Adult Piano Level 2

Born in Ukraine, Misha Tumanov started his musical education in Costa Rica at the Instituto Superior de Artes and the Pre-College Program of the National University, studying with Dr. Alexandr Sklioutovsky. After graduating with honors from the National University at age seventeen, he continued his studies with Dr. Ray Kilburn at Ball State University, receiving a Master’s Degree and Artist Diploma in piano performance. Dr. Tumanov earned his Doctorate at the University of Maryland, under Dr. Larissa Dedova. His dissertation explores the early 20th-century Soviet avant-garde solo piano repertoire. Dr. Tumanov’s major teachers also include Dr. Anna Balakerskaia and Ludmila Melzer.

Dr. Tumanov has taught in the DC area since 2010. Previously, he taught at the National University of Costa Rica, the Instituto Superior de Artes, and Ball State (both private lessons and group classes). Dr. Tumanov has also taught group classes at George Mason University and the University of Maryland. He has been often invited back to Costa Rica to work with students preparing for competitions and major performances, most notably the International Competition of Slav Music 2009 and 2010, where the students received multiple prizes. Dr. Tumanov’s students have performed at the Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, as well as prominent local venues.

Dr. Tumanov’s experience as a teacher ranges from 4-year-old beginners to advanced adults. Dr. Tumanov is passionate about guiding his students to find their own artistic voice and discovering the joy of music.

Dr. Tumanov is a frequent performer at festivals and conferences, both as a solo and collaborative pianist, including the International Double Reed Society conference, MTNA, Piano Technicians Guild, and Orfeo Music Festival in Italy. He has been a featured soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, the National and Youth Symphony Orchestras of Costa Rica, as well as the Ball State Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Tumanov has won numerous awards and competitions, including 2nd place at the East-Central Division of the MTNA National Competition, the Indianapolis Matinee Musicale, and 1st Prize at the Pinault International Competition in New York. He is a Teaching Artist at the Mason Arts Academy, George Mason University, in Fairfax, VA.

In 2021, Dr. Tumanov released his second solo CD featuring works by Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Feinberg, and Deshevov. A CD of Shostakovich’s complete early works for solo piano is planned for 2022.