Ioana Dirva

Ioana Dirva brings over twelve years of teaching experience and has worked with a wide range of students, from young beginners to adults. In 2014, she founded her own piano studio in Cluj-Napoca, where she guided more than 200 students between the ages of 4 and 65 in their musical development. Several of her students have continued their studies at specialized music institutions, while others have achieved recognition in competitions.

Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that a strong technical foundation and musical sensitivity should develop hand in hand, from the very beginning. She is committed to creating a supportive and engaging learning environment, tailoring her approach to each student’s individual needs, goals, and pace of development. Whether working with aspiring performers or students learning for personal enrichment, she encourages curiosity, discipline, passion for music, and a genuine commitment to the art of piano playing.

She began studying piano at the age of six in Craiova, Romania, and continued her musical education in Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance at the Gheorghe Dima National Music Academy. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy in Professor Timothy Hester’s studio at the University of Houston Moores School of Music, where she is also actively involved as a teaching assistant and collaborative pianist.

Alongside her classical training, she has explored a variety of musical styles, including collaborative and cross-genre projects, which inform her flexible and creative perspective as both a performer and educator. Her goal is to inspire a lasting appreciation for music and to help each student reach their fullest potential.