Petra Sittig: Recent Episodes
Petra Sittig
I am talking to artists from around the world about their form of art, upcoming projects, concerts and performances. I believe that by hearing what artists have to tell, will inspire and motivate people and the importance of art in our lives will be better understood.
In this inspiring and heartfelt interview, South African lyrical soprano Sinesipho Mnyango shares her remarkable journey—from her early days singing in a school choir in the Eastern Cape to her passionate pursuit of a professional singing career. She reflects on how those early choral experiences gave her the discipline and confidence to step into the demanding world of classical music. Sinesipho speaks warmly of the teacher who first believed in her talent, and of the invaluable support from her family—particularly her father, himself an opera singer—who understood the importance of nurturing her dream. She went on to study voice at the University of Cape Town, where she honed her craft despite the many challenges that came her way. After graduating, she moved to Johannesburg, where she continues to work and grow as an artist. She acknowledges the limited opportunities for opera singers in South Africa due to the scarcity of performance spaces, but her spirit remains unshaken. Passionate and determined, Sinesipho seizes every opportunity to perform, bringing her artistry to life wherever she can. She expresses deep gratitude to Richard Cock and SITTOpera, who have given her platforms to shine. With dreams of performing on the grand stages of America and Europe, Sinesipho is currently seeking sponsorship to help her audition abroad. Her goal is clear: to bring her voice and presence to some of the world’s most renowned opera houses. Sinesipho Mnyango is one of many talented South African singers whose brilliance often goes unrecognized due to the lack of infrastructure for opera in the country. Her story is a moving reminder of the talent, determination, and quiet magic that exists here—waiting to be heard. I wish her all the best on her journey, and hope that one day soon, her voice will ring out from the stage of a theatre in Vienna and beyond. #SinesiphoMnyango #SouthAfricanOpera #LyricalSoprano #artistinterview #petrasittigtheartistsvoice
I recently had the pleasure of conducting an online interview with Michael Judkins, an accomplished author, film producer, and screenwriter from the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania. During our conversation, Michael opened up about his creative journey, which began with a strong passion for poetry. He shared how, at a young age, a teacher recognized his natural talent for writing and encouraged him to nurture it. Poetry became a powerful outlet for Michael to express himself, and his early works were eventually published by Barnes and Noble. It was through writing poetry that Michael’s interest in film and screenwriting began to take shape. He believes deeply in the power of connection and collaboration, and he surrounds himself with people he can learn from. Eager to grow, he challenged himself to gain firsthand experience in the film industry, developing his skills by working directly in the field. We also discussed his latest film, A Familiar Face. The story follows Troy and his family, the Davis family, as they relocate to a new town. As Troy begins at his new school, he is taken aback when a student in a higher grade insists that they are related. This tension escalates into a physical confrontation when Troy finally meets William, leading both boys to the principal's office. In that pivotal moment, truths and secrets come to light as Troy’s father, John, is forced to confront his past. Through John’s missteps, Troy gains a meaningful lesson about forgiveness and healing. Michael’s approach to storytelling is rooted in creating narratives that reach, teach, and empower. With over ten years of experience in the creative industry as an independent Creative Director, Screenwriter, Writer, and Content Creator, he brings a unique voice to every project. A dedicated Mental Health Advocate, Michael believes that art has the power to transform lives. He holds an Associate of Science in Journalism, a Bachelor of Science in Human Services, and a Master of Science in Mental Health Counselling. https://oct14entertainment.com
I recently conducted an online interview with Marc Hoberman, an educator, author, and motivational speaker. Marc shared his powerful journey of overcoming epilepsy during his teenage years, an experience that has deeply influenced both his life and career. Diagnosed at 16, Marc faced overwhelming challenges. But instead of letting his condition define him, he transformed it into a foundation for strength, empathy, and purpose. His story is one of resilience, and it continues to inspire others through his writing and speaking engagements. As a live speaker, Marc focuses on reaching teenagers who feel stuck or uncertain about their path. He offers practical strategies to help them manage stress and move forward with confidence. He also emphasises how difficult it can be for parents to truly understand their children’s struggles, and he works to bridge that gap with insights that benefit both sides. Marc is also the author of Adversity Defeated, a compelling memoir that details his journey with epilepsy and the valuable life lessons he’s learned along the way. The book serves as a guide and source of inspiration not only for teens, but also for parents, teachers, and fellow educators who are navigating the complex challenges of youth development. Marc believes that both the highs and lows in life shape who we become, and that success and fulfillment often grow out of our ability to learn from adversity. https://www.marchoberman.com
In this online interview, I speak with Lelo Mncwango, a talented and passionate street artist based in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Renowned for her vibrant, colourful murals that fuse fine art with storytelling, Lelo’s work brings walls to life with cultural richness and social relevance. Her murals often explore themes of identity, heritage, and community — told through a deeply personal and artistic lens. Lelo talks about her journey into the art world, tracing it back to her childhood in the rural parts of South Africa. She reflects on the challenges of growing up under difficult living conditions, where access to resources, exposure to the arts, and everyday comforts were limited. These early experiences, she explains, built her resilience and determination — qualities that continue to drive her creative work today. Her story is one of grit, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of her artistic voice. Throughout the conversation, Lelo offers insight into her creative process — from how she conceptualises a mural to the technical aspects of using spray paint as a primary medium. Her fine arts background shines through in her compositions, and she shares the practical realities of working on large walls, often high off the ground. Whether using scaffolding or balancing carefully on a ladder, Lelo speaks confidently about her lack of fear when it comes to heights, and how she maintains control and precision even while working at scale. She is also a key contributor to the Love Howick project, a community-based initiative dedicated to beautifying and revitalising the town of Howick through public art. In this role, Lelo collaborates with local artists and residents to create murals that reflect shared values and aspirations — turning public spaces into vibrant canvases that uplift and inspire. This interview offers a powerful glimpse into the life and mind of a muralist who is using her art not just to decorate, but to celebrate, educate, and transform. https://lelotheart.com
I recently conducted an online interview with Constance Devernay, principal dancer with the London City Ballet, currently in the midst of rehearsals ahead of the company’s upcoming tour. Constance shared insightful reflections on her experience working under the artistic direction of Chris Marney, praising his collaborative approach with the dancers. She emphasised how Chris' leadership style fosters a creative environment where the dancers' strengths and artistic voices are taken into consideration, particularly in the choice of repertoire. She also spoke about the unique experience of dancing with a smaller company like London City Ballet compared to larger institutions. According to Constance, the more intimate scale of the company allows for deeper artistic exploration and closer connections between dancers, which she finds profoundly rewarding. Beyond the stage, Constance stars in Étoile, Prime Video’s new ballet dramedy filmed in Paris and New York. She described the stark contrast between performing for the camera and dancing live on stage, highlighting how the series gave her a new perspective on her craft and opened her up to new forms of expression through the lens of television. In addition to her work with London City Ballet and on screen, Constance is a regular performer with Ballet Nights, an innovative project that brings ballet into intimate settings, allowing audiences to experience the art form up close. Looking ahead, Constance is beginning to explore acting and freelance opportunities, thoughtfully planning for the next chapter of her artistic journey beyond the traditional stage.
A Conversation with Hanlee Louw: South Africa’s Coloratura Soprano Bringing Song, Spice, and Soul to Life I recently had the pleasure of conducting an online interview with Hanlee Louw, an accomplished coloratura soprano whose talent and passion have taken her from the Swartland region of South Africa to some of the most renowned opera stages in the world. Hanlee’s love for opera began at an early age, growing up in the heart of the Cape. Inspired by the sounds of classical music and supported by her uncle, the celebrated South African pianist Albie Louw, Hanlee was encouraged to take formal singing lessons. This guidance led her to study under the legendary Dr Nellie du Toit, a foundational step in what would become a remarkable musical journey. In 1986, Hanlee won a prestigious study bursary from the Friends of the Cape Town Opera, allowing her to pursue a Performance Diploma at the University of Cape Town under the tutelage of Professor Angelo Gobbato. These formative years not only refined her technical prowess but also deepened her understanding of the discipline and dedication required to succeed in the demanding world of opera. Throughout the interview, Hanlee emphasised the importance of finding the right teacher and mastering the correct vocal technique, essentials for any singer who wants to preserve their voice and grow artistically. She spoke with admiration about the teachers and mentors who helped shape her voice and career. But Hanlee's talents extend beyond the stage. She also revealed her deep love for cooking, which started in childhood and matured into a sophisticated culinary passion. Influenced by Italian spices and flavours, she developed her own distinctive cooking style, blending her South African roots with Mediterranean flair. Food, much like music, is a form of expression for Hanlee, a sensory art form where creativity knows no bounds. Her appreciation for fine wine complements her love for music and cuisine. For Hanlee, wine and song are inextricably linked—both rich in tradition, both meant to be savoured. This holistic approach to the arts led her to create a unique dining and performance experience in her own restaurant, where guests could indulge in exquisite food while enjoying live performances from some of South Africa’s top vocal talent. As for the future, Hanlee envisions continuing to blend her passions—music, food, and wine, in innovative ways. She dreams of creating more spaces where these art forms can coexist, offering people soulful experiences that touch the heart and delight the senses. With a voice that has graced some of the world's grandest stages, and a spirit rooted in warmth, artistry, and authenticity, Hanlee Louw is more than a soprano, she is a storyteller, a creator, and an ambassador for the beauty that arises when different forms of art come together. https://www.boscos.co.za/about-hanlee-louw
I recently had the privilege of conducting an online interview with Makhubalo Ikaneng, also known as Khuba, a passionate film producer, writer, and storyteller from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Khuba’s work is deeply rooted in community upliftment, and he uses his creative gifts to inspire and empower the youth. Khuba travels to schools across the region, performing one-man shows armed with nothing but a bag full of props and a heart full of purpose. His performances are more than just entertainment, they are powerful messages of hope, resilience, and self-belief. He has a unique understanding of the challenges facing young boys and girls in his community, and he meets them with compassion, wisdom, and encouragement. Through his storytelling, Khuba helps young people to dream bigger and strive for a better future. He firmly believes that art is a transformative tool, capable of educating, healing, and empowering individuals. For Khuba, South Africa is a land of endless possibilities, waiting to be explored and nurtured. In our conversation, he also spoke about his involvement in the Love Howick project with Matt Hogarty, a community initiative aimed at uplifting towns in the Midlands. His contribution to this project further highlights his commitment to using creativity and collaboration to bring about positive change. What struck me most during this interview was Khuba’s unwavering belief in the value of the arts in society. He articulates with great clarity how artistic expression can be a vehicle for transformation, both personal and communal. He is a true artist, not only in his craft but in his purpose. I came away from the interview deeply moved and inspired. Khuba is a remarkable example of someone using their talent in service of others. His work reminds us that through storytelling and creative engagement, we can build a brighter, more hopeful future for all. https://midlandsmosaic.wordpress.com/2020/08/29/young-writers/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T63JgUn5e4o https://www.instagram.com/p/CytKahRq-qr/
In a heartfelt and inspiring conversation, Laura Mwakio, the visionary behind Touch by Laura, shared her journey and passion for beauty, empowerment, and transformation. Based in the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya, Laura has carved out a unique space in the beauty industry by being intentional about not just providing excellent services, but also teaching and sharing knowledge to uplift others. Laura’s love for makeup and hairstyling began at an early age. Even as a young girl, she was drawn to the world of beauty and creativity. Over time, this interest evolved into a calling — a clear realization that this was more than just a hobby; it was her purpose. Her vision became focused: to bring the natural makeup look to the women of Mombasa and eventually to Kenya as a whole. She wanted to enhance rather than mask — to help women see and celebrate their true beauty. Her work with brides is particularly notable. Those who choose Laura for their wedding day makeup are treated to more than just a service; they experience a transformation that highlights their most beautiful features, allowing their inner confidence to shine through. Each brushstroke reflects Laura's philosophy — that makeup should reveal, not conceal. But Laura’s mission doesn’t stop at beauty services. She is deeply committed to empowering women through education and skill development. She teaches women how to do makeup not just as a form of self-care, but as a means to generate income and independence. This focus on capacity-building has allowed many women to gain confidence, learn a new trade, and support themselves and their families. What makes Laura truly stand out is the beauty of her spirit. Her warmth, optimism, and dedication to community enrichment are evident in every aspect of her work. She sees beauty not just as something external, but as a tool for personal and societal transformation. Laura's journey hasn’t been without challenges. In the early stages, her approach to natural makeup was new and unfamiliar to many in her community. It took time, patience, and unwavering belief in her vision to gain acceptance. Yet, she remained true to herself, and today, she stands as a respected name in the industry — a testament to the power of perseverance and innovation. Looking to the future, Laura hopes to inspire even more women to pursue careers in the beauty industry. She envisions a growing network of empowered beauty professionals across Kenya and beyond, equipped not just with skills, but with the confidence to build their own paths. Through Touch by Laura, Laura Mwakio is not only redefining beauty standards but also shaping a future where women are uplifted, equipped, and inspired. https://www.facebook.com/touchbylaura/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSEwSVQcXVvmq_a5HRBb2Ig https://www.linkedin.com/in/gertrudemwakio/?originalSubdomain=ke
