Summer Piano Adventures

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 Mr. Tumanov graduated 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. Currently, Mr. Tumanov received his Doctoral degree at the University of Maryland, under Dr. Larissa Dedova, where he recorded works of the early Soviet Avant-garde, including Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Myaskovsky, Feinberg, and Roslavets.

Mr. 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). Mr. 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 two Second Prizes and one Third Prize. Mr. Tumanov’s students have performed at the Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, as well as prominent local venues.

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

Mr. Tumanov has participated in masterclasses with such distinguished pianists and teachers as Gyorgy Sandor, Alexander Braginsky, Alexander Kobrin, Jerome Rose, and Jonathan Biss. In 2006 he released a CD featuring works by Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Schumann, and Rachmaninov.

Mr. 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. Mr. Tumanov has won numerous awards and competitions, including second 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.

In addition, Mr. Tumanov is the pianist/organist and Concert Series Coordinator at the United Christian Parish in Reston, VA.

Mehrnoush Aghagholizadeh was born in Tehran, Iran, she began her musical journey by taking the Orff method classes for children at the age of six. She was introduced to different music instruments such as xylophones, metallophones and glockenspiels plus singing and dancing. At the age of seven she started taking piano lessons with Reza Elhamian, a graduate of the Goldsmiths University in London, UK. Mehrnoush got her bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the University of Art and Architecture where she worked with the renowned Armenian pianist Gagik Babayan. During her years in Tehran she was active as a piano teacher, chamber and solo musician.

Mehrnoush holds a second bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the University of Central Florida where she studied with Dr. Yun-ling Hsu. In Florida she continued performing, accompanying as well as teaching as a private teacher and group piano lessons instructor. She had numerous performances with the UCF piano department. She had the opportunity to perform at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Arts in Orlando, FL. She had the privilege to attend master classes around the world with the great concert pianists such as Oleg Poliansky, Kevin Ayesh, Andre Laplante and David Gross.

Mehrnoush is currently doing her master’s degree in Piano Pedagogy at the George Mason University studying with Dr. Anna Balakerskaia. She wants to be a solo pianist as well as being a full-time piano teacher because she considers teaching as her passion. Teaching at the UCF summer camp 2017 with Dr. Yun-ling Hsu, was a life changing experience for her, where she had the chance to work with a group of students from early childhood to pre-college for two weeks working on piano technique, theory and ear-training as well as performer wellness. Mehrnoush is currently based in Falls Church, VA where she works as a part-time piano instructor.

Brighid McNiff is a pianist and educator with extensive experience teaching students of all ages and skill levels. She has worked as a teaching assistant at the George Mason Summer Piano Academy since 2021 and at the Intermuse International Music Institute and Festival in 2023-24. Beyond her work with these programs, Brighid has independently managed a private studio and taught guest classes. She has also accompanied choirs, instrumentalists, and vocalists in recitals, juries, and competitions.

Brighid is studying Piano Performance and Music Exploration at Ball State University under Dr. Raymond Kilburn, with an expected graduation in 2026. She is committed to creating a dynamic and encouraging teaching environment that helps each student uncover their individual artistic voice and musical interests.