Simon Karakulidi
Philadelphia Piano Lessons
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Brief Information About Myself:
I performed solo recitals and played with orchestras all over the world, including Canada, US, Russia, Germany, France, Italy, and other countries.
I studied in three different countries: Russia (Moscow Conservatory), US (Yale School of Music), and Germany (HFMDK Frankfurt).
I am a prize-winner of over 20 international piano competitions.
I’ve been teaching since I was in college, and I value helping people play the piano as much as performing music myself. My late start at playing the instrument (I decided to dedicate myself to music professionally when I was 14), gives me an advantage at understanding the pitfalls one experiences in trying to approach the piano. I had a lot of struggles myself trying to find my own way of playing the instrument, and I am extremely eager to find the best way for others to succeed as well.
Teaching music online, while unorthodox, has its own advantages if approached creatively. I try to supplement lessons with detailed written practicing instructions, as well as written summaries of the lessons. I often ask my students to send me a recording of their playing before the lesson, so that we can listen back to it and discuss together what might be improved.
Even though most of my students do not play music professionally, I insist on a steady growth of their skills. One might be playing music “for fun”, but it is my job as a teacher to make sure that the student constantly increases their efficiency at practicing and develops a more complex understanding of the instrument and the repertoire.
I try to develop a personal relationship with every student, because I hope that we will be sharing a long and satisfying ride. Learning to play the piano is an intimate process, and often it requires a great deal of effort to overcome a roadblock on the way to mastery. But if we find that there is something that is not working, I will do whatever it takes to discover and develop the potential solution for the problem.
I am a concert pianist myself, and I perform exclusively classical repertoire. Since I want to give my students the best kind of instruction I possibly can. I prefer to focus on classical music in our lessons.
I also supplement private piano lessons with written theory assignments, as well as listening recommendations, free of charge.
I performed solo recitals and played with orchestras all over the world, including Canada, US, Russia, Germany, France, Italy, and other countries.
I studied in three different countries: Russia (Moscow Conservatory), US (Yale School of Music), and Germany (HFMDK Frankfurt).
I am a prize-winner of over 20 international piano competitions.
I’ve been teaching since I was in college, and I value helping people play the piano as much as performing music myself. My late start at playing the instrument (I decided to dedicate myself to music professionally when I was 14), gives me an advantage at understanding the pitfalls one experiences in trying to approach the piano. I had a lot of struggles myself trying to find my own way of playing the instrument, and I am extremely eager to find the best way for others to succeed as well.
Teaching music online, while unorthodox, has its own advantages if approached creatively. I try to supplement lessons with detailed written practicing instructions, as well as written summaries of the lessons. I often ask my students to send me a recording of their playing before the lesson, so that we can listen back to it and discuss together what might be improved.
Even though most of my students do not play music professionally, I insist on a steady growth of their skills. One might be playing music “for fun”, but it is my job as a teacher to make sure that the student constantly increases their efficiency at practicing and develops a more complex understanding of the instrument and the repertoire.
I try to develop a personal relationship with every student, because I hope that we will be sharing a long and satisfying ride. Learning to play the piano is an intimate process, and often it requires a great deal of effort to overcome a roadblock on the way to mastery. But if we find that there is something that is not working, I will do whatever it takes to discover and develop the potential solution for the problem.
I am a concert pianist myself, and I perform exclusively classical repertoire. Since I want to give my students the best kind of instruction I possibly can. I prefer to focus on classical music in our lessons.
I also supplement private piano lessons with written theory assignments, as well as listening recommendations, free of charge.
Why You Should Choose Me Over Other Teachers
- I had a late start in piano, and that gives me an advantage as a teacher because I learned how to overcome very difficult problems. I am ECSTATIC about teaching piano because I recognize in every student myself somewhere along my path. The idea that I might be saving someone ten years of wasted practice time is exhilarating to me.
- I am not going to pretend that I have any super-complicated methods of teaching piano, and, frankly, I don’t have much faith in them. The highest-quality instruction you can possibly get is very simple, and the key is to be able to break down any issue into small chunks and solve the problem at its root.
- I have been trained within the most prestigious schools in Russia (including the Central Music School at the Moscow Conservatory), Germany (Frankfurt Musik Hochschule), and America (Yale University). That gives me a very broad view of piano technique, repertoire,and performance.
- I will not give you an “amateur” treatment. I will treat you as a concert pianist with things getting in your way. It doesn’t mean, though, that I will set the bar too high and expect you to get there in one lesson. We will go one step at a time, and no problem will be left unsolved.
- I care deeply about every student and I will try a dozen different strategies to solve whatever problem you may encounter. Yet the problem will be solved or I will quit my job! :)
- I am not going to pretend that I have any super-complicated methods of teaching piano, and, frankly, I don’t have much faith in them. The highest-quality instruction you can possibly get is very simple, and the key is to be able to break down any issue into small chunks and solve the problem at its root.
- I have been trained within the most prestigious schools in Russia (including the Central Music School at the Moscow Conservatory), Germany (Frankfurt Musik Hochschule), and America (Yale University). That gives me a very broad view of piano technique, repertoire,and performance.
- I will not give you an “amateur” treatment. I will treat you as a concert pianist with things getting in your way. It doesn’t mean, though, that I will set the bar too high and expect you to get there in one lesson. We will go one step at a time, and no problem will be left unsolved.
- I care deeply about every student and I will try a dozen different strategies to solve whatever problem you may encounter. Yet the problem will be solved or I will quit my job! :)
Hear Me Play!
F. Liszt Transcendental Etude no 4 “Mazeppa”
Prokofiev 4 Etudes
There are different options available: 30, 45, 60 minutes or more. Discounts offered for students in need.
Price
To inquire about the prices, please give me a call or leave your message here.
What My Students Say ❤️
- Simon is absolutely FANTASTIC!!
I am a long-time student of music and am extremely particular. 3 years ago, I returned to the piano after a 35-year break and really needed a BREAKTHROUGH. I have worked with Simon for the past 2-1/2 years, and he has exceeded every possible expectation I could have of a teacher!
First, he is a great guy and a lot of fun to work with.
Second, he pays absolutely keen attention during every part of each lesson and is completely involved throughout. He also often sends me additional suggestions, tips, and even videos throughout the week.
Third, he is extremely patient, although perfectly capable of insisting on certain standards.
Fourth, I feel that he "gets" what I am trying to accomplish on the piano, and that he is always giving his ALL to help get me there! For the FIRST time in my life, I actually feel like a pianist!
ABSOLUTELY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION WITH NO RESERVATION WHATSOEVER! You'll be lucky to study with him! - Finding a piano instructor for children is easy. Finding a piano instructor as an adult beginner is almost impossible! Simon has been terrific! He knows everything about the piano. He is patient, polite, and very professional. He does a great job of balancing working with me where I'm at but also challenging and pushing me to the next level. Highly recommend!
- I’ve been working with Simon for a few years now and I can’t recommend him more.
About five years ago I decided to get serious about the piano (I did play as a kid but never seriously invested time into it), and I worked with a few teachers before meeting Simon and none of them could meet my needs. I do appreciate that he centers his approach around the student, rather than pushing his own ideas. I feel comfortable discussing with him my struggles with technique as well as what I think about the music. So far we have covered a few Chopin Etudes, as well as some Mozart sonatas (alongside normal portion of Czerny, Hanons and so on).
As I said, it’s hard to find a great teacher (especially online). Look no further!
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