Arvid Zhilinsky was a Latvian composer and pianist who also taught at the Latvian State Conservatory. During the First World War, his family left Latvia and moved to Kharkiv, which is now in Ukraine. There, he attended a music school to continue his studies before returning to Latvia to study at the Latvian Conservatory. While studying at the Latvian Conservatory, Zhilinsky worked as a piano teacher at the Riga People's Conservatory from 1927 to 1937. After that, he began teaching at the Latvian Conservatory. He remained dedicated to his work in music education throughout this time. Following the Second World War, Zhilinsky became the head of the piano department at the Latvian State Conservatory. He is best remembered today for writing many children's songs and piano pieces that remain known and appreciated.