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About Us
The Music, Dance, & Art School of Douglaston (MDASD) offers professional music and arts instruction for all ages and levels. The MDASD has provided the community with high quality education since 1994. The MDASD enjoys an incredibly talented faculty; all the teachers hold degrees from prestigious institutions. The program is based on a unique combination of American, European, and Russian methods of teaching. This allows students to receive first-rate education in the arts in a pressure-free, friendly atmosphere. Our commitment and dedication to maintain the highest standards makes the MDASD an excellent place for students to enjoy the benefits of a personalized education that will enrich their lives and bring out their talents.
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Bi-annual recitals, shows, MDASD Festivals, art exhibitions, technical tests, evaluation weeks, preparation and participation for NYSSMA festivals, and ABRSM exams are the highlights of the school curriculum. Students are motivated by promotional certificates, medals, and trophy awards that recognize their achievements. Evaluation weeks and report cards at the end of each marking period allow the parents and the school to follow the students' progress.
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Meet Our Faculty
Piano, Theory
Anna Aidinian
Anna Aidinian was born into a family of musicians and was accepted into the Tchaikovsky School for Gifted Children at the of 5. At 17, after graduating she continued her musical education at the Armenia and Moscow State Conservatories where she obtained her Graduate and Post-Graduate Degrees. Her teachers were Yuri Airapetian, Samuel Alumian and Boris Schatzkes - pupils of legendary pianist Jacob Flier. Ms. Aidinian participated in Masterclasses with the highly esteemed Vera Gornostayeva and Dmitri Bashkirov. Her performances generated great interest and were highly praised for possessing a unique blend of virtuosity, expressiveness and intellectual sophistication. Throughout her years of schooling Ms. Aidinian was a recipient of the prestigious Tchaikovsky Scholarship. She was offered a position of Piano Professor at the Yerevan State Conservatory and State College of Music, where she conducted Piano and Chamber Ensemble classes. Ms. Aidinian also taught at some of the leading music schools in Armenia. Her teaching and performing career continued after immigrating to the United States. Ms. Aidinian combines her own engaging style of teaching with the rich legacy that was imparted to her by her renowned professors.
Piano, Theory
Rida Aydinyan
Rida Aydinyan, a native of Armenia (Former Soviet Union), started her early professional piano studies at the Tchaikovsky School for Gifted Children in Yerevan, Armenia. She received her Graduate and post-Graduate Degrees from the Yerevan State Conservatory. Her principal teachers, Professors Yacov Zargarian, Georgi Sarajev and Zemfira Barsegian are representatives of the famous Russian performing school and were trained under the baton of Yacov Flier, Leonid Nicholaev and Vladimir Sofronitski. In United States Ms. Aidinian studied with professors Abbey Simon and Morey Ritt. Ms. Aydinyan’s performing career started as early as 13 years old. Her performing style combines the virtuosity and brilliant technique of the Moscow piano school with the refinement and poetic musicality of the St. Petersburg performing tradition. Her vast knowledge and expertise in vocal and woodwind/brass repertory allowed her not only excel as soloist, but to also become a successful ensemble player and accompanist.
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Ms.Aydinyan has over 25 years of teaching experience of working with all ages and levels. Along with her remarkable expertise and unique teaching method, all her students, as young as toddlers and as old as graduate students appreciate and enjoy Rita Aidinian’s patience, devotion and charismatic personality.
Violin, Piano
Nora Tamrazyan
Nora Tamrazyan obtained her graduate and post - graduate degrees from Armenia and St. Petersburg State Conservatories. Her method of teaching is based upon and influenced by her renown teachers, Dmitri Lekker and Vitold Portugalov, who were pupils of Joseph Sigetti and Leopold Auer. Prior to coming to the United States Nora Damrazian was one of the leading violin teachers in Armenia. She worked at various music institutions such as Sayat Nova Music School, Tchaikovsky School for Gifted Children and Yerevan State Music College. Mrs. Damrazian has over 40 years of teaching and performing experience. Her professional expertise, her kindness and patience allow students of varying musical capacity to tackle the challenges of studying the violin more efficiently while enjoying the process of learning.
Piano, Theory
Andrew Washburn
Andrew Washburn was born in Portland, OR. His earliest musical training came from singing in the church choir followed by playing drums and guitar in Portland rock clubs. He was inspired to take up the piano after hearing the music of jazz great Thelonious Monk. Andrew earned his undergraduate degree in jazz studies from the University of Oregon, where he was awarded outstanding undergraduate performer of his graduating class. He attended the New England Conservatory in Boston MA where he earned his Masters of Music degree studying piano and composition with world renowned jazz pianists Fred Hersch and Jason Moran. Andrew uses his varied musical background to introduce his students to the world of music. He enjoys helping them build their own musical vocabulary, and tries to cultivate in them a passion for the piano.
