Elena Fainshtein: Appointed Instructor in Accordion at College in Texas
September 1st 2024
Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor Accordion USA News
Elena Fainshtein has joined the music faculty of Dallas Community College as their accordion instructor. Elena shared, “I am so excited, especially because it is a dream come true! I hope that such a precedent will open the door for accordion courses in every state!”

To enroll in Dallas Community College follow the link:
MUAP 2271 – Applied Music-Accordion (2 Credit Hours)
Campus Location: BHC, CVC, EFC, ECC, MVC, NLC, RLC
This course is open to students enrolled in music theory, ensembles, or other music major and minor courses. This course provides 16 hours of private instruction per semester in the area of the student’s concentration. This course may be repeated for credit.
Accordionist, Elena Fainshtein is a well-known and respected teacher, musician and an inspiration to all. The accordion is an integral and highly important part of Elena Fainshtein’s life. She encompasses all aspects of the accordion and musical world: Performer, Teacher, Arranger, Mentor, Conductor, collaborator with other musicians, and a valued member of accordion organizations such as ATG and more. She helps her students actualize their musical potential in a meaningful, kind and practical way She is a warm, enthusiastic and approachable person.
She graduated from the Belarus Academy of Music in 1987, where she established an Accordion Duo with her classmate, Gregory Fainshtein, who became her husband and music partner for life. They performed together in Soviet Union, Europe, Israel and the USA for more than 30 years together.
Elena Fainshtein has been teaching piano and accordion successfully for over 30 years. She currently resides in Plano, Texas where she maintains a private home studio called Musical Expressions. Her Accordion School, Musical Expressions has resulted in several students’ success in national competitions, including accolades at the Big Squeeze Accordion contest, the Las Vegas Accordion Convention, the National Accordion Convention, and the Accordionists and Teachers Guild-International Festival (ATG).
As a conductor, Elena established the Fainshtein Accordion Ensemble in 2013, which has grown to become a regularly performing accordion ensemble that is comprised of current and former students from all over the United States. The Fainsthein Accordion Ensemble recently performed at the Kawai Piano Gallery Concert Hall in Plano, TX. As a professional musician, Elena has been recognized recently by the Dallas Morning News and Ted Talk.
For more information: Elena.fainshtein@gmail.com