The ancestors were Tatar nobles who were twinned with Lithuanians. 1900 after graduating from the Ylakii folk school, he studied at Palanga pro-gymnasium, he received his matriculation certificate in Petersburg (Russia). He received the beginnings of music from his father, an organist. Later he studied at the Rokiškis organist school under Rudolf Lyman.1905-1907 lived in Vilnius, where he learned to play the cello at the school of the Russian Music Society. He taught in primary school, organist at St. Nicholas Church, led the choir of the Lithuanian self-help society - after joining the choir of the "Kanklių" society, a collective of 70-80 participants was formed, which organized concerts-evenings and sang in the church. in 1907 He wrote the music for G. Landsbergis-Žemkalnis' "Eglei zalčių karalienei" and staged the work with the choir.1907-1916 lived in Petersburg: he studied composition theory at the conservatory with A. Liadova, M. Šteinbergas and J. Vytuolais. He led Lithuanian and Belarusian choirs, conducted operetta performances, participated in drama performances, accompanied soloists, composed music for stage works. During the summer holidays in Lithuania, he recorded folk songs and organized choirs. 1909 month of January. during his vacation in Vilnius, he staged Miko Petrauska's opera "Birutė". In the same year, at the convention of the Lithuanian Science Society in Vilnius, he was elected a member of the commission for collecting songs and melodies.1910 and 1914-1916. worked at St. Singing and music teacher at the Kotryna Boys Gymnasium. 1910 February. participated in the ethnographic concert of fourteen nations with the enhanced St. Petersburg Lithuanian Choir. in 1912 In the concert commemorating the death anniversary of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, among other works, five harmonized Lithuanian folk songs by M.K. Čiurlionis were performed.in 1916 was called to military service, served in various Russian cities: Mogilev, Oryol, Kursk, Voronezh. in 1918 settled in Vilnius, where he formed a Lithuanian mixed choir, taught music at a Lithuanian gymnasium, organized concerts. After the Bolsheviks came to power, he was elected a member of the music college of the People's Commissariat of Education, took care of the organization of the Lithuanian opera theater and musical education, and went to Moscow to get acquainted with the work of music schools.
