Agafiia Gurko

Education 
I began my music education at the Gnessin Music School in Moscow (2004–2015) and later studied at the Academic Music College at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory (2015–2019), where I graduated as a state-certified music teacher with flute as my main subject. From October 2025, I will continue my studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln in the Bachelor of Music program for Instrumental and Vocal Pedagogy (major: flute). During my studies I have participated in pedagogical training as well as in masterclasses with world-renowned musicians, including Sir James Galway and Andrea Lieberknecht.
Performance Experience
From 2019 to 2022, I was a flutist with the Central Concert Orchestra named after N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov in Moscow, performing in a wide range of concerts and projects. Since 2023, I have been performing as a flutist and piccolo player with the Sinfonietta Ensemble in Tbilisi, an ensemble I co-founded, where I actively participate in concerts and collaborations. Over the years, I have also performed in prestigious venues such as the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow, and taken part in festivals and independent experimental music projects in Moscow, Berlin, and Tbilisi.
Teaching Experience
I have been teaching flute since 2014, offering private lessons in Moscow and later in Tbilisi, working with both beginners and advanced students, including preparation for competitions and entrance exams. Between 2019 and 2022, I taught flute at Music School No. 2 in Podolsk. From 2022 to 2025, I worked as a junior flute teacher at the Tbilisi International School of Music, giving both individual and group lessons to children and teenagers. Through these experiences, I have worked with a wide variety of students and developed an adaptable and student-centered teaching style.

In my lessons, I combine technical development with musical expression, always adapting to the student’s level and goals. Depending on what we are working on, we may focus on flute technique (breathing, articulation, tone production, finger agility), sight-reading, interpretation of classical repertoire, or exploring contemporary and improvisational styles.

I draw on a variety of teaching methods and materials, so lessons are tailored and diverse. Among the resources I regularly use are the Suzuki Flute School, Taffanel & Gaubert’s 17 Daily Exercises, Marcel Moyse’s De la Sonorité and Tone Development Through Interpretation, and studies by Vladimir Dolzhikov, as well as other etudes and repertoire suited to the student’s level.

For younger learners, I often include playful exercises and body awareness activities to keep lessons engaging. For advanced students, I provide guidance on performance preparation, audition training, and stylistic interpretation in both traditional and modern contexts.

My approach is rooted in patience, respect for the body and mind, and the belief that music should bring joy. I encourage my students to grow at their own pace, to develop a healthy and natural technique, and to find freedom of self-expression. Whether focusing on classical repertoire, preparing for auditions, or exploring contemporary and experimental music, I tailor my lessons to each student’s needs and goals.