Faculty
Marina Belkin – Piano and Music Theory Teacher, ABRSM Examination Preparation
Marina Belkin was born in Russia and began to study piano at the age of 5. As a gifted child, she gave her debut performance with the Symphonic Orchestra at the age of 10. Since then, she has appeared as a soloist with the National Symphonic Orchestra on numerous philharmonic stages, arranged CDs, led workshops, and attended several conferences, including the UNESCO summit for “Woman Rights to Education”, held in the United Nations.
Formally, Marina received her BA and MA at the Baku State Conservatory and a Master of Musical Creative Education from Bar-Ilan University in Tel Aviv. Additionally, Marina was awarded a Certificate for Advanced Training from the Center for Music in Princeton University.
Marina has shared her love of music over 30 rich years as a piano teacher with much success in Russia, Israel and the United States. She has taught at the Israeli Conservatory in Tel-Aviv where she founded and directed a busy music studio. Since moving to the United States, Marina has served on the faculties of several schools in the position of musical director and coordinator and has composed music for educational CDs.
Marina Belkin’s students have participated in ABRSM exams and have won dozens of the international competitions. Marina is the winner of numerous teaching awards and honors including the 2008 and 2017 Plaque Award of the ABRSM (for teaching at the highest distinction mark).
Marina received numerous awards from:
– Concert Festival International Competition
– Golden Key Music Festival
– Grand Prize Virtuoso International Competition
– “Danubia Talents” International Competition
– Crescendo International Music Competition
– Little Mozart International Music Competition
– Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition
– Rocky Mountain Music Competition
– National League of Performing Arts
– The International Young Musicians Festivals “Passion of Music”.
Marina is trilingual and takes pride in shaping students who have grown up to become musicians or simply people who fill their lives with the joy of music.
Yuliy Kushnir – Piano & Saxophone Instructor
Yuliy Kushnir is a dedicated educator and accomplished performer with over 30 years of experience in musical education, performance, and administration. He began his musical journey at the age of five, starting with piano lessons that ignited his passion for music. Yuliy graduated with a gold medal from the renowned Prokofiev Music School in Moscow and was later accepted into a special music school for gifted children. He pursued further studies at the Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow, earning a Master’s degree in Saxophone and a college degree in both piano and saxophone.
At 25, Yuliy relocated to Israel, where he enriched the local music scene by performing in various ensembles. As piano and saxophone teacher, Yuliy successfully prepared students for international competitions, and his mentorship led one student to win Third place in an international piano competition in Boston. Yuliy also served as musical director at the Yoanna Jabotinsky Youth Village, where he managed musical ensembles, supervised music teachers, and organized student exchange programs to the USA.
His professional experience includes performing as a saxophonist and pianist with the Mossovet Theater in Moscow, managing the Master Show Band in Israel, and teaching at various conservatories. In August 2024, Yuliy moved to the United States, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a passion for teaching.
In addition to his love for music, Yuliy enjoys cooking and traveling, finding inspiration in diverse cultures and cuisines.
Tsuyoshi Furutsu – Guitar Teacher / Jazz Guitarist / Singing Guitarist
“Skillful guitar playing…an excellent musician.” – Scott Reeves, Trombonist /Author Creative Jazz Improvisation.
Up-and-coming guitarist Tsuyoshi Furutsu from Japan is fast becoming a fixture on the New York jazz scene. The Tsuyoshi Furutsu Quartet has performed at top New York venues such as the legendary 55 Bar in Greenwich Village. Other notable engagements include: The Four Seasons Restaurant, The Museum of Natural History, The Rubin Museum of Art, and other private events too numerous to mention.
Tsuyoshi has played for the Broadway Concerts Direct Series in Wurtsboro, NY produced by Broadway star Sarah Rice. He has also accompanied jazz singers Julie Holtzman, Nobuko Kiryu, Pamela Knowles, amongst others. In addition to leading his own quartet, Tsuyoshi has appeared regularly in NYC at Alouette French Bistro in Upper West Side and Jerry’s Café in TriBeCa in a duo with vocalist Alexandra Frederick. He also has performed in duos with guitarist Satoshi Inoue, and bassists Tom Hubbard and Debbie Kennedy. As a singer-songwriter / singing guitarist, he has performed at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House CARE Program, Composer’s Voice Concert Series directed by Douglas DaSilva, and has sung for many charity events.
Tsuyoshi made his way onto the jazz and pop/funk music circuits in Tokyo in the early1990’s. There he attracted attention performing with other notable musicians, such as rising Latin music star vocalist Kyoko Yamamoto, and as a member of groups such as the original Hip Hop Club Band. Tsuyoshi was a winner in the Mazda Urban Jazz Contest. His group performed at the Parthenon Tama Jazz Festival, in a double feature with the legendary guitarist Kazumi Watanabe.
