Erik Markovskii
About
Hi! My name is Erik Markovskii.
I’m a multi-instrumentalist, percussionist, and educator with more than 18 years of international performance and teaching experience.
I specialize in a wide range of instruments — frame drum, darbuka, handpan (hang drum), cajón, djembe, daf, riqq, Caucasian nagara, and jaw harp (vargan) — connecting traditional and modern rhythmic languages.
I studied with some of the world’s leading masters of percussion, including
Zohar Fresco (Israel), Misirli Ahmet (Turkey), David Kuckhermann (Germany/France), Okay Temiz (Turkey), Berkant Çakıcı (Turkey), Khayrullo Dadoboev (Tajikistan), Rovshan Jabbar (Azerbaijan), Andrey Tanzu (Russia), and others.
Their mentorship shaped my multicultural and integrative approach to rhythm and sound.
In addition to my musical background, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Education and completed professional training in Active Music Therapy.
This background helps me guide students not only through rhythm and technique, but also toward self-awareness, concentration, creativity, and freedom in their playing.
My goal is to help each student build a natural and mindful relationship with rhythm — where music becomes expression, meditation, and freedom.
As a performer, I’ve played at numerous international festivals and concerts, collaborating with musicians from Turkey, Israel, India, Europe, and beyond.
As a composer, I’ve written music for theatre and dance productions, including works nominated for Russia’s top national award, The Golden Mask.
Through my lessons, I aim to inspire every student to discover their own rhythmic voice and creative flow — blending ancient traditions with modern freedom.
🎵 MUSICAL STYLE
In my playing, I combine the techniques and traditions of Persian, Indian, Arabic, African, Turkish, and Latin American percussion schools.
My repertoire spans a wide geographical and cultural spectrum — from the Middle East and Central Asia to India, Latin America, and Africa.
I study the rhythmic systems of these regions in their authentic, traditional forms, while at the same time developing a personal style — a synthesis of patterns, phrasing, and techniques from different cultures.
This fusion creates a distinctive sound, where ancient rhythmic languages meet contemporary freedom and improvisation.
Depending on the context, my performance can sound traditional — rooted in a specific culture, such as Persian or Turkish — or innovative and experimental, combining elements from various traditions into new rhythmic forms.
This approach allows me to build multilayered rhythmic landscapes — from meditative solo performances to energetic ensemble grooves.
Teaching Style
🎶TEACHING STYLE
🎯 Who are these lessons for
- Beginners — you’ll learn the fundamentals of rhythm, hand technique, and proper sound production, and quickly start playing a variety of grooves and compositions, even from zero.
- Intermediate players — we’ll explore more complex rhythms, dynamic variations, and improvisation; study ornaments and phrasing inspired by world rhythmic traditions.
- Advanced and professional musicians — you’ll refine your technique, work with polyrhythms, odd meters, and hybrid styles, and develop your own artistic voice.
- Music enthusiasts — ideal for those who want to play for joy, join jam sessions, or add a new instrument to their creative world.
🌍 What you will learn
- Master both basic and advanced playing techniques.
- Explore rhythms and patterns from African, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Latin American traditions.
- Learn rhythmic structures used in modern styles: pop, rock, funk, jazz, and world fusion.
- Develop freedom and confidence in improvisation.
- Build a strong foundation through a clear, progressive learning system.
- Learn to perform both solo and in ensembles with expressiveness and precision.
💻 Lesson format
- Online, available from anywhere in the world.
- Individual approach — each program is customized to your goals and instrument.
- Ongoing support between lessons: you can send recordings and receive detailed feedback
✨ My main focus as a teacher is to help students develop improvisation, awareness, and creative flow.
This skill not only brings confidence and expressiveness to your drumming, but also opens up a much deeper understanding of music — one that stays with you for life.
- Online, available from anywhere in the world.
- Individual approach — each program is tailored to your goals.
- Ongoing support between lessons — you can send recordings and receive personalized feedback.
✨ Beyond technique
In our lessons, we also explore conceptual and creative thinking — how rhythm can interact with movement, theatre, and other art forms.
This helps you use your instrument not only in musical projects, but also in interdisciplinary collaborations — dance, performance, or visual art. 💃🎭
The most essential skill I help my students develop is improvisation — the key to freedom and creativity.
It opens vast horizons, helps you feel confident while playing, stay inspired, and never fear mistakes.
Over time, this ability will enrich not only your drumming, but your entire musical expression — on any instrument. 🎸🎻🪈
I also stay in touch between lessons — you can share your practice recordings, receive detailed feedback, and ask any questions that come up during your learning process. ✨
Curriculum
Education:
I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Education from the Institute of Psychology and Education, Kazan Federal University,
and completed advanced professional training in Active Music Therapy at the State University of Tolyatti.