In this heartfelt and inspiring online interview, I speak with Mpilwenhle Gwala, a young artist from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, whose life story is as rich and textured as the artwork he creates. Growing up in a rural village, Mpilwenhle's early days were spent herding cows and watching boys play football, games he was never chosen to join. Instead, he found his own form of expression on the sidelines, drawing in the sand with a stick. What seemed like a quiet pastime would later reveal itself as the foundation of a profound artistic journey. Without access to formal art lessons in primary school, Mpilwenhle continued to nurture his gift on his own, driven by an inner calling to create. His talent, combined with relentless dedication, eventually led him to the BAT Centre in Durban, a hub for young creatives, where he is now formally studying art. In the interview, Mpilwenhle shares how his work is inspired by the resilience, struggle, and beauty of his community and family. His paintings are more than just visual expressions, they are stories of survival, hope, and the everyday triumphs of people who are often overlooked. Through his art, Mpilwenhle gives voice to the silent strength of rural South Africa and paints himself into a future he once only dreamed of. His journey, from drawing in the sand to painting stories on canvas, is a powerful reminder of how creativity can uplift, transform, and inspire. Mpilwenhle Gwala’s story is not only a testament to his courage and passion but also a beacon for other young people in similar circumstances. May many more follow in his footsteps and find their own voices through art. https://www.batcentre.co.za/visualart.html
I recently had the opportunity to conduct an online interview with Andrew Odera, a seasoned film editor based in Nairobi. In our conversation, Andrew emphasized the pivotal role that editors play in the filmmaking process. He described editing as more than just piecing together footage, it's an essential storytelling craft that shapes the narrative, evokes emotion, and brings the director’s vision to life. With years of experience in Kenya’s growing film industry, Andrew has worked alongside a variety of directors, each collaboration offering him new insights and techniques. Through these partnerships, he has honed his craft and developed a deep understanding of how editing decisions can make or break a film’s impact. Looking ahead, Andrew expressed a strong desire to help tell more authentic Kenyan stories, narratives that reflect the country's diverse culture, history, and contemporary realities. He believes that the local film industry holds great potential but notes that it still faces significant challenges, including the need for stronger regulation and institutional support. He is hopeful that with better structures in place, the Kenyan film scene can flourish, giving rise to more homegrown content and creating opportunities for the next generation of storytellers. https://youtube.com/@miyalestudios?si=P1udvedvhyH_SteH Instagram: @miyalestudios
Natascha Mair has always embraced bold choices. A principal dancer with the Vienna State Ballet at a remarkably young age, she rose to prominence under the artistic directorship of Manuel Legris, performing lead roles that many only dream of. Later, she joined the English National Ballet in London, further solidifying her place on the international stage. Now, Natascha is navigating a significant shift in her professional life as she begins building a new career in stunt coordination. The move from ballet to stunt work may seem unexpected, but for her, it draws on a shared foundation of physical control, precision, and mental focus. Despite these overlaps, the transition has not been without challenges. Stunt work demands a different kind of physical preparation, involving strength and coordination in ways that contrast with classical ballet technique. Natascha also reflects on what this kind of change means on a personal level. For dancers, a career in ballet is not just a profession but a lifelong identity formed through early and intense training. Shifting to an entirely new field means confronting the reality of starting again, developing new skills, finding new opportunities, and redefining professional goals from the beginning. Her perspective highlights a broader challenge many dancers face when leaving the stage: how to transfer the discipline and experience of ballet into a new context, and how to remain motivated while building something entirely new. Natascha’s approach is grounded, focused, and realistic—acknowledging both the physical demands of her new work and the emotional complexities of changing direction after years of commitment to a singular art form. Her journey is not only about reinvention, but about persistence—applying the same determination that defined her ballet career to the unfamiliar terrain of stunt coordination.
In this uplifting episode, we sit down with Matt Hogarty, founder and Director of Love Howick — a dynamic community project based in the small town of Howick in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. What began as a small group picking up litter has grown into a vibrant movement that uses public art and creative engagement to uplift, unite, and inspire.
Matt shares how Love Howick has transformed public spaces through murals, clean-up days, and youth art programs — all aimed at restoring dignity and pride to the community. He discusses the deeper role art plays in bringing people together and why creative expression is so vital, especially in schools. From beautifying neglected corners of the town to sparking a broader conversation about how art can unify South African communities, this episode is a powerful reminder that change can begin with just a few hands — and a paintbrush.
Perfect for anyone interested in grassroots activism, urban renewal, arts education, or how creativity can spark real-world transformation.
In a sincere and inspiring conversation, actor and producer Joe Rabl opened up about his creative journey—from his early childhood in Austria to his current work at the helm of his own film company, Pelican Pictures. With a deep-rooted love for storytelling, Joe has transformed his passion into a thriving career in the entertainment industry. He reflected on his childhood spent in the forests of Austria, where his imagination first took flight. These formative experiences not only sparked his creativity but also laid the foundation for a lifelong love of storytelling. That imaginative spirit eventually led him to pursue acting in America, where he embraced the craft and quickly learned the importance of building connections. He emphasized that, in his view, networking is just as vital as talent when it comes to making a career in the industry. Over the years, Joe has developed a diverse portfolio, with acting credits in advertising, television, and film. This varied background has given him a comprehensive understanding of the entertainment world—from performance to production. He noted that his broad experience allows him to bring a wide range of skills to every project he undertakes. Joe expressed particular excitement about his current passion project, Solar Storm. He described the film as a personal and artistic milestone, explaining that it explores themes such as resilience, human connection, and the raw power of nature. He shared that the inspiration behind the story draws from his own life, making the film especially meaningful to him. He conveyed his belief that storytelling goes beyond the screen and involves the full experience of going to the cinema. For Joe, films should offer an emotional and sensory journey that lingers long after the final scene. This philosophy shapes the mission of Pelican Pictures. Pelican Pictures, he explained, is more than a traditional production company. It serves as a creative hub where filmmakers can come together to collaborate and produce high-quality films. Joe spoke about the company's dedication to authenticity, emphasizing how vital it is to remain true to oneself in an industry that often pressures people to conform. As he prepares to attend the Cannes Film Festival, Joe is looking forward to meeting fellow creatives and industry professionals to help bring Solar Storm to fruition. With his passion, experience, and dedication to meaningful storytelling, Joe Rabl continues to be a creative force to watch. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4954275/
I recently conducted an online interview with Paul Doyle, a highly respected figure in the dance community. Paul is a multifaceted professional—he is a dance teacher, Dance Examiner, sports and exercise scientist, and currently serves as Head of Studies at the prestigious Central School of Ballet. During our conversation, Paul spoke with heartfelt passion about his lifelong dedication to dance. His journey began in Ireland, where he was introduced to dance as a child. That early experience laid the foundation for a rich and varied career in the performing arts and education. Over time, his love for ballet evolved into a deep commitment to teaching and mentoring the next generation of dancers. Paul emphasized how integral teaching has become to his professional identity. He finds immense fulfillment in guiding young dancers and is particularly driven by the opportunity to shape the way they think about movement, technique, and health. His dual background in dance and sports science gives him a unique perspective on dancer development. He is a strong advocate for blending artistic training with scientific principles to improve performance and reduce injury. One of the key themes in our discussion was the importance of introducing scientific knowledge—such as biomechanics, anatomy, and conditioning—into dance training from an early age. Paul believes that by equipping young dancers with an understanding of how their bodies function, educators can foster a more sustainable approach to training. His goal is not only to help dancers achieve peak performance but also to ensure they maintain long, healthy careers. Looking ahead, Paul is excited about the future of dance education. He envisions a training culture where tradition and innovation work hand in hand—where artistic excellence is supported by evidence-based methods, and where the wellbeing of dancers is always a priority. His passion for dance, teaching, and science underscores his commitment to positive change in the industry. https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/people/paul-doyle/
In a lively and heartfelt online interview, beloved South African radio host, author, and public speaker Amore Bekker shared her journey from the world of drama to radio, writing, and now back to the stage with a brand-new theatrical production that promises to charm audiences across the country. Amore’s story begins in the world of drama, which she studied with passion and ambition. Though she initially imagined a career on stage, her path took a delightful turn when she was given the opportunity to step behind the microphone. What began as an unexpected chance soon turned into a calling. With her warm personality, quick wit, and deep empathy, she became a treasured voice in South African broadcasting. Over the years, listeners have opened their hearts to her, sharing stories that range from deeply moving to hilariously human. These encounters have not only enriched her career as a presenter but have also inspired her as a writer, resulting in a number of popular books. Her writing reflects the beautiful complexity of South African life, filled with heart, humour, and honesty. Now, Amore is returning to her theatrical roots with an exciting new one-woman show titled Bacchus tot Bekker—a celebration of wine and storytelling, laced with comedy, reflection, and a touch of magic. The show explores the role of wine in our lives—not just as a drink, but as a symbol of togetherness, joy, and transformation. Whether shared in celebration or during moments of vulnerability, wine, like stories, brings people closer. One of the standout sketches in the production offers a comedic retelling of the biblical story where Jesus turns water into wine at the wedding in Cana. Told with Amore’s signature wit and a playful sense of reverence, the sketch imagines the scene with a light-hearted twist, highlighting the human reactions, quirks, and unexpected moments that might have surrounded such a miraculous event. It’s a humorous, yet thoughtful reflection on faith, celebration, and the timeless joy of wine. The production is being directed by the legendary Tobie Cronjé, a name synonymous with excellence in South African theatre. Amore spoke warmly about their collaboration, describing Tobie’s direction as both inspiring and enriching. His deep understanding of theatrical timing and emotional nuance has helped shape the production into a performance that is both entertaining and deeply heartfelt. Bacchus tot Bekker will be touring South Africa’s vibrant arts festivals, where it is sure to find a home with audiences who appreciate humour, heart, and a good glass of storytelling. For Amore, the show is more than a performance—it’s a tribute to the many stories she’s encountered, the people she’s met, and the beautiful, messy, miraculous nature of life itself. In Amore Bekker’s world, every glass of wine holds a story, every story holds a truth, and laughter is as sacred as prayer. https://amorebekker.co.za/
I recently had the opportunity to conduct an online interview with Lewis Gardner, a talented and passionate ballet dancer whose career has taken him from intensive training at Elmhurst Ballet School and the prestigious Royal Ballet School to performing professionally in Universal Ballet, Korea. He spoke warmly about his time there, highlighting how much he enjoyed dancing the diverse and exciting repertoire. His experience in Korea was a meaningful chapter in his career, offering rich artistic opportunities and personal growth. During our conversation, Lewis reflected on his journey in dance and expressed deep gratitude for the many incredible experiences he’s had throughout his career. From being part of acclaimed productions to working with inspiring choreographers and fellow dancers, each opportunity has shaped him both as an artist and as an individual. Now transitioning into a new chapter, Lewis is applying the wealth of skills he developed as a dancer—such as discipline, creativity, and teamwork—into the field of arts management. These transferable skills are proving invaluable as he continues to contribute meaningfully to the cultural sector behind the scenes. One of the most inspiring aspects of our discussion was Lewis’s dedication to inclusivity in ballet. He spoke with genuine passion about his work with disabled dancers and emphasized the importance of making ballet accessible to all. He believes strongly that ballet should be for everyone, as it is a powerful and beautiful artform capable of connecting with people from all backgrounds and abilities. Looking ahead, Lewis shared his hopes for the future of ballet. He would love to see the artform evolve to become more relatable and appealing to younger audiences. By embracing innovation and fresh perspectives while still honoring tradition, he believes ballet can remain relevant and inspiring for generations to come.
