Piano Lessons in West Los Angeles. Tosheff Piano Studio specializing in piano instruction and keyboard lessons for children and adults.

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Piano Lessons with international award-winning pianists Velly & Ilia Tosheff - performed in Europe, Asia, U.S.

Come and see us - we'll give you 2 lessons FREE! No obligation to continue :)

Welcome to Piano Lessons LA. We are a private piano school in Brentwood (West LA). We offer individual piano lessons for children, teens and adults. We teach all levels - beginners through advanced, all styles of music. Classes are offered in our studio (or your home - limited availability).

We focus on performance, theory/note reading, ear training and technique. Besides laying down a solid musical foundation, we encourage our students to play music they love to play - Classical, Film, Broadway and Pop/Rock. Play anything from Bach through Mozart to Lady Gaga, Beatles or Coldplay - even if there's no sheet music for it! We'll pick it up by ear for you and adapt it to your level of playing :)

We are husband-and-wife international performing artists, originally from Bulgaria. Having lived in three countries (Germany, Bulgaria, U.S.), our methods of teaching combine the best of the European and the American schools of piano. We are graduates from USC and members of the Music Teacher's Association of CA. We have been in business since 2002 and our students have won 1st prizes at piano competitions in CA (read Reviews).

Teaching has been a part of our daily lives and without a doubt, it is the most rewarding experience of all. We always maintain a positive learning atmosphere where every student feels special, cared for and successful. You'll often see us cracking a joke and just having fun at the piano... :)

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FAQ

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Current availability:Thank you for your interest! We are excited that you'd like to learn piano with us! We are almost fully booked at the moment and thank you for your business :) We do have a few spots available so we'd like to hear from you - just shoot us an email to get your free introductory lessons. You will get 2 free lessons if you found us on the internet and 1 free lesson if one of our current students recommended our studio to you. The GiltCity offer for our studio is no longer available. We are located in Brentwood (West LA) on Barrington Ave and Wilshire Blvd (Google map). The majority of our students come to our studio, however, there are a few who prefer the convenience of their homes. In-home piano instruction is available at a higher rate in Westwood, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West L.A. and Pacific Palisades (limited availability). Classes are 30min (studio only), 45min and 1hr in length. 30-min lessons are normally designed for young children (4-6 yr olds) and are too short for teens and adults. Most students take one lesson weekly, some take two or three lessons a week! There are occasional requests for lessons every other week, however, those have proven less beneficial unless backed up by a solid practicing during the 2 weeks in between (usually requested by advanced students, those doing long commutes and students with financial limitations).We offer TWO COMPLEMENTARY lessons in our studio. Due to our busy schedules, students with referrals will get only 1 free lesson - if they refered you to us, they probably enjoyed their lessons and believe you will like them too :) Your trial lesson(s) will help you get familiar with our methods of teaching and give you a better idea of what your lessons would be like -- a feature that benefits you over the single free lesson our competitors offer. There will be no obligation, no pressure to continue, and we won't try to talk you into it :) Just shoot us an email if you enjoyed your lessons and we'll go from there. We understand the importance of choosing the right teacher and the specific needs you may have as a student or a parent.At the time of this writing (fall 2011) our studio is almost fully booked, and unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that all new student requests will be filled. We will, however, try to accommodate every complementary lesson request. If after your trail lesson(s) you are interested in continuing with us, we will try our best to make you a part of our studio (based on availability).Tuition is paid once a month for the month ahead and our rates range from $45 to $75/lesson depending on lesson length and frequency (discounts available - read below). Our rates are tiny bit higher (~$5) than the average rate in music schools but definitely competitive with the professional private piano teachers on the westside. The difference with us is that, as USC-trained international performing and recording artists with 10+ yrs of teaching experience, we offer a better quality of education and variety of