Teaching
Vocal & Piano Studio
With 17 years of teaching experience alongside an international performing career, Sofia Livotov offers individual singing and piano lessons in Geneva and online. As an active opera and concert singer, trained pianist and certified teacher, she combines extensive pedagogical experience with first-hand professional performance insight.
Sofia works with singers from beginners to advanced and professional performers and offers piano lessons with a particular focus on adult learners. Alongside her individual teaching, she offers language coaching for singers and is regularly invited to give masterclasses and choir workshops. Lessons and coaching are tailored to each student's level, musical interests and ambitions, whether preparing for an audition or performance, developing technique and musicianship, or returning to singing or piano after a longer break.
Sofia holds degrees in Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and Hochschule Luzern – Musik, as well as a piano teaching diploma from the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover. For lesson enquiries and to arrange a complimentary 20-minute online consultation, please get in touch.
Teaching
Vocal & Piano Studio
With 17 years of teaching experience alongside an international performing career, Sofia Livotov offers individual singing and piano lessons in Geneva and online. As an active opera and concert singer, trained pianist and certified teacher, she combines extensive pedagogical experience with first-hand professional performance insight.
Sofia works with singers from beginners to advanced and professional performers and offers piano lessons with a particular focus on adult learners. Alongside her individual teaching, she offers language coaching for singers and is regularly invited to give masterclasses and choir workshops. Lessons and coaching are tailored to each student's level, musical interests and ambitions, whether preparing for an audition or performance, developing technique and musicianship, or returning to singing or piano after a longer break.
Sofia holds degrees in Vocal Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and Hochschule Luzern – Musik, as well as a piano teaching diploma from the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover. For lesson enquiries and to arrange a complimentary 20-minute online consultation, please get in touch.
Testimonials
"Sofia is a phenomenal vocal coach and has helped me to discover and develop my voice. Since we have been working together my singing technique has improved tremendously and I feel much more confident using my voice now. Her musicianship and knowledge are so inspiring. She is an incredibly supportive teacher and any student would be lucky to have her!"
Paula, adult singing student from Germany
Testimonials
"Wer seinen Traum vom Klavierspielen verwirklichen möchte, ist bei Sofia in den besten Händen. Schon in der ersten Stunde lernte ich kleine Musikstücke. Sofia kombiniert in ihrem Unterricht Klang, Theorie und Technik auf hervorragende Art und Weise. Das motiviert und ermöglicht rasche Fortschritte. Und der von Sofia perfekt organisierte online Unterricht bietet mir als berufstätige Frau und Mutter optimale Flexibilität. Danke Sofia!"
Dagmar, adult piano student from Switzerland
Testimonials
"Sofia is always very encouraging and makes you feel that you can achieve your goals even at an advanced age. I have only just started a few months ago with no experience of playing an instrument and no knowledge of reading music, but have learnt so much already . Sofia often provides additional help with whatever you are struggling with by sending links to online resources. She is an excellent tutor. I am sure I would not have progressed so well on my own."
Karen, adult piano student from the UK
Testimonials
"I’ve always wanted to learn to play piano, and it has been only thanks to Sofia’s fantastic guidance that now, in my late 30s,
I have been able to give those first steps. She’s approachable, patient and methodical, and I’ve always looked forward to our lessons. I definitely recommend her!"
Diego, adult piano student from Spain
Testimonials
"Ich habe als Kind kurz Klavier gespielt, aber leider schnell wieder aufgehört. Durch eine Kollegin bin ich auf Sofia gestossen und nehme seit rund zwei Jahren online Klavierstunden bei ihr. Sofia ist sehr liebenswürdig, geduldig und erklärt alles verständlich. Bei Bedarf schickt sie zusätzliche Inputs, zum Beispiel Videos, in denen sie Stücke vorspielt. Der Unterricht via Microsoft Teams funktioniert problemlos und die flexible Terminplanung ist für mich ideal. Ich bin sehr glücklich mit meinem Fortschritt und kann Sofia ohne Wenn und Aber weiterempfehlen."
Silvia, adult piano student from Switzerland
Testimonials
"I met Sofia for the first time as my private vocal tutor when she visited my town in Indonesia. It was a very short visit to my town but it was unforgettable BECAUSE I finally met a teacher who always tries to understand her student from the student's point of view. She is totally supportive and honest in tutoring me. She is an awesome teacher. I definitely recommend her and I am really really grateful for that opportunity. Thank you so much, Sofia!"
Rita, adult singing student from Indonesia
Testimonials
"I'v been learning with Sofia for 6 months, after a 40-year hiatus from playing the piano. I immediately felt I’d made the right decision choosing Sofia. She gives really technical, practical feedback and notes, working on building strong foundations so that I’ll be able to tackle any piece confidently in the future. She also has suggested some really interesting pieces for me to learn, which have kept me motivated to practise regularly. I’ve improved way more than I thought was possible since having lessons with her. She’s also really nice and laid back and friendly."
