Today we’d like to introduce you to Aleksei Vyzhanov.
Hi Aleksei, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi, I’m Aleksei Vyzhanov, the founder of Inplay School of Music. I started Inplay to share the joy of music with both kids and adults. Today, we’re based in Haltom City, Texas, where we share a warm and creative space with Calvary Chapel Fort Worth.
Inplay began in 2020, while I was earning my Artist Diploma at TCU. I started teaching online, and the school grew quickly, soon I had students from different parts of the world.
That experience shaped my vision for what a music school could be. Now, as a doctoral candidate at UNT, I understand what families really value: lessons that spark curiosity, creativity, and a genuine connection with music.
All our instructors are advanced musicians, doctoral candidates who bring both deep knowledge and an artistic approach to teaching. It’s not easy to find teachers like that, but when you do, the results are remarkable.
Our passion for music has also led us to collaborate with a music school in Vienna, Austria, and we’re planning even more projects together. And now, we’re preparing to expand to Plano to bring this experience to more families.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been smooth, but I think that’s what makes the story interesting. Every challenge shaped Inplay into what it is today.
One of the hardest parts was finding the right teachers. Not every doctoral student fits our standards. I look for people who not only play beautifully but who can also create that spark in a student, who can make a lesson feel alive.
Balancing my own doctoral studies at UNT while building the school was another challenge. There were long days and many nights of planning, but I’ve always believed that if you commit to something, you give it your full attention.
When we moved into our current space at Calvary Chapel Fort Worth in 2024, it came with plenty of practical issues, transporting pianos, arranging classrooms, creating an inviting atmosphere. But step by step, it became a warm, creative place where kids love to learn.
Every obstacle reminded me why I started this, to keep the joy of making music at the center of everything.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I started playing piano when I was three. My hands barely reached the keys, but I remember feeling that the piano was somehow alive, speaking back to me. That feeling has never left me.
I earned my master’s degree at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and later received full scholarships to study in the United States, first at TCU for my Artist Diploma with Tamás Ungár, and now at UNT, where I’m pursuing my doctorate with Pamela Paul and teaching as a Graduate Teaching Fellow.
As a classical pianist, I’ve performed with symphony orchestras and in concert halls around the world. Those experiences shaped how I think about sound, artistry, and communication through music.
At Inplay, I’m most proud of the team we’ve built, dedicated teachers who truly care about their students’ progress. I personally train and mentor each instructor so that our students not only learn technique but also develop a deeper, personal relationship with music.
What sets us apart is that combination of serious musicianship and genuine warmth. Every teacher here is both a performer and a mentor. That balance gives our students something rare, a real connection with music as art, not just as a skill.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
To me, risk feels a bit like learning a new piece. You don’t know exactly how it will unfold, but you trust your instincts and keep going.
Starting Inplay in 2020 while still a student at TCU was a major risk. I had no guarantee it would work, but I wanted to build a place where kids could fall in love with music and where teachers could share their craft at the highest level.
Moving to the U.S. was another huge leap. I arrived not knowing anyone, but I believed in what I was doing and in the path that music was leading me toward.
Even the choice to hire only doctoral-level teachers at Inplay is a kind of risk. It limits who we can hire, but it ensures our students receive truly high-quality instruction. Parents immediately sense that difference.
And of course, every concert carries its own risk. When you walk on stage, you offer something personal and unpredictable. But that’s the beauty of it, risk and art always go hand in hand.
For me, taking risks isn’t about being fearless. It’s about trusting the process, even when you don’t know exactly where it will lead.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inplay.music.school/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inplaymusicschool
- Twitter: https://x.com/inplay_school
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@inplaymusicschool
