Peculiarities of the pedagogical process in Natalia Yeshchenko’s piano class

Statement of the problem. The article is dedicated to the Honored Worker of Arts of Ukraine, Professor of the Kharkiv I. P. Kotlyarevsky National University of Arts Natalia Oleksandrivna Yeshchenko (1926–2015). Brilliant pianist, teacher, artist, she left a noticeable mark in the cultural history of Kharkiv, and more than 90 her graduates work in Ukraine and in various parts of the world. Nevertheless, the analysis of materials related to her pedagogical activity, shows that the methods of organizing the educational process in her special piano class, have not been studied enough. The purpose of the research paper is to examine the pedagogical activity of Natalia Yeshchenko and to reveal the peculiarities of the organizational process in it. Research results. The main stages of pedagogical experience accumulation of the pianist, the process of her teaching, thanks to which numerous solo concerts of her students with complex programs took place, were considered. It was found that her attitude to work was helped to expand students’ horizons, and cultivate the necessary character traits: hard work, will, perseverance. So, Natalia Yeshchenko believed that the most important law of pedagogy is an individual approach to education. She widely used the method of developmental education, supported her students to solve creative tasks, followed the personal professional progress of everyone, took care of their harmonious growth as individuals. She considered it an important pedagogical task to make ready the students, professionally and psychologically, for independent activities. Conclusion. We define that learning is a two-sided process of collective activity of the student and the teacher. It can be considered as one of the means of personality formation through pedagogical communication. In such a way, the numerous solo concerts of Natalia Yeshchenko’s students are a creative workshop for students and teachers, where the organization of the pedagogical process is aimed at the education of the student’s independence and initiative, the development of his thinking and creative individuality, the motivation of learning, when the teacher, using his perfect professional skill and psychological levers, successfully leads the student to the chosen goal. Such two-sided intense work really reveals the common values and sets mutual understanding between the student and the teacher.