Teaching – Sophia Agranovich – Concert Pianist, Recording Artist, Educator

The Juilliard School at Lincoln Center, New York

Sophia Agranovich is an esteemed music educator and piano teacher who had received numerous pedagogy awards. She conducts master classes and lectures, adjudicates competitions, prepares students for exams and auditions, coaches professional musicians, and maintains a teaching studio in New Jersey, giving in-person and online lessons via video conferencing.

Sophia’s students are consistently winning top prizes in various regional, national and international competitions and festivals and had performed at such prestigious venues as Carnegie Weill Recital Hall, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Merkin Hall at Kaufman Center, Alice Tully Hall, Rose Studio and Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Kimmel Center, Tenri Cultural Institute, Steinway Hall, Watchung Arts Center, as well as at Rider University, Caldwell College, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, Rutgers University, Polish Cultural Foundation, Polish Embassy, American Catholic University, Old Dominion University, numerous libraries, houses of worship, and art galleries. Selected students performed in Austria, Poland, Italy, France and China. They had been accepted to Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, New York University, Mannes College and other top universities. Their performances were broadcast on radio and TV, including WWFM ‘Kids on Keys’ with Jed Distler and WQXR ‘Young Artists Showcase’ with Robert Sherman.

Educational Heritage

Sophia Agranovich’s music education heritage is one of the most impressive today and stems from the great tradition of Western European, Russian and American schools. In Ukraine her teachers included Anna Stolarevich and renowned professor Alexander Edelman, peer of Vladimir Horowitz at the Kiev Conservatory in the class of Felix Blumenfeld and later – disciple of Heinrich Neuhaus at the Moscow Conservatory.

At the Juilliard School in New York, she was a student of legendary professor Sascha Gorodnitzki, who himself was a student of Josef Lhevinne (peer of Sergei Rachmaninoff and Alexander Scriabin). She also studied with the eminent Nadia Reisenberg, a disciple of the St. Petersburg piano school of Leonid Nikolaev and student of Josef Hofmann and Alexander Lambert – student of Franz Liszt himself. Sophia also studied with David Diamond and Joseph Bloch in musicology, Felix Galimir, Paul Doktor, and Samuel Sanders in chamber music and ensemble. Ms. Agranovich was awarded Fellowship teaching Piano Minor at Juilliard.

Teaching Mission and Philosophy

In her instruction methods Sophia Agranovich combines traditional Russian, Western European and American schools. She teaches overall musicianship along with music theory, music history, ensemble, accompaniment and improvisation. She stresses the connection of music and other art forms, such as literature, painting and sculpture. This helps to achieve true style and balance in performing. Ms. Agranovich guides her students to develop their individuality and independence in interpretations. She uncovers hidden potential in every student, who progress very fast and to the best of their capabilities. She also incorporates into her teaching approach her additional studies and experience in psychology, kinesiology, music therapy, and meditation. Sophia Agranovich is certified as Yoga and Pilates instructor, Life Coach, Holistic Fitness Practitioner and Holistic Health Practitioner. Sophia Agranovich’s broad range of interdisciplinary studies has greatly enhanced both her performing and teaching, specifically by reducing physical strain and technique limitations, achieving refined states of concentration, focus and inspiration.

Live Recordings by Students – PLAYLIST

Selected Videos

Robert Argasinski (age 15) plays his own composition – The Tragedy of War

Robert Argasinski (age 15) – L. Beethoven: Sonata Op. 27, No.2 “Moonlight” mvt. III

Robert Argasinski (age 14) – L. Beethoven: Sonata Op. 13 No.8 ‘Pathetique’, mvt. I

Robert Argasinski (age 14) – W. A. Mozart: Fantasy in C minor , K.475

Robert Argasinski (age 14) – R. Schumann-F. Liszt: ‘Widmung’ (Dedication)

Robert Argasinski (age 13) – S. Rachmaninoff: Polichinelle Op.3, No.4

Robert Argasinski (age 13) – F. Chopin: Nocturne Op. 48 No. 1

More videos by Robert Argasinski

Sofia Mouchtaris (age 18) – F. Liszt: ‘Dante’ Sonata (complete)

Sofia Mouchtaris (age 18) – F.Liszt/F.Busoni: La Campanella