Alexander Siloti
Born in New York City of Russian-Jewish parents, Istomin was a child prodigy who in his early years studied at the Mannes School of Music. His earliest public performances began at age six with his mother, and at 13 he entered the Curtis Institute, having had earlier advice from Alexander Siloti and his daughter Kyriena. He went on to study under Rudolf Serkin and also Mieczysław Horszowski.