Victoria Persion: Teaching Piano, Russia to Nanuet

Victoria Persion has been teaching piano for over 30 years. She started teaching at 16 in her home country of Russia, and has since taught students in Des Moines, Iowa, and now Nanuet.

"The piano is something my students can enjoy their whole lives," she said. "It's a way for them to relax, to release stress."

She believes that playing the piano benefits not only her students, but their families too.

"On holidays, they can play for their family, to reward them," she said.

She also welcomes parents at her lessons, saying that it's "a rewarding experience" for them to be involved in their children's musical education.

What Mrs. Persion finds rewarding about teaching piano is being part of her students' lives.

"It's not just playing piano," she says. "You talk, you share stories. You really get close to them."

At her home, Mrs. Persion keeps letters from former students, thanking her for her lessons and wishing her well. And in Japan, her brother-in-law met a family whose children she taught in Iowa; remembering her fondly, the family said that they would gladly recommend her.

Mrs. Persion also enjoys seeing her students develop as piano players.

"When they first start playing, they don't know anything," she says. "But from the first time they touch the piano, you can see the results. It's very rewarding to watch these little children grow and play well."

Mrs. Persion started her own music career at the age of six, when she attended music school. From there, she went on to Gliere Music College and then to Kiev Pedagogical Institute, where she earned a Master's Degree. After moving to Iowa, Mrs. Persion worked as an accompanist for the Iowa Ballet and taught piano at schools including the Des Moines Jewish Academy and the Drake University School of Music.

Currently living in Nanuet, Mrs. Persion holds piano lessons for students of all ages and skill levels. She is also a member of the Rockland County Music Teachers' Guild and served as its corresponding secretary from 2004 to 2007.

Mrs. Persion praises the Music Teachers' Guild for the help that they offer both teachers and students. The guild, composed of educated music teachers, holds numerous events—lectures, concerts, and recitals—in which musicians can take part.

Each June, Mrs. Persion holds her own recital to showcase her students. She enjoys seeing her younger students play and having them feel that they're doing something. "They're frightened the first year, but they get the feel of it," she adds. "Mostly they like performing."

Her students have performed at all six levels of NYSSMA, at the Music Marathon in the Palisades Mall, and at the Blue and Gold Recital—the honor recital run by the Music Teachers' Guild.

Mrs. Persion encourages her students to play not only at concerts, but wherever they go. "It's always a joy to listen to other people playing," she says. "I tell my students to have a few songs memorized, so they can play whenever they want and bring joy to people."