[ENTERTAINMENT Alias Allegianc "I love teaching music." Last November; Alla Begun began a new life away from her home in Minsk. ADRIEN CHANDLER Special to The Jewish News E yen at the age of 5, Alla Begun was show- ing signs of musical talent. As a little girl, Begun remembers being able to listen to a tune, go to the piano and immediately pick out the right notes on the keyboard. Her parents recognized her ear for music and her perfect pitch. They arranged for piano lessons for their only child — an instru- ment and a discipline that would become her life's pursuit. "Music is my life," she says. Begun, 30, arrived in Detroit last November from Minsk with her 5-year-old-son Tolley and her parents, Max and Era Galperin. Detroit was a natural destination, since Begun's father has family here. Like many other Jews leaving the Soviet Union, Begun was seeking a better life for herself and her son. She had a good education — a master's degree in music and instruc- tion from the conservatory in Minsk — but she gradually began to realize that her training would not take her far. Her Jewishness would hold her back. "This part of Russia, Byelorussia, is very anti-Semitic. I felt I was Jewish every day. Because of that, it was very hard, almost impossible to find a good posi- tion in music, even with a master's degree. "I had been working in the Institute for Culture for seven years, and I had never been promoted. If you are Jewish in Russia, it's very hard to be promoted. Now, I have come to the United States, I feel Jewish. I'm proud of it, not ashamed." Like most traditionally trained musicians, Begun's instruction started early. Pro- gressing from the piano lessons in her home, Begun attended a special school un- til she was college age. She says it was extremely difficult to get into the state-run university. She had to pass eight examinations and write an essay to gain entry. While at the state conser- vatory, in addition to classes, teaching duties and practic- ing an average of five hours a day, Begun dabbled in jour- nalism and broadcasting and performed in public concerts. She also wrote a book on jazz and improvisation, which was published in Minsk. Eventually, Begun says she would like to have the work translated into English. After five years of study, Begun completed her master's degree in 1981, but could not find a teaching posi- tion. It took six months for her to land a job at the school where she had received her degree. At that time, Begun decided to try to continue her education and obtain a Ph.D. "It was a very hard time," Begun recalls. "I had a child. I had my job. And in the even- ing, I had to go to the univer- sity to continue my educa- tion:' Begun says that seeking an advanced degree in the Soviet Union takes longer for Jews than non-Jews. Looking at a 10-to-15 year stretch to com- plete her doctorate, Begun was discouraged. "Instead of continuing, I decided to leave Russia and continue my education and to start my life over from the very beginning in the United States." It took six months for Begun and her family to get out of the Soviet Union, and while she says it is easier to leave now than 10 years ago, the impact on families is still unpleasant. They were only allowed to exchange 90 rubles I love teaching music — adults and children." Annette Chajes, Jewish Community Center music director, is impressed with Begun's credentials and per- formance. Chajes says Begun, seeking assistance in obtain- ting a teaching position, played for her shortly after ar- riving in Detroit. "I was impressed with her and the fact that she could play after having been depriv- ed of a piano for a while. She played with feeling and fine interpretation," Chajes says. Whether Russian or American, Chajes concedes, it's difficult for those trained in the performing arts to find appropriate jobs. It's not a skill in great demand. Still, Chajes says, she is trying to line up opportunities for Begun to give private piano lessons at the Oak Park JCC. The waiting is hard for Begun. She shipped her piano from Minsk, but to date it hasn't arrived and may never. To keep her skills sharp, Begun can practice at Con- gregation Beth Shalom. She is hungry to improve her already existing English skills, in part because the bet- ter she speaks English, the easier it will be to teach in English, a language she thinks is melodic, though not as melodic as Italian, which she can also speak. She is also making ad- justments to American life — as an emigre and single I GOING PLACES I WEEK OF MARCH2-8 THEATER AVON PLAYERS Rochester Hills, To Gillian (On Her 37th Birthday), through March 17, admission, 375-1390. STAGECRAFTERS Baldwin Theatre, Royal Oak, The Nerd, through March 18, admission, 541-6430. FISHER Detroit, Peter Pan, through March 4, admission, 872-1000. DETROIT REPERTORY 13103 Woodrow Wilson, Detroit, Fences, through March 18, admission, 8684347. MEADOW BROOK Oakland University, Rochester, The Great Sebastians, through March 25, admission., 370-3300. BIRMINGHAM 211 S. Woodward, .Rornartce, Romance, through March 18, admission, 644-3533. FILM DETROIT FILM THEATER Detroit Institute of Arts, Mystery Train, through March 4, admission, 833-2323. NIGHT CLUBS PEANUT BUTTER PLAYERS Players Club, 3321 Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, How to Eat Like a Child (and Other Lessons in Not Being Grown-Up), through May 6. DETROIT 'YOUTH THEATRE Alla Begun is partial to Russian composers. each — equal to approximate- ly $150. Most everything they owned had to be left behind. "My parents worked hard all of their lives. They had pensions in Russia. They lost everything because we wanted to come here." While Begun emigrated to the United States for religious freedom, she also sought to further her career, especially the teaching aspect of it. "Basically, I am a teacher. mother. Her ex-husband still lives in the Soviet Union. Begun has high hopes for the future. One task she is already tackling is adding American composers to her teaching repertoire, and developing her knowledge of American music, The transition from being Russian to being American is difficult, but Begun says she is up to the task. "I know I made the right decision." Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward, Gemini, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 3, admission, 832-2730. THE COMMUNITY HOUSE 380 S. Bates Street, Birmingham, magic taught by Bernie Stevens, admission, 644-5832. COMEDY CASTLE Royal Oak, in the Daily Tribune Building, Robert Wuhl, through March 3, admission, 542-9900. THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 63