About Me

Playing piano has always been my passion. As a child I listened to my older cousins make music by striking piano keys and probably wondered if I could do the same.One day, when I was 6 years old,  my mom took me to a music school, saying that I will be auditioning for a piano class. I was very excited. Anxiously I showed my "talents" of singing, clapping, and "tone guessing" before very serious judges. I was SO excited when mom told me that I was excepted into that music school!Growing up in the former USSR was a difficult task, especially for those children, who wanted to study in their favorite discipline. I participated in so many competitions and recitals that I can’t even remember all of them any more.I do remember though, if it was not for my first piano teacher Natalia Ivanovna Petlyuk's patience, kindness, and gentleness, I would not have become what I am today - a piano teacher.I am blessed to be able to do what I love most - teach children and adults how to play the piano. This gift was passed on to me by Mrs.Petlyuk and I think of her fondly to this day.                                                                                                                                                                                                           - Larissa O'Malley

My Phylosophy

My philosophy in teaching is that ALL children are talented. A child’s talent is hidden and it is up to us, as teachers, to discover it, develop it, and let it soar. The earlier we do this, the better. I like to start working with children between ages 3 and 6. Children at this age benefit from our musical guiadance. 
It is easier for them to learn how to recognize the tones of different sounds, so when they
learn how to sing along while playing the piano, they hear themselves and thus learn
how to carry a tune. When they first learn about how the beat works, marching 
to the metronome clicks, and
how rhythms arise from all kinds of combinations of different notes, 
so one day they come up with their own rhythm, their own tune, perharps their own song.

How many times do we hear parents say that their child would like to learn how to play a guitar after he or she took piano lessons for several years.  It is no surprise that children develop interest for different instruments after they have learned piano. Many students in my Studio have expanded their skills by taking lessons with other instruments as well as voice lessons. Some participate in Talent Shows, sing in their school’s glee club or choir, and have performed in Musicals.
         I am dedicated to enriching the lives of both students and their families.

About Me

My Phylosophy

Serving Anne Arundel County

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