Conservatory graduate teaches piano, singing and theory. 25 years of experience.

My daughter has been taking lessons with ira since she was just 3 years old, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the impact she had on her musical journey. From the very beginning, ira showed incredible patience, kindness, and creativity in teaching such a young child. Over the years, I’ve watched my daughter grow not only in her musical skills but also in her confidence and love for music.

Highly recommended professional piano and vocal teacher . As a former student who took piano lessons and was the lead singer in Ira's Westmount children's choir , I can honestly say she is an amazing , patient and passionate teacher that cares deeply about her students . With decades of experience , she has taught me invaluable knowledge as an artist myself and lessons that have made me a more disciplined and better person in life and I would not be where I am today without her guidance .

I am a fourth-year student at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University where I major in classical double-bass. My path in music began with weekly piano lessons from Ira Sokolova. She was warm and encouraging from the beginning. As a child, and still today, I was easily distracted, “improvising” on the keyboard while she would try and teach me an exercise or another piece. Looking back, I think she was strict at the right times, bringing my focus back to the task at hand when it was necessary. Other times, she gave me time to explore music in my own way. Ira is an incredibly empathetic person, and I feel as if she tailored her teaching to my needs as a student. I learnt a lot by ear, so she would play the piece as many times as I needed for me to learn it. She would also push me, giving me weekly challenges and homework so I could progress slowly but surely. I believe she gave me the framework in understanding how to approach music learning, instilling in me a love for music at an early age. Since then, I have learned the double-bass, playing in my high school orchestra and symphony at école secondaire publique De La Salle in Ottawa, the Orchestre symphonique du Conservatoire de musique de Montréal and the McGill Symphony Orchestra. I also am a self-taught guitar player and write my own music. I believe Ira’s guidance in helping me develop a musical ear as a child is invaluable to my musical process today.
Furthermore, on top of being eccentric and approachable in general, Ira loves children and is very welcoming to any child. Both my siblings can attest to this too. I remember her lively, entertaining energy at our yearly recitals and her one-on-one relationships with the other kids. I noticed that her approach varied with every child, adapting to every individual’s needs. I strongly recommend Ira as a music teacher to all parents as well as adults wanting to pick up the piano. Her approach is structured and methodical and she is emotionally attuned to the individual needs of each person. Her love for people and passion for music is inspiring.

Great teacher in all styles, can help unlock a voice you never thought you had

Ira was my sons' teacher while they participated in her Beatlemania children's choir at Westmount Victoria hall. All children had a chance to sing solo. Ira is pationned in everything she does. There were no limits for her enthusiasm and love for children and music. Her individual approach is unique. Ira loved all the children and they loved her back and obeyed her. The results of the choir was impressive and they had participation in Mix96 radio Christmas presentation. Ira was an idol for so many of the kids, they started playing piano with her as well. It was twice per year recital of her piano and singing students as a celebration of musical achievements for everyone. Not to mention there were adults: parents and grandparents starting piano lessons and achieving skills in no time. Ira has been my friend for many years, but she is a friend of my sons too, sometimes I wonder who is better friend: me or my sons. I love you, Ira!️

I recommend Ira Sokolova as a piano and vocal teacher as she had been my singing teacher for many years and my son’s piano teacher.
She is a great teacher and piano player in both classical and modern music,.
Ira is patient, kind and pleasant as a teacher and repeats in various ways until she makes sure that her students can get and play it!
The students develop with her their musical talents and at the same time learn how to connect and express their feelings through music. Besides teaching the techniques , Ira helps the students reach to their personal styles!
With gratitude, thanks dear Ira !

Ira was first my choir teacher when I was 7, and then my piano teacher when I was 11 years old. She gave me weekly lessons for 7 years where I learned to read sheet music, to learn and play songs on my own, to find useful drills and techniques on my own to improve, and to perform my interpretations of pieces I learned. It's now been over 20 years since my first lesson and I'm able to play slow melodic pieces like the Pachelbel Canon, some more complex pieces like Beethoven's 3 Moonlight Sonatas, or contemporary arrangements like those of Kyle Landry ; my favorite is his 2009 version of Dearly Beloved from Kingdom Hearts. I never got into Jazz and piano improvisation, but it was always and option. She always kept our lessons light, but provided the right amount of push to help you improve. All these years later, she's not only my piano teacher, but also my friend. I highly recommend her to anyone who wants a passionate and compassionate teacher who loves her students as much as she loves music.

Ira Sokolova has been my piano, theatre and singing teacher for over 12 years. I have many, many positives to say in her regard. Having first met her at the Montreal School of Performing Arts (MSOPA), where she was teaching theatre, I witnessed her talents as an artist and mentor and quickly followed up with her to ask to continue to work with her in private lessons. My piano skills, in classical, blues and jazz, have significantly improved since becoming her student, and I am grateful to her for all that I have learned. I am now transmitting the knowledge she passed to me down to others.

Ira has an exemplary teaching method. She is thorough, always working through all of the fingerings for the music we are learning, and makes sure to explain why to play in the way she suggests. She has classical training in piano, and performed as a touring singer and piano player for 20 years before beginning to teach. Her experience is evident when we listen to her play and instruct.

Most importantly, Ira has taught me about interpretation. We have worked on pieces tirelessly to play them in such a way to evoke specific emotions at different points in the piece. It is fun to learn with her. To conclude, I highly recommend her to future students. She has been an excellent teacher.