programs that most music schools and private teachers don't offer. With us, you will build a solid foundation by learning note-reading, theory/ear training, technic, and at the same time, you'll enjoy playing your favorite songs! Most teachers with formal music education teach only classical music. On the other hand, 'fun teachers' who normally teach pop/rock/TV tunes have very limited formal education and often no degrees. We combine the best of both worlds: as alumni from the finest music schools in Europe and the U.S., we teach both, classical repertoire as well as pop/rock/film scores. As performing artists, we do play and record music of all genres every day! A lot of our students compose their own songs, and some of them even play and sing at the same time! Many love playing duets with their siblings and family members. And what's best of all?! Being part of our studio, you get two piano teachers for the price of one! :) We often switch teaching, which not only keeps our students on their toes (esp. young kids) but also gives different points of view, feedback and angles to make for a well-rounded experience that's fun and enlightening. And of course, you get to choose between male and female teacher as your main instructor. Discounts for our in-studio instruction: as a husband-and-wife duo, we teach in two different rooms at the same time. Siblings/family members are offered the opportunity to take lessons simultaneously vs. taking lessons one after another. In addition to saving time, you can save money with our Family Discount for siblings. Parents are normally not present at the lessons, however, you may stay to watch your kid's first few classes (then check in every now and then). Another way to get a better rate would be if you came to our studio vs. us coming to you. Once you become a part of our studio, we offer Referral Discount to our existing students -- all you have to do is tell your friends/colleagues about us. Once they've started taking lessons, we will gladly apply your referral discount as our thank-you. We also offer additional discounts to those interested in taking more than one lesson per week as well as those purchasing 3-month packs. If you are on limited means and stretching the dollar let us know - based on availability and demand at the moment, we may be able to slightly reduce the rate for you.Many of you may ask the question: what's the difference between you (as private piano teachers) and the instructors at the local music schools/those offering instructions at lower than the average hourly rate? As you all know, working for someone else is not the same as working for yourself! We used to work for local music schools, and sadly, what we encountered there was a profound lack of enthusiasm and motivation in our fellow instructors, not to mention the low hourly rates those teachers were paid. On the other hand, private instructors, who offer lower than average rates are usually less-qualified musicians, undergrad students and teachers with declining number of students due to the lack of quality education in their classes. After witnessing the poor results of such schools and tutors (encountering extreme cases like students who are not being able to read notes or play a song fluently after a few years of lessons!), we decided to start teaching privately and offer quality music education. Striving to instill and foster a lifelong love of music in our students, we are putting a lot of effort into making a reputable name in the local community by helping kids and adults achieve their full potential.In addition, students in our studio are encouraged to perform at two recitals a year (usually a local church/theater). Performance at recitals is optional but encouraged. Besides performing in front of an audience, students are asked to introduce themselves and say a few words about their songs. This is specially beneficial to kids -- they not only get to perform on stage but also learn how to speak and connect with a live audience.Also, as members of the Music Teachers' Association of California, we can prepare you for the Certificate of Merit exams the association holds once a year (usually in March). A special in-depth program of study needs to be followed, and the preparation normally starts a year ahead. This is usually requested by the most dedicated and career inclined students.Don't forget to click on the Video tab to meet our students and watch them perform. Click on the Teachers tab and see a video compilation of us performing in Europe, U.S. and Asia. You can also go to our Google reviews to read testimonials by our students/parents. Upon request, we can gladly connect you with any of our students/their parents so they can share their music experience with us and tell you about their musical journeys. Refer to our FAQ section if you have any questions or concerns. Call us anytime during business hours or just shoot us an email. We'll be happy to answer any question you may have.

