TESTIMONIALS
Studying piano with Arsen Gulua since 2010 has become an important part of life in retirement after an extensive ballet career. Arsen understands how to meet the student wherever one is in one’s own development. Using his own accomplishments of a masterful piano technique coupled with extensive, artistic performance experience, Arsen connects the student with his/her own innate ability through rigorous technical training, which is always imbued with artistic sensibility. He is able to combine technique with musicality in his teaching while building confidence and a sense of discovery in the student. And…….the lesson is always joyful!
— Kathleen Epstein, current student
Dr. Asya Gulua is a brilliant pianist and an outstanding piano teacher. Her lessons are clear, informative and productive. They are also fun. I am an adult student. While I have played all my life, I am now playing far better than I have ever done before. Dr. Gulua is the teacher I wish I had had as a child. I highly recommend Dr. Gulua to any piano student, child or adult.
— A. Fent, J.D, current student
Having piano lessons with Dr. Gulua was a great experience. I really liked the way Dr. Gulua conducted lessons, because he goes directly to the point where you are struggling as a student. It could be technical, musical, or other issues of why your piano playing does not feel good, and he makes sure to address that at the very first moment of the lesson. I like how he approaches different ways to study a passage, and how he is respectful of your own technique (if you have developed one at some point). I also appreciate the freedom in Dr. Gulua’s teaching, which is, as it happens with other piano professors, limited by their personal points of view. In Dr. Gulua’s case, he helps you to develop your own imagination, as well as always offering useful tips for technical/musical issues. Also, he has a great sense of humor, which I really appreciate and find very helpful to approach the repertoire in a calmer way.
— Camila Osses, former student
My daughters, ages 10 and 15, have been taking piano lessons with Asya for six years. It has been amazing to see the girls progress in their skills over the years. They were only four and nine years old when they started playing piano with Asya. She is a very patient teacher who makes lessons fun and stress free. Her teaching style has helped the girls develop their love of both piano and music. In addition to learning to play the piano and read music, they have gained confidence and experience in performing in front of others and an appreciation of many different types of music.
— Michelle Livingston, parent of current students
In one year of lessons from Asya Gulua, my daughter made huge strides in every aspect of her piano playing. She learned a lot about theory and learned some beautiful music, but even above that, she increased her musicality and improved her technique by leaps and bounds. We appreciate most Asya's ability to do all of this with a kind, friendly demeanor. We are so thankful for Asya's teaching style, lessons, and recitals.
— Parent of a current student student
Several years ago, as a composer of “contemporary classical” music whose formal education and performance history were in jazz and popular music, I found myself in need of a consultant concerning writing and scoring for piano. After some searching, I was lucky enough to establish a relationship with Arsen Gulua.
For some time now I have been using Arsen as a consultant not only for issues related to piano but also with regard to composing and scoring in general, issues concerning writing for classically trained musicians and general subjects related to form and content in music composition.
Arsen is accomplished, knowledgable, open minded, fun to work with, has “big ears”, and always takes a genuine interest in my work. Further, given his extensive experience in classical music, he is often spot on in his comments about my compositions. His input has proven to be invaluable in my development as a composer working with modern classical music.
— Steven Johnston, composer
Hi, my name is Jack Henry Majeski, I’m 18 and attending film school in Los Angeles. My time with Asya was simply incredible! I always felt like I was never restricted to playing pieces I didn’t want to play and if a piece was maybe a little too hard for me, we always found a way to work through it. She has an answer for every question I could even think of and she would always remind me that “nobody likes practicing” to help me stay focused and motivated when practicing on my own. She’s an incredible teacher who can teach any level of piano and anyone would be lucky to have her!
— Jack Henry Majeski, former student
Asya's piano lessons are part life coaching, therapy and always about making beautiful music. Both my kids have taken lessons, and Asya effortlessly matched her kind instruction to their particular interests, styles and struggles. Asya's teaching rounds out the kids current education and development influences in a really lovely way.
— Parent of current student
I’m writing this to help any parent who has spent time trying to find a well aligned piano teacher for their child. There are many good teachers out here in Oregon, and Asya is one of the best.
Over the past two years, Asya has provided the best of piano education for my son. His love for piano as well as music has not only continued, but grown. Asya has a very nice studio, which is well set up and comfortable for not only the child but the parent as well; if you want to sit and listen and watch. The timings are well-suited to our schedule and she is considerably flexible. There are regular professionally organized performance sessions with feedback. Soon they will be starting collaborative sessions amongst the students.
I hope I’ve given you a little bit of an insight as to what you can expect.
— Parent of current student