With over 30 years experience as a pianist, Eugene Iosilevich embraces a wide variety of techniques and styles in both his performance and teaching practices. Trained in two highly disciplined classical piano methods (Russian and German) from a very young age by renowned piano professors, Eugene began participating in and winning regional MTNA competitions in his early teens, culminating in the Syracuse Symphony Youth Concerto Competition. In his late teens, a love for song-writing, composition and contemporary/popular music led Eugene to dive head-first into rock ensembles and jazz. Deciding that music was both his passion and calling, Eugene enrolled in jazz studies at Berklee College of Music and later, classical piano performance/composition at Syracuse University (as well as some classical voice studies).
Learning two different styles of piano performance, theory and arranging played a very important role in Eugene’s performance and teaching careers. He spent the next eight years after his collegiate studies in the United States Army Bands program. Further piano/ensemble studies and certification at the Armed Forces School of Music (Navy S.O.M.) were followed by assignments to Ft. Lewis WA, Ft. Stewart GA, and Ft. Drum NY. In the Army Bands, Eugene came to realize the endless possibilities of musical-making when talent is coupled with discipline and professionalism. In the high-tempo Army environment, he performed as solo pianist; as keyboardist/vocalist in the rock bands and touring show bands; as pianist in jazz quartets and stage bands; as keyboardist/auxiliary percussionist in the traditional concert bands, as well as percussionist in all marching and ceremonial ensembles. In addition to West Coast tours with the 56th Army show band, regional performances throughout the south-eastern states with the 3rd I.D. concert, marching and jazz bands, and performances throughout the north-east with the 10th
Mountain rock/jazz fusion band Avalanche, Eugene also carried out his musical Army mission in both Iraq and Afghanistan (where he received a commendation for having played over 100 performances). Through some of these overseas experiences – such as playing in an ensemble fusing the Avalanche jazz players with the Afghan army band’s indigenous music group – Eugene also developed a profound appreciation for world music, which he continues to share with his students in the hopes of discovering fresh compositional/ improvisatory approaches while promoting an open-minded attitude toward the world’s only international and culturally-unifying language.
Since joining the Army bands in 2000, Eugene has also served in the capacity of Church/chapel musician. Serving all denominations in both the military and civilian sectors, he considers his sacred music work rewarding on many levels, and is honored to currently hold the position of Music Director at Sudley United Methodist Church in Manassas. As choir and praise-team director, Eugene has had to work extensively with vocalists as well as rock instrumentalists to prepare the weekly service music as well as large, full-scale holiday concerts with choir and pit orchestra/band. Special auxiliary music for church services has included such genres as traditional hymns, classical, jazz, Gospel, blues, tropical/Latin, rock/Praise & Worship, folk and even Taize (chant-like, improvisatory sacred music).
Upon leaving the Army and moving to the Northern Virginia area in 2008, Eugene focused on teaching piano students as well as rock bands. His method focuses on a classical technical foundation; jazz theory, arranging and improvisation techniques; knowledge of all popular styles; and the exploration of composition/song-writing as a means of realizing the student’s full potential. The key to the Eugene’s exceptionally successful teaching method is maintaining the balance between the different aspects of musical pedagogy. Lessons are individualized and thoroughly enjoyable, yet maintain a strong foundation in technique and theory. Like their instructor, Eugene’s students don’t rest on their laurels or stagnate once they have achieved triumphs in one area/genre of music, but continue to explore and grow until they find themselves truly well-rounded, their practicing driven by sincere love for the art form, compelling them onward towards even greater achievements. Love of music comes from within and is meant to be shared; everything taught and learned under Eugene’s tutelage is meant, in the end, to bring each student to the understanding that this artistic expression belongs to them personally, as well as to their audience. From such a vantage point, only the sky is the limit!
Finding that the greatest teaching methods are grounded in experience, Eugene maintains a busy performance schedule throughout the area. A pianist for Washington Talent Agency since 2008, as well as a soloist, all-genre ensemble player, instrumental/vocal/musical-theater accompanist, and studio/recording artist, his appetite for performing at the highest levels in diverse musical styles is both insatiable and infectious. Because of this, Eugene’s playing and teaching is saturated with the joy, insight and expertise born of a profound, life-long passion for the musical art-form.