Lessons Offered
Piano, Music
Where are Lessons Offered
In Teacher Studio
In Student Home
About Me
Aleksey Nikolsky and Sheila Bazleh teach their innovative Synergo Music Method that they have developed and used with students since 1993. Both and Aleksey and Sheila graduated from the top music conservatories in the world, and received numerous awards.
Aleksey graduated from the Moscow Conservatory with a Ph.D. in music composition, and received his Masters in Music Pedagogy from the Moscow Schnittke Institute.
Sheila received her bachelors in Piano performance from the Royal School of Music in London, and her Masters in Composition from USC school of music.
Aleksey and Sheila created their innovative piano method to return to the rhetoric style of teaching and understanding music, dominant during the "golden-age" of piano that produced such great piano schools of Liszt and Leschetizky.
My Musical Education Background
Aleksey Nikolsky:
Ph.D. Composition & Music Theory
Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, 1989
Honors: Maxima Cum Laude (4.0 GPA)
Masters in Pedagogy, Music Theory, Piano
Moscow Schnittke Institute of Music, 1982
Honors: Maxima Cum Laude (4.0 GPA)
Sheila Bazleh:
Master of Music, Composition
USC Thornton School of Music, 1983
Bachelors of Music, Piano Performance
B.Mus. Royal Academy of Music, London, 1977
Genres and Subjects Taught
Classical
Light Classical
Popular
Traditional
Piano Performance
Piano Technique
Music Interpretation
Music Theory
Harmony
Music Form
Piano Arrangement and Transcription
Lesson Rates
First 1 hour lesson free!
1 hour lesson: $80/hour
30 minute lesson: $50
Prepaid (in blocks of 20 hours): $72/hour ($1,440 lump sum)
Ages / Skill Levels Taught
Young Children: Ages 4-6, depends on child.
Any other age, including adults!
My Certifications and Awards
Aleksey Nikolsky:
Khachaturian Composition Award
4 Time Winner: 1986, 87, 88, 89
USSR Ministry of Culture Award
1985, Moscow, Russia
Sheila Bazleh:
First Prize LMU Film Festival, Los Angeles
Film Score: "The Duet", 1980
My Musical Influences
As pianists:
- Stanislav Neuhas
- Heinrich Neuhas
- Vladimir Sofronitsky
- Marina Yudina
- Maria Grinberg
- Sergei Rachmaninov
- Alexander Scriabin
- Misha Levitsky
- Ossip Gabrilowitsch
- Mark Hamburg
- Ignace Friedman
As composers:
- Tchaikovsky
- Rachmaninov
- Scriabin
- Chopin
- Brahms
- Glinka
- Haydn
- C.P.E. Bach
- J.S. Bach
Service Area
Student Reviews
Zari D
Los Angeles, CA
I have always loved the idea of music as a second language, which is how Sheila and Aleksey believe music should be taught. Babies learn to communicate before they can speak and they learn to talk before they can read. Similarly, we may not be able to read musical notes or sing tunes harmoniously, but it seems we have an innate capacity to understand and communicate emotions through music. I believe the Synergo method is a wonderful tool for the development, integration and expression of emotional states through music. Choosing Sheila as my daughter's piano teacher since she was 5 years old (she is now 15) has been one of the best parenting decisions I have ever made.
Yasmine D
Malibu, CA
I have been playing piano with sheila since i was five years old. Most kids who play piano from k-5 end up quitting but sheila always kept it interesting for me rather then my friends with other teachers. I always felt that i could count on sheila and we grew to have a very personal relationship, making it very easy for me to talk to her. When i play piano i sound different then all the other kids. I have been taught to play with emotion rather than just playing dry notes. Before i start a new piece sheila always has me imagining a story behind it or what the music is trying to portray, which i imagine while playing my piece. Its very nice and has become my method of meditation to be able to paint an image on my mind and express it through the piano. Today i am 15 years old and taking piano with sheila has not just opened me up emotionally and with my social life, but also helped me stay to stay focused at school.
Brian C
Santa Monica, CA
My name is Brian Clemens and I started taking piano lessons from The Synergo Music Method when I was 4 years old. I am now 17 and am able to play a variety of different classical masterpieces, lighter music, and I am now writing music for ensembles and orchestras. It's hard to imagine where I would be without their fabulous training and revolutionary methods. Not only have I blossomed as a pianist but Synergo has drastically changed the way in which I approach music. Sheila Bazleh and Aleksey Nikolsky are wonderful teachers who are smart, kind, patient, and may I dare say, funny at times! You are guaranteed quality instruction with the Synergo Music Method and musicianship that will make you stand out among the others. Feel free to watch some of my performances on their youtube channel: synergomusic.
Andrew Z
Los Angeles, CA
Aleksey is an outstanding teacher! I have studying piano with him for about 6 years now. I couldn't be happier with the quality of instruction I am receiving. He is extremely knowledgable about everything related to music and piano. When I came to him, I only played notes, but after going through the Synergo Music Method, I have really developed an understanding and love for music. His instruction in phrasing, theory and piano technique have been a wonderful experience. You can see some of my video performances on their Youtube channel (SynergoMusic).