Born and raised in communist Russia, I enjoyed my childhood on the banks of the mighty Volga River. Spending summers outdoors and living on the many islands in the river, I learned to appreciate the divine in nature. From early on, my parents taught me the value of music and art. They also encouraged me to attend a music academy for piano and music theory for seven years. I remember how hard it was as a teenager to leave my friends after school to practice for piano exams. But that experience taught me to appreciate the world of music and nourish my imagination. My teacher was crazy about Bach more...
