Irina Gorin

Piano Studio Founder

Mrs. Irina Gorin has a far-reaching impact on music in the State of Indiana! Every year, her piano students win prizes in local, state, national, and international competitions, including many prizes at the World Piano Competition in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Graduating from music college in 1983, and the Conservatory of Kharkov in 1989, she worked extensively as a teacher in children’s music school in the Ukraine, developing her own teaching method, before immigrating to the United States in 1993, and establishing herself as a private piano teacher in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mrs. Gorin currently has 30 students of her own and 50 that are taught by her faculty of advanced students, graduates, and professional piano teachers. She also offers group theory classes for all ages, teaching lessons, and master classes for advanced students. Former students are currently pursuing majors in Performance and Pedagogy at Butler University, Ohio University, Hillsdale, and Pensacola University.

She currently teaches from her Carmel, Indiana home, where she utilizes a classroom that is well equipped for private lessons, group lessons, and sound recording. Just off of this room, she maintains a waiting room for her students’ parents and siblings, where they can relax, read books and magazines, or watch television.

She has written a theory book for use in teaching theory at all levels, and a piano method book of her own "Tales of a Musical Journey" .

Mrs. Gorin holds Masters Degrees in Piano Performance, Piano Pedagogy, Chamber Ensemble, and Accompaniment.

Olga Lukantsov

Piano Teacher

Fortunate to have been born into a musical family, Olga's love for music developed very early with family gatherings around the piano, singing and playing ensembles.  At the age of 5, after beginning to pick out tunes by ear, she was enrolled in formal lessons with a local Music College professor in Kherson, Ukraine. 

In addition to developing her piano skills, Olga also displayed a love for singing and the creative art of composition, and at age 11 she had the opportunity to debut with an orchestra playing her original composition. Upon completing the Music School in Ukraine, Olga moved to US for her high school years. 

During this time she gained extensive accompanying experience with choirs, vocalists and instrumentalists, as well as ensemble experience playing with an orchestra and jazz band.  Olga went on to pursue Piano Performance at Wheaton College, where she continued her studies in composition and sang in choirs, musicals, and operas.  She later transferred to Indiana University to complete her Bachelor's Degree.  Her teachers include Galina Kartuzova, Elizabeth Seidel, Daniel Paul Horn, and Alexander Djordjevic. She has participated in master classes with Endre Hegedus and Olga Kern, who is still one of her biggest musical inspirations. 
Olga loves teaching all ages and levels of piano, and finds it valuable to continue her personal musical growth through observation and participations in pedagogical organizations. She is passionate in guiding her students to achieve their potential and discover the artistry of musical expression through natural technique.

Natalia Sokolova

Piano Teacher

Natalia Sokolova is an award-winning teacher with 30 years of experience. She started her teaching career after graduation with an associate degree in fortepiano from the Kharkov Music & Theatre College in 1974. While working, she went on to receive her Masters Degree from the National Conservatory in Kharkov and continued teaching in the Professional School of Music for 20 years before coming to the United States.

Her extensive knowledge and experience allow her to connect with students on many levels and lead them to develop to the best of their abilities. Natalia’s students have taken awards from local and international competitions and many have chosen a career in piano teaching.

Piano Teacher

Currently completing her Performer’s Diploma at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, Haruka Ostojic has years of experience in teaching piano and music to various ages of different backgrounds, approaching each student uniquely to meet individual needs.

She has earned Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Piano Performance at IU under the guidance of Professor Luba Edlina-Dubinsky.  During her Master’s studies, she has been appointed as an associate instructor to teach undergraduates privately as well as group classes.

In Bloomington, Haruka is a teacher for the Young Pianists Program (a pre-college program) and also has served as an assistant director for Piano Academy of Indiana University.

Studio graduates

Vineeta R.

2011 graduate

I started taking piano lessons when I was just 6 years old. Since then, music has become such a significant part of my everyday life that I can’t imagine not playing piano. I enjoy playing the piano because it gives me a sense of accomplishment, as I see how my diligent practice helps me to move quickly to more advanced pieces. Taking piano lessons also gives me some skills that I can show to other people. One of the things I like the most about piano lessons is playing duets.

 Video

Haley K.

2010 graduate

Haley is 17 years old and in the 11th grade. She has been a student of Mrs. Gorin for about 4 years. Haley has participated in various recitals and competitions throughout the last 4 years. She loves pieces that are written by the composer Grieg.  In 2008, Haley had the opportunity to play at the World Piano Competition and counts this as one of her most memorable moments.  Some of her other interest include participating in The Northpoint Choir, dancing, and playing Volleyball for the Northeastern Tigers.  

 Video

Carly is an honor student at Carmel High School.  She has been studying with Irina Gorin for nine years and has competed successfully in ISSMA, CYO, IPTA, Matinee Musicale and the National Guild Auditions. Carly has performed several pieces during worship services at the church and has accompanied instrumentalists in other performances.  She currently enjoys teaching beginning piano students for Irina Gorin Piano Studio.

 Video

Jason J.

2008 graduate. Duke University

Jason Jiang, 17, graduated from Carmel High School in 2008. He has
been taking piano ever since he was young, and has been a student of
Gorin's Piano Studio for five years. Jason enjoys piano very much, and
has competed and placed in numerous local, state, and national
competitions, including the World Piano Competition. Jason also plays
the viola, and was part of Carmel High School's symphony orchestra. In
his free time, he enjoys making music and spending time with his
friends. Jason will be attending Duke University in the fall of 2008
where he will pursue studies in pre-medicine.

