Today we’d like to introduce you to Alena Bystritskiy.
Hi Alena, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in Russia into a family of musicians, so music naturally became part of my life from a very young age. Music and art were always an important part of my everyday life.
In the 1990s, I moved to Germany, where I continued my education at music schools and Gymnasium. At that time, I studied both harp and piano. Music became more than an education for me—it was a way of life. I went on to study harp professionally and performed with orchestras throughout Germany.
When I began teaching, I realized that not every child had the opportunity to experience classical music, hear it performed live, or understand its beauty. This inspired me to think about ways to make classical music more accessible, engaging, and enjoyable for children. I wanted to share my knowledge and passion with the next generation.
Over the years, I had the opportunity to develop my own lesson plans, teaching techniques, and musical theater productions. I was able to put these ideas into practice with children and bring many of these productions to the stage.
In 2013, I moved to the United States, where I had the opportunity to bring my experience, teaching methods, and perspective on classical music into schools. My goal has remained the same: to help children discover music in a way that feels exciting, meaningful, and accessible, and to give them the opportunity to experience the beauty of classical music for themselves.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Although I feel very fortunate to have lived and grown up in three different countries and about eight different cities, it was not always easy to build new relationships and find a sense of connection. Music, however, is unique—it is truly an “international language”. No matter where you are or what language you speak, music has the power to bring people together and help you connect with others who share the same passion.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
After more than a decade of teaching and working with children, I have come to believe that being able to play music, understand and appreciate art, and connect with people who share the same values is a true gift.
I created LearnAGift and we offer Piano, Guitar, Voice and music theory lessons-because I believe that, in our fast-paced modern world, it is easy to lose sight of experiences that truly enrich a child’s development. Children are surrounded by technology, constant stimulation, and instant entertainment, while learning an instrument offers something very different: the opportunity to slow down, listen, focus, practice, create, and express themselves.
Learning music is not only about becoming a musician. Research suggests that musical training engages many areas of the brain at the same time, including those involved in listening, movement, attention, memory, and coordination. Playing an instrument requires children to read and interpret musical symbols, listen carefully, coordinate their hands and body, recognize patterns, and make decisions—all in real time. Over time, this kind of practice can support cognitive skills such as attention, working memory, auditory processing, and fine motor coordination.
But for me, the benefits go beyond brain development. Learning an instrument teaches patience, perseverance, creativity, and the understanding that meaningful accomplishments take time. Making music with others also teaches children to listen, cooperate, communicate, and become part of something larger than themselves.
That is the idea behind LearnAGift: music is not simply another activity or skill to learn. It is a gift that can stay with a child or adult for a lifetime.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
In my childhood, I was very disciplined—or at least that’s what my parents tell me! (smiling) But I was also a very active child. I loved dancing, playing sports, spending time with friends and being outdoors as much as possible. Music was simply part of my everyday routine. It never felt like something separate from the rest of my life—it was just naturally there. My parents supported me in all of my interests and gave me the freedom to enjoy music alongside all the other things I loved to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.learnagift.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learnagift?igsi=ejBwOXRtcHdzMmN4
