Irina Knust

I'm a piano teacher, tap dancer, choreographer with 25+ of professional experience. My professional path has been rather special. From the age of five, I had been brought up in the classical Russian piano tradition. Also, l've been in love with jazz music and tap dance since I was a child. I always thought of tap dance as a music form, which you can 'play' with your feet. That's why I dedicated my life to my two favorite art forms - music and tap dance. I was touring as a child with Moscow Symphony Youth Ensemble, and continue performing since with different musical ensembles. I performed as a Played solo pianist in my youth as well. I have a degree in Piano and Jazz Orchestra Conducting from the University Of Culture and Arts in Moscow. Shortly after my graduation I was invited to United States to study tap dance and was fortunate to be trained by the greatest dancers of our time, such Gregory Hines, Savion, Jymmy Slyde. My musical background contributed to shape me as a dancer, while the rhythm training I got from tap dance added another dimension to my musical persona. Currently, I teach privately, both individuals and groups - piano, music theory and tap dance. My main goal has always been to inspire and empower students to reach their full technical, musical and creative potential.

I played piano since I was 5. There was nothing like a music world I could have lose myself to, and expand my perception of beauty in life. I always am happy to share my love and joy of being a musician/teacher with everyone I have in my life. Luckily I have my students. I teach privately piano and music theory classes, which includes music notation literacy, ear training, note reading, performance preparation and rhythm training. My teaching method is based on the Russian Tradition of Piano playing, which has a few specific techniques for emphasizing and enhancing expressive playing and beautiful tone quality. Learning jazz genre taught me a different set of skills, including improvisation and use of swing rhythm. I have been teaching piano, and music theory for over 25 years, always with the goal to inspire and empower students to reach their full technical, musical and creative potential. I tailor my lessons to my students personalities and I always trying to keep a balance of fun and the discipline in the learning process.