In the mid ‘90’s Tsuyoshi relocated to the U.S. to pursue jazz studies and has recently gained a Masters degree in jazz performance. A graduate of both The New School and City College music schools in New York, he studied with jazz legends such as Ron Carter, John Patitucci, Peter Bernstein and Gene Bertoncini. Tsuyoshi has been engaged for a number of private events at City College, is the recipient of several awards and scholarships, and has coached undergraduate jazz ensembles.
Tsuyoshi’s virtuosity runs the gamut from blues, bossa and latin, to bebop, funk and swing. In addition, he has performed and recorded a number of his original compositions. Equally comfortable as leader, soloist or sideman, Tsuyoshi Furutsu is at home in any musical setting.
Tsuyoshi also has been teaching guitar for 16 years. He teaches guitar skills and music theory at all levels, from youngsters to adults.
Irina Rindzuner – Voice and Piano Master Classes
Irina Rindzuner is an American dramatic soprano who has appeared in leading roles at many of the world’s major opera companies and has received great critical acclaim from international publications.
The title role of Turandot is Irina Rindzuner’s signature role as she has sung it 84 times in theaters across the globe. Most notable appearances include such theaters as Gran Teatro Puccini, Den Norske Opera, Teatro Municipal de Santiago de Chile, Minnesota Opera, National Lyric Opera of New York, Opéra Nice Côte d’Azur, Saarländisches Staatstheater, Braunschweig Staatstheater and many others. The New York Times has described that Ms. Rindzuner appearance as Turandot at the Dicapo Opera Theater has “earned her a rousing ovation”. She covered the role at the Metropolitan Opera in the 20/21 season. This season Ms. Rindzuner sings her signature role at Ural Opera Theater in Ekaterinburg.
Another role which has given Irina Rindzuner great critical acclaim is Manon Lescaut. She has performed this role at Tulsa Opera, the Teatro di Casal Maggiore, New Jersey Verismo Opera, and with the New York Choral Society, Mid-America Productions at Carnegie Hall, the Puerto Rico Symphony, and the Silesian Philharmonic. The New York post praised her performance as “creamy, sensuously sung and eloquently acted”.
As Abigaille (Nabucco), Irina Rindzuner she has appeared at Passionstheater Oberammergau Summer Festival, Erfurt Opera and Ural Opera. Her interpretation of this role has “generated goosebumps” (Der Neue Merker).
Ms. Rindzuner’s extensive repertoire includes the roles of Santuzza (Cavalleria Rusticana) in which she appeared at the New York Lyric Opera and Katerina Izmailova (The Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk) which she sang at Theater Lübeck. She appeared in the title role of Aida at Staatstheater Braunschweig. She sung the roles of Leonora (Il Trovatore) at Landestheater Linz, Minnie (La fanciulla del West) at L’Opera de Montreal, Amelia (Un ballo in maschera) at Performing Arts Center of New Jersey. At the Ural Opera Theater, Irina Rindzuner has performed the roles of Senta (Der Fliegende Holländer), Yaroslavna (Prince Igor), Lisa (Pique Dame), The Foreign Princess (Rusalka), Natasha (Three Sisters) and Katerina (The Greek Passions).
A favorite with the New York City Ballet, Ms. Rindzuner performed the Russian Seasons in London, Copenhagen and New York.
Dika Philosoph – Voice and Piano Teacher
Dika Philosoph is an opera and pop opera singer with 18 years of experience. She started singing at the age of 6, and at 9 years old she started to play the piano and violin. Despite her talents across multiple instruments, singing was always her passion; thus, at the age of 14, she began intensive voice training for classical music.
Throughout her career, Dika has had many famous teachers from different countries, including the Vocal Chairman of the Bucharest Music University, Olimpia Urs, Metropolitan Opera’s Olga Makarina, Manhattan School of Music’s Trish MCafree, New Israeli Opera’s international singer Larisa Tetuev, and other renowned artists and directors. She graduated from the National University of Music in Bucharest.
Dika has performed in numerous opera roles as a Member of the Studio of New Israeli Opera. She was the lead soprano on the “Sopranos” pop opera show organized by Nansi Brandes, the composer, conductor, piano player, and stand-up comedian who she worked with for eight years.
Dika has participated in and sang live on TV and radio shows in Romania and Israel, and performed in many concerts in Israel, Romania, Japan and Switzerland. She has also worked with great orchestras and conductors like David Stern, George Pahlivanian, and Nir Kabaretti.
Dika has closely collaborated with Sonia Mazar, the Artistic Director of the International Master Class in Jerusalem and piano-vocal coach, on many projects, concerts, and recitals.
Dika works with students to improve vocal and breathing technique and develop the voice for an accurate, precise pitch with minimal effort. She teaches many genres of music, including pop, R&B, and jazz and works closely with students to choose a repertoire that will fit their voice range and singing ability. She also coaches singers for studio recordings and has tutored for competitions, concerts, and exams.
Apart from music, Dika’s passions include traveling, tennis, and animals.