Pricing

Policy

1. Commitment to private lessons is for the entire month. Tuition is to be paid in full whether or not all classes are attended. Makeup classes can be scheduled if classes were canceled with a 24-hr advance notice (read details below).2. Payment for the month is due by the 1st lesson of the month (please bring your payment on the last lesson of each month). Payments received after the 1st lesson of the month are subject to a $30.00 late fee. Most students/parents set up automatic bank payments on the 1st of each month.3. We offer makeup lessons for missed lessons canceled with a 24-hour advance notice. The student is permitted to make up the lesson within the same month (up to 3 weeks if a missed lesson occurs at the end of the month). The scheduling of makeup lessons is student’'s responsibility to instigate. Payment from a student cancellation/missed lesson does not carry over into the next month's tuition. Make-up lessons can be scheduled at a mutually convenient time or you can double up the time of your next lesson (based on availability).4. "No-Shows" and lessons canceled within 24 hours of a lesson's time cannot be made up. This includes cancellations due to illness. Based on availability and lesson demand at the time, makeup lessons may be offered by the instructor as a gesture of good will (please keep in mind that we are fully booked and have very limited availability).5. If a cancellation by your instructor occurs, payment can be carried over into the next calendar month, or if you prefer, a make-up lesson can be scheduled.6. Tuition includes four or five lessons per month. The number of lessons depends on how many lesson days there are in a given month. Example: April may have 4 Tuesdays, May - 5 Tuesdays. Please adjust your monthly payment accordingly.7. The Tosheff Piano Studio reserves the right to interrupt lessons during one of the summer months - usually July or August. You will be notified a few months in advance if summer break were to occur. You are not required to make payments during that month unless lessons are taken. 8. Students are required to purchase their own music books or reimburse the instructor upon purchase.9. If you were to participate in our student recitals (usually December and/or June), you will be asked to pay a participation fee of $35/student to cover the cost of renting the venue. No tickets will be required for parents and guests.10. Your lessons will take place at either Studio One (grand piano) or Studio Two (Yamaha upright piano). Rooms are assigned based on lesson time/teacher availability as well as level of playing. Late-intermediate and advanced students may need to use the pedals of a grand piano. For beginners/early intermediate students, it makes NO difference if you played on a grand or upright piano. You may be asked to switch rooms in the middle of a lesson, if that becomes necessary.11. You will be taking lessons with both, Ilia and Velly Tosheff. Your main instructor will be assigned based on availability unless you have a specific request for male/female teacher.12. Students are responsible for reimbursing the instructor for any returned check(s) AND associated fees charged by the bank. 13. One-month notice will be greatly appreciated if you need to leave and cannot continue lessons with us.14. Please kindly abide by the policy as we are fully booked and would like to focus on teaching (YOU/YOUR child) vs. chasing 30+ students with late payments, bounced checks, etc.
momiche vecher

