ABOUT ME

I was born and raised in Moscow, Russia. After graduating from The Practical Department of Moscow Conservatory, I played mainly for the ballet. Then we immigrated to Israel, where, after picking oranges for several months at a Kibbutz (a communal farm settlement), I was titled “an excellent pianist” by the Department of Education and Culture, and was put back on the music track. From then on, I continued to play for ballet lessons, accompany singers, and perform at parties and restaurants:  the usual uncertain and exciting life of a freelance musician…

In 1999 we moved again, this time to Alaska. Many people asked me: why here? Why such an extreme change? Well, I guess, after 6 years of living in a frying pan, we wanted to cool down in a refrigerator...

I haven’t become a real Alaskan yet: I don’t like fishing or hunting. But I am on my way: skiing, hiking, and berry picking. My favorite pastime is kayaking (even if for most of the year it is in the pool at Bartlett High School)…

Here, in Anchorage, I play for churches and synagogues, accompany at Alaska Dance Theater, and give occasional concerts. I recorded a couple of CDs and am working on a few more. But, what I like most is playing for weddings, parties, and other events. I really enjoy it: setting the mood for a gathering, adding a romantic touch to the occasion.  I would like to do it for you, too…

 

FUNNY TIDBITS

Once, I was invited to a private party in Anchorage. The hostess, talking to me on the telephone, didn’t explain what exactly the party was about. It was only after arriving that I discovered that this was a dog's birthday celebration. This was not just an excuse for gathering together:  people really brought dog delicacies, dog jackets, dog toys…

Well, I felt like I wanted to contribute too, to mark the occasion with some special doggy music. Alas, at that time I wasn’t familiar with American kid’s songs, which often have animals in them. So my only choice was “The Minute Waltz” by Chopin: the legend goes that he originally titled it “A Little Dog”, and it was supposed to depict a dog chasing its tail.

But now I am prepared. So, if you are planning a party in honor of you favorite pet, give me a call. I can play “Three Little Fishes”, “Five Little Monkeys “, “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat”, “Pop! Goes the Weasel”, “Know Your Chicken” and even “A Flea Waltz”…

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At a Christmas Party, a middle-aged man told me wistfully how he’d like to play piano. I advised him to take lessons, or to study some do-it-yourself books: it is quite possible for an adult to learn music. “Oh no", he answered with a sigh, “My fingers are too stiff”…

I wanted to help him; to demonstrate that fingers have almost nothing to do with playing piano (it is all in the brain). So I picked a pencil from a table, squeezed it in my right hand, and played a Strauss' "Blue Danube" with it.

This trick was a roaring success with other guests: they asked me time and again to play their favorite tunes with the pencil. 

Do you want to amuse your guests? Since that party, I always carry a pencil with me!