In this interview, Nairobi-based lighting designer Gregory Kiwo Maole opens up about his journey into the world of film lighting—a path that began with dreams of aviation and took a creative detour into visual storytelling. Gregory shares how a chance opportunity introduced him to the art and craft of lighting design, where he quickly discovered a passion for shaping the emotional tone of a scene through light. He discusses the critical role that lighting plays in storytelling, explaining how the right lighting choices can guide the audience’s emotions, reveal character, emphasize mood, and underscore dramatic beats. For Gregory, lighting isn’t just about visibility—it’s about intention. He emphasizes that to design effectively, you need to deeply understand the script and grasp what the writer is trying to convey. Whether it’s a moment of tension, intimacy, or revelation, lighting helps translate the writer’s vision into a visual language that speaks directly to the viewer. Gregory also highlights the importance of being a strong Gaffer. While he believes that anyone can learn the technical aspects of lighting, it’s the leadership, adaptability, and creative instinct of a good Gaffer that truly elevate a production. A skilled Gaffer doesn’t just light a scene—they support the story. https://www.kiwomaole.com/projects/
In our recent conversation, pianist and conductor Niall Kinsella shared his deep love for Broadway music and musicals—a genre he describes as timeless, uplifting, and full of heart. For Niall, this music holds a special place, resonating not just with audiences but with him personally as a performer and interpreter. He spoke with particular excitement about his upcoming collaboration with singer Joan Ellison—a concert with orchestra that will celebrate the golden age of Broadway. It’s a project that allows him to blend two of his greatest passions: working closely with singers and leading the powerful, expressive forces of an orchestra. While Niall is widely known for his work as a pianist, particularly in the intimate setting of Liederabende, he also expressed how much he enjoys conducting and exploring the rich textures of musical theatre. He love accompanying singers but there’s something so exhilarating about working with a full orchestra and bringing Broadway music to life in that way. Niall also shared his approach to preparing this repertoire—returning to original recordings to capture the spirit and style intended by the composers. “It’s so great that we can still hear how they wanted their music to sound,” he noted. These historic recordings continue to shape his artistic choices and keep him connected to the roots of the music he loves. Looking to the future, Niall expressed a strong desire to keep exploring more from the Broadway and musical theatre worlds. Whether at the piano or on the podium, his passion for this repertoire shines through—and promises many exciting performances ahead. #artistinterview
https://www.niallkinsella.com/
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Alexander Piper — a gifted pianist and dedicated piano restorer — for a fascinating conversation about the intersection of performance, history, and craftsmanship.
Alexander’s journey is as unique as the instruments he works on. After an internship sparked his interest in restoration, he joined Das Klavier-Atelier in Vienna, where he spent over a year immersed in the world of late-Romantic Viennese instruments. In 2021, he continued his path at the workshop of Robert Brown and Michael Kirchweger in Oberndorf near Salzburg, where he encountered the intricate world of early fortepianos, their restoration, and historical reproductions.
In January 2022, he opened his own workshop in Vienna’s 18th district. His mission? To help rediscover the beauty and historical value of these instruments — not just as museum pieces, but as playable, living parts of our cultural heritage.
In our interview, Alexander shares insights into his meticulous restoration philosophy: preserving original components like the soundboard and hammer heads, respecting the instrument’s age, and ensuring it remains historically authentic and musically functional.
If you're passionate about music, heritage craftsmanship, or the art of keeping history alive through sound — this is a conversation worth hearing.
In this interview, I spoke with George Dumitriu — a versatile poly-instrumentalist (viola, violin, guitar), composer, and performer working at the intersection of jazz, improvised music, contemporary classical, and music theatre. Classically trained in Bucharest, George's musical journey expanded through studies in Groningen, Amsterdam, and New York, where he developed a deep passion for jazz and improvisation. George is a member of the North Sea String Quartet, a group he finds both creatively and personally fulfilling. He highlights how each member brings a unique perspective, and how his love for improvisation adds to the group’s dynamic sound. He also discussed his solo work, including his critically acclaimed album Monk on Viola, and expressed his growing interest in further exploring the viola’s role in jazz. In addition to performing, George teaches violin, viola, and guitar at the Conservatory of Utrecht, where he continues to share his knowledge and inspire the next generation of musicians. https://georgedumitriu.com/about/
I recently caught up with James Bamford, the founder and director of Project Dance, and his journey is seriously inspiring. James isn’t just a dancer—he’s also a choreographer, teacher, producer, creative, and the one running the business side of things too. What makes his story even more incredible is that he launched Project Dance back in 2018 when he was only 14 years old. Starting a dance company at that age is no small thing. While most teenagers are juggling school and hobbies, James was building a platform for young dancers to express themselves and be seen. He wanted to make the arts more accessible and give emerging performers a real chance to grow, create, and take the stage. That kind of boldness and vision at such a young age is rare—and he’s been leading the company’s creative work ever since. On top of that, James manages everything from choreography and teaching to organising shows, handling logistics, and making sure the company stays on track. He’s taught in both pre-vocational and vocational settings at places like the Bristol School of Performing Arts, RJT Dance Company, London Studio Centre, Stella Mann College, and Pineapple Dance Studios. A bunch of his students have gone on to train at top conservatoires, appear in films, and perform on the West End. James is all about championing the next generation of dancers, and it’s clear that Project Dance is just one piece of what’s going to be a long, exciting career in the arts. https://projectdance.org.uk/director/
In this episode of The Artist’s Voice, stunt performer T. Ryan Mooney shares his experience working in the world of stunt coordination and action performance for film and television. He explains the evolving role of stunt professionals in the industry and how stunt work has become increasingly specialized, technical, and essential to the filmmaking process. T. Ryan walks through his rigorous training routines, the preparation that goes into each stunt, and the level of detail and safety planning required to pull off high-impact action scenes. From physical endurance to mental focus, he gives a clear picture of what it takes to get stunts right—and make them look effortless on screen. His film credits include some of the biggest productions in the superhero genre: 🎬 Marvel Cinematic Universe – Ant-Man, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Loki 🎬 DC Extended Universe – Stunt double for Jesse Eisenberg in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 🎬 DC Entertainment – Stunt performer in Jonah Hex and appeared as the Markovian Captain in Black Lightning Follow The Artist’s Voice for more in-depth interviews with the artists, performers, and creatives who bring stories to life. https://www.tryanmooney.com/
In this interview with Natasha Reid, Architect at MATTER SPACE SOUL, we dive deep into her innovative approach to architecture and spatial design. Natasha discusses how her journey studying architecture led her to realize the profound impact that spaces can have on individuals in ways that go beyond the physical. She highlights the importance of rethinking how we see, shape, and design places, especially when it comes to human nature, wellbeing, and overall quality of life. At MATTER . SPACE . SOUL, Natasha and her team are leading a new wave of architectural thought, where the focus is on creating spaces that promote health, happiness, and social wellbeing. The studio is not just about constructing physical environments, but about re-imagining spaces in response to the evolving needs of modern life. By centering human experience in the design process, they aim to foster environments that enhance mental, emotional, and social well-being. This approach goes beyond traditional design practices, blending architecture, urban design, interiors, public art, and placemaking. MATTER . SPACE . SOUL is dedicated to considering the deeper, often unseen layers of spaces—looking at the emotional, psychological, social, and cultural impacts that design can have on people. It’s a holistic way of thinking that acknowledges the complex ways in which places shape and are shaped by human experiences. Since its inception, the studio has earned recognition for its forward-thinking methodologies, and Natasha often shares these perspectives at industry conferences, where she sheds light on the often-overlooked human aspects of spatial design. Tune in to hear more about how SPACE MATTER SOUL is pushing the boundaries of architecture to create spaces that nurture the soul and promote wellbeing in every aspect of life. https://www.matterspacesoul.com/
n this online interview with The Wildwoods, we explore the story behind this talented folk/Americana trio. Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, the band features husband-and-wife duo Noah (guitar) and Chloe Gose (violin), along with their long-time friend Andrew Vaggalis (bass). Their journey is a blend of exploration and connection, which has taken them from the heart of the Midwest to international stages, establishing a unique and authentic presence in the folk music scene. The band shares how they came together, with each member contributing their own individual style and musical influences, creating a sound that is greater than the sum of its parts. They also talk about their stunning music videos, which are filmed in beautiful natural landscapes. Chloe, Noah, and Andrew explain how their love for nature has inspired them to find and create visuals that perfectly complement their genuine folk sound. https://www.thewildwoodsband.com/
In this interview, I speak with Professor Hugo Spiers, Vice Dean for Innovation and Enterprise in the Faculty of Brain Sciences at UCL. With over 25 years of experience in neuroscience and psychology, Hugo has built an exceptional career. He earned his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and has conducted research at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge and the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging before founding his own research team at UCL's Department of Experimental Psychology. Hugo’s research focuses on understanding the neural basis of spatial cognition and memory, utilizing cognitive and behavioral neuroscience techniques. One of his most well-known projects is Sea Hero Quest, a global initiative that has tested over 4 million people to assess their spatial navigation abilities. In this conversation, we discuss the role of art in shaping our perception of the world and its value in education. Hugo emphasizes the importance of creativity in scientific inquiry, explaining how scientists must think imaginatively to ask the right questions. He also reflects on his personal journey into neuroscience and shares his approach to research. This is a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of creativity, science, and education. #neuroscience #artandscience #petrasittigtheartistsvoice
In this interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mo Satanek, a talented musician, sound artist, and former construction worker, all the way from his father’s farm in Australia. The stunning natural backdrop of the farm perfectly complements Mo’s spontaneous approach to creating music, providing a serene setting for our conversation. Mo shared his fascinating journey into sound art, discussing how he experiments with unconventional materials to create unique sounds. He spoke about his discovery of PVC pipes, which produce distinctive, resonant tones that are perfect for his creations. Additionally, Mo uses everyday objects like pots and lids as percussion instruments, demonstrating how he turns the mundane into something extraordinary. With his background in construction, Mo often incorporates his work attire, such as his construction clothing, into his performances. He plays his innovative music in urban spaces, surprising and delighting passersby with the unexpected beauty of his soundscapes. Over the years, he’s developed an intuitive understanding of how different materials can shape the music he creates, allowing him to know exactly which items will produce the desired sound. Mo is also planning an exciting European tour, where he hopes to share his sound art and inspire others to explore the limitless potential of everyday objects in music. His goal is to encourage people to think outside the box and embrace the beauty of the sounds that surround us in our daily lives. Tune in to hear more about Mo’s creative process, his passion for sound art, and the way he continues to push the boundaries of music. Instagram @canmastersmash9262
In this interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Adam Cooper, an accomplished performer and choreographer whose career has spanned both the worlds of musical theatre and ballet. Adam has choreographed and starred in a number of award-winning productions, including On Your Toes, Singin’ in the Rain, and Grand Hotel.
