Hello! My name is Katerina Panferova. I am a piano and a music theory teacher serving Simi Valley area. If you are 5 and older and want to learn how to play piano, just for pleasure or professionally, then we definitely should meet! I provide high quality piano lessons for anyone who is interested. I teach at my home piano studio. Being an active member of Music Teachers Association of California and the President of San Fernando West Valley Branch, gives me an opportunity to provide the Certificate of Merit exams to my students, as well as participation in monthly piano recitals, Concerto Competition, Bach Festival, Composers Today and many other interesting programs.
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Katerina Panferova was born in Saint Petersburg, former Leningrad, Russia in 1973. At the age of 6, she started taking piano lessons privately, and a year later got admitted to the Music School NII where she studied music for 8 years. During that time, Katya(Short for Katerina) learned piano, solfeggio, music theory and history, sang in choir and performed on some of Saint Petersburg's famous stages like Capella, Hermitage Theater, and Philharmonia. Being taught by wonderful teachers, Katerina always saw herself becoming a music teacher in her future. And after graduating from high school, she decided to study music at the Saint Petersburg State Pedagigic University, department of Music. The list of courses she completed include(but not limited to) piano performance, piano pedagogy, history of music, music literature, history and theory of music pedagogy, music theory and analysis, choir conductting, basic psychology, phsiology. In 1995, Katerina graduated with honors, receiving her Masters Degree in Piano and Music Theory Pedagogy. She began her career at the same music school where she had been taught for many years. However, shorty after beginning her career, Katerina left her work and the country, following her husband who was invited to work in Sweden. She began teaching as a private piano teacher here, followed by many years of traveling and moving from place to place, including Texas, British Columbia Ontario, and finally, California. Katerina became a member of the American Music Teacher Association in 2001, Texas Music Teacher Association in 2001, Music Teacher Association of California in 2008. Since May 2012, she has been serving as the President of San Fernando West Valley Branch of MTAC.
Being a piano teacher is what I wanted to be when I was growing. I appreciate my work and my students for giving me a lot of positive energy, fun and a new knowledge every day! One strong belief I have - anybody can play piano! My work is to find the right way of approaching music and piano technique to every student and guide one along that way. I combine many different piano methods in my teaching depending on my students' needs and wishes. Learning music theory, note reading comes along with playing "by ear", improvising and composing. Folk songs and popular tunes are usually the first music pieces that my students learn. I often make easy arrangements of popular songs, so students can play something they "really want". Soon, playing more music makes it necessary for students to learn about different music styles and historic highlights of music. It also requires more "finger work" and a special attention to the piano technique. My focus and way to work on technique is based on my Russian classical music education and experience, and I am honored to provide the similar high quality approach to my students who wish to play advanced level piano. As a member of Music Teachers' Association of California, I encourage my students to participate in Certificate of Merit Exams, study theory and play repertoire according to MTAC syllabus and level recommendations. However, it is not necessary, and each student will go his or her own way. Homework is an important part of my instructions. It is assigned weekly and requires practicing and repeating what was learned in class. I try to be as concrete as possible in my assignments, setting reachable goals for each student. I also encourage students to contact me with any questions. I discuss with my student how much time and why I recommend to practice. Parents of my students are my greatest helpers! They are the first who introduce music to my students by singing, clapping, humming and playing songs for them. They become the first audience of my students. They encourage and appreciate, remind to practice and bring their children to piano lessons. And without them continuing making music the part of my students life, I wouldn't be able to have as many wonderful kids in my class as I have now… Thank you!
Piano and Music Theory Pedagogy Masters Degree Saint Petersburg State Pedagigic University
Cash and checks are accepted once a month, on the first lesson of the month. There will be a $25.00 charge for bounced or late checks.
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Recitals, testing and more