"It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation on behalf of Alla Latchininsky. I have known Alla for about four years. My daughter Katherine has taken piano lessons from Alla since January 2010, and my son Matthew started in last January.  Alla is the first piano teacher of my kids. The progress that they made with Alla far exceeded any expectations I have which demonstrated what a wonderful teacher she is. Alla encouraged my daughter to attend the Colorado State MTNA Artist competition last June when she was eight, and she won the first place. Right now Katherine is already working one some masterpieces. This really surprises me, and I know Katherine is so lucky to have Alla as her teacher.

Alla was able to impart her enthusiasm and love of piano playing onto my kids. Rather than working directly from a piano lesson book, she would play different pieces of music and ask them to choose what they wanted to learn. She customized the music and lessons to their current skill levels while at the same time provided challenges to keep the learning process going.

Alla is not only friendly and patient, but also is good at gauging her students’ levels of knowledge and ability. Her commitment to her students is evident. Alla sees each student as an individual and draws upon their strengths to teach them in ways that work best for them. Alla customized my kids’ lessons to their ability and particular learning characteristics.

It was evident that Alla encouraged the kids to bring part of his or her own character into the music. Although the music may be the same, you could hear the child's own character coming through. Not only did my kids grow as a piano player they also gained more confidence in themselves. Playing and practicing piano was not a chore but rather an activity they performed happily and voluntarily.

I respect Alla for many of her qualities but most of all because she is able to connect with her students and customize their piano lessons according to their strengths. Alla is a very professional, capable, positive and encouraging teacher who is able to make confident self-motivated piano players out of her students. I highly recommend Alla as a piano teacher and I am envious of her future students who can experience her contagious passion and love of music first hand." 

-Ying, mother of one of Alla's students

 "Alla is an awesome piano teacher. She is nice and really cares for her students. She never gives up and all of her students love her. She is the best piano teacher ever!"

- Katherine

"Alla helped me to improve my skills as well as my confidence as a piano player.
She had also honestly provided much guidance when it comes to life lessons and she is truly wise woman.
I wish I had known her earlier in my college career!"
-Student at UW, Spring 2014

"Alla not only shows interest in my piano progress, but makes me feel welcome to continuing piano to a further level other than piano proficiency. I can tell she wants me to improve and enjoy every minute of it. She makes lessons not only helpful and a learning experience, but a kind and fun experience as well. 
She provides backgrounds of certain styles, technique or composer's bio which help us understand how the piece should be played."

-Student at UW, Spring 2014

"Over the past 13 years, Alla Latchininsky has been my piano teacher. She teaches more than just how to read or play notes on the piano, but many lessons one can use in their everyday lives. While she emphasizes the aspects of hard work and diligence when studying piano, she never forgets the importance of having fun. She makes the lesson both engaging and fascinating for the student. Without her guidance, both my piano skills and my interest in music would be drastically diminished. She is a remarkable teacher."

-Danny

"I’ve found taking piano as an adult, after a quarter of a century of rarely playing, to be hugely satisfying.  It provides me with daily challenges, a sense of success, and skills and knowledge to share with my children.  I look forward to what I will learn every semester, and how I can share it with family and friends.  Alla has done an outstanding job of providing knowledge, encourage and realistic goals."

-Student at UW, Spring 2014