Teacher - Oksana Poleshook

Vita

As an educator Oksana has worked with young children and youth for over 20 years. Her unique teaching approach is derived from years of teaching in Russia and the United States. This has allowed her to create a methodology which combines two traditional pedagogical approaches and focus on diverse aspects of piano playing. This includes ear-training and music theory while using creative methods to explain basic musical concepts. She takes a holistic approach of playing the instrument tension-free. Years of performing experience helped Oksana to discover and experiment with many methods and approaches she employes currently in her teaching practice. Students of Oksana have successfully passed examinations for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and completed university degrees in Piano Performance.

Oksana received her BM degree in Piano Performance, Music History and Theory from Khabarovsk College of Arts (Russia) and graduated with an MM degree in Piano Performance from Glinka State Conservatory in Nizhny Novgorod (Russia). She received her DMA in Collaborative Piano from The University of Memphis. Oksana is widely respected as a music educator, clinician and mentor. Her teaching positions include Rhodes College and the University of Memphis. Since 2002 she maintains a private piano studio and currently teaches privately in Berlin.

Teaching Methods

For children

Piano lessons for small children are focused on the development of a musical ear, rhythm and basic piano-playing skills. Percussive instruments and animal toys help children to develop a good sense of music pitch, distinguish piano registers and simplify understanding of basic music concepts. Drawing, coordinated movements with music and listening to different musical genres are used to develop a sense of rhythm. Flash cards with the familiar images to every child facilitate in learning different rhythmic values of notes. All resources combined with a touch of creativity make learning basic concepts easy and fun.

For adolescent and adults

Lessons for adolescent and adult learners are tailor made for the individual student. The lessons are focused on developing good piano skills and connecting to the music on both emotional and intellectual levels. A balanced repertoire of classical and contemporary music, four-hand piano duets and technical exercises are used to development a well-rounded musician. During the lessons we explore a more embodied way of playing the instrument, work on performance related anxieties. At the end of every semester the students have an opportunity to perform on the recital stage.

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Reviews

Oksana made learning piano fun for our child. She loves music and being able to play songs is great for her confidence!

Garth Boyst (father of Hazel Boyst)

Oksana’s holistic approach to piano has helped my children connect more deeply with music emotionally and intellectually. She has also improved their posture via relaxation and exercise techniques, and has developed their rhythm via various interesting techniques.
We are so lucky to have found such a talented and dedicated instructor.

Kayte Steinbock (mother of Max, Wenzel, and Kuni)

Dr. Poleshook instilled in my daughter, during years of piano instruction, a sophisticated way of thinking about piano technique, a sophisticated approaching the piano keyboard. This gift that is ingrained in both my daughter's hands and body is a gift that only Dr. Poleshook could have given to her. Thank you so very much, Oksana.

Mrs. Terra Nwobilor (Mother of Chisha)

Oksana is a true professional. It is incredible to see how she manages to start a passion for music in a young child and then move on to prepare a teen for a challenging conservatory exam.

Matthias Kipping

Both my 10 year old and four year old daughter took lessons from Oksana. The ten-year old enjoyed it so much that she needed no reminder from me to practice piano. I was especially impressed with her lesson for the 4 year old. I initially did not expect the little one to learn much and just wanted her to have fun with music--and fun she did have. She cannot wait to have her weekly lesson. but fun is just the beginning. Oksana offered music games that are thoughtfully designed to teach little kids frequency, scale..etc and make these difficult abstract concepts accessible.

Siyen Fei (mother of Olivia and Zoe)