"It has been a complete pleasure to have had Oksana as my piano instructor for the past six years. She has significally aided in my development as a well-rounded and confident pianist.

Oksana exposed me to many different composers and styles of music to enhance my repertoire and broaden my knowledge of the piano's history... During this past year we worked in preparation for university auditions, allowing me to gain acceptance into the University of Toronto's Piano Performance Program.

She is always organized, prepared and eager to work...She has been crucial in developing my musicality and is always open to my own interpretations of the pieces she has suggested I approach. She is a kind and caring teacher and I would recommend her for any student of any age and experience level."

Shane O'Regan.

"In my experience, Oksana Zotova is an ideal teacher for all self-motivated piano students. She has excellent analytical skills which enable her to solve the technical problems of students at all levels. As a piano virtuoso, she can easily demonstrate virtually any playing technique, as well as all aspects of musical interpretation.

She is exceptionally talented, intelligent and open-minded, and is willing to teach students of all ages, from beginners to advanced pianists. She allows each student to advance at his or her own pace, an approach which helps to ensure rapid progress for highly motivated students.

She places emphasis on teaching students to think for themselves and to understand musical interpretation, so that they can develop as independent musicians. In addition, she is always willing and able to answer any questions that students may have.

I feel that anyone who is serious about improving their level in playing the piano would be very fortunate in having her for a teacher."

Mary Ansell.

"Over the years Oksana has been a musical inspiration to my children and to me.

I am very impressed by Oksana's knowledge and professionalism. She certainly is gifted at making piano fascinating to children no matter their age or gender. Her lessons are relaxing, yet her goals are high as far as developing technique and art for each of the pieces she teaches. Oksana often sets the historical context in which the pieces were developed, making them come alive to the imagination of the children. Relating music to life events helps the children realize why they are playing the piece in a certain emotional manner.

Oksana is very patient and takes the time necessary to make students feel as comfortable as possible about performing in a professional manner. Her calm, firm but understated approach is always accompanied by a smile and a very pleasant sense of humour.

I very much admire her ability to inspire a work ethic; even during periods that home practice became more laborious she was able to guide my children to improvement in a positive fashion.

We will truly miss her. I hope that she will continue to make piano come alive to students through her teaching and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a wonderful mentor."

Cecile Chavy.

"Oksana is a fantastic piano teacher... She was always careful to point out the things we had done well, before giving us suggestions for improvement... She was always patient and kind, but at the same time exacting about phrasing, dynamics, timing and other subtleties.

Oksana encouraged us to discern the character (emotion) of a piece, and then to play the piece in that character. This is something that was neglected by our previous teachers, and we really appreciated Oksana's ability to communicate these ideas. Oksana is also very good at helping you to get a particular sound out of the piano. She gets many ideas across by analogy, and she is a master at inventing these.

Because Oksana allowed me to stay and watch my daughter's lesson, I witnessed first how she tailors her teaching style to suit either children or adults. I appreciated Oksana's detailed verbal critique, her historical perspective and her perseverance with my shaping and technique.

We both feel very lucky to have had Oksana as a teacher."

Julie Horrocks.

"They (my daughters) have both thrived under her teaching and we feel very privileged to have known her. She adapts her teaching techniques to suit the age and personality of each student. ... We knew it was a rare opportunity to have someone of her calibre available teach children.

We would highly recommend Ms. Zotova as a brilliant performing artist, an exceptional teacher and a wonderful person. Her work ethic and dedication both to her personal artistic development and her students was unmatched at the MCPA and we will sorely miss her."

G. Franklyn Hiscock.
Margaret W. McBride.

"Ms. Zotova is passionate, dedicated teacher and is serious about sharing her love for the piano with students. I am always impressed with her insightful observations on the music and her many practical suggestions for tackling those challenging passages that are the bane of every student's experience.

My daughter has developed a love for the piano and devotion to practicing each day. This I believe is a true testament to Oksana's talents and patience with teaching young children. We thank her for her assistance and perseverance in getting her to this level.

I respect Oksana for many of her qualities but most of all because she is able to connect with her students and customize their piano lessons according to their strengths. I highly recommend Oksana Zotova as a piano teacher and am envious of her future students who can experience her contagious passion and love for music first hand."

Andrea Fader.

"I am writing to highly recommend Oksana as an excellent piano teacher. Oksana is always patient and gentle, while encouriging my son to do his best. For our son, Oksana's flexibility in allowing him to choose pieces of music that interest him or finding music that will interest him has been very important. She is able to blend the traditional lesson type music with fun pieces to keep his interest. I have been impressed with how she is able to push him at times when he is open to this and support him more gently when he is struggling. She has also taught him ear training and theory using games and fun exercises so that he is always happy to go to his lessons.

If you have the opportunity for her to teach your child, I recommend that you take it. I am sure you will be happy with this decision."

Beth Cummings, MD.

"Oksana was very encouraging, patient, and supportive. She helped me understand the context of the pieces I learned to play, and to appreciate the beauty of the music... In summary, I give Oksana Zotova my highest recommendation, and know that she will be an asset to your organization and the students she teaches."

Tanya Murray.

"In five years my son went from the start to level "8" RCM. He won several awards and scholarships under Oksana Zotova's instruction. I found her to be an excellent and personable teacher. I would recommend her to any other parent as a responsible and reliable person."

Migyeong Son.

"In the one year I have known Oksana Zotova I have been impressed with her dedication to her students. She has been an excellent piano teacher for my two children and demonstrated patience, professionalism and compassion during every lesson. "

Kelsie Studley.

"A great many students will be saddened to lose their cherished teacher as well. Beyond mere volume of work, Oksana has made this Conservatory the better for her artistry and uncompromising quality of teaching and performance."

Janet Hull,
Director of Development,
Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts.

"Oksana Zotova has been a valued member of our senior piano faculty and her departure would be a considerable loss for our institution. She is an exceptionally fine pianist, musician, and teacher, and I am able to give only the highest of praise to Ms. Zotova's abilities."

Ifan Williams,
Former Artistic and Administrative Director,
Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts.