From September to March, Absolute Classics delivers a Concert Series where international artists tour Dumfries & Galloway in local venues. While we have this amazing talent in the region, we organise for them to provide free masterclasses and workshops for local young people. During September 2016 Slava Sidorenko delivered piano workshops and 1-2-1 masterclasses within Annan Academy and Kirkcudbright Academy.

All of these sessions were extremely well received by teachers and students alike:
 “Our pupils absolutely loved the sessions, these are just some of the comments:
‘It was amazing to hear someone who is that talented, live in front of us’
‘He inspired me to go home and practice’
‘When can he come back?’
Personally, I thought the workshop was excellent and we feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity.  Slava gave the pupils some invaluable information that will stand them in excellent stead for their respective courses. I felt he really managed to pitch it at their level and everything was placed so well in context. The live performance of music through the periods was brilliant as this is something I think pupils really struggle to understand and recognise. We have looked at the Bach during class and used it for part of the unit work.  We hope to look at the Beethoven next term.” 
Hannah Gill (Kirkcudbright)

“This workshop was of huge benefit to the 60 or so students at Annan Academy who heard his inspirational playing across the 2 sessions that he delivered for us. In conjunction with Music Staff, Slava played an inspirational and virtuosic programme that spanned over 300 years of musical style and history, from Baroque to twentieth Century. His commentary was appropriate to the level and both well-judged and delivered to enhance the learning experience and musical understanding of the students. It also allowed music staff to pick up links in the context of both historical and social context as well as music outcomes from Curriculum for Excellence and National Qualifications.”
Jamie Brand – Principal Teacher (Annan)