“Ms. Vania has taught piano to my two sons for two years now. Ms. Vania is a very committed and patient teacher who always tries to find the best way to connect with her students and to keep them engaged with music. She likes to teach a mix of classical and contemporary pieces, which my sons are really enthusiastic about. Ms. Vania's recitals are always a beautiful chance to see how well taught her students are.”

Sara Monson (Parent)

“Vania has been teaching my 7 year old daughter for the past two years and my 5 year old son for the past two months. Neither of my children had any piano (or other instrumental) experience when they started with Vania. She is very passionate about her students and developing their abilities, which she does in a warm and friendly, yet disciplined way. My children both love playing the piano and have developed a wonderful sense of confidence in their developing abilities. They both look forward to lessons with Vania and I always look forward to hearing them practice and play what they are learning at home.”

Kimberly Morris (Parent)

“Vania Dobreva is a wonderful artist and teacher. Our daughter has been studying with Vania since Kindergarten. Vania is patient and cheerful and shares her infectious love for piano and music in every lesson. She not only teaches the children in her studio but also has them perform in recitals at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. This beautiful hall provides the students with the occasion to have their work culminate in an end of the year performance. It is a safe and nurturing environment that also cultivates in them a sense of pride and professionalism.”

Gregory and Leslie Cheng (Parents)

“Our child has been taking lessons with Vania for about one year now. With each lesson our child comes away more excited about playing the piano. Vania is a wonderful teacher who inspires her students but maintains a pleasant demeanor and light touch. We're so impressed with how much our child has learned in such a short time and it really shows at the recitals.”

Sunny Shapiro (Parent)

“Vania is a wonderful teacher who has extensive knowledge and versatile experience on stage. As soon as she met my son at his first lesson, she corrected his hand position and spotted a weakness in his finger placement, which improved his playing sound significantly. I was fortunate to observe Vania's lessons at her house during the summer break where she showed my son how to play music pieces with personality using Haydn's Minuet in C as an example. She would ask my son “Do you think this Forte part should be played in an arrogant or energetic manner? Fun? Angry? or Tired?’’ And she would demonstrate various emotional levels through playing and let my son explore the analysis of the melody. I imagined that you can only see this kind of piano lessons at The Conservatoire de Paris or Juilliard Music School in New York, but I am glad my 6 year-old can have a similar experience here in Bay Area with Vania.  I would recommend her to any child who wants to explore classical music more deeply.

Kaoru Mesa (Parent)

“Vania is a patient and kind teacher. She has been excellent with both of my children and motivates them to do their best.  My 13 year old has played amazing pieces under her guidance.  My 6 year old has made a lot of progress in a year.  She always greets them with a smile and they both love her lessons!”

Dr. Gayatri Khanna (Parent)

“As a parent and a musician,  it was very important to me to find just the right piano  teacher for my son (age 7), who has been studying with Vania since he was six.  After this relatively short time, he has had two recitals, knows how to read notation and continues to grow in his musicianship  -  a dream come true for me!  Most of all, he enjoys and is inspired by his lessons.  Vania is a wonderful teacher who gives clear instructions and is passionate about her role.   She is supportive and patient and I believe this makes a big difference in my child’s (and any child’s) comprehension and retention of whatever they are leaning.  I’ve also had the opportunity to see some of her very young, new students perform very well, and her older students play so beautifully.   I’m very pleased with my son’s progress with Vania and am excited about his continued early education in music his future as a pianist.  We both look forward to many more years of working with her.  Thanks Vania!”

Maria Chapital (Parent)

“My five year old son began piano with Ms. Vania a few months back.  His enthusiasm with music/piano has only increased during this time.  He initiates daily piano play, has become confident with the songs he has learned, and has expressed on more than one occasion that he hoped he could see her everyday at School to play the piano.  Her input to us in his assignment book has been useful and it has been wonderful to see him gain a natural interest in playing.  We would highly recommend Ms. Vania to other parents, she has been a great teacher for our son.”

Janelle Farinacci (Parent)

“Vania is clearly a talented pianist and teacher.  Her kind and encouraging methods appealed to our 'sports-loving' son immediately.  She has not only inspired his interest in piano, but he also looks forward to seeing Vania each week.  We look forward to when our daughter can also begin lessons!”

Carla Bridges (Parent)

"My son, Oliver has been studying piano with Vania for a year and a half now. He started out with no experience whatsoever playing piano, but  with a desire to learn, and an interest in music.  Vania has been a wonderful teacher for him. She has instilled confidence, discipline, and joy in his playing. My husband and I are both so pleased and surprised each week when he sits down to practice, how much he has learned in playing, reading music, and developing and ear of his own."

Kelly M. Whalen (Parent)

“Vania is a fabulous teacher who offers an inspired and patient approach to teaching piano. She relates well to her young students and offers a professional yet warm and friendly demeanor with parents.  I recommend her highly and always look forward to my interactions with her.”

Julie Paganini (Parent)

"Vania, we have been so delighted to have you as Mary's teacher.  Thank you for being her music teacher and allowing her to discover music and learn to love the piano.  Your talent as a musician and your love for the piano is shared with our daughter at every lesson.   You are passionate and patient at the same time.  Our daughter has blossomed and discovered her love of piano in the past two years while studying with you.  While under your instruction Mary learned how to read music at age 5, before she could read her books, Thank You!"

Bill and Zahra Kelly (Parents)

“Both of my kids have taken lessons with Vania, which has bolstered their overall interest in music and instruments. Because of her, my youngest son learned to read music before he could read books!  Her positive encouragement and calm disposition has been a great part of their progress.”

Erin Darwin (Parent)

“My sons, five and eight years old, look forward to their piano lessons with Vania every week!  Her patience, kindness, and passion for both music and teaching make her the perfect instructor.  A class act and consummate professional, we can't wait for our two year old to start with Vania!”

Christina Lee (Parent)

“Vania, Thank you so much for teaching Lars this year - he really is enjoying it very much.  Having studied piano myself at a similar age, you really have the magic touch for teaching music with kids.  It is a gift to be able to play as you do, and another gift to teach well, so you are doubly talented!”

Amy Delin (Parent)

“I really appreciate the effort you've put into helping my daughter develop her musical talent. I have a renewed appreciation for what it takes to be a professional musician!”

Maria Nunez (Parent)

“My six year old son has been taking lessons with Vania since he started kindergarten and Vania has inspired him a lot.  He enjoys practicing the assignments at home; it becomes a part of his routine.  He looks forward to the next lesson and he is eager to learn new pieces of music.”

Mikiko Uesugi (Parent)

"Vania has a divine artistic talent..., but even more divine is her talent to share her artistry by teaching children of all ages.  My son started with the simple one-hand song and has grown into a pianist, playing complex classic pieces within a short period of time.... all of it with Vania's help."

Konstantina Chilingirova (Parent)

“As an adult student I appreciate Vania's ability to tailor the lessons to not only give me the basics all students need, but also to help me learn to play the types of music I'm interested in.”

Scott Mansfield (Student)