We found Jennie from hearing my daughter's classmate play piano. The classmate played so well for…read moresuch a young kid, and my husband asked the kid's mom how long he's been playing. Hubby was shocked to learn he'd only been at it for a year. So of course we asked for the piano teacher's information. Jennie has been a wonderful experience for my daughter, now one of her students for 4 years. Her teaching style is flexible, and she offers in-person lessons at her own home, but has also given my daughters lessons remotely via Zoom as needed/requested. My daughter is also incentive-motivated and Jennie learns her students well enough to have little stickers or stationery of favorite designs/characters ready as rewards for milestones achieved. In addition to just playing pieces, the musical education also extends to music theory, and there are annual Certificate of Merit exams with MTAC (Music Teachers' Association of America), as well as biannual recitals, so students get the benefit of performance and "official" testing/accreditation. On a personal level, it's clear that Jennie has the patience of a saint because my sensitive kid has never had a complaint, even on weeks she knows she didn't invest the time into her practice at home. Jennie is warm, friendly, knowledgeable, and sincere. We feel so lucky to have stumbled on her piano studio to help create a more rounded childhood experience for our daughter.

Jennie is a wonderful person and teacher. She is so patient and passionate about teaching piano. If…read moreyou are lucky enough to be able to have her as a teacher and get to go to the recitals, you will be so impressed by her students that have been with her for years. They play the piano so beautifully. She is what got them there.

The teachers here are so talented and patient and have a real knack of bringing the best out of all…read morethe kids who learn here. My kids have learned to be proud of the hard work it takes to learn recital pieces and have become more brave playing in front of an audience. A perfect place for people of all levels.

if you're looking for a great place for your kids to learn how to play the piano, this is the…read moreplace!!!! friendly, patient teachers with lots of knowledge!!! although everyone is great here Mrs. Bethany is our favorite!!!! highly recommend!

Many people make a living from music, and there are those who carry music as a hobby. Feliks has…read morebrought something so much more. Since our son has been with Feliks I believe our son will one day be able to remember that Feliks was often responsible for that initial bit of encouragement and mentoring that he received while he was taught and trained playing the Cello while he was with Feliks. Our son has realized that music can be much more. It has been something to be enjoyed, a place where he can release pressure from the day at school. Or simply a way to express his own ideas and creativity. He continues to develop a passion with Feliks's help and knows that only music and playing better can bring to him. Even if it doesn't result in a professional career as a Cellist, the practice, and efforts we know as every parent knows, it will help mold his mind as he becomes more mature and whether he decides becomes a Doctor, Lawyer, or an Engineer. Thank you Feliks:)

My mother-in-law has been playing cello for many years and wanted to encourage my 10 year old son…read moreto begin playing the cello as well. Mr. Feliks is an exceptional cello teacher and we are very happy with how he has developed my son's cello foundation by helping him focus on his technique and inspiring my son to want to do well. Within three months since we have started my son studying with Feliks, he enjoys playing the cello and now wants to audition for the 2020 IUSD honor orchastra. Thank you Feliks for your incredible patience and sincere inspiration for your students.

Andrea is an amazing piano teacher. I had stopped piano in 8th grade, but I recently wanted to get…read moreback into it. I was nervous for being so rusty, but Andrea was very patient, understanding, and enthusiastic with me continuing piano. I love the way she teaches. She explained things in a manner that was very clear, and you could tell the passion she has when teaching. She really focuses on you becoming a better pianist, even if you're playing for leisure, like I am. She gives really good practice techniques and strategies to exercise your fingers to be able to play with better precision and dexterity. I came early to my lesson one day, and I was able to overhear/witness her teaching a grade school student (probably around 8 years old). The way she explains things to younger students is impressive. She makes great, easily digestible analogies to get students understanding dynamics, phrasing, and style. Overall, I would highly recommend Andrea.

I'd always regretted not sticking with piano as a child, so I feel incredibly blessed to have had a…read morefriend refer me to Andrea. Her studio may be new, but I was told she's been teaching for years. If I had her as my piano teacher when I was younger, I would have never quit! I've only done a trial lesson so far, but I can't wait to come back. Andrea was kind and patient to me the whole lesson, even despite me being severely out of practice. She was very encouraging, and I feel a renewed desire to play again. Her studio/home is spotless. I didn't use it, but I saw a QR code for a wifi network. She confirmed it was for waiting guests, and I can't help but be surprised because I'd never seen anything like it. Anyway, thanks again Andrea! I'm happy to be one of your first customers for your new studio!

I consider my time at Opus 119 one of the most impactful and meaningful experiences of my life, and…read moreI certainly would not be where I am today without Teacher Ethan Dong. I am incredibly grateful for my time at Opus and with Teacher Ethan; playing piano with him remains one of my most cherished memories, and I miss it deeply. I have never encountered a piano teacher who cares for his students the way Teacher Ethan does. He doesn't focus solely on outcomes or performance, but teaches with a holistic approach and extraordinary generosity of time and heart. He has cultivated a lifelong appreciation for music not only in me and my family, but in countless other students, teachers, and classical music enthusiasts. Teacher Ethan is compassionate, gracious, and deeply committed to his students at every stage of life. He meets students exactly where they are and teaches with creativity and intention, ensuring they truly understand the music they are approaching. He has a remarkable ability to turn my "I can't" into "I can." On top of it all, he is incredibly funny, and his classroom is always filled with joy. Because of my time with Teacher Ethan and Opus, piano transformed from a small hobby into a way of life. I would not have won numerous piano competitions or earned a full scholarship to attend university without his guidance. I truly cannot imagine my life without the years I spent learning under his teaching. In all honesty, I would give anything to sit in his classroom again and learn piano with him once more. Thank you, Opus 119 and Teacher Ethan, for the profound and lasting impact you have left on me and my family.

