TEACHING
Anna Goryacheva is an award-winning pianist, educator, and Steinway Educational Partner. In 2024 she was honored as a Top Piano Teacher by Steinway & Sons Americas, a recognition that highlights her excellence in music education. As the founder and director of the Elite Piano Institute in Los Angeles, she has established herself as one of the most sought-after piano instructors in Southern California. Under her leadership, Elite Piano has become recognized as a premier institution for nurturing young pianists and mentoring teachers in the United States and abroad.
With over twenty years of teaching experience, she provides professional one-on-one coaching to pianists worldwide, both in person and online. Her students are consistently recognized as prizewinners in national and international competitions and achieve top results in the MTAC Certificate of Merit program.
At Elite Piano Institute, Anna has created a comprehensive list of services that goes beyond traditional lessons, offering teacher training, international festivals and competitions, professional audio and video productions, recital opportunities, and masterclasses. Within just five years, the institute has established partnerships with major music festivals and competitions worldwide, creating unique performance opportunities and raising the visibility of young talents on the global stage.
Anna holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Kaliningrad State Music College, a Master’s degree from the Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow, and both an Artist Diploma and a Master’s Degree with high distinction from the USC Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles, where she studied under renowned pianist Daniel Pollack as a full scholarship recipient. She was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society (Eta Chapter, USC) for outstanding academic and artistic achievement.
Her expertise as a pedagogue has been highlighted by features in LA Weekly, Authority Magazine, Flaunt, Bold Journey, and other media outlets. She has served as visiting faculty and guest speaker at Stetson University (Florida), presented at MTAC (Music Teachers Association of California), and frequently appears as a jury member for competitions and festivals including CAPMT, MTNA, the Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition (Houston), and the Glissando International Piano Festival and Competition in California.
Based in Redondo Beach, California, Anna is fluent in both English and Russian. She conducts lessons and consultations in person in the South Bay of Los Angeles, CA, as well as online via Zoom.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
As an educator, Anna believes that every student has the potential to achieve extraordinary results through personalized guidance, a solid technical foundation, and a passion for learning. Her teaching philosophy revolves around the idea of nurturing individual growth while fostering a deep love and respect for music.
Strong Technical Foundations
A proper start is vital to piano success. She emphasizes building a robust technical base from the very beginning, focusing on correct hand position, finger strength, and precision. Within the first year, even young beginners develop solid foundational skills that allow them to flourish in their musical journey. Anna effortlessly blends the rich Russian/ European piano traditions with top American teaching methods to ensure her students can approach the instrument with confidence and finesse.
Individualized and Holistic Approach
She recognizes that each student is unique, with distinct strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. Her approach is tailored to meet individual needs, incorporating lessons in piano performance, music theory, sight-reading, and ensemble playing. By understanding the student as a whole and collaborating closely with parents of younger learners, she creates a structured yet flexible learning strategy that maximizes efficiency during home practice and lessons.
Cultivating Passion and Professionalism
For students who aspire to pursue music as a career, Anna provides the guidance and preparation necessary to excel on the international stage. Through workshops, recitals, masterclasses, competitions, and festivals, she creates opportunities for them to grow as performers and experience the joy of sharing their music. At the same time, she offers a supportive environment for adult beginners and hobbyists, enriching their lives through music.
Inspiring Lifelong Learning
Her ultimate goal is not only to teach students how to play the piano but also to inspire a lifelong appreciation for music and its transformative power. Whether the student is a child taking their first steps into the musical world, a collegiate-level performer, or an adult exploring a new passion, Anna's teaching adapts to their journey, fostering both technical mastery and personal expression.
Through passionate dedication and a commitment to excellence, she aims to help each student reach their highest potential and discover the profound joy of music.