Vitalii Khairutdinov was seven years old when he was introduced to piano.

“My aunt was a music teacher,” Khairutdinov said, “and when I went to her school, I touched the keys on the piano, and they made sounds.” 

Khairutdinov confesses that at this initial introduction to the instrument, he had no idea what his future in music would hold. However, shortly after this event, he would go on to start taking piano lessons. 

“I thought it would be very easy in the beginning,” said Khairutdinov. 

As his lessons went on though, he would be forced to work extremely hard to grow as a musician. Through a great amount of studying and practicing day in and day out, all at a very young age, Khairutdinov would grow into his own as a pianist and would win his first competition at nine years old.

“I felt good,” Khairutdinov said, speaking of that event. 

From then on, Khairutdinov would fully devote himself to his instrument, growing in skill through constant practice and study through the years. At fifteen, he went to the Central Music School in Moscow, a secondary school devoted to musical education, and in 2019, he entered the Moscow Conservatory, one of the most prestigious music education institutions in the world.

At the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian war in 2022, Khairutdinov felt the desire to leave Russia to continue his education abroad. He admits that the process of learning a second language was very challenging. At his outset, most of his English skills were limited to musical jargon, stating he “could speak a lot, in a limited area.” In time though, he would master English, and he would go on to be admitted to Rowan to begin his freshman year this fall.

This fall, Khairutdinov has embarked upon adjusting to the new school. 

“Everyone is very kind,” Khairutdinov said when asked about the Rowan community. 

On campus and in the area at large, he praises the safety and warmth he feels here. With a lot of time to practice and the resources to do so, Khairutdinov feels as though he is making great progress as a musician. Additionally, he enjoys the musical education facilities on campus, stating that the quality of the faculty and facilities, in addition to the pianos themselves, is amazing.

Khairutdinov performed his first concert in New Jersey earlier this year at Lions Gate, an assisted living facility in South Jersey. Again here, he praised the kindness of the audience, noting how nice the residents were. As he goes on with his education, he states he would like to begin playing piano competitively in competitions around the United States. Additionally, he hopes to grow as a chamber musician, stating he has always had an affection for chamber music and would like to learn more about that style. 

When asked if he had a single favorite piano piece, Khairutdinov couldn’t give one. Instead, he explained that the piano’s repertoire was so broad, that it would be impossible to name and hold up a single piece as a favorite which, for Khairutdinov, is part of what makes studying piano so compelling.

When it comes to his career ambitions later in life, Khairutdinov stated that, in addition to playing piano professionally, he would like to go on to teach one day. While he admits he feels it could be dull at times, he notes that, when a student and a teacher are both passionate about a topic, teaching can be one of the most rewarding professions out there, as helping others grow in a subject they love just as much as you do can be an amazingly meaningful experience.

From Russia to Rowan, Khairutdinov brings his passion, and ability for piano wherever he goes, and as he begins his freshman year here on campus, he looks forward to everything to come in his time here at Rowan.

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