I studied at Opus 119 from the age of 8 until I was 18, before leaving for college. My time at Opus…read moreshaped me into the musician I am today. I studied with Director Ethan Dong, who has truly been like a second parent to me. He is one of the most caring, supportive, and knowledgeable teachers I know. He treats his students like his own and is always there for us. He showed up for me at every competition and every concert, offering constant encouragement and guidance. Under his mentorship, I had the opportunity to perform on stages across the United States and was inspired to pursue a piano performance degree at a conservatory. The level of dedication he gives his students is unparalleled. My lessons with him were incredibly fun, yet thoughtful and challenging. He consistently pushed me to reach my fullest potential and believed in me even during times when I felt lost. I am grateful for my time at Opus 119 and will always cherish the education and memories I gained there. Thank you for all that you've done for me, Teacher Ethan!

Over the last several years, I have been attending the Russian School of Music, studying the…read moreclassical guitar with world-renowned, concert artist, Irina Kulikova. What an opportunity! Irina is an amazingly talented musician and inspiring teacher. Over this time, I have also gotten to know Feliks Volozhanin, Director of the String Program. I have seen first-hand how skilled and inspiring Feliks is with his many young cellist students. They always seem anxious to begin their lessons, and, of course, they love learning from him. This is a welcoming, inviting, and family-oriented School with a Faculty of dedicated professional teachers trained at the highest levels of their musical craft and chosen instrument. Whether you are an absolute novice or a musical prodigy, young or old, you will find this a great place to study your chosen musical instrument. It is a pleasure to highly recommend the Russian School of Music.

It is with great pleasure to recommend Feliks Volozhanin as your next musical instructor for Cello…read more Feliks had been my son's Cello instructor since last March 2018. In this time, Feliks played a pivotal role in encouraging their love for his Cello. Our son was also able to advance his musical skills through direct lessons with Feliks. He has been able to play pieces from "Bach" to " Camille Saint-Saëns "The Swan " since that time with Feliks and The Russian School of Music. I have read and researched that music programs improve individual's communication skills and overall quality of life. Music allows individuals of all abilities to feel empowered, and improve their critical thinking skills, verbal fluency and mathematical abilities. I believe that adding Feliks and The Russian School of Music to your child's strings endeavor will truly enhance your child's musical abilities. Since our son has been playing the Cello he has built and added positive character traits, and a sense of achievement for him.

Miss Catherine is a treasure. I'm an adult student who has no gift of playing piano with correct…read morerhythm. Because of her teaching method (and incredible tolerance and patience) I can now play intermediate piano pieces with confidence and correct rhythm. I'm lucky to have found a teacher that spends time going over challenging measures and doesn't rush. She has a beautiful heart. I wish I could afford to pay her more than her standard billing rate.

I've been taking lessons with Catherine for over two years, and I absolutely love having her as my…read moremusic teacher. Not only is she sweet and patient, but she's obviously in love with music and teaching. At the same time, she's a professional. That is, she's always taken my lessons seriously and given me the respect I've needed to thrive. Moreover, I can tell she has done her best to make me feel comfortable and at home. I highly suggest her to students of all ages and talents. When I first began my lessons with Catherine, my playing was littered with poor techniques I had acquired from previous teachers. This is where I experienced the extent of her patience and understanding. For instance, I was a terrible sight reader. At 17, I could only read as fast as turtles walk. Still, she would sit with me and go through the passages, encouraging me, never insulting me or making any negative comments. To me, this meant a great deal, because I had never imagined that someone as talented as her would be able to tolerate my reading and help me as kindly as she did. I always felt like she wanted me to succeed, like she was my biggest fan. All in all, she inspired me to try and better my reading, even when I was outside of a lesson. I do not believe it is common to find teachers as talented and passionate about music as Catherine is. I love her, because she has taught me not just how to play piano, but how to play piano beautifully! Her genius extends beyond music theory and technique; this is a person with a profound understanding of performance. In the two years she has taught me, through her teachings and constructive criticism, I've been exposed to a study of music I was previously unaware of. Sadly, a lot of teachers fail to teach their students about performance. However, that was never a concern of mine when I was with her. And I hate to be vain, but I do play beautifully. And I can only thank Catherine for teaching me how. I really admire Catherine as a pianist and person in general. But, as a business women, I respect her a great deal. I applaud her business model and work ethic. That is to say, although I am just a kid, she does treat me like a client. She has always taken MY goals into account and done her best to help me accomplish them. She takes me seriously, and she takes our time seriously. She is reliable, skilled, honest, and everything you would expect in a professional. Taking lessons with her has been a treat! I cannot stress enough how wonderful it is to be taught by her:)

Ms. Agnes has a unique passion for music and sings beautifully too! She's energetic and makes her…read moremusic lessons fun for the kids! She covers all aspects of music including theory, musicianship and performance. I definitely recommend Ms. Agnes for anyone looking for piano or voice lessons near the Irvine area.

We've been working with Ms Agnes for about one year now. Our 8 year old daughter was interested so…read morewe began with her and she has made dramatic improvements this past year. This has also sparked an interest in our 10 year old son so now he is also taking piano lessons from her. During COVID, she has turned all the lessons virtual which has helped the kids stay somewhat engaged during this difficult time. Ms Agnes is very patient and detailed-oriented when it comes to teaching basic foundation in music. She has also accommodated and worked the kids to pick songs that are relevant for the kids so that they can get hooked on learning along with basic technical skills. We enjoy working with her and look forward to many more years of teaching and getting lessons from her! Thank you Ms Agnes!