Expertise • Enthusiasm • Excellence

Vera Dumova
Piano

Vera gained her BMus in Music Education and her MMus in Piano Performance from the St. Petersburg (Russia) College-Conservatory of Music. Her primary teachers were William Matygulin and Tatyana Kravchenko

She has maintained her private studio since 1995, teaching piano, music theory/solfege, and music history. From 1992 – 1995 she taught at the Performing Arts Educational Association in Pittsburgh, teaching general music and concepts such theory, melody, interpretation and rhythm, in workshops throughout Pennsylvania.

Since 2004 she has been the piano teacher for the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, where she has developed and implemented individual lesson plans based on each student’s specific needs, aligned with the school’s Fine Arts curriculum. She also prepares students for regular performances both at Perkins, and in community outreach settings such as nursing homes and hospitals.

As a performer, Vera has specialized in accompaniment in a wide variety of settings, both as choral and instrumental accompanist, and in faculty collaborations.

Vera’s philosophy is that developing a connection and relationship with each student, and providing positive and encouraging feedback, is the key to nurturing development and achieving high standards, no matter what challenges the student faces.

Through her work at Perkins, Vera has learned and taught students to read Braille music. She is also a handbell instructor, and has directed handbell choirs of up to 400 people.

Meet Vera

1. How/what age did you start your instrument?
   I started playing piano when I was 5 years old. At age of 15 I decided to become a piano teacher.
2. Did you come from a musical family?
   My parents were not musicians but they both played piano.
3. Best or funniest (or even worst!) musical memory from childhood?
   One of the funniest (maybe worst!!) musical memories from my childhood: due to stage fright I started playing a popular piece two octaves lower. It probably confused the audience, but I played well!
4. A highlight or two from your performing career:
   As a piano accompanist, I accompanied a choir of 200 students during the Eastern School for the Blind Music Festival. As a Handbell ensemble director, I participated in massed ringing (appx 400 ringers) during The Handbell Musicians of America Festival/Conference.
5. What do you love about teaching?
   I like to be creative, and help students to discover their passion for music.
6. What would you like your students to know about you?
   My standards for performance are high, and there is always room for improvement.
7. Can you share a non-musical fun fact about you?
   I have a great sense of humor, and students truly enjoy it.