The Flying
School
Saucer
We teach the art of music from scratch at any age on unique and unconventional musical instruments!
Unleash the creator of universes within you!
Sign up for your first lesson right now!
Teaching from
2009
1000+
students
About school
The Flying Saucers School is a community that brings people together around an extraordinary musical instrument—the handpan (hang). This unique instrument makes it easy to become a musician at any age while unlocking the secrets of sound, music, and meditation.
Our training helps you explore your inner world while enhancing memory, reaction time, and coordination—nurturing both creativity and mindfulness.
Our training helps you explore your inner world while enhancing memory, reaction time, and coordination—nurturing both creativity and mindfulness.
The founder of the school, Lidia Igolnikova, has a professional musical education and was one of the pioneers in teaching Handpan and RAV Vast. When she began teaching, there were no schools or instructors for the handpan anywhere in the world.
Lidia developed a unique methodology that allows students to:
Lidia developed a unique methodology that allows students to:
/focus on practice with minimal theory
/master the instrument quickly
/develop musical ear, attentiveness, confidence, and teamwork skills
/learn to relax and unwind
/tap into the state of creative flow
/expand musical thinking in the broadest sense of the word.
/master the instrument quickly
/develop musical ear, attentiveness, confidence, and teamwork skills
/learn to relax and unwind
/tap into the state of creative flow
/expand musical thinking in the broadest sense of the word.
The Flying Saucers School is a unique opportunity for creative expression and personal growth through music.
Creative self-realization
Students of The Flying Saucers School perform music, compose, perform, sharing beauty with others, realize their creative ideas, and collaborate as musicians.
Advantages
school's
principles
and
Accessibility of learning
In our classes, no prior preparation or proof of musical ear is required. If needed, we will help develop it. Additionally, in Samara, you can practice on our instruments without the need to purchase your own.
Brain development and training
During lessons, you'll not only memorize patterns, note sequences, and melodies, but you'll also engage multiple forms of memory: auditory, visual, and muscle memory. This kind of synergy within one of the most crucial systems in our body definitely brings significant health benefits. It's amazing how music can enhance brain function, and it's so rewarding to see how it positively impacts creativity and cognitive growth. It’s a great reminder that learning can be a holistic, fulfilling experience!
Transformation of thinking
A person studying musical material, especially multilayered and polyphonic, learns to think abstractly. They can transition from basic forms of reasoning to processing large amounts of information, which helps in solving more complex and global issues in life. Additionally, a musician learns to react quickly and make the right decisions in multitasking situations.
Collective interaction
If a student learns in a group, they constantly interact with other performers, working together to find solutions and supporting each other. In The Flying Saucers School, it is customary to treat each other with respect and prioritize support over competition.
A leader in handpan education
The Flying Saucers School is at the forefront of handpan education. We were the first, and we continue to maintain the quality and depth of our lessons.
Experienced instructor
The main instructor, Lidia Igolnikova, is a teacher with a higher musical education and extensive experience in both teaching and performance, both solo and in ensembles. She is a composer, improviser, and sound therapist. All of this wealth of knowledge and skills is passed on to you by Lidia.
Individual approach
Some students need a faster pace of learning, while others prefer a slower one. Thanks to the ability to personalize exercises and musical parts, students at different levels of training can play together harmoniously in the same class.
The Flying Saucers School is a path to art, self-discovery, and new opportunities in the world of music.
Services and prices
A free consultation is a 20-30 minute meeting with the instructor, where you get to know each other, assess if it's the right fit, and discuss your goals for the lessons.
1 class
4 classes per month
8 classes per month
4 classes per month
8 classes per month
15$
50$
80$
50$
80$
(online and offline)
/individual regular classes
-1 class (1h)
-3-month personal mentorship
1400$
50$
Regular classes
/regular classes in group
/workshops at your location on RAV Vast
/live performance at your event
Workshops
Shows
from 200$
from 120$
25$/person
150-250$
from 80$
-master (Lidia Igolnikova)
/workshops at our location
-master and students (2-4 persons)
-group workshop on handpan and RAV Vast
-offsite group workshop on playing RAV Vast
-individual or duo workshop on handpan and RAV Vast
Reviews
Our students' impressions after the lessons
Take a look and listen to how our students play!
Frequently asked questions
Handpan – has sound areas in the form of protrusions and indentations with flat fields around, producing a more ringing and bright sound, and the sound of the fingers is mostly less audible. It is highly sensitive to being out of tune due to finger pressure or striking. Suitable for both beginners and professionals.
RAV Vast – has sound areas in the form of cut-out petals on separate sectors of the body, with a longer and more "dull" sound. However, the sound of the fingers is usually more audible. The long sustain is both an advantage, allowing for slow and meditative play, and a disadvantage, as the sounds may blend and create a "mash." It’s important to know how to "dampen" them. It is more resistant to damage. Ideal for learning at the beginner stage but also suitable for professionals.
RAV Vast – has sound areas in the form of cut-out petals on separate sectors of the body, with a longer and more "dull" sound. However, the sound of the fingers is usually more audible. The long sustain is both an advantage, allowing for slow and meditative play, and a disadvantage, as the sounds may blend and create a "mash." It’s important to know how to "dampen" them. It is more resistant to damage. Ideal for learning at the beginner stage but also suitable for professionals.
Hang is a trademark for the very first handpan. However, by habit, many people use this word to refer to other instruments in the "handpan" family as well.
We have a culture of supporting each other, so every student, who was once in your position, will understand and approach your stage with empathy and care. The teacher will also prepare easier parts for you.
It depends on the level you want to achieve, how often and attentively you practice, and the type of learning format you choose.
Describe your goals and any specific preferences to the instructor during a 20-minute consultation call, and they will provide you with the most open and detailed answer.
Describe your goals and any specific preferences to the instructor during a 20-minute consultation call, and they will provide you with the most open and detailed answer.
Yes, in individual lessons. However, this skill may also develop naturally through group learning. The key is to try and experiment with it.
You can start improvising after your very first lesson. However, the beauty, fluency, and freedom of your improvisation will improve as you gain experience, learn techniques, rhythms, and melodies, and develop musical thinking and inner freedom.
Most likely, you have a false perception of yourself—our years of experience show that this is often the case. But even if it were true, we will help you develop your musical ear!
Our methodology is designed to enhance memory, allowing you to gradually retain more and more material with ease.
We have extensive experience in helping students overcome stage anxiety. Take Lidia Igolnikova’s workshop, "Stage Anxiety: A Magical Transformation," and join our lessons to reinforce your newfound confidence.
Leave your contact details and start your journey today!
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