I've seen Yascha perform and wondered if he would be as enthusiastic and engaging as an instructor. He had been highly recommended -- and rightly so! My son, already something of a musician, has improved and flourished under Yascha's careful and thorough teaching. As my son nears the end of high school and is looking toward keeping music in his life in college and beyond, Yascha is and will continue to be an important and valuable mentor. \r
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Insightful and with the student's individual needs and desires first and foremost, Yascha allows students to learn the ins and outs of playing music through pieces that the student selects, or helps select. So, rather than suffering through a prescribed set of lessons and music recital-type pieces, students are allowed to discover the joys of playing music based on the music they personally enjoy. This keeps them interested and motivated. Yascha encourages his students to take on new challenges and skills, but never setting the goal so high at any one point as to overwhelm them, giving them the ability to succeed and improve.\r
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I attended a recital he held for his students. I was so impressed by the range in ages and abilities and musical interests of his students. Yascha related well to all of them, treating them equally with genuine pride in their accomplishments. That was very telling as to his quality and capability to teach a wide range of students. I can't recommend him highly enough -- he's the best!
Pros: see the above
Cons: none at all
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