Grieg. Concerto in a minor. First movement-Cadenza

Sylvia Y.

2007 graduate. IU. Business School

Sylvia is a freshman at Indiana University with the intention of double majoring in Finance and Marketing and minoring in Political Science. For the past seven years, she has taken piano lessons from Mrs. Gorin where she had the opportunity to participate in numerous piano competitions and learn piano pedagogy. She really enjoyed her experiences teaching piano to beginners, and currently, during her spare time in college, enjoys practicing, even if it's just sightreading or playing songs from previous years.

Grieg. Sonata in e minor (1st movement).

Jami S.

2006 graduate. Hillsdale University. Piano Performance, English

Antigone F.

2006 graduate. Purdue University, Science

I have studied piano for about 10 years with Mrs. Gorin. My favorite music to play is from the Romantic period. I also enjoy contemporary music. I have participated in various piano competitions such as the Matinee Musicale, National Guild auditions, CYO, and Hoosier Auditions. A few of the competitions I have won include the Matinee Musicale, and as a winner of Hoosier Auditions I went to the state level at Ball State University.

In addition to playing, I had also participated in a theory class taught by Mrs. Gorin. It had been very useful in my piano study. I also took Mrs. Gorin’s Piano Pedagogy class (a class where we learn how to teach piano ourselves). I now have nine students who are young beginners. It has been fun to help young children catch my love of music. It has also been helpful for me in my personal playing, because it helps me catch and know how to fix my own errors quicker and easier than I used to be able to do.

Although I do not major in piano , I have really enjoyed the experience of piano playing and teaching, and it will always have a special place in my heart.

  Chopin. Nocturne C# minor

Nirmala R.

2005 graduate. Butler University, Piano Pedagogy

For the past 4 years I have had the privilege of taking piano lessons from Irina Gorin, and have gone from thinking of piano as a mere hobby to seeing it as my future career. Through her private piano lessons, she has truly opened up the world of music to me. Although I had already studied piano with various teachers for 10 years, when I started with Mrs. Gorin I began to see music as much more than notes and rhythms. She worked with me to develop technique skills, artistic expression, and an understanding of music theory. I also discovered the joy of teaching through her apprenticeship training program for advanced students. Through this program, I learned far more by watching an expert at work than I could have learned in years of teaching on my own. As Mrs. Gorin saw my growing interest and talent in teaching, she began to encourage me toward my present goal of studying piano pedagogy at Butler University. As one who came from a nonmusical family, I can testify that this never would have come about without the influence of Irina Gorin, who was not only my piano teacher, but also a very special mentor in my life.

  Chopin. Nocturne E Minor

Eriko S.

2005 graduate. Butler University, Piano Performance

My name is Eriko Sese. I am majoring in Pharmacy and Piano at Butler University since the fall of 2005. Mrs. Gorin has taught me so much over the past years and has helped me to develop a sense of what music is to me. She has influenced and encouraged me to continue learning throughout my life. Music will always be a part of my life, and I plan on excelling further in piano. I have been participating in various competitions over the past few years including: CYO, the Carmel Arts Council, Matinee Musicale, IMTA, the Hoosier Competition, World Piano Competition, MTNA, and ISSMA. I have won CYO, Carmel Arts Council, Matinne Musicale, IMTA, and World Piano Competition.

  Khachaturyan. Toccata

Christen S.

2005 graduate. Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis, Nursing

Christen’s musical focus has been her gift and love for piano. From an early age there was an obvious talent, which Christen has developed through disciplined practice as well as outstanding training. Lessons became a part of her life at age 7 and she has been associated for the past ten years with one of the finest of teachers, Irina Gorin. Through this association, Christen has begun her own piano instruction and currently teaches eight students on a weekly basis as well as three beginning theory classes, training over thirty students on a monthly basis. Her favorite composers are Grieg, Debussy, and Chopin and she enjoys playing music from the Romantic and Contemporary periods.

Christen has won several competitions highlighted by an award of a full scholarship to a week long Butler Piano Camp and second place in level 10 in the Young Artist World Piano Competition giving her the privilege of playing in Carnegie Hall this October. Christen also studies music theory and pedagogy as a part of pursuing her passion for music.

  Grieg. Wedding Day

Tanya A.

2005 graduate. Pensacola Christian College, Piano Pegagogy

Born in Russia on August 21 st, 1985. I came to America in 1998 and have been here for 7 years. I started taking piano lessons when I was 14 years old. I have been taking piano lessons for four and a half years and I like themvery much. I am amazed at the talent that God gave me of playing the piano and that Mrs. Gorin was able to show me that I have it and develop it in me. In my spare time I like to hang out with my friends, read books, cross-stitch and do scrap-booking.

  Bach. Prelude in D

Anjali R.

2004 graduate. Butler University, Piano Performance

I started taking piano lessons when I was about five years old. Although I enjoyed playing, I didn't take music very seriously until I got to high school. When I was about 14, I started taking lessons with Mrs.Gorin. Mrs. Gorin inspired me through her love of music and her excellent teaching. Over the next five years she helped my playing abilities to grow and also coached me as I learned to teach beginning students. By my senior year I was considering pursuing further education in music.

Right now I am currently a senior at Butler University with a major in piano performance. On the side, I enjoy teaching beginning piano students. I am thankful for everything that Mrs. Gorin has done to prepare me for where I am today.