Courses start: Monday, June 8th at 9:00 a.m.
Location: 5116 W Garden Springs Rd, Spokane, WA 99224. Nearest airport: Spokane International Airport (GEG).
What to bring: A pencil, a music notebook, and $300 (cash).
Cost: $300. Please bring cash to the courses.
ATTENTION: Unlike previous years, this time the students will not participate in the Sunday worship service at the local church, therefore the courses will end on Saturday evening.
Participation in the local church service: All students are scheduled to participate in the evening worship service on June 12 (Friday).
Dress code for girls: Black dresses or skirts in a classic style.
Dress code for boys: White shirt, black suit, black dress pants.
Exams: June 13 (Saturday).
End of courses: June 13 (Saturday) at 8:00 p.m.
Lodging
If you need a place to stay, please fill out this form by June 1, 2026.
After June 1st, you’ll need to find lodging on your own.
Important: If we’ve arranged lodging for you but your plans change and you figure out housing on your own, please let Maksim Bezruchenko know. Unfortunately, there are times when church members prepare to host students for nothing.
Lodging questions: Maksim Bezruchenko 509-979-0987
Course Requirements
- Experience: 5+ years of piano practice and successfully passing the entrance exam. Look for opportunities to play at church meetings, it will really help you during the courses!
- Age: 14 and older. This year we might make exceptions again for students under 14 if they already play at a fairly high level. DM me and we’ll discuss each situation individually.
- Our expectations: We’re looking for students who are serious about improving their piano skills and are ready to work hard. Get ready for an intense week—you’ll need to focus and put in the work: this means practicing piano for several hours every day, as well as preparing songs at home before the courses even begin. We expect mature behavior from our students and will not tolerate actions that disrupt others or show disrespect to the teachers.
You do not have to be a church member.
You are expected to attend the courses for the full week; any exceptions need to be cleared with the course coordinator in advance.
Entrance Exam
- Scales, chords, and arpeggios (hands together, two octaves, up to three sharps/flats).
- Sight-reading («Нотная тетрадь пианиста», Выпуск II)
- Melody harmonization (congregational singing book; songs from «Утро жизни»).
- Any piece or accompaniment from your repertoire.
Check out examples of the exam material on the website: pianocourses.org/exam.
This year, the entrance exam will be submitted online by sending a video of your completed assignments to Mikhail Sazhniev. Details will be announced in the Viber group, join via the link:
Ministry of the Word 2026
- Memorize and recite one psalm of your choice: Russian Synodal Psalms 119-129 (English Bibles: Psalms 120-130).
- Memorize and recite the lyrics of one congregational song of your choice (from «Песнь возрождения»).
This is due when you arrive at the courses; you can do it in Russian or English.
Questions about piano courses:
Mikhail Sazhniev : 907-953-3920
Yuriy Ivanovich Pavlenko: 503-805-5545