Music
Marine Vardanyan
Marine Vardanyan (piano, theory, voice, introduction to music) graduated with MA in piano performance from Armenia State Conservatory. She was one of the principal teachers at the Armenia State College of Music and other leading music schools in the former Soviet Union. Throughout her professional career Marine Vardanyan distinguished herself as a serious, thoughtful musician. Her multi-faceted interests and knowledge in music and all art in general enable her to be very successful as a mentor. With the aid of over 22 years of piano teaching experience, Mrs.Vardanyan utilizes a unique teaching style to accommodate students of all ages. Having trained contestants as well as champions of numerous musical contests, she knows the process and has the skills, the ability and patience to turn a newcomer to a musical school into a seriously competitive musician. Due to her high spirituality and professionalism, she is able to inspire her students and set a truly creative atmosphere in the classroom. Being an individual who seeks constant improvement, Mrs. Vardanyan has many innovative ideas as well as the will and motivation to utilize these ideas into the reality.
Art
Hillary Mairovich
Hillary Mairovich is NYS certified Art teacher. She started her art experience early, being the daughter of a wonderful artist/art teacher Gail Mairovich. She received her undergraduate degree in Art Education from SUNY New Paltz, with a concentration in ceramics and printmaking. She has been teaching art in some capacity since she was in high school at various art camps and programs. Hilary is currently an Art teacher at the Queens Academy High School in Flushing. She also serves as an Arts workshop facilitator for the Office of Arts and Special Projects for the NYC Department of Education. She completed her Masters degree at Queens College in Art Education. Her students have won numerous Art’s awards, including the Scholastic Arts and ArtsConnection competitions.
Piano, Theory, Composition
Eun-Hye Grace Sun
Eun-Hye Grace Sun is a composer, pianist, educator and arranger. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, she began her musical training at age six, focused on classical music, and church music.
At age 16, she moved to Russia and graduated pre-conservatory of St. Petersburg in piano major. Afterwards, she entered St. Petersburg State conservatory where she studied piano and composition under Sergey Slonimsky and Felix Tamulyevich. In 2010, she moved to New York and transferred to Aaron Copland School of Music where she has graduated in composition major with high honors. She studied composition with David Schober and Jazz Piano with Jeb Patton. Ms.Sun has been performing actively with different ensembles and choirs, which span a variety of genres including classical, jazz, gospel and pop.
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As an educator, she has been teaching piano and music theory classes at levels ranging from early childhood development as well as advanced level for 10 years. According to her experiences from three different countries, she mixes and matches methods what work the best depending on the student. Ms.Sun’s teaching focuses on helping students enjoy the music by emphasizing musicality and maintain a balance between musical technique and music theory. She also encourages students to interpret stories or specific scenes through music.
Guitar, Piano, Theory
Adem Merter Birson
Adem Merter Birson is a prominent guitarist, pianist and music theorist who graduated with a Ph.D. in Musicology from Cornell University.
He teaches piano, classical and jazz guitar, and music theory in Queens and Long Island.
Along with teaching at Music, Dance and Art School of Douglaston D. Birson is a faculty member at Hofstra University.
Dr. Birson has over fifteen years of teaching experience and enjoys teaching to students of all ages, from young children to adults, beginner to advanced levels.
Piano, Theory
Timothy L. Chan
Timothy L. Chan holds a B.M. and M.M. degree in piano performance as well as a minor in music business from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. His principal teachers include Paul Wyse, Francois Germain, Christine Yoon, and Katherine Sherman (piano pedagogy). Most of his performances consist of studio performances (solo piano and chamber music), senior recitals, and master classes with notable pianist such as Phillip Kawin and Dr. Scott Price. His fluid technique and delicate sound led Chan to place third in the Crane School’s annual concerto competition as well as receiving the Honors in Music Performance Award. Having started his musical studies at the age of 7, Chan is currently a music instructor in the hopes of influencing numerous people to enjoy classical music. His teaching career began during his academic studies educating toddlers to adults of various levels; mostly teaching music theory and individual piano lessons.
Voice, Piano, Theory, Drama
Aleksandra Denda
Aleksandra Denda is an internationally recognized NYC-based singer, songwriter and music educator. Over the span of years, she’s been performing and recording throughout USA, Europe, Asia and South America, as a leader and as featured artist in the wide array of musical genres, spanning from Soul to World Music, Brazilian, R&B, and Jazz. She worked with American Idol's Michael Lynche (aka Big Mike) as his background vocalist, recorded with the flamenco star Jose Merce on the Latin Grammy nominated album Mi Unica Llave, performed at the Global celebration of International Jazz Day at Dupont Circle, in Washington DC, sharing the stage with jazz luminaries Dee Dee Bridgewater and Herbie Hancock. Aleksandra spent a Summer in India in 2015, teaching as Artist in Residence at New Delhi's Global Music Institute, as well as performing with some of India's finest fusion musicians with project PATHWAYS that she formed with pianist Aman Mahajan. She is a Director of the First International Contemporary Music Competition for Young Musicians in the Balkans - The Best Musical Mind. In 2017 she joined a new international project - Jan Kus and The SlavoRican Assembly, an eclectic group that combines musical traditions from the Balkans and Slavic folk songs with the musical traditions of the Caribbean, synthesizing them seamlessly in a never-before-heard, attractive, heartfelt and powerful rhythmical mix. Along with her performing career Ms Denda has over 15 years of teaching experience. Her high professionalism, extensive classical background and dedication are inspiring numerous students of all ages and levels.
