Born and educated in Moscow, Irina Cherkasski broadened her musical and academic knowledge during more than 20 years experience in Piano education, Piano accompaniment and Vocal coaching in Russia, New Zealand and Australia.
Upon completion of a M.Mus. degree in her homeland she got further qualifications as an opera repetiteur (Dip. Perf. Arts/Opera) at Auckland University and a Grad. Dip. Ed. at Monash University.
Irina is a highly experienced in teaching both traditional and Suzuki methods of Piano Pedagogy. Dozens of Irina’s students sit exams, participate in concerts and competitions, play at Suzuki graduations and win scholarships every year.
Irina is an inspiring Piano Tutor who was awarded Best Teacher prizes from Brooklyn Music Teachers Guild and Bernstein Piano Competition. Irina’s students won numerous Australian and international Piano competitions.
A few of them performed at Carnegie Hall (New York) and Albert Hall (London).
Irina’s student Julia Rozenkova was interviewed by Carl Stefanovic on Channel 9 in 2018 for her outstanding achievement of learning 60 pieces in one year!!
Irina brings her expertise in Piano Pedagogy to students at MLC Music Academy and her own busy private studio.
Irina established her reputation as a piano accompanist through her work at XLArts, Melbourne City Opera, Opera Australia, Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne Chamber Choir, Opera New Zealand, Auckland University and Ippolitov-Ivanov College of Music in Moscow, as well as extensive free-lance activity as a chamber musician.