Starting his professional journey as a classical and contemporary ballet dancer, Adam went on to become a Principal Dancer with the Royal Ballet, one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the world. He gained international fame for originating the role of "Swan/Stranger" in Matthew Bourne’s groundbreaking Swan Lake, a production that redefined the traditional ballet and captured the attention of audiences worldwide. Adam also appeared in the 2000 film Billy Elliot, playing the adult version of the titular character, a role that further showcased his range as a performer.
In this conversation, Adam shares insights into his remarkable career, his experiences in both the ballet and musical theatre worlds, and the creative processes that have shaped his work. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the most influential figures in contemporary performance!
In this inspiring interview, I speak with Thabiso Khambule, a radio presenter and MC from Pretoria, South Africa. Thabiso shares his remarkable journey into radio, beginning with a challenging moment in his life—being fired from his job as a dental assistant. Instead of letting this setback define him, Thabiso used it as a stepping stone to launch his career in broadcasting, eventually securing a role at the renowned Jakaranda FM. Thabiso also discusses the mentors who played a pivotal role in shaping his career, including radio Rian Van Heerden and DJ Fresch. He reflects on the valuable lessons he learned from his role models and how their guidance influenced his growth as one of South Africa’s most admired radio personalities. In addition to his career, Thabiso talks about the importance of his faith and how it has been a constant source of strength and inspiration in both his personal and professional life. His positive attitude and dedication to serving his community reflect his deep commitment to making a meaningful impact. Listen as Thabiso shares his passion for radio, his aspirations for the future, and the values that continue to drive him. His story is one of resilience, purpose, and service, offering valuable insights for anyone striving to achieve their dreams.
In this interview, author Hunter Chadwick discusses his lifelong passion for books and writing. Having lived in various places around the world for over 50 years, Hunter shares how, despite writing a few things along the way, he never fully committed to turning the novels he’d always dreamed of into reality. That changed in 2021 when a new opportunity to share stories, episode by episode, inspired him to pursue writing more seriously. Hunter also talks about his latest novel, Across the Shining Sea. Set in 1883, this historical novel goes beyond the story of immigration—it explores themes of family, cultural identity, and the unyielding human spirit that transcends borders. The book follows the Gantz family as they escape war-torn Europe, leaving Alsace Lorraine behind in search of a new life on the American plains. Hunter explains how the story is deeply personal, based on his own family’s history and the research he conducted to bring their journey to life. In addition, Hunter shares insights about his other books and discusses what inspires him to write. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with an author whose stories are filled with hope, resilience, and the quest for a better life. https://hunterchadwickauthor.com/
In an insightful interview, Bhuti Mopai shared his journey from the rural parts of South Africa to becoming a trailblazer in storytelling, media, and advertising. Growing up in an environment where storytelling was woven into the fabric of everyday life, Bhuti developed an early fascination with the art of communication. He recalls asking himself, "How do they do this?"—a curiosity that would shape the trajectory of his career and ignite a lifelong passion for the craft of storytelling.
Bhuti's deep connection to the power of narrative began with the iconic SASOL "Amaglug-glug" TV commercial, a moment that sparked his love for creative ideas and media. This defining experience would fuel his drive to innovate and elevate stories across diverse platforms. With over 16 years of experience, Bhuti has worked on major projects for prominent South African media outlets like SuperSport, Mzansi Magic, SABC, and ETV, as well as global brands such as VegoEats and Medicinal Media. His work spans a broad range of mediums, from television and documentaries to digital campaigns, always with a focus on the stories that truly matter.
What sets Bhuti apart is his unique ability to blend creativity with business strategy. He understands that compelling narratives are not just about entertainment—they are about connecting, informing, and inspiring audiences, while driving meaningful change. His approach is grounded in a deep respect for cultural diversity, and he believes in the importance of telling stories that resonate with and reflect the richness of different communities.
From producing over 1,000 television episodes to launching startups like Ijima JC and Ideas You Got To See, Bhuti's mission remains unchanged: to craft stories that spark change, inspire growth, and leave a lasting impact. Whether through documentaries, corporate videos, or advertising campaigns, Bhuti’s passion for storytelling continues to transform media across South Africa and beyond.
Daniel Zappi, a British-Italian singer-songwriter, actor, theatre director, playwright, and pedagogue, shares his journey from acting to the unconventional path he chose in the arts. His latest endeavor, Shakespeare In Song, is a unique project that’s currently touring Europe, bringing Shakespeare's work to life in a whole new way through music. Daniel reveals how this project, which is close to his heart, enables audiences to connect more deeply with Shakespeare’s plays. By merging the timeless words of Shakespeare with modern melodies, he creates an engaging and accessible experience that helps audiences, especially younger generations, appreciate the complexity and beauty of the Bard’s works in a fresh, relatable way. He discusses how Shakespeare In Song serves as a bridge between the classical and contemporary, making the themes of Shakespeare’s plays more understandable and resonant for audiences. By transforming the language and narratives into song, Daniel has found a way to spark curiosity and invite people to explore the richness of Shakespeare's plays in a format that’s both entertaining and educational. In addition to his theatre work, Daniel reflects on his personal music, which is deeply rooted in real-life experiences. His Punchbag Sessions, which he began spontaneously at his father’s gym, have become an authentic outlet for his raw, heartfelt songwriting. These sessions feature impromptu performances of his original songs, many of which touch on personal and emotional themes that resonate with listeners on a profound level. Daniel’s commitment to the arts goes beyond his performances. As a dedicated drama and music pedagogue, he works with individuals of all ages and backgrounds, fostering a sense of community and helping people thrive through the power of the performing arts. His passion for teaching and mentoring continues to shape the lives of those he works with, enabling them to discover their own creative potential. In 2019, Daniel was a finalist on Czechia and Slovakia’s Got Talent, a testament to his talent and the growing recognition of his artistry. Through his multifaceted career, Daniel Zappi continues to inspire audiences, artists, and students alike, proving that art has the power to connect, heal, and transform. https://www.danielzappi.com/bio
In this interview with Henry Rehberg, a skilled lighting designer and programmer, he discusses what sparked his interest in lighting. Henry shares his journey, beginning with hands-on experience in theater before going on to study lighting design at Rose Bruford College in London, where he graduated with honors. With extensive experience in both England and the German-speaking world, Henry has worked on a variety of productions, including opera, ballet, concerts, and theater. His lighting designs have been featured at prestigious venues such as the Salzburg and Berlin Festivals, as well as numerous renowned city, state, and regional theaters. Henry talks about the unique aspects of lighting for different performance types, explaining how each requires its own approach and how he enjoys the variety that comes with working across these genres. With expert knowledge, creativity, and a keen attention to detail, Henry creates lighting concepts that enhance the aesthetics and atmosphere of each production. Watch the interview to hear more about Henry's journey and the art of lighting design in the world of performance. https://www.hpr-lighting.com/
In this exclusive interview with underwater photographer Arturo Telle Thiemann, we dive deep into his fascinating journey of capturing the beauty of the ocean through his lens. Arturo shares how his passion for underwater photography began at a young age, blending his love for the ocean and photography. He explains how the unique underwater environment, particularly the limited light, affects the way we perceive colors, especially reds, in sea creatures. Arturo also takes us on a journey to some of his favorite underwater locations, sharing stories of the amazing creatures he's encountered and photographed. He reveals the fascinating species named after him and the incredible discoveries he's made with his camera. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at his challenging project filming underwater dancer Elena Del Mar, where he shares the technical and creative hurdles he faced. Plus, Arturo offers invaluable advice on underwater diving, including how he equips himself to stay safe while exploring the depths. Tune in to hear all about Arturo's unique experiences, insights, and the stunning world he captures beneath the waves.
In this interview, composer Raphael Fimm shares the story of how his journey in music began with the piano and evolved into a successful career as a composer. Known for his innovative and sophisticated orchestral writing, Raphael has a gift for creating memorable, singable themes and long-form musical storytelling for film. He also has a wealth of experience working with live ensembles, including full orchestras. Raphael blends a modern approach to music with a deep understanding of classical orchestration, seamlessly merging the best of both worlds. He's equally comfortable with the latest music tech as he is with the traditional method of writing by hand, using piano and paper to craft his compositions. His work has earned him several accolades, including the Best Score award at the Hollywood Art and Movie Awards in 2021 for his score for Tour du Togo, a German cycling documentary. Raphael also talks about the special feeling of hearing his music come to life through a full orchestra, a process that never loses its magic. His compositions don't just support a film—they help shape its identity, giving each project a unique musical voice. Raphael’s music works perfectly as an underscore but also holds its own as concert pieces or on a soundtrack album. It's a conversation about creativity, technique, and the joy of making music that connects with people. https://www.raphael-fimm.com/about #filmcomposer #filmmusic #composer #petrasittigtheartistsvoice #interviewseries
In this interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with Morris Zaka, a talented young artist from Ghana. Morris opens up about his journey in art, starting from a young age when he first picked up a pencil and began drawing. His passion for art has only grown since then, and he’s constantly striving to improve his craft, working hard to raise the standard of his work with every piece he creates. Throughout our conversation, Morris shares the challenges and rewards of being an artist, including his efforts to not only develop his skills but also to navigate the business side of art. He’s learning how to market and sell his work within his community, and how important it is for artists to build relationships and networks to thrive. Morris is also deeply involved in art exhibitions, where he showcases his work and connects with other artists. One of his major goals is to study art at university, so he can continue to grow both as an artist and as an individual. His ambition is not only to develop his own career but also to inspire others, particularly young people, to explore art and use it to enrich their lives. In this video, Morris talks about his journey, the hard work involved, and how he hopes to see more young people taking up art, seeing it as a way to express themselves and build a meaningful future. If you’re passionate about art, or curious about the creative journey, Morris’s story is one you don’t want to miss.
In this inspiring interview, we sit down with the talented painter Gift Dlamini from Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. Gift takes us through his artistic journey, sharing how his passion for painting developed over time and the various influences that have shaped his creative process. He reflects on how his art is deeply inspired by his environment and the things that move him on a personal level, yet he is also eager to push boundaries and explore new directions to see his art evolve. Gift opens up about a pivotal moment in his career when his work was discovered by a gallery owner, leading to the opportunity to exhibit his paintings. From there, his career began to gain momentum, opening up new opportunities for him in the art world. One of the most fascinating parts of the interview is when Gift shares how he accidentally discovered using coffee as a medium for his paintings. This innovative technique has created a desire to explore other natural materials, such as vegetable juices, to create unique colors for his art. Gift looks to nature for inspiration, constantly seeking new ways to connect his work with the world around him. Throughout the conversation, Gift emphasizes how other South African artists have inspired him along the way. Now, he feels a strong desire to pay it forward and inspire the next generation of young artists, encouraging them to follow their passion and push the limits of their creativity. Gift Dlamini's journey is one of perseverance, discovery, and the constant pursuit of growth as an artist. Join us as he shares his dreams, aspirations, and the future he envisions for his art and for the vibrant South African art scene.
