Dear Lena:

I can't say thank you enough for what you've done in the past couple of months for Charlene. As a matter of fact, every time we took lessons with you, we found them fruitful and productive. The structure, the intensity, the depth, the emphasis on discipline and quality are all right on. Experience counts. ...you've already left a deep mark in Charlene. She said right after the lesson she'll miss you. ... Thanks so much for nurturing young musicians.

Sincerely yours

Charles Ma

INFLUENCES

My life is like a play. Many have a role in my life. Everybody I know—no matter how much I dislike them—those who I know the existence of and maybe a little more all influence the twists and turns of the plot. Of course those in my family influence me the most--*cough cough*--but there are more outside my family that also influence me. The most powerful person outside my family that rubs off on me the strongest is my piano teacher, Lena Grozman!

Lena influences me in many different ways. The most significant way that she has influenced me is my self-confidence. Before I started playing piano at her studio, I would always be a shy girl. I never started friendships by myself. I usually waited for the other to start the conversation. I kept to myself a lot if I were new, and I waited until the other would set the goal of what I were to aspire to in order to become their friend. This all changed when I became Lena’s student. She sent me to various competitions and recitals, and I have developed a sense of self-confidence from performing onstage. Now, I am no longer shy, and I’m usually the one who starts the conversation among my friends. I have also been influenced in other ways from learning piano with Lena. I can now demonstrate a few skills that I used to find frustrating to master, such as my tone and isolation of insignificant notes, so my playing doesn’t get too “busy.” Lena also inspires me to practice piano. She instructs me so diligently, that I feel extremely guilty if I don’t play a piece on the piano at least once a day. Lena has a big role in the play of my life. She is the most significant part of my play, other than my friends and my parents. She has influenced me greatly, in my personality, and in my piano mastery. I thank her from the bottom of my heart.

Amy Zeng, 10 years old

 

Dear Lena,

What a treat it was to hear your students play! They are so very lucky to have such a superb, devoted teacher! And of course, I loved hearing Eileen and Jennifer play Miami Mambo...Lena, you are simply amazing to me. Thank you so much for inviting me to your recital and for teaching my pieces.

Warmest wishes,
Sondra Clark

(Comments about Amy Zeng's Performance)

Amy, this is wonderfully musical! What talent! Lena, you are the most amazing piano teacher!! I swear you can somehow teach musicality.

Kyoda

Congratulations Lena on such a beautiful class today.

Your teaching and musicianship is so fluent that the students respond to you almostimmediately and the changes were palpable. It was a special event to watch and I'm so glad we could host it here at the store. I am eagerly looking forward to hearing your students perform here in June.

Many thanks again Lena for your wonderful teaching.

Chris Hepp, DMA
Sherman Clay