A native of St.Petersburg, Russia, Alla Latchininsky is a pianist, teacher, and accompanist. She has 36 years of teaching experience and uses methods and repertoire of the classical Russian piano school. Her students have received numerous awards, including first place in the Wyoming State Piano MTNA competition four times, first place in the Colorado State MTNA Artist Piano competition, first place in the Piano Concerto Competition at the Rocky Ridge Music Center, CO, alternate winners in the MTNA Northwest Division Piano Competition two times, first and second place winners of “Stars of Tomorrow” competition in Laramie, WY, to name a few.
In the summer of 2014, her student won the First Place in Piano Competition at the Western Regional Piano Conference. In 2014 and 2015, her student Katherine Wang won Third Place at the International Keyboard Odyssiad competition in Colorado. In October 2014 her student won First Place at the “Golden Era of Romantic Music” competition and was awarded to play at the Carnegie Hall in New York City. Alla's student won first place in the Chautauqua International Piano Competition in New York in July of 2015.
Latchininsky’s students have also been accepted to acclaimed summer programs such as Indiana University Piano Academy, Bloomington, IN, National High School Music Institute at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, Longhorn Piano Performance Workshop, Austin, TX, and others. Several of her former students are pursuing a piano performance degree at prestigious Universities around the U.S. such as University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Since 1998, Ms. Latchininsky has been an Assistant Lecturer and a part of the Piano Faculty in the Department of Music at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY. She teaches piano proficiency for music majors as well as individual piano classes for all levels of UW students, and periodically gives master classes. Ms. Latchininsky is a MTNA Nationally Certified Teacher of Music at the Collegiate level, as well as a member of the National Guild of American Piano Teachers. Currently, she serves as the Concert Coordinator for the Laramie Music Teachers Association, and Wyoming State Performance Competition Chair.
Ms. Latchininsky established her private Piano Studio in Laramie, Wyoming in 1998. She teaches students of all ages piano performance, collaborative piano, music history and theory group lessons. She has created a music development program for early beginners (4-5 years old) called “Music in Motion,” which focuses on developing a love for the instrument early on. For all students, she uses a teaching approach tailored to each individual’s needs, and provides guidance while helping students cultivate their talent.
Ms. Latchininsky enjoys crafting and directing special programs for students that enhance their musical experiences. A few examples of past student programs include: creating and implementing an exchange program between Russian, American, and French students, collaborations with dancers and singers throughout concerts in Colorado and Wyoming, a workshop on Impressionism in music, and a course of study which explores humor in music, jazz studies, and a Russian musical festival.
Ms. Latchininsky was born in Russia and began piano lessons at age six. At seven, she entered the St.Petersburg Music School for Children where she studied for eight years. From 1974 to 1978 she studied piano performance, music theory and choral conducting at the St. Petersburg Music Education College from which she graduated with Honors. She received her Master’s Degree in Piano Pedagogy and Music Education at the Moscow Musical Pedagogical Institute. Before immigrating to the U.S., she taught piano performance and choral conducting at the St.Petersburg Musical College for 17 years, and also accompanied for vocalists, strings and choir.
When not teaching Ms. Latchininsky works as an accompanist for classical ballet and instrumental classes. She also works as a freelance accompanist for choirs, soloists and ensembles. She volunteers as an adjudicator, scorer, and administrator at State and Regional piano competitions.
In her free time she enjoys attending art museums, practicing yoga, running, and free style skiing. She has two grown up daughters and one granddaughter who she loves spending time with.