Qualifications:

Dip LCM (Teaching Diploma) at Aberdeen College

Bachelor of Music (Music and Communities) with Second Class Honours (Division One) at University of Aberdeen

2007-2014 Private tuition

2014-2024 McBain Music School, Aberdeen

Svetlana Mika Dolmatova

I grew up in Estonia and started learning piano at age of 7 with various teachers up to age of 15.

After moving to Scotland I’ve realized that teaching music is my passion, so I decided to gain professional qualifications.

In 2007 I was auditioned and accepted to a Teaching Diploma course and in 2011 and
I graduated from it at the Aberdeen College (now known as North East Scotland College).

I absolutely loved studying music at Aberdeen College, so I decided to continue and in 2014 I was accepted to the Music Degree Course at the University of Aberdeen. I graduated with Music Degree, Second Class Honours (Division One) in 2018. After that I happily continued teaching my regular students.

I teach children and adults at any age. Many of my students are families, with either two siblings or parent and child learning piano together. This has proven to be an enormous fun, especially during their family gatherings, where they enjoy playing the lovely duets they’ve learned in my lessons.

I alter lessons to the individual needs therefore each lesson is unique which greatly benefits the student as a result.

I prepare students to the ABRSM and Trinity College exams on request.

With over 18 years of teaching experience, I have developed a strong belief that music is a universal language, and each of us has the potential and ability to develop and nurture it.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Organ Performance obtained at the Academy of Music in Kraków in 2014.

Associate of the Royal College of Organists.

I studied piano alongside organ and clavichord in Poland at the Academy of Music in Kraków and the Hochschule für Musik in Mainz, Germany, and during numerous organ and piano masterclasses across Europe.

My piano teacher and mentor was Marian Mika, a renowned professor in Italy and an expert in Chopin’s style. He passed on the legacy of his own teachers, Ludwik Stefański and Henryk Sztompka, whose pedagogical lineage can be traced directly to both Frederic Chopin and Franz Liszt.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Music at University of Aberdeen (pending)

I have been playing piano for almost 16 years and got my Grade 8 in piano performance and Grade 5 in music theory.

I am currently on the music degree programme at University of Aberdeen and working on the ABRSM Diploma.

At University, I play a wide range of repertoire, both solo and in various ensembles of early and contemporary music.

In 2025, I received a scholarship to attend the advance piano masterclass at the Chetham's International Piano Summer School in Manchester.

I have experience in private piano tuition since 2019.

I teach beginner and intermediate learners of any age, no matter your goal or musical background. Lessons are personalised to your interests and goals, regardless of whether you want to progress through examinations or just learn for enjoyment!

I've taught piano since 2014 in various music schools in Kraków and privately in Aberdeen.

At Sonata Piano School I teach piano at intermediate and advanced levels.

I prepare students for higher ABRSM and Trinity exams and diplomas.

In my lessons, I aim to help students develop solid piano technique, deepen their musicality and express themselves artistically through their playing.

For the 17th-early 19th centuries repertoire I additionally offer lessons on a 1810 James Ball Cabinet piano at St James Church on Holburn junction.

I also teach Pipe organ at St James where I play organ every Sunday and give regular organ recitals. For organ lessons enquiries click here.

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Music at University of Aberdeen (pending)

I am a music student at the University of Aberdeen with over a decade of experience as a guitar player. Since 2013 I’ve taken tuition from the excellent Matt Bearne of Mount Florida Guitar Lessons. From 2016-2018 I attended Aberdeen Performing Arts’ “Project Band” which allowed my first opportunity to write, perform, and cooperate with other musicians. While living in Glasgow I got the opportunity to join multiple bands both in the recording studio and live on stage at various venues including the likes of King Tut’s Wah-Wah Hut, The Audio Lounge, and McChuill’s.

Currently I am working towards attaining Grade 8 through the RSL Rockschool in electric guitar and Trinity in acoustic guitar.

I offer lessons on a variety of instruments, including classical guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, and ukulele. Lessons can cover different musical styles such as classical, rock, pop, jazz and beyond.

Progression through Trinity, ABRSM, or RSL Rockschool exams is available, depending on the student’s preference. Alongside the graded syllabuses, lessons include proper instrumental technique, music theory and its application, and thorough musical analysis of songs and composition, suitable for students up to an intermediate level.

Kamil Mika

Chloe McNicol

Jamie Candy