Irina Knust is a unique artist whose career is shaped by a rare synergy of classical mastery and lively, rhythmic innovation.

Irina's musical journey began at the age of five with training in the rigorous classical piano tradition. Her formal education culminated in a Bachelor's degree in Teaching and pedagogy of Methods in Musical Education, specializing in Piano and Jazz Orchestra Conducting from the State University of Culture and Arts in Moscow. This profound foundation in music theory, technical skills, and artistic expression forms the basis of all her work. As a young pianist Irina played Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 and Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor with the Moscow Symphony Youth Ensemble, then later in her musical career she played with the National Collaborate Jazz Ensemble, Igor Kondur Jazz Quartet, and Oleg Butman Jazz Ensemble (New York).

In addition to her extensive experience in the world of piano, Irina also has a deep passion and extensive background in dance. Her love for tap dancing brought Irina to New York City where she was able to train with masters like Gregory Hines, Jimmy Slyde, Buster Brown, Savion Glover in tap Improvisation and Choreography. She has performed, taught and choreographed internationally at such prestigious schools and venues as Moscow's National College of Theatrical Arts, at the School of Modern Dance in Moscow, the Russian Imperial Ballet, the 'Tap Show Company' in Brussels, Belgium, and Munich, Germany as well as Amsterdam's Conservatory, Netherlands. She graced the stages of Carnegie Hall, the Knitting Factory and the New Orleans Center of Performing Arts as a dancer. Irina was even given a TEFI Award by the Russian Television Academy to recognize her as a leading choreographer for her work. She continues to actively create and perform choreography while pursuing her passion for education.

With over 25 years of experience in teaching private and group classes across multiple disciplines, Irina has become very adept at understanding students’ personalities, strengths and weaknesses, and by doing so, is able to find the right approach to help every student succeed. She teaches music very passionately and intuitively, which her students find quite motivating. Irina treats everyone she teaches with love and respect, carefully building each student's self-confidence as a performer and assisting them in developing a lifelong affection and appreciation for music. Her goals are to always encourage as well as challenge them. She teaches piano to students of all levels and incorporates a variety of teaching methods, including a unique mixture from her classical training as well as from her creative performing experience.