This academic foundation allows me to integrate psychological, pedagogical, and therapeutic principles into the learning process,
helping students not only master rhythm and technique but also develop concentration, awareness, and creativity through music.
Teaching Activity:
I have more than 15 years of systematic teaching experience, during which I have trained over 1000 students of different levels — from beginners to professional musicians.
I teach both individual and group lessons, in-person and online, working with students from the USA, Canada, Europe, Russia, and beyond.
Many of my students who started from scratch have achieved a high level of mastery, begun musical careers, and actively perform in various projects.
Methodology and Author’s Teaching Style:
Over the years, I have developed an authorial system of percussion education, grounded in key pedagogical principles:
- Gradual progression — each concept builds naturally upon the previous one;
- Accessibility and clarity — methods suitable for all learning stages;
- Development through practice — focusing on experience, not theory alone;
- Creative engagement — encouraging personal expression and improvisation.
My approach combines traditional percussion schools (Turkish, Arabic, Indian, Persian, African)
with modern educational psychology and music therapy concepts,
creating a balanced system where structure meets creativity.
Music Therapy:
I am a certified music therapist with many years of experience working with children and adults in both private practice and educational settings.
My work has included sessions with individuals with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and other conditions,
focusing on improving communication, coordination, and emotional balance through rhythm.
For many years, I was an assistant to — and studied under — Sergey Yakovlevich Stangrit,
a renowned music therapist, member of the Association of Music Therapists of Finland, and author of “Music of Moments: Experience of a Practicing Music Therapist.”
Credentials & Affiliations
🎓 Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Education, Institute of Psychology and Education, Kazan Federal University
- Professional Training in Active Music Therapy, State University of Tolyatti
- Advanced studies and workshops with world percussion masters:
Zohar Fresco (Israel), Misirli Ahmet (Turkey), David Kuckhermann (Germany/France), Okay Temiz (Turkey), Berkant Çakıcı (Turkey),
Khayrullo Dadoboev (Tajikistan), Rovshan Jabbar (Azerbaijan), Andrey Tanzu and Kirill Osherov (Russia)
🏫 Teaching & Work Experience
- Over 15 years of teaching experience, trained more than 1000 students worldwide — from beginners to professionals
- Private lessons and group masterclasses (online and offline) in the USA, Canada, Europe, Russia, and other countries
- Author of the program “Music of the World”, implemented in multiple educational institutions
- Permanent teaching positions:
- Eureka Hobby School (children and teens)
- Sabyylar Center (ages 6–16)
- Montessori School and Kindergarten “Individ.UM” (ages 6–11)
- Workshops and intensives conducted for cultural centers, music schools, and festival participants
- Certified Music Therapist, experience in therapy and education for individuals with developmental disabilities (autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, etc.)
- Assistant to Sergey Yakovlevich Stangrit, member of the Association of Music Therapists of Finland and author of “Music of Moments”
🎤CONCERT & COMPOSITION ACTIVITY
🎶 Performance Activity
I actively perform as a percussionist, soloist, and composer on a wide range of stages — from intimate chamber spaces to major international festivals and official forums.
Over the years, I have played hundreds of concerts of various formats and scales, collaborating with musicians, dancers, and interdisciplinary artists from around the world.
Selected performances and projects:
- Battle of Bands International (India) — participant in a national TV show on India’s main television channel.
- KazanForum – “Russia — Islamic World” (2023) — opening concert together with vocalist Dina Garipova and the State Orchestra of Tatarstan.
- Context. Diana Vishneva and Open Look — performances at leading international contemporary dance festivals.
- Diplomatic receptions and official events featuring international delegations, ministers, and presidents of various countries.
- Collaborative concerts and masterclasses with musicians from Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Europe.
- Performances at international festivals combining acoustic and electronic percussion, integrating loopers, synthesizers, and live improvisation.
My solo performances often include live looping, frame drums, darbuka, handpan, and electronic percussion,
creating immersive rhythmic soundscapes that merge ancient traditions with modern musical forms.
🎼 Composition Activity
Alongside performance, I actively work as a composer for theatre, contemporary dance, and performance art projects.
My compositions combine acoustic percussion with ambient textures, electronic layers, and world rhythm aesthetics.
Selected works:
- “DÖR” — original music for a theatre production that received five nominations at Russia’s top theatre award The Golden Mask (2023),
including my personal nomination as Best Composer in Musical Theatre. - “Sak-Sok” — music for a performance that won the Audience Choice Award at the Context. Diana Vishneva Festival (2020)
and was included in the Golden Mask long list (2022). - “Wild Child” — original score and live performance, winner of the “Keys” Experimental Dance Festival (2021).
- “Karakuz” — composer and performer for a theatre–dance collaboration.
- Collaborations with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan — music for official cultural and diplomatic events.
My work explores the dialogue between tradition and innovation, blending the deep pulse of world percussion with modern sound design and improvisational performance.