Louisa, adult piano student from the UK
Testimonials
"As a returner, not having been in formal piano lessons since teenaged years, Sofia has been a superb source of piano inspiration. She takes a holistic approach to piano pedagogy, deploying body stretching, pretzel-bending techniques, to achieve the correct balance of weight, texture, tone and mood in playing. She expects no less than to nudge you to excellence!"
Wayne, adult piano student from the UK
Testimonials
Sofia is an excellent teacher. Initially I was skeptical that online lessons could be effective, but her attention to detail and clarity in instruction more than make up for that. I feel noticeable improvement in just a handful of lessons, and will certainly be seeking more soon!
Matt, adult singing student from the UK
Testimonials
"You are a wonderful teacher and a person. I look forward to the lessons every week, to learn music, to your positivity. I learnt a lot already in last couple of weeks. Thank you!"
Sangita, adult singing student from the UK
Testimonials
"Sofia is a great piano teacher. She is flexible and fits in with my life. She explains things clearly, she is very knowledgeable and can answer any questions that I have. She provides lots of positive feedback. I would highly recommend her."
Vicky, adult piano student from the UK
Teaching Profile
Alongside her international career as an opera and concert singer, with performances at the Grand Théâtre de Genève, Opera North and Tonhalle Zürich, Sofia has maintained a strong commitment to vocal and piano pedagogy throughout her professional life. She holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, a Master's in Vocal Pedagogy from Hochschule Luzern – Musik, and a piano teaching diploma from the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover. This combination of professional performance experience and pedagogical training forms the foundation of her teaching.
Throughout her career, Sofia has taught privately and at music schools in Switzerland and the United Kingdom. She spent five years as a piano teacher at the École d'Humanité, an international boarding school in Switzerland, where she prepared students for performances, examinations and individual musical projects. Since 2019, she has also been regularly invited to give masterclasses and workshops at universities and music institutions across Indonesia, including Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) Jakarta, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) Bandung and the Jakarta Conservatory of Music. Her teaching is based on an individual approach, with each lesson tailored to the student's musical background, technical needs and personal goals. She combines a strong technical foundation with musicianship, interpretation and confidence in performance. Whether working with a beginner, an experienced amateur musician or an advanced performer, Sofia creates a focused and supportive environment in which students can develop their skills while pursuing their individual musical ambitions.
Sofia teaches both in person in Geneva and online to students internationally. With many years of experience in online teaching, she works from a professionally equipped music studio with multiple cameras and microphones, allowing for detailed demonstrations and an interactive learning experience in both singing and piano lessons.
Singing Lessons
Sofia works in person and online with singers aged 15 and above, from those discovering their voice for the first time to advanced and professional performers. Her teaching is highly individualised, with each lesson tailored to the singer's needs, wishes and artistic goals. She combines vocal technique and body awareness with musicianship, interpretation and performance, creating a focused and supportive environment in which singers can develop both technically and artistically. For beginners, lessons provide a solid foundation in vocal technique, breathing, body awareness, musicianship and confidence in using the voice. More experienced singers can deepen their technical and artistic work, explore new repertoire and prepare for auditions and performances. Drawing on her extensive musical training, Sofia works across a wide range of repertoire, styles and languages.
As an active opera and concert singer with extensive stage experience, Sofia also helps singers develop performance skills including stage presence, storytelling, interpretation and strategies for managing performance anxiety. As a trained pianist, she accompanies her students herself, allowing technical work and musical interpretation to be integrated naturally within each lesson.
Her approach has been shaped by studies with singers and pedagogues including Nelly Miricioiu, Margreet Honig and Valérie Guillorit, as well as masterclasses with musicians such as Malcolm Martineau, Ann Murray, Regina Werner-Dietrich, Klesie Kelly-Moog, Roger Vignoles and Julius Drake. Drawing on her multilingual background, Sofia also offers German and Russian diction and language coaching for singers, with detailed work on pronunciation, text and interpretation.
Singing Lessons
Sofia works in person and online with singers aged 15 and above, from those discovering their voice for the first time to advanced and professional performers. Her teaching is highly individualised, with each lesson tailored to the singer's needs, wishes and artistic goals. She combines vocal technique and body awareness with musicianship, interpretation and performance, creating a focused and supportive environment in which singers can develop both technically and artistically. For beginners, lessons provide a solid foundation in vocal technique, breathing, body awareness, musicianship and confidence in using the voice. More experienced singers can deepen their technical and artistic work, explore new repertoire and prepare for auditions and performances. Drawing on her extensive musical training, Sofia works across a wide range of repertoire, styles and languages.
