers at Riverside would only be there if they, too, were teachers of the highest quality. Good luck and enjoy! Lou Gittler
