We're very happy we found Tosheff Piano Studio. Our son started with Ilia when he was in 4th grade and only stopped (for now) because he left for college. Ilia is such a wonderful teacher. Very encouraging, supportive and positive. He really makes it a point to get to know his students. What's even better is that Ilia allows students to learn music that they truly want to play while still learning the needed technical skills that can be used for any kind of music. To top it off, lessons can be done in person or online, and still get the same quality of learning regardless. We have no doubt our son's love for music will continue on throughout his life and we can't thank Ilia enough for that. read more

Velly has been a wonderful piano teacher for my daughter (9 y.o). We started taking classes around a year ago, and my daughter made outstanding progress. Velly offers her the support and assurance that she can play simple as well as complex compositions. Each week, my daughter eagerly anticipates her lessons. Velly and Ilia are highly professional piano mentors and it is a great pleasure to have them as teachers. I enjoy being present in each class, I feel like it is a new small performance every week that recharges me for a week. Velly is an amazing piano teacher, mentor, and composer. I would strongly recommend taking the first class and seeing how exceptional she is. read more

Piano lessons West LA - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Los Angeles, California

So glad I found Ilia via yelp! He's kind, patient, and fun. I've learned so much in the 1+ years I've been learning w/ him and am excited to continue to grow my skills. Part of the fun of Ilia is our in studio lessons, but honestly the transition to video during COVID19 has been seamless. He offers the ability to FT w/ two devices: 1) so he can see your fingers on your piano; and 2) you can see his fingers on his piano. It's actually REALLY nice to have the opportunity to play together which we couldn't do in real life. If you have time on your hands & the ability to seek lessons, now is the time. I strongly recommend working w/ Ilia :) read more

I have been taking piano lessons with Velly for over 4 years and it has been great! I highly recommend her as a teacher. She is very professional, passionate and it shows through how she teaches and takes pride in her craft! As an adult piano player who played as a child and stopped and started several times, I was nervous to get back into playing, but Velly made me feel comfortable from the start. I started in-person lessons, then when Covid-19 hit went to online lessons. The quality of the lessons with Velly has been the same! Having played a lot of classical music as a child I continue with that and now play a lot of Jazz, Blues and Pop songs with Velly. Things I probably would not have played if it wasn't for Velly's encouragement! This has made me improve faster and feel confident when I can improvise songs based on the guidance given throughout the lessons. I am very motivated to keep playing and Velly always gives great feedback that helps me improve every time. Definitely recommend Velly as a teacher for in-person and remote piano lessons! read more

Ilia is the best! Learning to play the piano had always been a dream of mine but I had found it difficult to find a piano teacher that understood an adult student as well as Ilia does. I walked in knowing absolutely nothing and walked out about a year and a half later knowing how to read sheet music and actually playing songs on the piano! It was an incredibly rewarding experience and it's all thanks to Ilia's patience and amazing talent. I stopped taking lessons only because I was 8 months pregnant and couldn't sit still for more than a few minutes at a time. And now I can't wait to hopefully start my lessons again soon! read more

I found my happy place!! I began lessons with Ilia a little over a year ago, and under his instruction I've improved from total novice to advanced beginner! I'm able to read sheet music, pick songs up quickly, and most excitingly: I'm making music! I am constantly inspired by Ilia's supportive spirit and unbelievable talent. He's flexible, generous with praise, kind and compassionate, and did I mention talented?! One of the ways I find myself growing and improving is by hearing a piece played perfectly, and Ilia is so phenomenal when he plays, it makes me want to work harder and get better! I highly recommend Ilia and Velly as teachers, and to anyone who is considering learning piano as an adult: do it. You will not regret it. Your happy place awaits! read more

I've had the joy of taking piano lessons from both Velly and/or Ilia for the almost 5 years. What a blessing. They are both great teachers, very supportive, full of life and joy and take so much pleasure in the smallest little step I take on my piano journey. Started out playing classical, switched to blues, jazz and improvisation. and this duo never missed a beat. (no pun intended.) They have a great studio, but for right now, I am taking online lessons with them because of Covid. My piano lesson time is some of my most precious time, especially during this Covid shut down. By the way, I was the better part of 60 before my very first lesson. Treat yourself read more

Iliya is the best piano teacher!! I've always wanted to learn how to play the piano, but was uncertain how to approach it. Iliya is the best at providing support in helping you reach your piano goals. He is the most patient and knowledgeable teacher I have ever met. I highly recommend the Tosheff Piano Studio. They are the best!! read more

Having a great time with llia! He is a talented man with a lot to give. I am a professional cellist and enjoying learning at all turns. I decided to revisit my piano but needed a teacher and mentor that would lead me back in with grace and focus. llia patiently guided me through the basics of piano. He answered every question calmly and thoughtfully, from the basic "where does my hand go again?" to "who invented the piano?" He tailored the lesson for me as we went and was a pleasure to be with. Not intimidating, but you still have a lot of respect for him and his craft. It's cathartic playing piano, since it's another way to connect your mind and body. I highly recommend taking lessons with him! I bet he'd work really well with kids too. read more

We took piano lessons with Velly - overall great experience. First of all it was very easy to coordinate and arrange virtual lessons (this is during covid), and the lessons worked out great. Note it's not easy to get a 6yo to pay attention to a screen while trying to play, but the teacher was very prepared for the challenge. Advised on best way to connect, set up the camera, and kept the lessons very engaging. She also gave good tips on app-driven exercises to consolidate learning. Definitely recommend! read more