As an active opera and concert singer with extensive stage experience, Sofia also helps singers develop performance skills including stage presence, storytelling, interpretation and strategies for managing performance anxiety. As a trained pianist, she accompanies her students herself, allowing technical work and musical interpretation to be integrated naturally within each lesson.
Her approach has been shaped by studies with singers and pedagogues including Nelly Miricioiu, Margreet Honig and Valérie Guillorit, as well as masterclasses with musicians such as Malcolm Martineau, Ann Murray, Regina Werner-Dietrich, Klesie Kelly-Moog, Roger Vignoles and Julius Drake. Drawing on her multilingual background, Sofia also offers German and Russian diction and language coaching for singers, with detailed work on pronunciation, text and interpretation.
Piano Lessons
Sofia has 17 years of experience teaching piano, with a particular interest in working with adult learners, including complete beginners, those returning to the piano after a long break and students wishing to develop their existing skills. Her piano teaching combines a solid technical and musical foundation with repertoire chosen according to each student's interests and goals. Lessons may also include sight-reading, music theory, accompaniment and basics of improvisation. Sofia also has extensive experience preparing students for piano examinations, performances and other individual musical goals.
Sofia began her training as a pianist at the age of five and later studied piano at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover. She has performed as a solo and chamber pianist, appeared with the Lower Saxony Youth Symphony Orchestra and worked extensively as an accompanist for singers and instrumentalists. She was a prize-winner at the German national Jugend musiziert competition in the piano solo category.
Piano lessons are available in person in Geneva and online. Sofia has many years of experience teaching piano online and works from a professionally equipped music studio with multiple cameras and microphones, allowing students to see the keyboard, hand position and technical demonstrations clearly from different perspectives.
International Teaching Experience
Since 2019, Sofia has been regularly invited as a guest vocal teacher and masterclass instructor at universities and music institutions across Indonesia. Her work has included principal study tuition at Bachelor's and Master's level, as well as audition coaching, song interpretation, operatic scenes and choir workshops. In 2025, she taught at Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) Jakarta, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) Bandung, Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana (UKSW) Salatiga and the Jakarta Conservatory of Music, as well as at several private academies in Bali, Surabaya and Jakarta. She has also served as an adjudicator for the Bandung Solo Vocal Competition and the 14th Bali International Choir Festival.
Sofia's students come from diverse backgrounds and are based across Switzerland, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Indonesia. They range from beginners and dedicated amateurs to advanced and professional musicians. Whether preparing for an audition, developing technical and performance skills or returning to singing or piano after many years, Sofia's aim is to provide the technical expertise, artistic insight and individual attention that allow each student to progress with confidence and enjoy making music.
Piano Lessons
Sofia has 17 years of experience teaching piano, with a particular interest in working with adult learners, including complete beginners, those returning to the piano after a long break and students wishing to develop their existing skills. Her piano teaching combines a solid technical and musical foundation with repertoire chosen according to each student's interests and goals. Lessons may also include sight-reading, music theory, accompaniment and basics of improvisation. Sofia also has extensive experience preparing students for piano examinations, performances and other individual musical goals.
Sofia began her training as a pianist at the age of five and later studied piano at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover. She has performed as a solo and chamber pianist, appeared with the Lower Saxony Youth Symphony Orchestra and worked extensively as an accompanist for singers and instrumentalists. She was a prize-winner at the German national Jugend musiziert competition in the piano solo category.
Piano lessons are available in person in Geneva and online. Sofia has many years of experience teaching piano online and works from a professionally equipped music studio with multiple cameras and microphones, allowing students to see the keyboard, hand position and technical demonstrations clearly from different perspectives.
International Teaching Experience
Since 2019, Sofia has been regularly invited as a guest vocal teacher and masterclass instructor at universities and music institutions across Indonesia. Her work has included principal study tuition at Bachelor's and Master's level, as well as audition coaching, song interpretation, operatic scenes and choir workshops. In 2025, she taught at Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) Jakarta, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (UPI) Bandung, Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana (UKSW) Salatiga and the Jakarta Conservatory of Music, as well as at several private academies in Bali, Surabaya and Jakarta. She has also served as an adjudicator for the Bandung Solo Vocal Competition and the 14th Bali International Choir Festival.
Sofia's students come from diverse backgrounds and are based across Switzerland, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Indonesia. They range from beginners and dedicated amateurs to advanced and professional musicians. Whether preparing for an audition, developing technical and performance skills or returning to singing or piano after many years, Sofia's aim is to provide the technical expertise, artistic insight and individual attention that allow each student to progress with confidence and enjoy making music.