On October 16, 2025, Elena Fainshtein had the exciting opportunity to perform as a featured guest with the Tyler Junior College Wind Ensemble, performing “Jazz Suite No. 2” by Shostakovich. Elena shares, “The experience was thrilling. The program also included works by Bach, Bernstein, Schwartz and more making the concert an unforgettable celebration of music.”
Elena Fainshtein is an accordion teacher, promoter, and versatile performer who collaborates with musicians across a wide range of instruments, is an Instructor in accordion at Dallas Community College, one of the largest community colleges in Texas, and leads her own accordion school.
The Tyler Junior College Wind Ensemble is recognized as one of the nation’s top two-year college wind bands, celebrated for its vibrant artistry, versatility, and passion for musical excellence. Featuring outstanding student musicians from across East Texas, the ensemble brings to life everything from timeless classics to bold new works.
Elena says, “What a great opportunity it was to perform with TJC Wind Ensemble on the opening the Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center!! In the program: Overture to “Candide”, Harry Potter Symphonic Suite, Theme from ” Schindler’s List, Jazz Suite no. 2 and much more! Here is a little taste of Shostakovich’s Lyric Waltz from Jazz suite. Hope to share with you a full recording soon!”
With landmark performances at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention, and the world-renowned Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, the TJC Wind Ensemble continues to make history. Dedicated to innovation and collaboration, the ensemble commissions and premieres new music, inspiring audiences while shaping the future of the wind band art form.
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. 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 Fainshtein Accordion Ensemble recently performed at the Kawai Piano Gallery Concert Hall in Plano, TX. As a professional musician, Elena was recently recognized by the Dallas Morning News and Ted Talk.
Elena’s most recent collaboration was at the International Trombone Festival held in London, Ontario, July 16-19th, 2025. Trombonist Dr. Lucas Kaspar and Elena performed a full recital on the last day of the festival. Elena shares, “For our final piece , we were joined by another trombonist, Lucas Borges.. We performed ‘Fiera de Mangaio’ After the recital, the audience members expressed surprise and pleasure at how well the accordion and the trombone complement each other.”
Elena’s next exciting project is her accordion school recital on December 17, 2025.
For more information: Elena.fainshtein@gmail.com