In this interview with Tara Brodin, we dive into the fascinating world of theatre and education through the eyes of a renowned Canadian artist who now calls Zurich, Switzerland home. Tara is an award-winning educator, critically acclaimed director, and performer, with an extensive international career that has seen her work in over twenty countries. Tara is the Artistic Director of CET, where she is at the helm of directing the company's mainstage productions. Her leadership is shaping the creative direction of the theatre, blending her vast artistic expertise with her deep passion for fostering creativity in others. Through her visionary guidance, Tara is helping to push boundaries and create innovative theatre experiences for audiences and performers alike. Tara’s expertise spans across acting, improvisation, physical comedy, modern clowning, and devising original works. She’s passionate about teaching and believes that vulnerability is the key to unlocking creativity and innovation. Tara encourages her students to embrace their mistakes and celebrate them with a joyful "TA-DA!" as a way to rediscover the joy of play and uncover their true artistic potential. Tara’s students have gone on to achieve success in the professional world, and she continues to inspire both artists and non-artists alike. Additionally, Tara works with executive leaders and organizations, coaching them in improvisation, vocal technique, body awareness, leadership presence, and other artistic practices to elevate their professional performance. Tune in to hear Tara’s insights on creativity, education, and the transformative power of theatre, as well as her journey in bringing bold new productions to life at CET! https://www.closeencounterstheatre.com/tarabrodin
In this interview, we had the pleasure of speaking with Suki Kibunguri, a renowned visual artist and celebrity makeup and hair consultant based in Nairobi, Kenya. Suki specializes in beauty, body art, glow-in-the-dark artistry, special effects, and character makeup for theatre, film, and TV productions. His passion lies in creating new identities and telling stories through his art— the best and shortest way to describe what he does. Throughout his seven-year career, Suki has had the honor of expressing his art across a variety of platforms, including photoshoots, fashion videos, music videos, TV commercials, print shoots, and personal projects. Suki also embraces and celebrates the rich art and traditions of African cultures, incorporating these elements into his work to create unique and meaningful expressions. In addition to his impressive work in the beauty industry, Suki runs a highly successful training program, helping to inspire and empower aspiring professionals. His partnership with the American Embassy has also allowed him to share his extensive knowledge of film makeup artistry with upcoming filmmakers in Kenya. Tune in to hear about his journey, insights, and how he’s helping shape the future of beauty and film in Kenya while honoring the beauty of African culture! https://www.behance.net/sukimakeupb10f
In this interview, James Cook, a skilled typewriter artist, shares his unique journey and creative process. His work is deeply influenced by Paul Smith, an American typewriter artist who, despite suffering from cerebral palsy, found control and expression through the use of a typewriter. Smith’s condition limited his ability to make precise hand movements, but he used the typewriter as a tool for creating art. James credits Smith’s legacy, which spans over 70 years, as the primary inspiration for his own typewriter drawings. James' ever-growing collection includes almost 30 typewriters, ranging from mechanical portable machines from the 1950s to early electronic models from the 1990s. He alternates between these machines to create a diverse range of works, including album covers, celebrity and pet portraits, as well as architectural illustrations. With a lifelong passion for architecture and an impressive portfolio of over 300 drawings in the past decade, James has fully embraced his transition from architecture to typewriter art, creating pieces that reflect both his love of design and the influence of typewriter artists who came before him. https://jamescookartwork.com/
In this interview with Heidi Mollentze, a talented South African actress, singer, voice artist, dialogue coach, and performance coach, we explore her remarkable career journey. Heidi shares the pivotal moment that led her to study Drama at the University of Bloemfontein and how she transitioned to Johannesburg, where she quickly found herself starting her first voice-over job at the SABC. This experience launched her into the world of theatre and television, with a standout role in the beloved soap Egoli. Since 1996, Heidi has built an impressive portfolio across television, theatre, and radio, while also coaching drama and voice. Her television credits include Suburban Bliss, Die Vierde Kabinet, Zing, Generations, Isidingo, and many more. She also served as the performance coach for Zing and Pop Idols 2, and was a co-producer and coach on the game show Om-i-Wêreld. In theatre, Heidi has taken on leading roles in productions like Kringe in 'n Bos, The King and I, The Buddy Holly Story, Little Shop of Horrors, and more. Throughout our conversation, Heidi reflects on the importance of listening in acting and how this key skill has shaped her career, including her work as a motivational speaker and life coach. Tune in to hear more about Heidi Mollentze’s extraordinary journey and how she uses her acting expertise to inspire and empower others! https://heidimollentze.com/
In this video, I talk with with Anna Schrefl, a highly experienced dance professional with a rich background in contemporary dance and dance science. Originally from Austria, Anna has studied at prestigious institutions like the Amsterdam University of the Arts and Codarts in Rotterdam. She holds a MAS in Dance Science from the University of Bern and an MSc in Dance Science from the University of Wolverhampton. With years of experience as a freelance choreographer for various dance, theater, and music productions, Anna has also earned certifications as a Pilates instructor in New York and lectures on Spiraldynamik®—a concept that explores functional anatomy. In this conversation, Anna shares insights into her 20+ years of experience as a trainer for classical, contemporary, and musical dancers, and how dance science plays a critical role in improving the performance, health, and longevity of dancers. We also dive into her current work as a guest lecturer at the Zurich University of the Arts and her doctoral research at the University of Bern. Dance science is such an essential part of today’s dance world—it helps dancers prevent injury, optimize movement, and better understand the mechanics of their bodies. If you’re a dancer, teacher, or simply passionate about the intersection of movement and science, this interview is packed with valuable knowledge. Don’t miss it! https://www.elmhurstballetschool.org/en/research-and-performance-ebs/bern-university/
In this interview, I had the pleasure of chatting with Australian painter Joanna Blair. She shares the inspiring story of how, at just five years old, she saw someone painting impressionistic landscapes and was immediately captivated. Fueled by this curiosity, she crafted her own easel from old fencing palings she found, marking the start of her artistic journey. Joanna also talks about her latest series of paintings, When One Door Closes, Another One Opens. This collection explores the theme of transformation—finding joy, love, or purpose that wouldn't have come our way without the courage to keep moving forward. Each painting in the series features a hidden key, a symbol that holds special significance for her. Keys represent possibility: the power to unlock doors, mysteries, and new chapters. For Joanna, these keys are the perfect metaphor for the themes of resilience, growth, and new beginnings found in this collection. As you explore the paintings, you'll notice that the hidden keys encourage a deeper connection with the artwork and its story. Much like in life, the most valuable treasures often require a closer look to uncover. Joanna's art is also deeply inspired by nature, especially her stunning garden, which influences the florals in her work. Her paintings invite you to experience the beauty of both the natural world and the personal transformations we go through. https://www.joannablairartist.com/about
In this interview, Terry Hyde, a former professional dancer turned psychotherapist, shares his invaluable perspective on the intersection of dance and mental health. As a counselor for dancers, Terry is leading a movement to bring essential mental health support to the dance community, addressing the unique challenges dancers face in both their training and professional careers. Having experienced the pressures of the dance world firsthand, Terry is passionate about raising awareness of the psychological strains dancers encounter—often overlooked in such a competitive and demanding field. He discusses how crucial it is for dance teachers to recognize the mental health needs of their students, as the psychological impact of rigorous training can sometimes be just as intense as the physical demands. Terry goes on to explain the significance of mental health education for dance schools and companies, advocating for specialized training that helps educators understand the emotional well-being of their students. He highlights the importance of integrating mental health training for both dancers and teachers to create a supportive and healthy environment within the dance community. To tackle the gap in mental health resources, Terry talks about STEPPS (Specialised Training and Education for Professional Dancers), an initiative that aims to provide accessible mental health support tailored specifically to dancers. STEPPS is a Social Enterprise Community Interest Company, meaning all profits are reinvested into projects designed to improve the well-being of the wider dance community. STEPPS offers mental health first aid training for dancers, free and reduced-rate counseling sessions, and educational opportunities for dance schools and companies to better support their dancers’ mental health. This conversation shines a light on the urgent need for accessible mental health resources in the dance world and the important role of education and awareness in creating a healthier, more supportive space for dancers to thrive. https://www.counsellingfordancers.com/about/
In this interview, Nasiphi Zwane takes us behind the scenes of his podcast, Sludge Underground, which he founded in Durban, South Africa in September 2016. Nasiphi shares his journey of creating the podcast with the goal of shining a spotlight on local alternative bands that were being overlooked by mainstream radio. He delves into the challenges he faced, such as navigating the niche music scene, building an audience, and staying true to his vision, while also reflecting on the positives of running a podcast, including the sense of community, the rewarding connections made with artists, and the platform he’s created for underrepresented voices in the music industry. Beyond his podcasting career, Nasiphi opens up about his work as a court interpreter and how this role has not only shaped his understanding of the law but also fueled his passion to pursue a formal legal education. He explains how interpreting in a legal setting has offered him a unique perspective on justice and motivated him to study law, blending his love for language with his commitment to making a difference in the legal field. Tune in to hear Nasiphi's inspiring story and gain insight into both the creative and professional sides of his life. https://www.sludgeunderground.com/about/
Dumisani Mchunu is an art student based in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with a deep passion for storytelling through his artwork. Hailing from a rural area near Durban, Dumisani is eager to further his education by studying art at the university level. His work is a reflection of his community and heritage, as he seeks to capture and share the stories of his upbringing. Dumisani views art as a universal language and dreams of using it to engage in meaningful conversations with the world. He also believes that art plays a crucial role in education and hopes to inspire younger generations in his community to embrace creativity. Dumisani is actively involved in painting murals in his community, including at a local primary school, where his work provides young children with exposure to art they might not otherwise encounter. He sees this as an opportunity to steer children away from negative influences, offering them a positive outlet through creativity and something to aspire to. Dedicated to his craft, Dumisani spends countless hours in the studio, perfecting his painting skills. He is passionate about growing as an artist and dreams of collaborating with international artists and securing an art residency to further develop his talents.
In this interview with Debra Rapoport, a New York-based designer, we explore her innovative approach to fashion and design. Debra is renowned for transforming everyday, discarded objects into extraordinary hats, jewelry, and accessories. Her creative genius lies in the ability to take items most people would overlook or throw away, such as toilet roll cardboard, and reimagine them as one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art.Debra’s fascination with design and recycling began in her childhood when she spent hours playing with her grandmother's button collection. This early exposure sparked a lifelong appreciation for the beauty and potential in the things others might deem useless. Throughout the conversation, Debra reflects on the importance of nurturing creativity, especially in children, encouraging them to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process.Known for her fearless and unconventional style, Debra has the remarkable ability to transform any piece of clothing, even wearing a jacket inside out or upside down, and making it look effortlessly glamorous. Her unique perspective on fashion and design breaks all the traditional rules, showing that creativity and sustainability can coexist in the most inspiring ways.Join us as we explore the intersection of art, sustainability, and fashion through the eyes of a true visionary.
n this interview, I talk with Elena del Mar, an innovative underwater dancer and free diver, about her unique art form. Elena shares her deep love for the ocean, which began in her youth and inspired her journey into free diving, eventually leading to her exploration of underwater dance. She reveals how she discovered a new side of herself beneath the water's surface, where she feels a profound sense of freedom and connection, even if only for a brief time. As a pioneer in underwater dancing, Elena’s movements are not choreographed, but instead emerge naturally from a meditative state she enters while submerged. She highlights the importance of the dedicated team that ensures her safety, helping her descend into the depths and return to the surface. The specialized attire and fins she wears also impact her movement, giving her dance an almost slow-motion quality that enhances the beauty of her art. Elena views herself as a bridge between humanity and the ocean, hoping her films inspire others to appreciate the ocean’s beauty and its fragile ecosystems. She also recounts how sea lions have interacted with her underwater, almost mimicking her dance in a fascinating display of connection. Her passion is rooted in raising awareness about ocean conservation, urging us all to protect these vital environments.