FAQ

Piano lessons are a unique experience: it is not only a music lesson, but also a learning experience that coordinates one's mind, hands, fingers and spirit. It requires endurance and patience, and it is the basis of education. How much do you charge for piano instruction?In-studio rates range from $45 to $75 for 30min to 1hr individual lessons. This is a tiny bit higher (~$5) than the average music schools but definitely competitive with all professional private piano instructors on the westside. The difference with us is that, as USC-trained performing and recording artists with 9+ yrs of teaching experience, we offer a better quality of education and variety of programs that most music schools and private teachers don't offer. And being part of our studio, you get two piano teachers for the price of one! :) We also offer a number of discounts to lower the rate of your lessons. Click on the Studio tab for more details.How long of a lesson do I/my kids need?Lessons are 30min, 45min and 1hr in length. 4-5 yr old kids normally need 30min lessons. 6-7yr olds to pre-teens need 45min lessons. If your kid's attention span is about 30min, there's no need to push the lesson to 45min just to get more knowledge -- be sure to make the piano lesson/practicing a positive experience and not a turn-off for your kid. Teens and adults normally need one-hour lessons, but some do 45min due to financial limitations.Do you offer any discounts?We offer two complementary lessons (in our studio), a feature that benefits you over the single free lesson our competitors offer. We also offer Family Discount for siblings/family members. Another way to get a better rate would be if you came to our studio vs. us coming to you. Once you become a part of our studio, we offer Referral Discount to our existing students -- all you have to do is just tell your friends about us. Once they've started taking lessons, we will gladly apply your discount as our thank-you. We also offer additional discounts for those taking more than one lesson per week and those purchasing 3-month packs (we normally charge by the month).Where is your studio and do you teach in student's homes?We are located in Brentwood (West LA) on Barrington Ave and Wilshire Blvd (Google map). Most of our students come to us, however, there are a few who prefer the convenience of their homes. Lessons in student homes are available at a slightly higher rate in Westwood, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West L.A. and Pacific Palisades (usually $10 to $15 in addition to our in-studio rates depending on distance and time of day/traffic).Where do I park at your studio?Street parking is available for free. If there are no available spots, you can park in front of our driveway parallel to the street. Just be sure not to block the sidewalk (do not park in the driveway itself since the back of your car will stick out on the sidewalk and you may get a ticket).What days of the week are you available to teach?Our studio is almost fully booked at the moment (winter 2011) and we teach on most weekdays and Sunday afternoons/evenings (for those of you needing lessons on weekends). Schedule changes from semester to semester. Currently, Monday afternoons/evenings are fully booked, Wednesdays are tough, and Fridays and Saturdays are unavailable. Email us with your availability and we'll try to accommodate you. If necessary, we may try to switch you with another student's time. Any late morning-, early afternoon- and late evening requests are welcomed since these times are usually slower.Do you teach adults? Kids? Teens? Beginners?We teach children, teens and adults, beginners to advanced, all styles of music.Will my kid perform at your recitals?We encourage all students to perform at recitals twice a year (mid-December and mid-June at a local church/theater). Participation is optional but highly recommended. Besides performing in front of an audience, students are asked to introduce themselves and say a few words about their songs. This is specially beneficial to kids -- they not only get to perform on stage but also learn how to speak and connect with a live audience. There's a participation fee of $35 per student to cover the costs of rental/venue. No tickets are required for guests. Normally about 30 students perform in front of an audience of 50-60 people (parents and relatives).Can I sing and accompany myself on the piano? Do you teach voice?If you're looking strictly for voice lessons, we are probably not the right teachers for you, however, we can help you sing and accompany yourself. We can work on your pitch and adapt/arrange the piano part so it doesn't interfere with your singing (enabling you to focus on singing and emotions). Velly does sing herself. Email us to request our YouTube links.Do you teach pop/rock piano? Can you teach me play my favorite song? There's no sheet-music available for my level.Yes. We can teach you play ANY song, even if there's no music for it. We will pick it up by ear and write down a piano arrangement that is suitable for your level. Other that classical, we love to play pop/rock songs and often record and produce our own songs. We recently won a contest for best cover of a Rihanna's song. Email us to request our YouTube links.What makes you better than the other piano teachers? The difference with us is that, as private music teachers, we offer a better quality of education and variety of programs that most music schools don't offer. Most teachers with formal music education teach mainly classical music. On the other hand, 'fun teachers' who normally teach pop/rock/TV tunes have very limited formal education and often no degrees. We combine the best of both worlds: we hold degrees from the finest schools of music in Europe and the U.S., and being performing artists ourselves, we teach both, classical and pop/rock/film (we perform music of all genres ourselves). This allows us to build a solid foundation of music by teaching theory, ear training, technic and classical pieces you would benefit from, and at the same time you get to enjoy playing your favorite songs! A lot of our students compose their own songs, and some of them even play and sing at the same time! Many love playing duets with their siblings/family members (when someone in the family plays a musical instrument). And what's best of all?! Being part of our studio, you get two piano teachers for the price of one! :) We often switch teaching, which not only keeps our students on their toes (esp. young kids) but also comes with the benefit of the ever important 'second opinion'. Of course, you get to choose between male and female teacher as your main instructor. What is the difference between taking lessons with someone like you vs. the local music school vs. teacher offering low rate services?As you all know, working for someone else is not the same as working for yourself! We used to work for local music schools, and sadly, what we encountered was a profound lack of enthusiasm and motivation in our fellow instructors, not to mention the low hourly rates those teachers were paid. Private instructors offering lower rate lessons are usually amateurs, undergrad students and teachers with declining number of students due to the lack of quality of their classes. After witnessing the poor results of such schools and tutors (encountering extreme cases like students who are not being able to read notes or play a song fluently after a few years of lessons!), we decided to start teaching privately and offer quality music education. Striving to instill and foster a lifelong love of music in our students, we are putting a lot of effort into making a reputable name in the local community and helping kids and adults achieve their full potential.My kid took lessons with this teacher we found on Craigslist but she didn't learn much over the past 6 months and now hates piano. Can she possibly unlearn all bad habits and love piano again?Yes. It is reversible, especially if caught at an early stage. We have had many students (children) who came from other studios and hated piano when we first met. After a few weeks of lessons with us their parents were thrilled to see their kids blossom and love piano again. See our Google reviews (we can gladly connect you with these parents who will share their stories with you).I am an adult students and haven't played piano since I was a teenager. I have forgotten almost everything and am almost afraid to touch piano... Will I be able to regain my knowledge and skills?Absolutely! We have had many students just like you and after a few short months they not only gained back what they had learned as kids but even reached beyond and tackled big virtuosic pieces they never thought they would be able to play.Is my child too young to begin piano?That entirely depends on the interest and attention span of your child. It's very individual, some start as early as 3, others at 5. As a parent, you need to be supportively engaged in the process at lessons and at home. The younger the child, the greater the degree of parental involvement required.Am I too old to start piano?We've been teaching a guy who is 74 and after a couple of years of lessons he was able to play the Maple Leaf Rag at a student recital. He did wonderfully and thoroughly enjoyed himself. He later performed a slow movement of a Mozart concerto.Can I learn to play on a keyboard or do I need a real/acoustic piano?You can learn to play using a keyboard and many students have done so. On the other hand, long-term students purchase or rent pianos. Keyboards are less expensive, don't require tuning and have adjustable volume (an advantage if you live in an apt) but they have far less sensitive (keyboard) action than real pianos. Some late-model, high-end keyboards have weighted-keys and are getting closer and closer to the feel of a piano but they still have long ways to go. We strongly recommend purchasing and learning to play on a real piano as soon as possible since daily practicing on a keyboard CAN possibly damage your technic and make you develop bad habits when it comes to tone-productivity. There are great deals on upright and spinet pianos out there, and if you are lucky, you can purchase for one for around or even less than $1000. Rental pianos can be found at about $45/month.What is the Mozart Effect (and the M.I.N.D. program) everyone is talking about?The Mozart Effect is a concept believed to increase the brain development that occurs in children when they are exposed to classical music. In 1997, physicists from the University of California announced that they had scientific proof that piano and singing instruction are superior to computer instruction in enhancing children's abstract reasoning skills. In addition, it was found that the math scores of students went up after they listened to Mozart's music.The Music Intelligence Neural Development Institute (M.I.N.D.) was created to further research and prove the wondrous effects of music. When should I start my child his/her piano lessons?The average age is about four-five years old. Some can start as early as age three depending on the interest and attention span of the child. At this age, a child usually has attention span long enough to sit for 20-30 minutes where simple rhythmic and melodic patterns can be taught. Depending on the teacher, various methods may be used to expose the child to a positive attitude towards their first piano lessons.How long should my child practice?There is no set time for practicing, however, it is important that a child spends quality time with his/her piano rather than quantity. It is also very important to have concentrated and focused practice session on a daily basis or at least every other day (minimum of 15-20min a day).How do I know if my child has talent?Talent or gift is something that a child is born with. You probably heard this phrase said many times, "oh, that child is so talented", this simply means that the child is very natural at what he/she is doing. Playing the piano maybe very natural and easy to that child. He/she may learn a piece of music in few days rather than few weeks, memorizing a piece of music is easy and not a struggle. Performing in front of the public is fun and exciting. And most of all, the child wants to play the piano and simply enjoys making music.My child performs better at home than in his/her lessons, why?Children are most comfortable at home than anywhere else. When a child goes to his/her piano lessons, he/she will feel the tension and the anxiety to play their best to their teachers. It is important that the teacher allows child to feel at home. In our lessons, we spend the first few minutes talking and listening to the child's weekly events so that the child can settle into lessons more easily.When is my child ready for competition or contest?A competition means that your child is being judged on how he/she is performing by other teachers and musicians. A competition may not necessarily be a positive experience