Music Lesson with Marina Heywood Lieberman

Hi, my name is Marina Heywood Lieberman. I'm a classically trained pianist and have been playing piano since the age of 4. I studied piano in Russia, Germany, and America, and received a Master of Music degree in piano performance and music teaching.

Performing and Teaching
Performing on stage all over the world and teaching piano is my absolute passion. That's why my husband and I founded Music Teachers London in 2015. Here, we not only match students with the right teacher but also collaborate with industry professionals and music labels.

Guiding Young Musicians

We spot young, promising musicians and guide them on their exciting journey throughout the music industry. This involves:

• Helping them prepare demos
• Getting ready for showcases
• Performing their best in the unfamiliar environment of a recording studio

Whether it's playing to a click or listening to criticism from the producer, we help students and their families withstand the pressure of the music industry.

Some of my students are performing in West End shows, while others are signed to a label as performers or publishers. Some tour with bands or work for television. I also teach movie stars; for instance, my latest project involved preparing Dame Maggie Smith for her role in the movie The Lady in the Van.

I really enjoy doing this, and it showed me that no matter how old you are or how much experience you have in music, everyone can unlock their musical potential.

The Role of a Good Teacher

A good teacher should always be willing to show their student how to conquer difficulties in a particular piece by:

• Playing it
• Explaining it at a pace slow enough for the student to understand

This approach helps achieve the best performance. Of course, the chemistry between you and your teacher should be a match.

My Most Exciting Performance

My most exciting performance was on BBC Asia. I participated in a beauty contest while living in Germany, and when I won Miss Talent, they asked me to perform a nice piece on the piano for a camera crew. What I didn't know was that it would be broadcasted to over a billion viewers!

Since then, I've performed with orchestras like the Bavarian Symphony Orchestra and played in prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall. I am grateful for the opportunity to perform music for various labels and collaborate on multiple projects, including my latest one with Alexis French, a contemporary composer.

Classical Crossover Pianist

In the last 10 years, I've been performing as a classical crossover pianist, developing my own style that combines classical grades with symphonic instrumentation and orchestrations. I've absolutely enjoyed doing this alongside some great producers.

The best part of classical crossover piano for me is to put a little piece of myself into the music. I don't just stick to classical; I also incorporate elements of pop and rock. For instance, I recorded versions of "Apologize" and Madonna's "Frozen" on piano, adding orchestration to create a sound that reflects my vision.

This inspires me and encourages my students to realize that the music we often hear on YouTube or the radio can be interpreted in a different context and played on various instruments.

Rock School Syllabus

That's exactly where Rock School prepares students for piano. I love the variety of genres they get to play throughout their grades, including:

• Rihanna
• Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody"
• Some Latin music
• Hard rock like "Hard to Handle"

The unique aspect of this syllabus allows students to try various techniques and vibes of music before deciding what's right for them to continue with.

I had great joy practicing and recording the pieces for you all, and I hope you have as much fun practicing them too!