I am so grateful to have met ilia. He is a phenomenal teacher and very talented. I've been attending piano lessons with him for almost 2 years now and my skill level has tremendously increased. ilia can teach you classical, jazz, modern day music. Anything you name it. He's really great at finding music for your skill level. Rates are affordable, lessons are fun, easy going and informative. Look no further, if you are interested in learning piano, take the leap! He is the best around! read more

If you are thinking of taking piano lessons but you are wondering where, look no further as you found the best teachers in town. Velly and Ilia are amazing. It was a childhood dream for me to learn how to play the piano. So when I moved to LA I decide to pursue this passion of mine and that's when I found their piano studio. I was so happy to see such a beautiful couple dedicating their time to their students. My first lesson was with Ilia. He is very fun to work with, patient, easy going and brings out the best in you. He boosts your confident and makes it seem so effortless you don't want to stop. Velly is amazing too. She adds her personal female touch to teaching and has a very soft voice that makes you listen to everything she says. Their classes are lots of fun and I can proudly say I've learned a lot. Highly recommended! read more

The easiest way to judge the quality of a piano teacher is listening to their students play. The Toshefs have some very talented students in their roster - that's saying something! They keep it fresh by making music fun for their students, and encourage their students to push the boundaries of their own music making. The result: they produce artists, not just poeple who can read notes off a page. read more

Excellent instruction with results. Flexible scheduling and reasonable rates. Personable teachers who are effective. I highly recommend! You will not be disappointed. read more

I am feeling so grateful for having found Tosheff Piano Studio nearly 2 years ago! It's given me a hobby to immerse myself in and really enjoy outside of my job, and with Ilia's coaching and encouragement, I've even built up the confidence to perform in front of a large crowd which is something I've always wanted to do. He's not only incredibly talented (can pick up the exact notes in a song just by hearing it played over the speaker one time!) but he's also really great at pushing you to work toward and accomplish any personal goals you set for yourself in relation to music, which is so awesome. Could not give any higher praise for this studio!! read more

i have been taking classes with Ilia for a little over 2 years now. In that time, I've also taken a few lessons from Velly. They are both wonderful instructors for all ages and levels. I highly recommend them both. read more

My daughter has been taking lessons with Velly for 4 years now and I've been very pleased with the results. Candidly, I chose this studio not on the merits of the teachers (which are extensive...check out Velly and Ilia's resume and watch their performance on their website) but because they could see my daughter on the weekends, which is the only time I could commit to taking her to lessons. But now I see the value in getting world class training. If you're going to do it at all, why not study with the best! That said, don't expect your kids to do it all on their own. It takes a little effort on the parent's part too. You have to encourage your young kids to practice and there's a delicate balance between nurturing an enjoyment of music and showing them that anything that's worth doing requires dedication. Velly has also done a little voice training with my daughter and she sang and played a song (Us by Regina Spektor) at the last recital. They offer a good mix of classical training and fun pop songs and my daughter really enjoys her lessons. The payoff for me is at the recitals. It's so fun to watch your child perform in between the 5-year-olds banging out Twinkle Twinkle and the virtuosos who have been studying with Velly and Ilia in preparation for a performing career. Don't sell yourself (or your child) short. Study with the best! read more

As I write this review, all I can think about is when my next lesson is lol! Ilia and Velly are traveling the world and are currently in China touring for thousands of people! They are world class talent and I wouldn't want to take my piano lessons from anybody else. I felt honored when Ilia said he would train me, and it takes only a second of hearing him to realize his hands and playing are in pure harmony. I cannot say enough good things about this duo....beautiful home, beautiful people, beautiful music....what else can you ask for? read more

I'm a songwriter and producer and have been performing professionally for the last 7 years and have taken classes of all forms since i was 12, so I feel like i have a good sense of what makes a good teacher. I can confidently say that both Ilia and Velly are some of the best piano teachers you will ever find in the LA area - from beginner to advanced level. They're incredible players themselves (just watch their youtube vids), but they're also very patient and experienced instructors. My own needs as a piano player are fairly unique and specified, but from the very beginning, Ilia made sure to tailor every lesson to my needs as a pop performer and producer. I've been working with him for close to a year and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon. read more

My 14 year old daughter started piano lessons at the above location about six months ago and she couldn't be happier. Both teachers are very professional and talented, and have a great amount of patience with the kids. My daughter was reluctant to participate, due to performance anxiety, and she has received a great deal of encouragement from Ilia. I have really enjoyed watching her confidence build as she has developed a new skill from such high level teachers. read more

Ilia and Velly are the most fantastic teachers. Not only are they brilliant pianists themselves, they know how to inspire and bring out the best in their pupils. It's a rare talent to be both a great pianist and a great teacher. They are endlessly patient and make you feel comfortable and confident , giving you the courage to reach new heights. I recommend them unreservedly. read more

I have been taking lessons with the Tosheffs for four years now. In all honesty, my playing has never improved more rapidly as it has under their tutelage. They demand structured technique while strongly promoting the student's individual artistry and expression. I take lessons primarily from Velly. She is extremely friendly, energetic, and patient with all her students. Each lesson is unique and fun and pushes me past my limits! I would highly recommend both of them to anyone who would wish to pursue piano as a hobby or a career. read more