for all children, however, it is necessary in order to award the best in the field and in that particular age category.Usually, when a child is ready to enter competition, he/she will enjoy playing for people and feels very confident. This is the best sign that the child is ready to go out and be judged by other musicians and not just by the child's piano teacher.My child practices too fast, what can I do to help?Most frequent reason why a child practices fast is to get it over with the practicing. And most of the time, students like to play fast. It's very showy and exciting. One way to avoid this fast playing is to use a metronome. A child usually finds this interesting. Another way is to practice clapping the rhythm singing the melody and practicing each hand separately on a slower pace.My child is not reading the notes, but rather plays by ear. How can I help him/her?In the beginning, it is easier to play by ear than to actually read the notes on the page. Depending on the piano teacher and how early the child begins his/her lessons, rote-learning maybe used. A rote learning simply means that the child will imitate what the teacher is playing. Once the rote learning is enforced, a transition from rote to reading notes must be done in a very careful way. Many of the times, a child will memorize the notes quickly so that he/she doesn't have to look up at the book. If this happens too often, a child's ability to read notes will improve very slowly. In order to avoid this kind of situation, the child must practice reading notes before playing the new piece. Learn the patterns of moving notes and use flashcards to practice note reading. My child has stage fright and refuses to play in front of people other than his/her family, why?It's very natural to be nervous in front of the public. Children's feeling become very sensitive and excited when they have to go up on the stage and perform. They feel as if the whole world is watching them. This is the reason why the teacher must prepare the child with confidence and build a self-respect for his/her musical ability. Throughout the year, the teacher builds self confidence into the child and allows him/her to express their feelings verbally as well as musically.My child has difficult time memorizing his/her music, how can I help?Memorization means retaining information in one's mind. How do you memorize music? By playing the music over and over again? This type of memorization is called finger memory and it will work for beginners. However, as the child progresses and plays more demanding pieces, finger memory is unreliable. The child must memorize by studying the piece's structure, form, harmonic and melodic aspects of music. If these theoretical works are studied very carefully, the child should be able to retain many pieces of music in his/her memory. My wife and I started our daughter, then five years old, in piano lessons. Both of us being musically oriented, we feel that music instruction is just as important as enrolling her in soccer, gymnastics or ballet. But, when practice begins and the sound of scales badly played reverberates through the house, I began to wonder what are the benefits children receive from piano lessons? Actually, there are many beneficial attributes children acquire from learning to tickle the ivory; the following are five of the most prevalent:1. Piano Lessons Help Children in School. The most talked about benefit children receive from piano lessons is that it also helps with their school lessons. Numerous studies available show children who play an instrument, score higher on both standard and spatial cognitive development tests alike. There are also findings that show kids who play piano, in particular, scored higher in math, especially on problems dealing with ratios and fractions.In one particular study conducted by Dr. Frances Rauscher (apsychologist at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh) and Gordon Shaw(a physicist at of the University of California at Irvine)tested preschoolers who received piano instruction. They found that preschoolers who received piano lessons scored 34% higher than their non-musical counterparts in tests measuring spatial-temporal reasoning,which is the brain function used to understand math, science and engineering.2. Piano Lessons Raise Self Esteem. Learning to play the piano is hard work and takes dedication. Not only does each song mastered increase a child's self-esteem, but showcasing their newly learned talents at piano recitals can boost their self esteem as much as winning a game in a sports competition.Lessons also help kids to learn how to keep a positive outlook when facing difficult tasks. The understanding that mastering a new skill is a process that requires patience helps children to approach tasks with confidence, and not become discouraged or frustrated.3. Piano Lessons Increase Coordination. Increased eye-hand coordination is almost a given for children that learn to play the piano, but there is more than that. Kids who play the piano have improved fine motor skills and, unlike other instruments,the piano requires both hands to work independently of each other, one moving fast while the other may be moving at a slower rate. All of these things help to increase a child's overall dexterity and complex thought processes.4. Piano Lessons Help Children to Concentrate Reading a piece of music takes a great deal of focus, causing a child to interpret a note and a rhythm, translate it into hand movements on the keyboard and then immediately go on to the next one. Reading and playing music allows them to think both critically and creatively, which is a skill that will assist them in anything they choose to undertake in the future.5. Piano Lessons Help Children to be Well-Rounded. Regardless of whether a child plays the piano for a short time or for a lifetime, the long-term affects of their piano pursuance are many. Through playing the piano, children are exposed to classical music that they may otherwise have never heard. Kids may develop an appreciation for composers like Bach or Mozart that stay with them for life. In addition, the skills and knowledge they learn in piano may help them easily pick up another musical instrument later.So, as you sit and listen to your little one, pounding away on the black and whites, all you have to do is remember that as he/she continues to practice, he/she'll be creating a great deal more than a few simple melodies, which is truly music to a parent's ears.