In this interview, I speak with Kgali Mhlaba, a talented student of Architecture and an emerging artist from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Kgali shares her journey into the world of art, beginning with a spark of creativity and a strong sense of encouragement from her family, especially her father. With their support, she was motivated to explore painting more deeply and pursue it as a meaningful way to communicate her thoughts and emotions. As a young artist, Kgali is passionate about using her work to create impact and convey messages that resonate with others. She’s also deeply committed to helping other young artists in her community by offering guidance and support. In addition to her artistic endeavors, Kgali is studying Architecture, a field she’s still exploring and understanding. She acknowledges the vast opportunities within the industry and sees architecture as more than just a profession—it’s a powerful form of storytelling. For her, architecture is a way to express culture, share untold histories, and honor the rich heritage of South Africa. Join us as Kgali opens up about her creative journey, her aspirations, and the role that art and architecture can play in shaping the future of South Africa.
In this insightful interview with renowned French-Israeli painter Alec Borenstein, we explore his remarkable artistic journey that began at an exceptionally young age. Borenstein, who was already exhibiting his work at the Tel Aviv Museum at just ten years old, reflects on his early life as a child prodigy. He shares how his career evolved and the development of his unique artistic approach, which revolves around the concept of series in his paintings.
Throughout the conversation, Alec discusses how his perception of the world shapes his creative process, offering a deep look into how he approaches each new work. He also recounts the story behind his captivating series of paintings of the Freud Museum in London, explaining the inspiration that drove the project.
Additionally, Alec opens up about the significant role his wife has played in inspiring some of his most beautiful works. The artist touches on his relationship with his son, famous composer Nimrod Borenstein, reflecting on the parallels and contrasts between the worlds of painting and music, offering a unique perspective on both disciplines.
This interview reveals the passion, personal experiences, and artistic philosophy behind one of today’s most accomplished painters.
In this interview with Swedish jazz sensation Gunhild Carling, we explore her incredible musical journey that began at a young age performing alongside her family. Gunhild shares how, even as a child, she developed a deep understanding of connecting with audiences through music and how that connection can transport the audience into the heart of the performance. She explains that when she truly feels and understands the music she’s playing, it allows the audience to experience the same emotions. As a multi-instrumentalist, Gunhild discusses how she uses a variety of instruments – including trumpet, trombone, harmonica, oboe, harp, flute, recorder, and even the jazz bagpipe – to express different facets of her musical vision. She also reveals her passion for tap dancing, which she sees as an essential rhythmic element that adds another layer of expression to her performances. Gunhild is not only an accomplished performer, but also a composer, and she takes us through the basics of her composing process, including how she blends different jazz influences into her music. With her heart and soul deeply rooted in jazz, Gunhild also reflects on the welcoming atmosphere of the American jazz scene, which encourages artists to bring their unique voices to the table. Known for her dynamic performances, Gunhild has also made waves on international television, competing in "Let’s Dance 2014" and appearing on shows like "Sweden’s Got Talent" and "America’s Got Talent." Her work with her "Carling Big Band" includes memorable performances, such as a stunning concert at the Royal Palace in Stockholm celebrating King Carl XVI Gustaf’s Ruby Jubilee. Whether she's playing multiple instruments at once or tapping her feet in rhythm, Gunhild Carling’s captivating performances continue to enchant audiences worldwide. https://carlingjazz.com/about/
In this interview with John Vlismas, a South African comedian turned corporate consultant, we explore the profound role of comedy in society. John opens up about how comedy serves as a mirror to society, often highlighting uncomfortable truths, challenging norms, and allowing us to laugh through the most difficult topics. But beyond just making people laugh, John explores how comedy can be a tool for healing and growth, both for individuals and communities. John also shares his personal journey, revealing how his battle with addiction and eating disorders, coupled with the pressures of his comedy career, led him to a realization: being a comedian, while fulfilling in some ways, was not enough to bring true fulfillment. This pivotal moment pushed him to make a dramatic life shift. He transitioned from the comedy stage to studying diversity in South Africa's corporate world, focusing on understanding what diversity truly means in a country with such complex social dynamics. With his background in engaging and connecting with audiences, John developed a unique perspective on what it takes to build meaningful relationships in the workplace. He realized that true connection goes beyond surface-level interactions and that fostering an environment of authenticity is key to creating real bonds between colleagues. Now working with his partners at OGO Creative, John is on a mission to help businesses understand the real value of authenticity and identity in the workplace. He believes that when employees can show up as their true selves, not only does individual well-being improve, but team performance and overall company culture thrive. Through his work, John is empowering organizations to recognize the importance of emotional intelligence, open communication, and mutual respect in creating a work environment where everyone can thrive. This conversation is a powerful exploration of personal transformation, the evolution of a comedian’s career, and the deep impact of authenticity and connection in professional settings. Tune in to hear John Vlismas' inspiring story and valuable insights on how we can all build stronger, more inclusive, and connected workplaces. https://ogocreative.co.za/
In this interview, I talk with Joanna Gemma Auguri, musician, songwriter, and actress, about her latest album Hiraeth. Her music blends influences from folk, ambient, and avant-garde sounds, offering a unique and deeply personal musical journey. Joanna talks about the concept of Hiraeth, a Welsh word that captures a feeling of longing for a home, place, or time that no longer exists—or never existed at all. It’s a type of nostalgia that touches on the past, lost connections, and even parts of yourself that are gone. Her album explores these feelings and the complexity of longing for something unreachable, making it an incredibly emotional experience for listeners. We also talk about Joanna's approach to songwriting, which is grounded in authenticity and personal experience. She shares how her music is a reflection of her own life and emotions, and how she hopes her songs resonate with people who have gone through similar struggles or feelings. Her songwriting is raw and honest, inviting her audience into her world in a way that feels real and relatable. Joanna also discusses the visual aspects of her music, especially how she brings her songs to life through stunning music videos. Her visuals are as much a part of her creative expression as the music itself, often blending surreal, thought-provoking imagery with the emotional depth of her songs. The visuals aren’t just an add-on, they help deepen the connection to the themes in her music and create a more immersive experience. To hear more about Joanna’s creative process, the making of Hiraeth, and the inspirations behind her work, make sure to check out the full interview. You’ll get an inside look at her music, her journey as an artist, and how she connects with her audience through both sound and visuals. Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel for more interviews with incredible artists and creative minds! https://joannagemmaauguri.bandcamp.com/album/hiraeth
In this interview, I talk with Elena Fedorenko, a Ukrainian-born pianist and composer whose music speaks directly to the soul. Elena’s journey with the piano started in Ukraine, where she grew up, and led her to classical training that would shape her into the artist she is today. In 2018, she moved to London to study at the Royal Academy of Music under the guidance of Professor Andrew West, a life-changing decision that expanded her artistic horizon. In our conversation, Elena opens up about the challenges and growth she experienced in making this bold move, and how sometimes it’s the difficult changes that push us to discover more about ourselves and our art. We talked about the idea of "rerouting" yourself—how shifting directions in life can be unsettling, but also necessary for creative and personal evolution. Elena shares the moment she began composing and what continues to inspire her to create music that feels deeply personal, yet universal. As Ellen F, she’s released a series of albums—“Monologue,” “Hug The Sadness,” “Memories of Our Future,” “1+1,” “tEARs,” and “Aphorism No.157”—that blur the lines between classical, contemporary, and experimental music. Elena’s compositions are rich with emotional depth, exploring the delicate balance between sorrow and hope, loneliness and longing. Her sound is both introspective and expansive, using the piano as a medium to explore the complexities of the human condition—grief, nostalgia, and the constant search for meaning. Her music is a journey into the inner world, one that reflects not just personal experience, but a shared exploration of our most vulnerable emotions. If you’re curious about the creative process of an artist who’s unafraid to embrace both darkness and light, this conversation with Elena will give you a raw, honest look into what drives her music and her ever-evolving artistic vision. https://ellenfmusic.com/about
In this interview, UK singer-songwriter Luke Potter reflects on the unique path that led him to become a passionate and authentic artist. Growing up in a musical household, Luke was surrounded by the sounds of the industry from an early age, as his father was a member of the band “The Affair,” which was signed by none other than Simon Cowell. With such an influential figure in his life, it’s no surprise that Luke was drawn to music early on, although it wasn’t until he was 17 that he first picked up a guitar—and from that moment, he never looked back. Luke talks about how his upbringing in a musical family helped shape his love for songwriting, while also providing insight into the emotional side of his music. He explains how writing lyrics has been more than just a creative outlet for him, it’s been a crucial way to cope with personal struggles and emotions. His songs are deeply personal, often reflecting the raw emotions he’s going through, which makes his music relatable and impactful for listeners. Another aspect of Luke’s creative process that he values is collaboration. He loves working with other singers and songwriters, believing that co-writing is almost like a form of therapy. For Luke, the exchange of ideas and emotions with fellow artists during the songwriting process allows him to explore different perspectives and unlock new layers of creativity. He describes it as a deeply therapeutic and healing experience for everyone involved, and it’s something that fuels his passion for making music. This interview offers an intimate look at Luke’s journey as an artist and his unique approach to songwriting. Tune in to hear more about how his family background, personal experiences, and collaborations have shaped him into the artist he is today—someone who isn’t afraid to be vulnerable, connect with others, and use music as a tool for healing. https://www.youtube.com/user/LukePotterMusic https://soundcloud.com/lukepotter
In this interview the Irish composer Gav Moran, talks about his creative process and the inspirations behind his music. Gav shares how the weather in Ireland, with its constant rain and cold, shapes the melancholic tone of his compositions, which he describes as the perfect soundtrack for walking in the rain and embracing the darkness. He explains how he channels these elements of nature into his music, seeing them as a source of inspiration rather than something to avoid. Gav also discusses his passion for combining music with visuals, enjoying the process of creating videos that complement his sound. He highlights how social media has become a great platform for him to explore and share this fusion of audio and visual art. Reflecting on his journey, Gav reveals how he first realized the true power of music when watching a film. He was struck by how the music could change and influence the mood of a scene, sparking his desire to explore composition more deeply. From his roots as a DJ to his current focus on composing, Gav explains how his musical journey evolved and how he developed his minimalist approach to composition. He talks about his love for simplicity in his work and how it has become his signature style. Additionally, Gav opens up about his piano-playing beginnings and how they laid the foundation for his current musical expression. This insightful conversation offers a fascinating look at the mind of a composer who embraces the beauty of simplicity, nature, and creativity. https://www.instagram.com/gavmoranmusic/ https://www.youtube.com/@UCtpiVvodQ_YWxeSjY-4ACog https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100089145008249
In this interview, I talk with David Wurczel, a talented guitarist, composer, and sound designer whose journey into the world of video game music is as captivating as his craft. David’s musical roots began early, when he picked up the guitar and honed his skills as a classical guitarist. With a deep love for both music and video games, David's dream of creating music for cinema evolved into a focus on composing for video games, a passion sparked by his long-standing devotion to games like Heroes of Might and Magic, Elder Scrolls, and World of Warcraft. Today, David works as a composer, audio designer, and audio programmer for game studios, crafting immersive soundscapes for the gaming world. In our conversation, he shares insights into his unique approach to composing for video games, offering advice for aspiring game composers and detailing how he collaborates with independent game developers to create memorable musical experiences. Known for his guitar covers of iconic game music, David has a remarkable ability to transform the guitar into a symphonic instrument. His passion for video game music shines through in every note, and he discusses how gaming’s emotional depth and vast worlds inspire his compositions. Whether working on original scores or covering beloved themes, David’s work continues to bridge his twin passions for gaming and music. https://davidwurczel.com/bio
In this interview with renowned saxophonist Tobias Meinhart, we dive deep into his fascinating journey from Germany to the heart of the jazz world in New York City. Tobias shares how his grandfather played a pivotal role in nurturing his love for jazz, which ultimately inspired him to pick up the saxophone. Growing up in Germany, far from jazz’s origins, Tobias’s early exposure to the genre through his grandfather sparked a lifelong passion for music. He talks about how this early connection to jazz laid the foundation for his musical journey, leading him to New York to immerse himself in the city's vibrant and diverse jazz scene. Tobias also sheds light on the challenges he faced when trying to break into the competitive New York jazz scene. He shares his experience of navigating the city's complex music community, building connections, and establishing himself as a respected artist. Through hard work and persistence, Tobias not only found his place but also contributed significantly to the evolving landscape of jazz. Throughout our conversation, we explore the theme of roots—how an artist's heritage, upbringing, and personal history can influence their artistic development and path to self-discovery. Tobias emphasizes how understanding and embracing one’s roots can help shape a more authentic and powerful artistic voice. Finally, I ask Tobias about what he misses most from Germany, and his answer brings a personal and nostalgic touch to the interview. He fondly recalls the comforting flavors of his mother’s home-cooked meals, particularly her traditional German Knödel—a dish that holds a special place in his heart. This conversation with Tobias Meinhart offers a fascinating insight into the intersection of culture, identity, and artistry, and how an artist can find their true voice, even in the most diverse and challenging environments.
