Meet Our New 3rd-12th Grade Strings & Orchestra Director Sasha Kandybin

Sioux Falls Lutheran School is pleased to welcome Mr. Sasha Kandybin as our 3rd-12th grade strings and orchestra director during the 2026-27 school year.

Mr. Kandybin brings an extraordinary combination of musical excellence, teaching experience, leadership ability, and Christian faith to this role. He recently completed a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Maryland, following graduate studies in Violin Performance at Rice University and undergraduate studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music—three of the nation’s most highly respected music institutions.

Beginning this fall, Sasha will serve as the new Assistant Conductor of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the South Dakota Symphony Youth Orchestra. His experience includes conducting university orchestras, teaching in a Lutheran school setting, leading youth ensembles, and performing as a professional violinist in renowned venues throughout the United States and Europe.

Beyond his impressive credentials, what most stood out during the interview process was his heart. Sasha speaks passionately about music as a gift from God, about helping students develop both skill and character, and about creating joyful, meaningful musical experiences for young people. References consistently described him as exceptionally kind, sincere, organized, collaborative, and deeply committed to helping students succeed.

Check out the Q&A below to learn more about Mr. Kandybin and his passion for music education.

Tell me a bit about yourself and your family.

I am the only person in my entire family born in the United States. My father, a trained chemist, immigrated to the US from Moscow after the Soviet Union collapsed to design the oxygen tank system for the B-2 Bomber and F-14 fighter plane. Shortly after finally being able to afford to bring my mother and sister over, they moved between Ohio, Michigan, and lastly New Jersey, where I was born. Being only thirty minutes from New York City, I was quickly introduced to the highly competitive performing arts scene, where my mother helped encourage me to love music. Music has been a part of me as long as I can remember, and I view it simply as one of the greatest mercies of the Lord. 

How did you decide to pursue a career in music?

By my middle school years, I couldn’t see myself doing anything outside of music. Having already performed on my violin in many different venues with many different people, I had an early understanding of what performing at a high level was going to take. I was never the most natural at practicing, but I knew the consistent practice being a performer required and loved it too much to not treat it with the highest priority!

Tell me a bit about your teaching experience and teaching style.

I have had the privilege of teaching in several different contexts, but I really got started during my masters degree years in Houston. That was my first time managing my own studio of violin students. 

After graduating, I knew I wanted another masters degree in conducting, but I needed to work for a year in between. I was then richly blessed with the opportunity to teach at Immanuel Lutheran School in Alexandria, Virginia. I easily learned more in that year than in most years of my life. Being the music teacher for so many kids and ages was equally challenging and rewarding. Most of all, being able to teach music in the context of glorifying God was what made that year the most special. I cannot wait to continue doing that at SFLS!

Additionally, my wife and I have taught several summers at StringTime, a camp for beginner string players in northern Virginia, where we serve over 200 kids annually—what a whirlwind!

My teaching always attaches the concepts of technique and purpose, can be quite loud, and demands a desire to learn.

What do you enjoy most about teaching music?

Without a doubt, the best thing about teaching music is the fact that you’re helping equip people with another way to glorify God. In a practical or performative sense, the most magical moments occur when there are musical connections made between players, with a realization of how much is possible in musical communication. Teaching and encouraging a dynamic way of playing and performing is the most fun because, almost always, making music with others is the most effective.

How do you hope to impact strings students at Sioux Falls Lutheran School?
The way string players progress and improve over time can be a very clear representation of the sanctification occurring in our lives through Christ. It’s never linear, but with mindful and passionate steadfastness, the work and attention demanded will put anyone in an upward trajectory, ultimately for His glory. I want students to realize this, especially as they continue to perform in class, on stage, and tackle new pieces and techniques. There is so much joy in this process—in music making.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

This seems to often change, but a constant for me has always been Proverbs 1:7–“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

It serves as the foundational theme for the entire Book of Proverbs, one of my favorites, establishing that true wisdom begins with a deep, reverent respect for God and His moral authority.

About Sioux Falls Lutheran School
Sioux Falls Lutheran School is a family community committed to developing capable Christian servant-leaders in a complex world who are World Ready and Faith Secure. We are passionate about giving our students the tools they need to be successful academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We strive to accomplish this goal by maintaining high academic standards, employing excellent teachers, and upholding a Christian worldview drawn from Scripture. Ultimately, our vision is to partner with families in preparing children, as led by the Holy Spirit, for faithful and bold use of their God-given gifts to navigate and serve a complex world with the love of Christ.