Reviews

Reviews

Google reviews by parents, adult students as well as blogs and forums. Please email us if you'd like us to connect you with any parent or a student from our studio.

Ilia and Velly Tosheff

Terrific with kids!‎‎By Amy H - Sep 1, 2010Both my son and daughter have taken piano lessons from Ilia and Vely for the past five years now. They were always very patient with them as beginners and encouraging of each of their individual strengths and interests. Whether working with my young children then or now, as teenagers, Ilia and Vely have provided the right combination of fun, encouragement, proper technique, ear training, music reading, performing, and love of music. They are the ideal piano teachers!‎No Comparison!‎‎By Luisa D - Jul 2, 2010Ilia and Vely came to the rescue and turned my kids around! My children were unexcited and slowly but surely loosing interest in piano classes...until I switched teachers and Ilia and Vely came into our lives. Now the girls look forward to piano class and are excited and motivated. They love that Ilia and Vely teach them classical pieces but also some of their favorite popular songs. At the year-end recital my oldest daughter was encouraged to merge her love of singing with her piano playing, and she was really excited, and then proud, to have been able to pull it off. Ilia and Vely are caring, patient and kind yet they expect a lot and get a lot out of their students. As an educator of young children myself, I really admire and appreciate how well they work with their students and bring out the best in them. I highly recommend the Tosheff Piano Duo!‎Superb learning with the Tosheffs!By Lycette Irving - Jun 23, 2010My daughter has studied piano with Ilia Tosheff for some six years now and as she approaches college we are already feeling the sadness of leaving this wonderful experience. In these years that she has been with the Tosheff Studio, not only has she acquired great technical training and skill but is truly flourishing in her musicality and embracing the notion of being an artist. My husband and I are both educators. We have a keen sense of what is a successful and nurturing teaching environment. Ilia and Vely have very skillfully and lovingly created such an environment. Both seek the positive and the strengths in their students, always acknowledging first what works, where the student has mastered a concept and the effort involved. This is balanced with carefully crafted correction and guidance such that the students can remain open to learning and self esteem remains intact. Both Tosheffs are supportive of the students' musical tastes and encourage they explore musical genres that are outside the traditional classical training. This inculcates a love for the instrument that I have seen repeatedly leads to a deeper understanding and desire to pursue more technically complex and classical music scores. We owe a debt of gratitude to Ilia and Vely, both passionate and accomplished musicians and teachers. They care very much about their students and take the time to nurture relationships that cultivate the artist and the human. These are very rare qualities that merit the highest praise. You will not be disappointed.World class musicians who encourage &...‎‎By Penny J - Jun 21, 2010As a mature age student who has lived & studied in both Australia and the U.S I was so lucky to have crossed paths with Ilia Tosheff last year in Los Angeles. What a gift he is to any piano student looking to excel on their own unique journey.... to fulfil a personal potential or achieve a musical dream. I have had more than half a dozen teachers over the years and Ilia quickly became a shining light to accompany me on the most difficult stage of my musical growth. His ability to really hear, to communicate specifically and in ways I could understand, to help me focus, and to encourage me through the obstacles I faced. He pushed me through the hard parts, and eased me through the overwhelming parts, and today I am a better musician than I have ever been. And with a clearer sense of purpose. And an even greater joy in my playing. And I would recommend him to any student of any age, having seen the way he relates to younger kids also, his capacity to encourage and inspire is invaluable. Amazing teachers and pianists‎‎By Alex K - Oct 22, 2009Both, Ilia and Vely are amazing teachers! My kids loved going to their lessons every week. Now that I moved to the East Coast I will need to find somebody as good as these two. They are very professional, flexible and love what they do. The difference between the Tosheffs and our previous piano teacher was huge -- with the Tosheffs my kids did practice and had fun, and with the other teacher they just didn't want to hear about piano. Parking at the studio can be challenging during peak hours but your time and money is well worth it. There are great coffee shops and things to do in the area so that was never a problem for me. Ask about their referral program, you'll save some $. Highly recommended! Alex K.‎GiltCity Tosheff Piano Studio reviewJanuary 2011LEARN TO TICKLE THE IVORIES FROM THE BEST!The Tosheff Piano Duo - International Sensations With an educational background spanning USC (Los Angeles), Hannover University of Music and Drama (Germany) and National Academy of Music (Bulgaria), Velly and Ilia have over 11 years of performing experience as the Tosheff Piano Duo under their belts. They have played throughout Europe, Asia and the U.S., including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and the Cultural Center in Chicago. No Baby Grand? No Problem. Once you feel you can invest in a grand or upright piano with confidence - –and you will –- it'’ll be worth the splurge. In the meantime, keyboards are less expensive alternatives that have adjustable volume and require zero tuning. Double the Fun As a husband and wife team, simultaneous lessons give siblings, family members and friends the opportunity to save time; plus, different points of view, feedback and angles make for a well-rounded experience that’s fun and enlightening. Tosheff Piano DuoVelly and Ilia Tosheff began their professional careers as duo pianists in 1997: one piano-, and two piano-four hands,… music that moved audiences.Today, this husband and wife team passes their gift to students from four to 74. And whether it’s Mozart or Lady Gaga, the Beatles or Bach, they instill an appreciation and understanding that goes beyond the keys. All this, in special lessons for Gilt City members (and the option to add in a recording session). Originally from Bulgaria, Velly and Ilia started their piano teaching duet from their home in west L.A. Yes, they’re talented, which translates. But the real magic comes from their ability to instill in their students a lifelong love of music: whether old or young, new to the instrument or back after a sabbatical, students are shown that music has the inimitable ability to speak without words. And it’s fun. Velly and Ilia understand it’s when students feel invested that they learn the most. So after laying down a solid foundation of music performance, theory, ear training and technique, they encourage their students to play what they love, be it pop culture songs, old classics, jazz or ragtime. For Gilt City members, three 30-, 45- or 60-minute lessons (as well as that option to add in a one-hour recording session –complete with an mp3 CD) will leave you more musically inclined than you ever thought possible. You may even move your own audience (even if it’s just the dog).

