Anna Aidinian (piano, theory) was born into a family of musicians and was accepted into the Tchaikovsky School for Gifted Children at the of 5. At 17, after graduating she continued her musical education at the Armenia and Moscow State Conservatories where she obtained her Graduate and Post-Graduate Degrees. Her teachers were Yuri Airapetian, Samuel Alumian and Boris Schatzkes - pupils of legendary pianist Jacob Flier. Ms. Aidinian participated in Masterclasses with the highly esteemed Vera Gornostayeva and Dmitri Bashkirov. Her performances generated great interest and were highly praised for possessing a unique blend of virtuosity, expressiveness and intellectual sophistication. Throughout her years of schooling Ms. Aidinian was a recipient of the prestigious Tchaikovsky Scholarship. She was offered a position of Piano Professor at the Yerevan State Conservatory and State College of Music, where she conducted Piano and Chamber Ensemble classes. Ms. Aidinian also taught at some of the leading music schools in Armenia. Her teaching and performing career continued after immigrating to the United States. Ms. Aidinian combines her own engaging style of teaching with the rich legacy that was imparted to her by her renowned professors.
Rita Aidinian, (piano, theory) a native of Armenia (Former Soviet Union), started her early professional piano studies at the Tchaikovski School for Gifted Children in Yerevan, Armenia. She received her Graduate and post-Graduate Degrees from the Yerevan State Conservatory. Her principal teachers, Professors Yacov Zargarian, Georgi Sarajev and Zemfira Barsegian are representatives of the famous Russian performing school and were trained under the baton of Yacov Flier, Leonid Nicholaev and Vladimir Sofronitski. In United States Ms. Aidinian studied with professors Abbey Simon and Morey Ritt. Ms. Aidinian’s performing career started as early as 13 years old. Her performing style combines the virtuosity and brilliant technique of the Moscow piano school with the refinement and poetic musicality of the St. Petersburg performing tradition. Rita Aidinian’s vast knowledge and expertise in vocal and woodwind/brass repertory allowed her not only excel as soloist, but to also become a successful ensemble player and accompanist.
Ms.Aidinian has over 25 years of teaching experience of working with all ages and levels. Along with her remarkable expertise and unique teaching method, all her students, as young as toddlers and as old as graduate students appreciate and enjoy Rita Aidinian’s patience, devotion and charismatic personality.
Nora Damrazian (violin) obtained her graduate and post - graduate degrees from Armenia and St. Petersburg State Conservatories. Her method of teaching is based upon and influenced by her renown teachers, Dmitri Lekker and Vitold Portugalov, who were pupils of Joseph Sigetti and Leopold Auer. Prior to coming to the United States Nora Damrazian was one of the leading violin teachers in Armenia. She worked at various music institutions such as Sayat Nova Music School, Tchaikovsky School for Gifted Children and Yerevan State Music College. Mrs. Damrazian has over 40 years of teaching and performing experience. Her professional expertise, her kindness and patience allow students of varying musical capacity to tackle the challenges of studying the violin more efficiently while enjoying the process of learning.
Ryan Pate (guitar) has received a MM degree in jazz guitar from the Manhattan School of Music and a BM from the University of South Florida. Ryan has performed at prestigious jazz festivals such as Jazz a`Vienne, Montreaux Jazz festival, and Umbria Jazz. Mr Pate currently performs throughout the NYC area in a variety of musical contexts ranging from Jazz, rock, pop and musical productions. Ryan has been teaching private guitar lessons to people of all ages and interests since 2004.
Victoria (Vicky) Devany has appeared in regional, summer theatres, concert halls, and on tours, throughout the east coast and mid-west. She is a graduate of SUNY Binghamton, in Theatre and Classical Voice, and completed a portion of her post-graduate work at the Royal National Theatre in London, and teachers’ training with the Barrow Group in New York. She has performed in England, Japan, and U.S. venues such as Wolf Trap, Carnegie Hall, City Center, Symphony Space and Resorts International. Vicky is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and the Dramatists Guild.
Joe Santa Maria (saxophone) is a professional saxophonist and composer from Houston Texas. Over the years he has studied and performed on many instruments. A graduate of Bostons Berklee College of Music (BFA) and California Institute of the Arts (MFA), he has taught private and group classes in Rhythm Skills, Ear Training, Music Theory, and Performance. Joe believes that music education is about fun, listening, and thoughtful practice. In his classes he incorporates elements of harmony, rhythm, ear training, and analysis each day, making for a well rounded learning experience. Well versed in Classical performance, as well as Jazz and Rock & Roll, Joe is capable of preparing students for a wide variety of performance situations and tailoring his private lessons to the ambitions of any student's style or interests. Joe is involved in many local NYC projects and performs around the city regularly.
Tom Gershwin (Brass, Theory, Piano) has performed and taught in a wide variety of settings. His early professional experiences have included 3 years in the Army Band, several cruise line contracts, and freelance work as a performer and composer. Through these times, Tom learned to excel in many styles. He is currently a graduate student and adjunct faculty member at NYU, where he has performed and worked with Kenny Werner, Brian Lynch, Chris Potter and Tony Moreno. Tom studies with trumpet guru Laurie Frink, who inspires him as a musician and a teacher. He has been instructing at Douglaston School of Music and Art since January of 2011. Tom understands that in music, discipline and technique are necessary elements that allow emotion and creativity to thrive. Through these beliefs, Tom strives to inspire his students, fellow musicians and listeners.
Marine Vardanyan (piano, theory, voice, introduction to music) graduated with MA in piano performance from Armenia State Conservatory. She was one of the principal teachers at the Armenia State College of Music and other leading music schools in the former Soviet Union. Throughout her professional career Marine Vardanyan distinguished herself as a serious, thoughtful musician. Her multi-faceted interests and knowledge in music and all art in general enable her to be very successful as a mentor. With the aid of over 22 years of piano teaching experience, Mrs.Vardanyan utilizes a unique teaching style to accommodate students of all ages. Having trained contestants as well as champions of numerous musical contests, she knows the process and has the skills, the ability and patience to turn a newcomer to a musical school into a seriously competitive musician. Due to her high spirituality and professionalism, she is able to inspire her students and set a truly creative atmosphere in the classroom. Being an individual who seeks constant improvement, Mrs. Vardanyan has many innovative ideas as well as the will and motivation to utilize these ideas into the reality.
Jason Berman (guitar) is a Manhattan based guitarist and composer. He holds a Bachelor degree in classical music from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Jazz Performance from Five Towns College. He performs regularly in and around New York City with his own band, the Jason Berman Group. The group performs original music written by Jason and has released one album thus far. He also frequently plays jazz gigs. He has been teaching for over five years.
Kristine Welch (art) began private art lessons when she was twelve years old and has been creating ever since. At nineteen she received a scholarship to study art at the renowned Lorenzo De Medici School in Florence, Italy. One year later she was awarded a scholarship for admittance to the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design and earned a B.F.A. in 2000. She earned her B.A. in Art Education and New York State teaching certification in 2006. Mrs. Welch has worked in many capacities in the arts field in the last eleven years. She began as a curator at the Queens Library Gallery and moved on to operating Welch Ceramic Studio in Bangor, Maine, teaching private lessons and participating in open studio shows. She continues her art work, concentrating in painting and pottery.
