Introducing Denis Zhdanov, renowned concert pianist, winner of multiple international competitions, and founder of this online school.
Created under his artistic vision, the school brings together not only Denis’s own courses, but also selected courses by other distinguished authors, offering a rich and diverse approach to piano education.
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Main piano instructors at this school:
Denis Zhdanov
As a concert pianist who once faced serious physical problems caused by severe muscular overuse, Denis Zhdanov had a rare opportunity to develop, test, and apply a deep understanding of efficiency and safety in piano playing. Painful as this experience was, it ultimately became one of the most valuable turning points in both his performing and especially his teaching work.
It led him to rethink and rebuild his entire technique, study the physiology of piano playing in depth, develop new ways of practising, and gain the knowledge and experience needed to identify the root of technical problems and solve them in an efficient and healthy way.
This approach to technical optimization includes:
- understanding how to use the whole arm and body as one coordinated system
- applying arm weight effectively in order to reduce tension and avoid overworking isolated fingers
- improving motion coordination to overcome technical difficulties
- adjusting hand posture in a natural and efficient way
- understanding how efficient physical movement can support greater musical freedom and expressivity
At the same time, music is never just about technique. Technique is not an end in itself, but a means of expressing oneself freely through the language of music.
Alongside clear and practical instruction, his goal is to introduce students to the joy of turning creative ideas into musical sound.
Each piece becomes a story, a journey, and a living artistic experience.
TEACHING EXPRIENCE
2024-2026 The University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Austria
Senior Piano Lecturer, Course for Highly Gifted Students
2024 The University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Austria
Substitute Professorship
2021 - 2022 The University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Austria
Senior Piano Lecturer, Course for Highly Gifted Students
2020 Hochschule Luzern-Musik, Switzerland
Assistant Professor, Studio of Konstantin Lifschitz
2009 - present private lessons to hundreds of students of all ages and levels from all around the globe, in-person and online.
MUSIC EDUCATION
2017-2020 Hochschule Luzern-Musik, Switzerland,
Master of Arts in Music, Major Solo Performance with K. Lifschitz
2015-2017 Hochschule Luzern-Musik, Switzerland,
Master of Arts in Music, Major Performance Klassik with Konstantin Lifschitz
2014-2015 Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, UK
Artist Diploma in Solo Performance with Graham Scott
2011-2015 Scuola di Musica Fiesole Italy,
Corso di Perfezionamento with Eliso Virsaladze
2009-2013 Imola Piano Academy Italy,
Corso di Perfezionamento with Leonid Margarius
2007-2012 National Music Academy of Ukraine,
Bachelor/Master of Arts in Music with Boris Fedorov
2004-2007 Kyiv Lysenko Special Music School, Ukraine,
with Tatiana Abayeva
1998-2004 Chernihiv Music School No. 1
with Valentina Danilova
+ Participation in numerous Master Classes led by acclaimed pianists and esteemed piano professors, including M. Pressler, W. Manz, A. Kobrin, D. Alexeev, M. Beroff, K. Hellwig, K.-H. Kämmerling, A. Jasinski, and many others.
Learn more about Denis
Elina Akselrud
Elina's teaching focus is based on:
Technique improvement through balanced muscle activation and relaxation, proper hand position, and optimized movement
Stylistic nuances of each era and composer
Work with imagery, characters, and discussion of different interpretive approaches and possibilities
Elina studied with professors in Kyiv, New York City, Boston, Florence, and Lucerne, who were students of leading pedagogues of the Kyiv, St. Petersburg, Tbilisi, and Moscow Conservatories. This is the tradition from which her performing and teaching style has grown.
She has been teaching piano since 2008. Over the years, she has gained experience working with students of different ages and levels, always seeking an individual approach based on the student’s background, experience, interests, goals, and ability to practise consistently between lessons.
Elina would describe herself as a patient, but at the same time demanding teacher. Her goal is to inspire students to understand the process, to keep going even when the work becomes difficult, and always to strive for real results.
MUSIC EDUCATION
2020-2025 University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Austria
Dr. Artium with Excellence
Doctoral project in artistic research
2015-2018 Hochschule Luzern – Musik, Switzerland
Master of Arts in Music, Major Solo Performance
with Konstantin Lifschitz
2014-2018 Scuola di Musica di Fiesole, Florence, Italy
Postgraduate studies
with Eliso Virsaladze
2012-2014 New England Conservatory, Boston, USA
Master of Music
with Alexander Korsantia
2008-2012 Mannes School of Music, New York City, USA
Bachelor of Music
with Irina Morozova
Learn more about Elina
