Ilya Tishkov graduated from M. I. Glinka Nizhny Novgorod State Conservatory in Russua. He is currently a foreign expert and postgraduate student tutor at the School of Music of the Hunan Institute of Science and Technology (HNIST), engaged in piano art instruction and performance.

"There were many Chinese students in the school where I studied and worked in Russia," he said. "I had three Chinese classmates and was deeply impressed by their respect for the teacher," he added, which made him enthralled with the idea of "going to China".


When he learned that a piano accompanist was needed at the HNIST School of Music, Ilya applied without hesitation. In August 2012, he flew from Moscow to Hong Kong and transferred to take a high-speed train in Shenzhen. After the over-30-hour tour, he arrived in Yueyang, Hunan Province. 

That was his first outbound tour. He had no idea of the Chinese language and didn’t know where to buy a train ticket. But, thanks to the warm-hearted Chinese people and considerate arrangement of the school, he settled and started to work soon. Initially, he only played the piano in vocal music teachers’ classes and needed the students or other teachers to interpret for him.

"Bu Yao La (no spicy)", "Xie Xie (thanks)", and "Zai Jian (bye)" were the first three Chinese phrases he spoke. To give open class by himself, he used mobile Apps and the Chinese cards made by the students to study hard the Chinese language.

"Chinese tones were most difficult for me. Different tones may have different means," he said. "I listened and practiced once and again until I could speak it right."

So far, Ilya has lived in Hunan for ten years. He can speak Chinese fluently, enjoy spicy food, and even cook Hunan dishes such as meat fried with chili.

In his class, he may select some foreign music scores and integrate them with Chinese classical and national music. In addition, his students often recommend some traditional Chinese music to him. "Music is universal," he added, "it can shorten the distance between people."


Ilya married a Hunan piano teacher Yao Lan. They often play piano duets and enjoy their music time. After their baby was born, Ilya changed from a "Piano Prince" to a "Super Daddy".

At present, Ilya is always busy instructing students for competitions and concerts, giving classes, and attending music activities around China. Compared with many big cities where he has toured, he prefers Yueyang. In his spare time, he likes to ride his motorbike, taste rice noodles at familiar restaurants, and ride around Nanhu Lake.

"Yueyang is much like my hometown in Russia. There are mountains and waters, and the locals are simple and enthusiastic, enjoying the slower pace of life. I want to stay and enjoy my life here," Ilya said.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.

Translator: Pang Yuehui 
 
Chinese source: Chinanews