"Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without." —Confucius
About Us
Dilip Kothari
Guitar, Electric Bass
When Dilip started playing guitar at the age of 9, he never thought his interest in music would shape the rest of his life. At 16 he committed to studying classical guitar which led him to South Florida where he studied under Dr. Ken Keaton at Florida Atlantic University. While studying at F.A.U. he took a job teaching guitar lessons at a local music store and developed a love for teaching others.
In 1993 he opened his own music studio not knowing that decision would introduce him to his future wife, classical pianist from Japan, Yoko Sata. Today, Dilip and Yoko own and operate D&Y Studios in North Palm Beach, where he has taught students of every age and background. He enjoys getting to know his students and seeing them discover the same satisfaction and enjoyment from the guitar that he does. Creative and enthusiastic, Dilip customizes each lesson based on his students personal interests and goals, whether its studying classical music or just strumming chords to their favorite songs.
An active professional musician, Dilip plays guitar and bass in a wide variety of musical genres throughout South Florida. As a long time resident of Palm Beach County, he is an avid saltwater fisherman and passionate for his love of the outdoors.
In 2011 Dilip released a self-produced CD containing 22 instrumentals featuring his wide-ranging guitar repertoire. It is available for purchase now at D&Y Music Studios, and will soon be sold on this website.
"Dilip Kothari - Solo Guitar"
Yoko Sata Kothari
Piano
Born in Tokyo, pianist Yoko Sata Kothari began her performing career by winning the
Northern Japan Classical Piano Competition at the age of eight. She then went further on to collect top prizes including the Japan Young Pianist Award and the Machida Piano Competition. Since moving to the United States, she has continued to earn awards for her performances, including second place in the Bartok-Kabalevsky-Prokofiev International Competition, the Kathleen McGowan Piano Scholarship Award, a prize for her outstanding Bartok performance in the Ibla Grand Prize International Competition in Italy, as well as being chosen as a finalist in the Simone Belsky International Piano Competition. In May 2017, she won first place in the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition in New York, and was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall.
As an active solo performer, Ms. Kothari has inspired and captivated audiences on three continents including televised broadcasts in China and a series of performances in Italy, which received high recognition. She has released four CD recordings, and her latest CD received a rave review: “Ms. Kothari is both a sensitive and strong pianist…her performance of Lyapunov’s ‘Lesghinka’ is almost note-perfect and effective.” (American Record Guide)
Aside from her performing career, together with her husband, Dilip, Ms. Kothari enjoys teaching as well as developing lasting relationships with her students. Ms. Kothari graduated from the Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo, Japan. Her teachers include Takako Maeda, Miwako Tsukada, as well as Dr. Roberta Rust and Phillip Evans at the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida.
For more info please visit www.yokoskothari.com
Charles "Doc" Erwin
Trumpet, Trombone, Popular/Jazz Piano
Charles "Doc" Erwin is a jazz pianist well known in the South Florida music scene. As a multi-instrumentalist, he plays trumpet and trombone as well. He has performed numerous events and parties throughout South Florida, including at The Breakers Hotel and Ritz Carlton. Also as an experienced church musician, Doc currently plays at the weekly Sunday service at the Oceanview Methodist Church in Juno Beach.
Doc graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelors degree in music theory and composition. He has taught at D&Y since 1997 and brings a lifetime of professional experience to every lesson. Doc has a patient and pleasant teaching style, which makes everyone feel comfortable regardless of students' ages. His relaxed approach has been particularly successful with the adult students as well as the young children.
Galina Goryanskaya-Dennison
Violin, Viola
Born in Russia, Galina began studying viola with Victor Nesterov at the age of seven. She attended the Dargomirshsky School of Music, where she received her diploma. At eighteen she was accepted to the Moscow Gnesin Institute as a student of Yuri Yuroff, where she remained until graduation.
During that time, Galina's string quartet was awarded the distinctive honor to train with the Borodin String Quartet, resulting in numerous performances throughout Europe and the former Soviet Union. Her appearances include performances in the major concert halls of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Cologne, Munich, Barcelona, Madrid, Leon, and Paris, among others.
In the United States, Ms. Dennison has been active as a soloist and orchestra member with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Palm Beach Pops, Atlantic Classical Orchestra, Florida Philharmonic, and Miami Chamber Orchestra. Galina greatly enjoys teaching and sharing her love for music with students of all levels.