In this interview, I talk with Mitja Obed, an exceptional Slovenian flamenco dancer whose artistic journey began as a Latin–American dancer. His introduction to flamenco came in 2007, guided by the renowned Ana Pandur in Ljubljana. Since then, Mitja has immersed himself in the flamenco world, collaborating with legendary dancers in Madrid and Sevilla. In our conversation, Mitja delves into his artistic philosophy and how flamenco serves as a medium for self-expression. For him, the rhythmic power of his feet becomes a voice that conveys emotion, telling stories without words. He talks about his daring experiments with flamenco, blending it with electronic music to create a fusion that bridges tradition and modernity. Beyond his love for flamenco, Mitja's passion for classical music shines through. He has choreographed breathtaking performances inspired by Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and envisions integrating the works of Johann Sebastian Bach into flamenco, merging these timeless compositions with the fiery spirit of the dance form. Join us for an inspiring journey into the life of a dancer who redefines the boundaries of flamenco, blending tradition with innovation and finding new ways to connect with audiences through the universal language of music and movement.
Join me for an engaging conversation with Jonathan van der Walt, a talented visual artist and sculptor from Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. Jonathan’s passion lies in merging traditional and modern sculptural techniques, seamlessly combining lost-wax bronze casting with digital modeling and 3D printing. His work captures the power of form, space, and contour, creating pieces that range from naturalistic and conceptually playful miniatures to monumental public sculptures. In this interview, we dive into Jonathan’s latest exhibition, From The Woods To The Soil, created during his residency as the 2024 Artist-in-Residence at the William Humphreys Art Gallery (WHAG). This thought-provoking show critically examines his identity as a white African and delves into the cultural significance of braai—a shared ritual in South Africa often reduced to a simple celebration of barbecue. Jonathan shares insights on how his art explores themes of legacy, belonging, and the scars of colonialism. Through his work, he invites viewers to reflect on their own heritage and engage in a journey of cultural reconciliation. This conversation sheds light on how art intersects with decolonial and post-digital practices in South Africa, offering a raw and emotional perspective on self-discovery. Don’t miss this deep dive into the life and art of Jonathan van der Walt, as we unpack the stories and themes that shape his creative journey. Watch now and be inspired! http://www.jonathanvanderwalt.co.za/
In this interview, Cas Wepener, Professor of Practical Theology at Stellenbosch University, shares his diverse work and creative passions. Cas provides a heartfelt exploration of a thought-provoking Advent calendar project he collaborated on, which features artwork by Wessel van Dyk and his own written reflections. This unique calendar takes a fresh approach to the Advent tradition by highlighting locations across Cape Town that can be seen as modern-day “stables,” echoing the humble birthplace of Jesus. These places—symbolic of shelter and hope—represent the struggles and resilience of those facing hardships during the festive season. Unlike traditional Advent calendars filled with chocolates, this one invites participants to look outward and reflect on the lives of others. It’s a call to compassion and mindfulness, encouraging a deeper connection to the true spirit of Christmas by considering the marginalized and vulnerable in our communities. The conversation also delves into Cas’s work as a novelist. His stories are deeply rooted in historical events, offering readers a vivid journey through time. His latest novel, Roman, is a compelling narrative based on true events, and Cas shares how his research in Cape Town's archives helped shape the story. He reflects on the process of bringing historical moments to life through fiction, capturing both the factual details and the human emotions that connect the past to the present. Specializing in ritual, liturgy, and homiletics, Cas focuses on religious rituals within specific cultural and social contexts. His recent research projects have included studies on rituals and social capital formation, rituals in fictive texts, and liturgies of anger. As the first editor of Bonding in Worship: A Ritual Lens on Social Capital Formation in African Independent Churches in South Africa (Peeters Press, 2019), Cas brings a deep understanding of how rituals shape communities. Whether discussing theology, community-focused projects, or his storytelling craft, Cas brings rich insights and inspiration to this fascinating conversation.
Join me for a conversation with Paul Wuensche, a London-based figurative artist celebrated for his vibrant and captivating work. Paul's art has been showcased at prestigious exhibitions like the BP Portrait Awards, The Discerning Eye, and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. He has also held solo shows at the Assembly Rooms Gallery and 9 Langton Street. Paul’s artistic journey began at the age of 11 under the guidance of the late George Israel RA, who instilled in him a love for color, tone, and oil painting. While his early artistic development flourished, Paul initially pursued literature and languages, specializing in Dante at Cambridge University, where he earned First Class Honours. Ultimately, his passion for painting led him to devote himself entirely to art. In addition to painting, Paul explores sculpting, particularly sculpted portraits, which has deepened his understanding of form and anatomy. He discusses how the tactile process of sculpting influences his approach to painting portraits, helping him see planes and structure more clearly, while painting, in turn, sharpens his sense of color and expression in his sculptures. Paul also reflects on a unique series of paintings he created during the lockdown while living in Barons Court. Isolated yet observant, he turned his focus to the buildings in his neighborhood, painting scenes of a single street. This process deepened his awareness of his surroundings and brought a renewed appreciation for the quiet beauty of everyday life, a sentiment many of us shared during that time of reflection and stillness. Peek into Paul’s artistic world and discover how his exploration of multiple disciplines enriches his creative practice. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more artist interviews and creative content! https://paulwuensche.com/bio/
Join me as I talk with Wessel van Dyk, an inspiring architect and urban designer based in Stellenbosch, South Africa. From a young age, Wessel dreamed of becoming an architect, sketching designs in the pages of old telephone books. His passion and determination carried him through the challenges he faced on his journey to realize this dream. In this interview, Wessel shares the influence of an early teacher and mentor who introduced him to the world of art, sparking a lifelong love for creativity. Alongside his work in architecture and urban design, Wessel is deeply passionate about etching and lino printing. He opens up about his experimentation with these art forms and how they connect to his vision as both an artist and a designer. Discover Wessel’s unique perspective on shaping spaces, his artistic processes, and how his South African roots influence his work. Whether you’re an aspiring architect, an art enthusiast, or simply curious about the intersection of art and urban design, this conversation is sure to inspire. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with creative thinkers!
In this interview, British singer-songwriter Amaree talks about her journey as an artist, her creative songwriting process, and how she’s forging her own path in the music industry. Known for her gritty, soulful voice and genre-defying sound, Amaree seamlessly blends timeless soul, melodic indie rock, acoustic vibes, and retro R&B into a body of work that feels both classic and fresh. Born and raised in London to Jamaican parents, Amaree grew up surrounded by a rich tapestry of musical influences. From her mother’s love for legends like Gladys Knight, Shirley Brown, and Millie Jackson to top 40 pop hits playing on the radio, Amaree’s upbringing shaped her ability to create music that is original yet warmly familiar. Her sound carries the echoes of great artists of the 70s while standing firmly in the present. Amaree also discusses her 10-year hiatus from the music business, a time marked by frustration with the gatekeeping and challenges of sharing her music with the world. However, her love for the creative process—the transformation of silence into something tangible and meaningful—brought her back. Now, with the help of social media, she’s connecting directly with her audience, bypassing traditional industry barriers. The feedback she receives online has been overwhelmingly encouraging, allowing her to stay grounded and inspired as an artist. As a live performer, Amaree’s charisma and sincerity shine. Whether delivering a heartfelt love song or tackling social issues, she connects deeply with her audience, conveying every lyric with conviction and honesty. This interview offers a closer look at how Amaree blends her rich musical heritage, personal experiences, and creative freedom to craft a style uniquely her own. A true artist has re-emerged, breaking boundaries and inspiring listeners in a modern, ever-changing music landscape. https://www.amareeofficial.com/#about
Join me in this inspiring interview with Joseph Raina, a talented animator from Kenya who turned his childhood dreams into a thriving career. Joseph shares his incredible journey, beginning with humble sketches in a small notebook. By flipping the pages, he created his very first animations—simple yet magical beginnings that would spark a passion for storytelling through art. Despite facing challenges, such as limited resources and an old computer that often held him back, Joseph’s determination never wavered. He started small, creating animations for local businesses in his community. These projects were the stepping stones that eventually led him to larger, more ambitious works. Joseph’s resilience and creative thinking exemplify the power of perseverance in overcoming adversity. In this candid conversation, Joseph also opens up about the struggles of starting over after setbacks and how those experiences shaped him. Now, as the founder of his own animation company, Jose Animation Studios, he not only produces captivating content but also trains aspiring animators, giving them the tools to transform their artistic talents into sustainable careers. This interview sheds light on the untold stories of creativity and innovation emerging from Africa, where individuals like Joseph prove that dreams can be achieved even with limited resources. His story is a testament to how passion, hard work, and an unwavering spirit can lead to remarkable success. Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or simply in need of inspiration, Joseph’s journey will leave you motivated to pursue your own dreams. Don’t miss this heartwarming story of triumph, resilience, and the power of creativity!