Video

Teachers

Ilia Tosheff and Velly Tosheff

TosheffPianoDuo.com
RESUME10 years of teaching experience 4 to 74 yr olds, all levels, various genres of music - from classical through jazz, Broadway, film, Christian, Latin to pop/rock.Taught piano master-classes at the college level at the San Francisco Conservatory (2007) and the San Jose State University (2009) Worked as Member of Jury for the Southwestern Youth Music Festival competition - L.A. 2007Accomplished performing pianists with a solid background in music. Degrees and diplomas from universities in Germany, France, Bulgaria and the U.S. (University of Southern California - USC)11 years of worldwide touring as the Tosheff Piano Duo, feat. as orchestra soloist and recitalist in Asia, Europe and the U.S. Multiple live radio, and TV appearances, interviews.10 years of experience as piano accompanists and church organists/pianistsMusic producers, song-writers and arrangers; 1998 Musician of the Year - Allegro Vivace Awards - BulgariaEnthusiastic, versatile. Speak English, German, Bulgarian, RussianEDUCATIONUniversity of Southern California (USC) - Los Angeles, CA Hannover University of Music and Drama - Hannover, Germany/Monaco, France National Academy of Music - Sofia, Bulgaria HONORS and AWARDSTHE GRAND PRIZE - Tokyo (Japan) 1998 International Piano Duo CompetitionTHE GRAND PRIZE - Dobrich (Bulgaria) 1997 The Coast of Hope Int'l ContestFIRST PRIZE - Rome (Italy) 1998 Valentino Bucchi Two Piano Int'l CompetitionFIRST PRIZE - Rome (Italy) 1999 International Music Tournament (TIM)FIRST PRIZE - Sofia (Bulgaria) 1997 Music and Earth International CompetitionWINNERS - Zaragoza (Spain) 1999 International Music Tournament WINNERS - Michigan (USA) 2003 International Web Concert Hall ContestWINNERS - Miami (USA) 2003 Best performers of newly commissioned work WINNERS - Los Angeles (USA) 2004 USC concerto competitionMUSICIAN OF THE YEAR - 1998 Sofia (Bulgaria) Most Successful Debut "PREMIO "G. Zinetti" - Award for Excellence Verona (Italy) 2002 Zinetti FestivalPREMIO "V. Bellini" - Caltanissetta (Italy) 1999 International Music ContestAWARD for the Most Promising Performers Groningen (Holland) 1998 Peter the Great FestivalAWARD - for High Artistic & Performers Achievement 1998 Sofia (Bulgaria)National Academy of MusicLAUREATES - Biel (Switzerland) 1998 Competition for Contemporary MusicNOMINATION - for Crowning Achievement in Musical Art 1999 "Crystal Lyre Awards" Bulgaria PERFORMANCES and TOURINGJapan, Korea, China, Germany, The Netherlands, Malta, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Switzerland and the United States, including recitals in prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Cultural Center in Chicago. Highly acclaimed European, Asian and U.S. orchestral appearances with the Klassische Philharmonie Bonn (Germany), the Brauschweiger Staatsorchestra (Germany), the State Academic Symphony Orchestra (Bulgaria), the Thornton Symphony Orchestra (Los Angeles), Vallejo Symphony Orchestra (San Francisco) and the Qingdao Symphony Orchestra (China).RADIO, TV BROADCASTS, RECORDINGS and PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP Radio DRS 2 Switzerland, Radio France International, Radio WFMT Chicago, the German NDR Radio 3 Klassik, KUSC and KMZT Los Angeles, and the Italian-, the Bulgarian-, and the Chinese National Television. Numerous recordings worldwide, including music by the famous film composer, Marco Beltrami (Terminator 3) at Warner Bros. in Los Angeles. Membership: International Piano Duo Association in Tokyo, Music Teachers Association California. TEACHING and PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCEInstitute of Music, Art and Science, Bellflower (Los Angeles area), CA piano faculty Private piano studio (all ages, all levels) piano teachers and owners, Los Angeles San Francisco Conservatory - taught piano master-classes at the high-school level San Jose State University - taught piano master-classes at the college level Southwestern Youth Music Festival competition - member of jury (Los Angeles) Freelance music producer, arranger and writer Tujunga United Methodist Church, Tujunga (Los Angeles area), pianist/organistWestwood Hills Congrigational Church, Los Angeles, pianist/organistUniversity of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, piano accompanist American Academy for Dance and Kindred Art - Santa Monica, piano accompanist Pacific Christian on the Hill High School Los Angeles, choir accompanist First Baptist Church of South Miami, Miami, FL - choir accompanist Worldwide performances and concert touring as the Tosheff Piano DuoTOSHEFF STUDENTS' ACHIEVEMENTS7-years successful completion of the Certificate of Merit state test by the Music Teachers Association of California. Student evaluation based on performance, theory, ear-training evaluation, technique and memorizationNumerous student awards, including the First Prize at the Southwestern Youth Music Festival competition in Los Angeles area. Student performances at multiple venues, including San Francisco Conservatory, San Jose State University and semi-annual student recitals at the University of Southern California. ACCOLADES "A virtuoso piano concert...masterful technique and interpretation"Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung (Germany)"It was a truly dazzling performance in which the generosity, technical brilliance and musical understanding of the two pianists left a lasting impression on the audience"Sunday Times (Malta)"The pair from Bulgaria delighted and fascinated the audience!"International Piano Duo Association Bulletin (Japan) "A Bulgarian duo with charm and virtuosity...very filigree and pearl-like sound in a perfect and flowing teamwork...full of temperament and sweeping verve"Volkstimme (Germany) "Tosheff & Stoyanova - two very professional musicians"Nieuwsbald Van Het Noorde (Holland) For more information visit: http://tosheffpianoduo.com/

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or call 310.207.2943

Come see us and get 2 weeks FREE! Rates starting from $45/lesson.* *new students - 30min lesson

Piano Lessons for children and adults
Beginners to advanced
with award-winning-pianists
Velly and Ilia Tosheff
of the Tosheff Piano Duo .com
Performed in Europe, Asia & the U.S.

© 2010 Piano lessons in West LA. USC-trained piano teachers. Music school specializing in piano instruction & keyboard lessons for children & adults. Piano lessons for beginners and advanced. Two weeks FREE! In studio or in home. Barrington & Wilshire, Los Angeles CA 90049