Anya Scott grew up in New York City after her family immigrated from Moscow, Russia In 1979 Before leaving Moscow, she attended the renowned Gnessin Russian Academy of Music. Growing up in New York, she continued her music studies at Lincoln Center but instead of following her violinist brother to The Juilliard School, Anya opted to attend a math & science high school and then The College of William & Mary where she studied Theater, history, and psychology.

Anya did many things early in her career; working in development and music for a private K-12 school in Virginia, in advertising in Washington DC, and traveling throughout Europe, before moving back to Charlottesville to teach piano and study operatic singing. When her second child was born, she stopped teaching and began renovating old homes as a designer and general contractor. She stayed active in music by joining the board of directors at Ash Lawn Opera and overseeing her own daughter’s musical education. Anya's daughter, Sam, still plays guitar and sings jazz while living and working in NYC.

Anya and her son, Milo, relocated to Fairhope recently and Anya will be teaching once again. Anya says her home is a perfect fit for her beautiful concert grand piano and wants to focus on teaching adults, seniors, and homeschoolers. She is excited to get back to the relationships teaching music fosters.

She is hoping to attract both beginners and those who may not have played for a while and would like to reconnect with the piano. She recounts two of her past students - Jane, in her 80’s who came to Anya when she needed to improve her Scott Joplin chops, and Tom, a law professor, who after two years of lessons with Anya confessed that now he was ready to do what he had wanted all along - to become a “crooner” and accompany himself while he sang Sinatra. Anya is looking for students that want to “approach playing in a way that is meditative, tremendously therapeutic and creative. And want to enjoy themselves.”

When asked what it is that she loves about teaching piano, Anya says, “Music is a different language of communication and expression. Playing the piano is both sport for the hands and fingers and also an entry into another world and language. She says there is a breakthrough in every piece of music. “There is a moment when it all comes together, and of course the longer you stick with it, the better you become, with no exceptions.”

Anya can schedule lessons in the mornings and afternoons. Students can come to her home studio, or she is willing to come to you if getting out is difficult. She’s never had a bad experience teaching adults and she enjoys introducing them to her favorite classical music recordings. “Music is a spiritual language. The great composers gave us entry into the heavens. They weren’t regular people, and the music they created is transcendent!” Interested? You can contact Anya at asinbama@gmail.com or call her at 434 882-1777 to schedule a lesson

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