" ...All one has to do is hit the right notes at the right time and the instrument plays itself." Johann Sebastian Bach
"We do not play the piano with our fingers but with our mind." Glenn Gould
PIANO
PIANO
Olena Haviuk-Sheremet began her piano studies at the Solomiya Krushelnytska’s Music School for gifted students in Lviv, Ukraine. She continued her education at the Mykola Lysenko’s Lviv National Music Academy, under the tutelage of Oksana Rapita. Olena’s first performance with an orchestra was when she was just eight years old. Since then, she played with the Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra and Kiev National Philharmonic Orchestra, under the batons of such conductors, as I. Yuzyuk, Y. Kolesa, Y. Bervetsky, A. Torybayev, M. Mestre, R. Filipchuk, S. Burko and many others. She has also performed at many festivals, some of which are, Summer Music Evenings (Kiev, Ukraine), International Festival “Improvisation” (Lviv, Ukraine), International Piano Forum “Bieszczady without boundaries” (Sanok, Poland), and Alion Baltic International Music Festival (Tallinn, Estonia). At the age of 10, she won the first prize at the Vladimir Horowitz Interantional Yound Piano Competition (Kiev, Ukraine). She was also a second prize winner at the International Piano Competition “Sribny Dzvin” (Uzhgorod, Ukraine), and a third prize winner at the Frederick Chopin International Piano Competition (Lviv, Ukraine). In addition, Olena was a participant at the Maria Canals International Piano Competition (Barcelona, Spain), Mykola Lysenko International Piano Competition (Kiev, Ukraine), and Emil Gilels International Piano Competition (Odessa, Ukraine). Olena participated in several masterclasses with many famous professors such as, B.Goetzke (Germany), V. Kozlov (Ukraine), N. Fisher (England), M. Mestre (Spain), M. Voskresensky (Russia), A. Mamriev (Germany), L. Morales (Spain), M. Yanovitsky (USA). Currently, she is pursuing her doctoral degree at Temple University in Philadelphia under the tutelage of Mikhail Yanovitsky.
Natalia Mamardashvili is a graduate of Westminster Choir College with a Masters degree in Piano Performance. Natalia is also a singer and long-time member of local choirs. Originally trained at the Tblisi Music School in Georgia (formerly in the USSR), Natalia also earned a medical degree and worked as a physician in Georgia. Natalia is a talented classical musician with over 20 years of experience as a teacher and accompanist and is particularly adept at teaching young students. She teaches a variety of musical styles including classical, jazz, blues, and improvisation, and coaching students towards performing live on stage. Prior to joining Elite Music Academy's faculty, Natalia taught piano at Westminster Choir College and the Doylestown Conservatory. Ms. Mamardashvili aims to make lessons fun and enjoyable with a variety of teaching techniques, along with helping students to understand musical theory as a basis for their learning.
Yelena Rader, born in Kiev, Ukraine is a classical pianist, and a dedicated pedagogue. She began her piano studies at the age of five, attending the Music School for Gifted Children in Kiev. When she was twelve years old, she placed second in Ukraine's national Tchaikovsky competition. In 1982, she completed her Bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the R. Glier Kiev State Musical College, with a concentration in piano performance and music theory. Yelena is a graduate of the A. Gorkiy Kiev State Pedagogic University, with a Master’s Degree in music, piano and voice, where she studied under Olga Orlova and Igor Ryabov. At the age of twenty-three, Yelena began to teach piano, and since then has become a dedicated and highly sought after teacher. Having taught piano for the past thirty years, it has become Yelena’s professional calling, and she enjoys sharing her knowledge and expertise with all aspiring musicians.
Larisa Yanovitsky, born in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), studied at the prestigious Leningrad Conservatory under the tutelage of Professor Vera Razumovskaya, one of the exemplary teachers in Russia.
Upon graduation, Larisa began teaching children at several district music schools, as well as adults at the Institute of Culture, now the St. Petersburg University of Culture. Teaching is her passion, which she has passed to many of her students, who now teach in Russia, as well as Germany, Israel, and the United States. The most accomplished of her many students is her son, Mikhail Yanovitsky, a Steinway artist, a winner of numerous competitions, a concertizing pianist, who is also on the piano faculty of Temple University in Philadelphia.
Upon arrival in the United States, Larisa continued her teaching career. For the past twenty years, she has been a part of the Settlement Music School piano faculty, and has an extensive private studio. Her most motivated students continued professional musical training at universities and conservatories, such as Manhattan School of Music, the University of Pennsylvania, and many others.
Iryna Zakharova's music journey began at the age of five, when she first sat down at the piano. Iryna began her formal musical education at the Music School in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. Later, while living in Germany, she continued her studies at the Music School in Magdeburg under the guidance of the distinguished St. Petersburg pedagogue, Tatiana Saltosetskaya. These early years provided her with a strong technical foundation and a deep appreciation for the rich traditions of classical piano performance. Iryna graduated from music school with highest honors.
Eager to continue her professional development, Ms. Zakharava enrolled at the prestigious Glinka Music College in Minsk, Belarus, where she studied piano under the exceptional teacher Natalia Stepanova. Her years there were instrumental in shaping both her artistry and the approach to teaching, deepening her understanding of piano performance, music theory, and interpretation.
After graduating, she began teaching piano, solfeggio, and music literature at several music schools in Minsk. During this time, she also worked as an accompanist for the children's dance ensemble "Zubryonok," an experience that greatly enriched her musicianship and taught her the invaluable art of collaboration, flexibility, and live performance.
After moving to the United States, Iryna continued her teaching career, dedicating herself to helping students of all ages and levels discover the joy of music. She believes that every student possesses unique musical potential, and her goal is to inspire confidence, discipline, creativity, and a lifelong love of music.
"Teaching is far more than a profession for me—it is a vocation and a privilege. I am deeply devoted to my work and to each of my students. Nothing brings me greater happiness than witnessing their progress, celebrating their achievements, and helping them find their own artistic voice".