Meet Aleksei Vyzhanov | Artistic Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aleksei Vyzhanov and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aleksei, how does your business help the community?
I started Inplay School of Music because I wanted lessons to feel alive. Too often, kids leave a class knowing the notes but not excited to play, and I wanted to change that. I want music to spark confidence and creativity from the very first lesson.

Before opening the school, I traveled the world studying at some of the most prestigious music schools. That experience taught me different teaching methods, performance approaches, and how to inspire students. I realized I could bring all of this to Texas, giving students the chance to experience world-class music education without leaving the United States.

Finding teachers who are doctoral-level musicians and share my passion for inspiring kids was challenging, but worth it. Seeing students light up when they realize they can do something they never thought possible is exactly why I do this.

I also connect students to the bigger world of music. Through a partnership with a music school in Vienna, Austria, they have experiences they’ll never forget, and I’m already planning projects to push their creativity further. They also get to play a fully customized grand piano created just for Inplay, the only one of its kind in the world.

For me, music education isn’t just about learning an instrument. It’s about giving students confidence, opening doors, and helping them discover their potential. When students perform and share music, they bring inspiration and joy to the community, and that’s the impact that drives me every day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Music has always been my way of connecting with people, and I’ve been lucky to learn from some incredible teachers and schools around the world. Traveling and studying internationally gave me so many different ways to think about teaching and performing, and it really showed me how much music can inspire creativity and confidence in students. That’s what led me to start Inplay. I wanted a place where kids don’t just learn notes, they get to explore, experiment, and actually feel the joy of music from the very first lesson.

Getting here wasn’t easy. Building the school from scratch and finding teachers who really share my vision took a lot of persistence and patience, and yes, some very late nights. But seeing a student light up when they realize they can do something they never thought possible makes it all worth it.

What I’ve learned along the way is that music is about connection. It builds confidence, opens doors, and brings joy. Inplay isn’t just a music school. It’s a place where students discover themselves, explore their creativity, and gain skills that stay with them for life!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit Fort Worth for a week, the first place I would take them is the Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU. It is an amazing space with world-class acoustics and beautiful design that makes every performance feel alive. I have been lucky enough to perform there many times, both as a soloist and with the TCU orchestra, and each time it reminds me why I admire Van Cliburn so much. His artistry, dedication, and the way he inspired generations of musicians is incredible!

After that, I would show them some of the cultural spots I love. The Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth are stunning, and the Fort Worth Stockyards give a real taste of the city’s unique heritage.

We would also explore local food and live music, maybe a jazz club or a small concert, and just soak up the creative energy that makes Fort Worth so special. By the end of the week, they would really understand why this city is such an inspiring place for music, culture, and creativity.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I really want to give a shoutout to all the amazing teachers and mentors I’ve had along the way. Studying at some of the top music schools around the world, I met incredible people who challenged me, inspired me, and showed me new ways to teach and perform. They did more than teach me music. They taught me how to bring out the best in my students.

I also have to thank my family and friends. Their support, patience, and encouragement made it possible for me to take the leap and create something truly unique here in Texas with Inplay School of Music.

Finally, the global music community deserves recognition. Working with schools and musicians around the world, like our partnership with the music school in Vienna, has shown me how music can connect people in ways nothing else can. Those experiences directly shape the opportunities and inspiration I bring to my students every day.

Website: https://inplaymusicschool.com

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