Meet Aglaya Shadrina | Piano Instructor & Owner of Aglaya Piano Lessons School

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aglaya Shadrina and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aglaya, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
* When I decided to start my own business, I wanted to become a teacher and mentor who will help people explore the universe of music with confidence. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my students attaining their goals in music and beyond. The experience of learning music can be truly transformative. For my older students, it especially brings me joy to see their faces lighten up when they realize that whatever they have been told before about “the luck of talent” and other excuses should not stand in their way to becoming a musician.  * I also feel very empowered and creative. To be able to share with people this incredible skill, playing the piano, is a great privilege. Music can reduce stress and bring a lot of joy and fulfillment into people’s lives, so it is a great feeling to get up each morning knowing that you can make a difference in this world by improving someone’s quality of life.

*One thing about your industry that others are probably unaware of?               To be an expert in the field of music, professional musicians and mentors spend their lives to master their skills in playing an instrument and teaching. It is very important for me, as an instructor and mentor, to continue learning and exploring creative ways of teaching.I have a Bachelor of Arts in child development and in teaching music and arts, and a Masters degree in economics. I continue learning new things every day informally too.
A common belief among students is that if they start taking lessons, they will be put in a situation where their goals will be set up for them by an instructor, and they will be going through a boring and unexciting process toward their artistic dreams. I believe in an individual approach, and the first thing I want to know about my new students is what inspires them, and what their heart desires. You have to enjoy the process; otherwise why even start taking the lessons? So find yourself a kind, attentive, compassionate and knowledgable teacher who will be passionate about music and teaching. Most importantly, find a teacher who will be passionate about helping you to achieve your goals.

**Risk taking: what do you think about risk? Which risks did I take?
I believe in taking risks and following your heart. When I decided to start my own business, I did not get much support from friends or family, as most of them thought it was a very irrational decision. My sister has always been my role model and she encouraged and supported me every step of the way.However, I also knew in my heart that it was going to be a beautiful and meaningful experience and that it would allow me to make a difference every day. Thus, I quit my career in tech, started my own business, and never looked back. It just happened overnight. My advice is don’t be afraid to follow your heart and always listen to it; all the answers are inside of us.

*Other than working for myself what was another single most important decision that contributed to your success?
The most important decision was to commit to start my own business and to believe in myself. I knew in my heart that I took a path that will allow me to impact people’s lives. I wanted to meet people that were told or believed themselves to not be talented or not capable of playing the piano or composing music and prove them otherwise.
The most important decision, that I have made and consciously keep making as an entrepreneur, mentor, musician and instructor is to never stop evolving and learning. That is why I decided to launch a three week piano course that will give students an opportunity to learn the basics of music theory, to get an idea about the learning process, and learn two songs by the end of the course.

*What his the most important factor behind your success:
Positive outlook on life in general: believing in myself and my dreams
Sincere desire to bring the joy of music and joy into people’s life
To encourage more people to start taking lessons, believing in themselves and knowing that you can start learning at any age and go as far as you want: you can learn how to read music, how to compose music, how to play by ear, how to play your favorite songs.
Confidence that I can achieve whatever I put my mind to
Trusting the process and counting blessings every day

*Work/life balance: how has your balance changed over time?
This is the one aspect that I try to mindfully work on. When you own your business, it is important to learn how to delegate your work and responsibilities. It is very important for me to have time for creativity, mindfulness, and self-care. I think it’s important to know what makes you happy. I personally can create, be the best version of myself and give the most I can to my students when I am well- rested, spiritually balanced, and inspired. Traveling and spending time with my friends inspires me and fills me up with an energy that gives me the wings to create.

*Favorite quote or affirmation: what does it mean to you?
My favorite quote is by George Bernard Shaw: “Imagination is the beginning of creation: you imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine at last, you create what you will”. I believe that we create our reality, and we are responsible for making our dreams come true. I dare to dream every day, and all my dreams come true.

**Why did you pursue artistic or creative career?
I am a very creative and artistic person. Ever since I could remember myself, different forms of art, including music, intrigued me. I have always enjoyed dancing, singing, playing the piano, painting, going to theater, ballet, and museums. I was fortunate to have been born in Saint Petersburg, Russia where I was to the essence of art from a young age. Going to lessons, I have been imagining myself being a teacher and often asked myself: how would I make lessons more fun? How would I explain the importance of practicing in a gentle manner? Which example could I give my students? How could I inspire them to let the music in and commit for life? I graduated from a Musical College and also went to the Saint Petersburg State University where I got MA in economics. While I pursued different career paths, deep down, I have always wanted to end up in a creative field, so here I am: living the life of my dreams and make dreams happen every day!

**What do you want your legacy to be?What doing you want people remember about you?
It is important for me to wake up every day knowing that I contribute to happiness in this world through the power of music . Music can make a lasting impact in so many different ways: evoke memories, can heal us, can alleviate stress, help find our voice, and enrich us spiritually. My goal is to introduce as many people as I can to the magical world of music because it is truly a gift, in my view. How would I want to be remembered? I would want to be remembered as a thoughtful teacher and at times whimsical and playful guide to the world of music.

Well, I would want to be remembered as a windswept musical fairy, with the smile on her face, who brought a lot of meaning and joy by introducing someone to the world of music.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a very creative and artistic person.  Ever since I could remember myself, different forms of art, including music,   intrigued me. I have always enjoyed dancing, singing, playing the piano, painting, going to theater, ballet,  and museums. I was fortunate to have been born in Saint Petersburg, Russia where I was to the essence of art from a young age. Going to lessons, I have been imagining myself being a teacher and often asked myself: how would I make lessons more fun? How would I explain the importance of practicing in a gentle manner? Which example could I give my students? How could I inspire them to let the music in and commit for life? I graduated from a Musical College and also went to the Saint Petersburg State University where I got MA in economics. While I pursued different career paths,  deep down, I have always wanted to end up in a creative field, so here I am: living the life of my dreams and make dreams happen every day! Why “Happy” Piano lessons? * It is important for me to wake up every day knowing that I contribute to happiness in this world through the power of music . Music can make a lasting impact in so many different ways: evoke memories, can heal us, can alleviate stress, help find our voice, and enrich us spiritually. My goal  is to introduce as many people as I can to the magical world of music because it is truly a gift, in my view. How would I want to be remembered? I would want to be remembered as a thoughtful  teacher and at times whimsical and playful guide to the world of music.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I think the first place I’d take my friends and loved ones to would be the beach and then, probably Winwood district. I am new to Miami, I’ve moved in the end of 2020 and as a lot of people initially had a perception of Miami being a place where people come to party. I absolutely fell in love with Winwood, such an amazing artistic district. I’d also take my friends to a nice brunch place, I like Rose Cafe on Collins avenue and I also love Seaspice as a brunch spot. For dinner, my favorite places are Joja beach, one of the restaurants in Faena hotel, Myla or Komodo.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I  believe in taking risks and following your heart. When I decided to start my own business, I did not get much support from friends or family, as most of them thought it was a very irrational decision. My sister has always been my role model and she encouraged and supported me every step of the way. I also knew in my heart that it was going to be a beautiful and meaningful experience and that it would allow me to make a difference every day.

Website: www.aglayapiano.com

Instagram: @aglayapiano

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aglayashadrina

Twitter: https://twitter.com/piano_sf?lang=en

Yelp: https://yelp.to/5c3QF7a64pb

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC7jh9HtOwm70CExDEwDQxCA

Image Credits
Photos done by my friends and family