Testimonials
Believe in Music Studio Earned multiple Google and Facebook Five-Star Reviews.
You don’t need to take our word. Below are all of our Google Reviews!
More than 1,100 people now like and follow Believe in Music Studio Facebook pages!
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Gmail:hendrickjennifer550@gmail.comread more
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Without exaggeration, Marina completely changed my life. When I started with her at 11 years old, I had already been playing for several years, though I had little to show for it. I barely knew how to read music, let alone sightread. With the perfect mix of compassion and patience, Marina taught me to sightread and worked on my technical skills, practicing etudes and short exercises. (She even gave me a sticker for each one I did well – almost funny what a huge motivator that was for me, but wow, I wish adults got stickers sometimes!) Beyond technical skills, we also played a lot of fun songs together, like the Pink Panther Theme and the Entertainer. Slowly, she began to build my love for sitting down at the piano and dispel my aversion to practicing.
The next year, I did my first Royal School of Music exam in grade three. It involved learning scales and scale patterns, sightreading, three performance pieces, and an aural exam. The level of rigor involved in preparing students for this exam is unmatched by conventional recital preparation at most studios, which explains why Marina consistently has the most students in our area taking the exam. Where other teachers may be able to prepare one or two students a year, Marina prepares several times that number, with most of her students not only passing the exam, but also achieving marks of merit and the highest distinction. When I took my fourth grade exam, I passed with the highest mark in three states, thanks to Marina. Even when I left that exam, I felt so happy that I told my dad he’d never have to tell me to practice piano again – Marina successfully made me fall in love with music.
With Marina by my side, we prepared for six Royal School exams together (including a very difficult theory exam before grade six) – all the way to the last grade: grade eight. By that time, I had to know each scale, arpeggio, and any scale pattern imaginable. The sightreading was not a line or two, but pages. The prepared pieces were Bach preludes and fugues, Chopin etudes, and lengthy Beethoven pieces. The aural exam had me sight singing bizarre intervals and guessing notes without looking down at the keys. All that to say, the exam really was unbelievably challenging. By that time, I was a senior in high school, focusing on AP exams and college applications – and truthfully, it was only because of Marina’s dedication that I was able to pass that exam at all.
Though this emphasis on the exams may seem like the lessons are solely focused on technical skills, nothing could be further from the truth. Marina is an incredibly passionate person, and aims to build that same passion for music in her students. She understands that music is not just meant to be played with proficiency, no – it is to be played with feeling, with deep emotion, a human touch. This is something I struggled with for some time. To help me, Marina would make up background stories for the music we were playing, as if I were playing the soundtrack to a movie. She would encourage me to move my body with the music instead of sitting like a frozen board with moving fingers. She taught me to play with passion. This mix of technical skills and passion for playing is what made music become such an integral part of who I am. Finally! My piano lessons were something to look forward to, a place where I would be greeted by someone who really just wanted to give me the gift of music.
In high school, I had quit many of the other demanding activities in my life, so I threw myself into music. Though I played clarinet in wind ensemble and symphonic band, playing piano in jazz band, the rock band, and in the pit orchestra was where I felt most like the best version of myself. I made all my friends through the music groups I was in, and I was able to get into them because of the base that Marina had already given me. Playing in these groups completely shaped my high school experience – which is why I say again, to no uncertain degree, that Marina changed my life.
Amid all this, Marina prepared me for piano competitions and other performances. She also set up many charity concerts across the years to help various causes. Her love and passion for music guides her many initiatives from performing concerts of Beatles music in nursing homes, to raising funds for music programs in Houston after Hurricane Harvey sent many schools into debt.
Graduating high school and moving away to college was made more difficult by the fact that I had to stop lessons with Marina. Undoubtedly, however, her influence continued there, where I played piano seven musical pit orchestras, even though almost everyone else I played with was from the university conservatory. I even musically directed a show, where the music theory that Marina taught me came into particular good use! Desperate not to stray too far from my roots, I minored in Music as well. Once again, through music, I found a community at college and a new home. I really don’t know what high school and college would have been like if I hadn’t stepped into the Believe in Music studio all those years ago.
Now in 2018, I am 24, two years removed from college. I practice piano when I visit my parents, but of course access to a piano is an issue. I’m not nearly as good as I was under Marina’s pedagogy, but my love of music remains. Because of her teaching, I’m able to sit down at a piano, look at some sheet music, and play my heart out. It might not always sound great, but it’s still a lot of fun. Who knows – when the time comes, maybe my lessons will start again.
