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Meet our Instructors
Yekaterina was born in Sumgait, Azerbaijan, near the coast of the Caspian Sea. She has been involved in music since the early childhood, singing at home and in church. At the age of 7, her choir director discovered that she had perfect pitch, so she began her piano studies soon after that. As a child, Yekaterina loved to play both classical music and religious hymns. Her family moved to the United States in 2008, so she continued her musical studies in piano and choir here.
Yekaterina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Piano degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. While at UNCC, she had a pleasure of performing for world-renowned artists, such as Benedetto Lupo and Rodney Eichenberger. She also holds a Masters in Music with a concentration in Music Theory at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Aside from teaching piano, she enjoys singing in the church choir. Yekaterina believes that music develops memory, an ability to focus and brings joy to those who can appreciate it.
Yekaterina Rizhkova
Owner, Piano Instructor
Anna Sitnikova was born in Ukraine. She graduated from the Musical College and the Odessa Conservatory of Music. Her teaching career began in Ukraine and continued in St. Petersburg, Russia. In addition to working for a music school, Anna taught private piano lessons to children and adults. Anna aspires to provide an environment for her students to happily concentrate on their musical development. Her main goal is to encourage children to love music and aims to help students grasp music theory as easily and quickly as possible.
Anna moved to New York in 2016, and continued teaching piano lessons there. In addition, she taught group music classes to children ages 3 to 5. She always introduces children to the world of music in a lively and fun environment. Anna relocated to Charlotte in early 2022, and is excited to continue her musical career here. She is deeply convinced that music lessons develop memory, attention and encourage an aesthetic perception of the world, and is enthusiastic about progressing into the next stage of her career.
Anna Sitnikova
Piano Instructor, Voice Instructor
Luba has been playing violin for the last 16 years. She was actively involved in music since the age of 6 and continued on playing throughout her school graduation. Apart from being first chair in her middle and high school orchestras, she participated in two different local orchestras and became a leader in teaching her peers from a young age. While in high school, she played and represented her school in North Carolina competitions. Her most favorite performances included caroling for the elderly homes and orphanages and playing with her sisters little band. Luba currently teaches private violin lessons in Charlotte. She is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and experience in the most enjoyable way possible with others.
Luba Rizhkova
Violin Instructor
Andres David Cruz Gomez is a Magna Cum Laude graduate from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Music with an emphasis in Voice Performance. A classically trained singer born in Bogotá, Colombia, he started his musical education in Casa de La Culture and then Joined the Juvenile Music Program of Universidad de Los Andes. Later on, he began his formal undergraduate studies at Fundación Universitaria Juan N. Corpas. Under the guidance of Maestro Juan David Rojas, he continued his vocal training, he took piano lessons with Svetlana Solodovnikova, a graduate of the prestigious St. Petersburg Conservatory. He then transferred to the University Of North Carolina at Charlotte and continued his studies with Dr. Carl DuPont and Christina Pier.
He has also been actively engaged in teaching private piano and voice lessons, applying dynamic elements to emphasize the progress of the student.
Andres David Cruz Gomez
Piano Instructor, Voice Instructor
Melat has been an avid musician for 13 years, playing various instruments such as the flute, piccolo, and alto flute. During her high school years, she actively participated in the school band, along with honor bands at UNCC, marching band, and served as the president of TRI-M, a music honors society. Even after high school, Melat continues to explore music in less formal settings.
Melat firmly believes that music is a powerful form of self-expression and that teaching music to children can have a profound impact on their development. As an instructor, Melat ensures that each child receives personalized attention, allowing them to learn at their own pace while feeling supported throughout the process.
Melat Ghebru
Flute Instructor
Olena Zhunda is a musician from Mariupol, Ukraine. Since she was a child, Olena has had a passion for music. She began learning to play the piano at the age of eight in music school. From 2009 to 2012, she attended a music college, where she majored in piano. In 2017, Olena earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the State Pedagogical University, and went on to obtain her Master of Music Education degree, specializing in piano. After graduation, Olena continued to share her passion for music by teaching children how to play the piano in a music school and playing in an orchestra. She also taught music and rhythm basics to children at a kindergarten. Olena enjoys playing church music and working with choirs. Recently, in 2022, she moved to Monroe, NC with her family, including her husband and two daughters.
Olena Zhunda
Piano Instructor
Serhii Raichenko has dedicated his entire conscious life to music. He began his professional musical journey playing the violin. Later, he developed a passion for the guitar, eventually transitioning to teaching it, a role he has embraced for over 15 years. Serhii holds a guitar performance degree from the Luhansk College of Arts. He is winner of an international competition and a laureate in international and all-Ukrainian contests. He has first-hand knowledge of how to achieve these results, and is delighted to teach aspiring musicians the art of professional guitar playing.