Winds, Piano, Theory, Guitar
Sergej Avanesov
Sergej Avanesov (saxophone, clarinet, flute, piano, theory) started playing saxophone at very early age.
Having completed his undergraduate studies in Russia, Sergej continued his education in Netherlands' Prince Clause Conservatoire. Here he studied with Don Braden, Miguel Martinez and John Clayton. Mr.Avanesov continued his academic and teaching career after moving to NY and receiving his Degrees from Queens College's Aaron Copland School of music. Sergej is performing locally and around the world with different bands and solo, participating in many festivals such as Idstein jazz Festival in Germany, Amphion and Bimhuis Jazz Fests in Netherlands, touring in Russia, Korea, Italy. Sergej's teaching motto is always pushing students towards their goals with making every lesson fun and enjoyable for all ages and levels. All students, from beginner 6 years olds to undergraduate advanced levels like his teaching style - always patient, engaging, passionate and fun.
Dance
Christie Voznak
Ms. Christie Voznak is a Dance educator and mentor committed to creating positive, memorable and share-worthy experiences surrounding dance while cultivating technical prowess and cultural appreciation for the arts. In her own words: “In my classes, I promote the qualities of inclusion, celebration, communication, understanding, empowerment and empathy to build positive associations with practicing the arts.”
She specializes in ballet (including Pointe) precision jazz and musical theatre.
Ms. Vozniak’s experience includes being Ballet Mistress for Nutcracker production in conjunction with Moscow Ballet. Her awards and Scholarships include Full Scholarship for Teachers program with National Dance Institute founded by NYCB’s Jacques d’ Ambroise, Jeff Capitola Scholarship for Dance ability and professionalism, 2017 Radio City Rockettes Summer intensive, Fiscally sponsored Artist Through Fractured Arms programming for underserved communities in dance.
Violin, Viola
Yoon Jung Hwang
Yoon Jung Hwang started her violin studies at the age of 4. She was admitted to Shenyang Conservatory of Music in China when she was 12 years old. During her time there she was awarded many scholarships for excelling academically and musically. After studying at the Shenyang Conservatory of Music, Yoon Jung was admitted to several colleges in the United States in 2014. Yoon Jung decided to transfer to the Aaron Copland School of Music at the Queens College where she studied with Daniel Phillips to obtain her degree. She is the recipient of LeFrak Fund/Endowment Scholarship and Cantor S. Katz Scholarship Fund, and Benno and Evelyn Feldmann-Ansbacher Fund. She has had masterclasses with Yura Lee, Gregory Fulkerson, and Lewis Kaplan. In 2018 she worked at the New York Big Apple International Music Festival as assistant chamber coach and played at the Lake Tahoe Music Festival. In 2019 and joined the Chamber Music Center of New York as viola counselor.
Art
Ethel Rodriguez
Ethel Rodriguez is an art teacher and art educator. She currently holds a BFA in Fine Arts and a BA in Art Education from Queens College. Ethel is an AT-BC Candidate at Southwestern University and hopes to work and research in the Art Therapy field in the future. Her classes for older students are technique based, with an emphasis on art making, development of muscle memory, observational skills and overall refinement of existing skills. Classes for younger students focus on shorter projects, often based on exploration of various artists works, focusing on skill building with various mediums as well as development of fine motor skills. Focused techniques are introduced, such as blending oil pastels or pencils, watercolor and acrylic paint.
“Creativity is a way of sharing your soul with the world.”
Brené Brown
Music, Dance & Art School of Douglaston proudly serves the following areas:
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Queens, New York City, Nassau County, Long Island, Douglaston, Little Neck, Great Neck, Great Neck Gardens, Great Neck Estates, Roslyn, Roslyn Hills, Roslyn Estates, Lake Success, University Gardens, Port Washington, Manhasset, Manhasset Hills, East Hills, New Hyde Park, North New Hyde Park, Garden City, Fresh Meadows, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Bay Terrace, Oakland Gardens, Jamaica Estates, Hollis Hills, Glen Oaks, Glen Oaks Village, Elmont, Floral Park, Bellerose, Bellerose Manor, Valley Stream, Rosedale, Cambria Heights, Queens Village, Whitestone, Auburndale, Flushing, Malba, and more!