Exceptional People: Meet Irina Novikova, Head of Keyboard

article Exceptional People Riverside Music

Next up on our #ExceptionalPeople series, we have Irina Novikova, Head of Keyboard, who has been teaching at Shrewsbury Riverside since 2010. She teaches in the classroom from EY2 through Year 13. At Shrewsbury, students begin their lessons and continue with the same teacher until they finish their studies, which often happens in Year 13. In addition to Irina’s 14 years at the school, she has over 40 years of piano-playing experience.

In addition to piano, Irina studied several other musical disciplines, such as composition, analysis of musical forms, methods of teaching piano, and so on. Altogether, there were more than 20 such subjects she studied in her formal education. She graduated with a Master’s degree in 2001 from the National Music Pedagogical University, named after Ippolitova-Ivanova in Moscow, Russia. She received her highest qualification as a piano teacher from the Ministry of Music and Culture in Moscow, and she recently earned her doctorate.

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. As a child, I loved school and the learning process, so choosing my profession was easy. However, I had to decide what I wanted to teach—piano, literature or chemistry. I consider my profession to be the best: I work with children, rejoice in their successes and growth, and help them progress, all while being surrounded by beautiful and diverse music,” Irina shared.

When asked what the most rewarding aspect of being a piano teacher is, Irina said, “Witnessing the growth and transformation of my students. Seeing them progress from their first single notes to performing complex pieces with confidence is incredibly fulfilling. Additionally, the strong relationships I build with my students and their families, the trust they place in me, and the joy we share in their successes make my role as a teacher proud and happy. Knowing that I have had a positive impact on their musical journey and personal development is what makes this profession so rewarding.”

Irina’s teaching approach considers each student’s individual abilities, preferences, pace of learning and goals. She notes that the motivation to keep on playing can be difficult, as playing the piano is an additional education that requires a consistent training regime, diligence and effort to overcome challenges.

“At Shrewsbury, we are fortunate to have numerous highly educated teachers and accomplished musicians, fostering an environment of excellence. Our school is also home to many talented students, whose abilities are nurtured by supportive parents. Most importantly, the unwavering support from the school itself plays a crucial role in the success of our unique and outstanding music department. This strong foundation allows us to provide exceptional musical education and cultivate a vibrant community of musicians,” Irina reflected on how the school’s support for the music department has been integral over the years.

In addition to technical skills, Irina believes in instilling self-confidence in her students as well. “I believe that building confidence is crucial for success in the music industry, so I encourage my students to perform on stage as often as possible. Regular performances help them become more comfortable and confident in front of an audience,” Irina explained.

 Irina firmly believes that “Great things are built from small beginnings,”  meaning that the consistent accumulation of technical skills, self-confidence and self-discipline are transformative qualities that will allow students to not only master the piano but also overcome personal fears but step outside of their comfort zones to allow truly amazing feats to be achieved.