And if you think I’m crazy for writing this much about a piano teacher, then you haven’t met Marina!read more
Thank you ,Marina . You have been the greatest music teacher and worm person we ever knewread more
Amazing school, great teachers, atmosphere of enthusiasm and inspiration ! Teachers bring up the best in our kids ! – Irina Shevchuk
My daughter has been taking lessons at Believe in Music Studio for 3 years and she really loves taking Piano lessons at the music studio. We have seen great progress in her work ! She likes Ms Marina and her gentle, disciplined, passionate and thorough approach towards teaching kids. It’s a great place to kindle love for music and we love the atmosphere and teaching methods at Believe in Music Studio 🎼🎹. Thanks you Marina Belkin for positively influencing our Kids 💖 – Reshma Nankani
Marina is an extremely talented pianist but most importantly she is a wonderful and AMAZING teacher. She puts her heart and soul into her students. Marina is truly the key to success! Her support starts from the beginning and continues throughout every aspects of the competition. She is always there for my kids supporting and encouraging them to do their best. For the past 5 years she taught them to appreciate music and how to express themselves through music and most importantly to play with heart and emotions. I am so grateful for Marina to be in my kids life as a person and as their music teacher! – Alexa Elyash
This has been long overdue to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Mrs. Marina Belkin. She has been such a great influence on my daughters life in the past decade. My daughter joined her music school while she was in second grade and now she is ready to graduate high school. Piano has been an important part of her life, thanks to Mrs. Marina who instilled all that passion in her. Marina is very talented and even more than that, ever so passionate about her teaching which is highly contagious, not only to the students but also the parents. Under her immaculate guidance, my daughter got the chance to play in several concerts and multiple exams and none of that would have been possible without Marina guiding her every step of the way. From the Federation exam to the ABRSM and even the ABRSM theory exam, Marina always took the time to make sure Kirti was 100% ready. She instilled so much confidence in my daughter with her passionate way of teaching and I am ever so grateful for that. We highly recommend her to anyone who is already passionate about piano or is even a beginner who wants to further their passion – Subhathra Karunanithi
Marina has been a wonderful piano teacher for my son over the past few years. While her instruction is excellent, she takes it up a couple of notches by a big dose of enthusiasm and her knowledge of the music and its history. While my son is the student, our entire family is enriched by the experience. Thank you Marina! – Rajesh Kandaswamy
Ms. Marina Belkin is extremely talented, highly skilled, passionate music teacher but besides all of her high qualifications, great, caring and good-hearted person!!! It has been 6 years since our son has joined the school. Because of her hard work, dedication, patience and compassion for music he has progressed so much that he has achieved a Superior Rating in piano playing for 5 years in the row. She motivates him and pushes him to the best of his abilities. Because of her, he has developed passion for music himself. Believe in music studio is an excellent and highly recommended music school! We feel very lucky to be a part of it! – Martina Szotak
Marina is an amazing piano teacher and my daughter has been with her for 7 years and going. She is extremely passionate about music and teaching it to her 
students with the same amount of passion. She inspires them and drives them to the best of their abilities and instills the importance of practice in learning the music. I consider my daughter very lucky to have found such a wonderful teacher. – Subhathra Ganesan
Marina is a very passionate teacher and once she spots talent and dedication, works with the student and parents to bring out the best in the child! She pays great attention to detail and encourages children to perform to their highest potential! While homework and practice can take a lot of time, efforts by the students and Marina together result in great outcomes and higher self-confidence and motivation for the children! We are so happy we found Believe in Music Studio when we moved to NJ 3.5 years ago. – Sangeetha Sivasubramani
My kids developed an appreciation for music and learned to play the piano here. It is a challenging and an exceptionally rewarding experience! In addition to classes, Ms.Marina gets the kids involved in performing, and playing at different venues(she also prepares students for the super coveted Royal School of Music exam). The studio organizes trips to the opera and other events. Ms. Marina became a true friend to my children and I fully credit her with fostering the love for music my kids have today. – Mariya Pinskaya 
Marina is extremely talented and an excellent piano teacher. She does not only relate to her students, but also helps them reach their true potential. I have three in the studio, 9, 12 and a 13-year-old. They ALL love her! In fact, they tell me that what is remarkable about her, is that she pays attention to detail and makes sure that they perfect every song she teaches them. Her standards are high and she makes sure that her students will be successful. A truly gifted, passionate, positive, nurturing and qualified piano teacher! – Eliana Antoniou
My son has been going to Marina’s studio for years. Over his early years of playing, he has faced a lot of challenges and struggled in learning music. But because of Marina’s patience, her support, her respect for him as a person, her truly belief in him and her unique approach of how to make him love music…. he has never given up and started enjoying music and playing piano with pleasure. Thank you Marina for staying with us for all difficult and less difficult years! – Olga Ekelova
Excellent school! Marina is very gifted and cares deeply about the development of her students. My nephews have been attending this school for about 4 years and I can honestly say I am truly impressed with their progression over the years. This is a testament of Marina’s dedication and commitment to their success. – I’Am Camilla
Not only is Marina talented and a great coach to her students but a down to earth person who understands her students’ capabilities and builds on them. She is a warm person who has a great love for music and desire to teach. She has already achieved a lot and lots more to come. Good luck Marina and all the best. – Gillian Desousa
Marina is an excellent and artistic piano teacher who can bring out the best in students. She can identify areas to improve and design a plan for my daughter to overcome weakness and achieve an amazing result. When I was looking for a piano teacher for my daughter, she was highly recommended to me by ABRSM representative. We are glad we have found Marina. My daughter loves Marina and enjoys taking lessons from her! – Celine Hu
Believe in Music Studio is an is an incredible place of musical and lyrical learning. The teachers are phenomenal, patient and help you fulfill your melodic potential. Thank you for unleashing my creative side! – Maya Schnaider
Excellent Music School. Marina and her teachers are excellent and very dedicated. Marina knows how to engage the kids and helps them to reach their full potential. She also communicates very well with the parents. – Nuray Kucukarslan
Our family deeply appreciate the high professional level of Marinas Music Studio. You thought our grandchildren to enjoy and understand music and piano art.
Thank you, Marina. You have been the greatest music teacher and person we ever knew – Adelaida Elyash
Mrs. Belkin is welcoming and creates an outstanding musical atmosphere in the studio. She is very talented and has a lot of teaching knowledge. – Majd Ismail
Marina is an incredible musician and teacher. Her skill and care are truly unmatched. I feel so lucky to have found her! – Lauren Rifkin Yokèd
Marina is a wonderful teacher my grandson look forward to practice every week.He has made great improvement over the years. She is very good with kids – Norma Burton
Mrs. Belkin is very welcoming and creates phenomenal music. She is very talented and has a lot of musical knowledge for her students. – SB Park
An excellent studio with well-qualified teachers and nice atmosphere! Your success is their success. Highly recommend! – Marina Zats