Join me for an lovely conversation with Isabelle Kašník, a multi-genre violinist with Czech and Angolan roots, as she shares her incredible musical journey and vision for the future of violin music. Isabelle's classical training at the Janáček Conservatory in Ostrava and the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava laid the foundation for her versatile career. She has performed in orchestras, chamber ensembles, and even explored Moravian folklore, but she also has a passion for taking the violin beyond traditional settings. Isabelle loves the freedom to use her instrument to connect with audiences who might not typically attend a concert hall, blending different genres to make violin music more accessible and engaging—especially for young people. A proud mother, Isabelle also talks about encouraging her son to play music. At a young age, he has already fallen in love with playing the guitar, reflecting her belief in music as a lifelong gift to be shared and passed down. Looking ahead, Isabelle is excited to explore her African roots by incorporating and experimenting with African music in her repertoire. She envisions blending her classical expertise with the rich, rhythmic traditions of African music to create something unique and deeply personal. This return to her roots is a journey of rediscovery and innovation, promising fresh perspectives and vibrant sounds. In this interview, Isabelle opens up about her love for both classical and contemporary music, her dedication to inspiring the next generation, and her plans to push the boundaries of what the violin can do. Don't miss this heartfelt and illuminating conversation! If you enjoy this interview feel free to subscribe for more inspiring stories from the world of art! https://iskamuse.com/bio/
In this interview, I talk with Marcia Lopez, a talented actress based in New York City, to discuss her unique career journey—from her early days as a flight attendant to becoming an accomplished actress. Marcia reflects on how her experiences in the airline industry equipped her with transferable skills that have proven invaluable in the world of acting. Known for her roles in theatre, commercials, and film, Marcia has built a reputation for portraying characters that challenge societal norms and spark introspection. Her impressive repertoire includes roles like Lady Capulet in Romeo & Juliet, Conchalla in The Late Henry Moss at Shepardfest, and Marie in the upcoming feature film East Bay Confidential. Marcia delves into her experience working on East Bay Confidential, sharing what drew her to the role and the impact it had on her as an artist. Her career is shaped by a cosmopolitan background, with work that resonates in Uruguay, Dubai, the U.A.E., and the U.S. Marcia honed her craft under the mentorship of renowned professionals such as John Markland at The Markland Studio, Jorge-Luis Pallo at Scott Sedita Studios, and Rachel Gold at Rachel Gold Creative. She also credits her grandfather, Don Horacio Lopez, the founder of one of Uruguay’s most successful tango orchestras, for profoundly influencing her artistic sensibilities. If you're an aspiring actor, or just curious about the realities of the entertainment world, this interview offers valuable insights into the perseverance, passion, and dedication required to succeed. Watch now to hear Marcia's full story! https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12613010/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
In this interview, I talk with renowned composer Nimrod Borenstein, whose works have been commissioned, recorded, and premiered at some of the most prestigious venues around the world. From London's Royal Festival Hall and Royal Opera House to Carnegie Hall in New York, Salle Gaveau in Paris, and Hong Kong City Hall, his music continues to captivate audiences globally. With performances across Europe, the U.S., South America, and beyond, Borenstein's music is cherished by leading artists, orchestras, and festivals, including Vladimir Ashkenazy, the BBC Philharmonic, the Philharmonia Orchestra, and the Enescu Festival. In this conversation, Nimrod reflects on his journey—from his childhood fascination with music, sparked by a serendipitous outdoor concert in France, to becoming a sought-after composer. He shares insights into some of his major commissions, like the pieces for the Hong Kong International Piano Competition (2019) and the International Jeunesses Musicales Competition for violoncello (2020), and discusses how his work continues to resonate with audiences and performers worldwide. Don't miss this deep dive into the life and career of a visionary composer. https://www.nimrod-borenstein.com/biography
In this interview, I talk with talented actor Paul D. Stephenson to discuss his inspiring journey into the world of acting. Paul reflects on his early passion for the craft, which was sparked by his admiration for iconic films featuring Eddie Murphy. From a young age, Paul’s natural talent was noticed by a keen primary school teacher who recognized his potential and steered him toward the right path, ensuring he received the training necessary to pursue his dreams of becoming an actor. Paul shares insights into his diverse career, which includes a strong commitment to children's theatre. He is passionate about fostering an interest in the arts among young people, working to inspire the next generation of theatre lovers. Additionally, Paul talks about his recent role in the stage production of George Orwell’s renowned dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. He discusses the challenges and excitement of bringing such a powerful, thought-provoking story to life on stage and expresses a desire to take on more roles in similar genres, particularly those that explore deep, complex themes. Whether it’s his dedication to the craft, his work with young audiences, or his ambition for future roles, Paul D. Stephenson’s passion for acting shines through in this engaging conversation. Tune in to hear about his experiences, inspirations, and what drives him to keep pushing the boundaries of his art.
In this interview, I talk to the incredibly talented Austrian guitarist, Raphael Käfer, to dive deep into his journey as a musician and educator. Raphael’s career is marked by a passion for exploration and a commitment to musical excellence. After solid classical and jazz training, he has developed a unique style, blending genres and pushing the boundaries of guitar music. Since 2020, Raphael has been working as a freelance musician, engaging in a wide range of musical projects. He has a deep appreciation for the challenge of exploring different genres, from classical and jazz to contemporary styles. This versatility is evident in his compositions and performances, where he seamlessly moves between genres, creating a sound that is uniquely his own. In 2021, Raphael released his debut album, Retrospection, under the Austrian label ATS Records—a project that highlights his broad musical interests and showcases his skills as both a performer and composer. The album was well-received, reflecting his ability to merge traditional and modern elements in his music. That same year, Raphael became part of the faculty for Guitar at the Vienna Music Institute (VMI), where he shares his expertise and passion with the next generation of musicians. Join us as we explore Raphael’s rich musical journey, his creative process, and his vision for the future of guitar music. Whether you're a music enthusiast, guitarist, or aspiring musician, this interview is sure to inspire! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more interviews with talented musicians! https://raphaelkaefer.com/about/
In this interview, I talk with the talented Isabelle Georges, the acclaimed French singer, actress, and cabaret performer known for her unique blend of Broadway, jazz, and French chanson. Isabelle shares her journey from the vibrant stages of Paris to international acclaim, discussing her influences, favorite musical roles, and what it takes to captivate audiences with her powerful voice and theatrical storytelling. Get an inside look at how she crafts her mesmerizing cabaret performances, what inspires her to reinvent classic songs, and how she brings her personal stories to life on stage. This conversation dives deep into her passion for musical theater, the emotional connection she creates with her audience, and her thoughts on the timeless appeal of French chanson and jazz standards. Don’t miss this engaging discussion with one of France's most dynamic performers, where she opens up about her creative process, her love for iconic performers like Judy Garland and Edith Piaf, and what’s next in her career. Tune in to hear about the magic of live performance from a true cabaret star! https://www.isabellegeorges.com/en/
In a recent interview, Juanita Oosthuizen, a talented paper artist and former occupational therapist, shared her creative journey from product designer to full-time artist. With a background in designing packaging for the wine and cosmetic industries, her artistic path took a pivotal turn about ten years ago after a visit to the Tate Modern in London. There, a small artwork of a tiny figure sweeping a pile of sand in a vast space inspired her to embrace her love for miniatures and storytelling. Juanita’s intricate, 3D paper creations use tiny figurines to convey unique narratives, allowing viewers to interpret the stories in their own way. Her art is known for its incredible detail, which makes it challenging to capture in photos—truly best experienced in person. Her fascination with chairs has been a major theme over the past five years, beginning with an ambitious paper weave of a chair reflecting in water. She has since experimented with a wide range of chairs, from large to miniature, crafted from diverse materials. This obsession led to a series of meticulously hand-cut paper chairs, and her iconic Vitra designer chair collection even won the prestigious Hermanus FynArts competition. Juanita often uses a monochromatic palette—favoring black, white, and shades of grey, sometimes adding a pop of red. Recently, she ventured into color, drawing inspiration from Blue Delft porcelain for a series of paper weaves, which have become highly sought-after. Her creative process is fueled by late-night inspiration, where she conceptualizes her next projects. Juanita’s work speaks to the timelessness of design, the storytelling power of art, and her dedication to crafting each piece with precision and heart. While her art has a strong online presence, she firmly believes in the importance of experiencing it firsthand. #paperart #miniatureart #artistjourney #creativeprocess
In this interview, I talk with EJ Michels, a singer songwriter, and performer known for his honest and heartfelt storytelling. Hailing from Northern Utah, EJ has captivated audiences with his raw, unfiltered approach to music. His latest project, "Evergreen," released in 2024, is a testament to his ability to turn life’s darkest moments into beautiful art. "Evergreen" is EJ's solo album, and it delves deep into his personal journey—unraveling the pain and growth that come with love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. Each track on the album is a window into his life, drawing from real experiences and the emotional turmoil of past relationships. EJ doesn’t shy away from vulnerability; instead, he embraces it, making his songwriting feel relatable and powerful. His lyrics are not just words but raw emotions, and he weaves his struggles and triumphs into every melody, creating an album that resonates with listeners on a deep level.
In this interview, Alex Uhlmann opens up about his journey as a musician and his commitment to authenticity in his work. Having lived across major European cities, his experiences have deeply shaped his music, but above all, he stresses the importance of staying true to his voice and vision. For Alex, music isn’t just about creating melodies or rhythms; it’s a powerful medium to express his thoughts, emotions, and unique perspective on life. He shares how each song he writes is crafted to convey exactly what he feels, whether it's reflecting on his roots, his personal experiences, or the lessons he’s learned along the way. Rather than conforming to trends or compromising his style, Alex focuses on making music that resonates with his core beliefs and tells his story. He believes that only by being authentic can his music genuinely connect with listeners and leave a lasting impact. In this conversation, he discusses how he pours his heart into every lyric and melody, aiming to create songs that are as honest as they are impactful. This interview offers a rare glimpse into the mind of an artist who values integrity in his music, giving fans a deeper understanding of his journey and the message he hopes to share through his art.
In this interview, I talk to Khulile "Seun" Ngobese, a talented young South African artist driven by passion, resilience, and a deep love for his craft. Known affectionately as "Seun," a name his grandmother gave him, Khulile is entirely self-taught, having developed his skills without any formal art education. From a young age, Seun started drawing and painting, honing his talent through self-practice and drawing inspiration from the world around him and mentors who encouraged his growth. Seun discusses the importance of art in self-expression, particularly for young people in his community. He strongly believes that introducing art education in schools would provide children with a powerful outlet to express themselves, foster creativity, and help them find purpose. By giving children a chance to pursue art, Seun envisions a brighter future where they have positive ambitions, keep off the streets, and stay motivated to learn and grow. In this interview, Seun shares his dreams of showcasing his artwork internationally and connecting with global audiences. He speaks passionately about his journey, his inspirations, and his vision for art as a tool for positive change. Watch to hear Seun’s inspiring story of resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of art, as he encourages future generations to pursue their own creative passions.
Join me for an in-depth interview with Owen Morris, a talented ballet dancer from Cornwall, UK, who has made a mark on the international dance scene. Owen’s journey began in the South West, where he trained under renowned mentors Nicola Brice and Terence Etheridge at the Totnes School of Dance in Devon. His early career blossomed through performances with prestigious groups such as the National Youth Ballet, Duchy Ballet, and the Cornwall Youth Dance Company. In pursuit of his dreams, Owen completed his formal ballet training in Scotland, where he joined Ballet West’s professional touring company, working closely with choreographer Daniel Job. Throughout his career, Owen has showcased his versatility, from feature films and performing dance roles in Operas at iconic venues like the Royal Opera House and Royal Albert Hall to engaging in a regional tour across the UK. His international career includes dancing with ballet companies in Bulgaria and South Africa, as well as performing in Belgium and the Middle East. This interview delves into Owen's journey, including the unique challenges and experiences he faced while living and dancing abroad. During the pandemic, Owen took refuge on the Isles of Scilly, where he spent 10 months writing a series of short stories, reflecting on his artistic journey and life in dance. Don’t miss this inspiring interview with Owen Morris, where he shares his insights on the art of ballet, the dedication required for a career in dance, and the experiences that shaped him along the way. https://www.owen-morris.com/
In this interview, Greek actress Ino Matsou shares her inspiring journey from Greece to the vibrant city of Vienna, where she now thrives in the European acting scene. Known for her performances in the acclaimed crime series Tatort Wien, directed by the renowned Sabine Derflinger, Ino brings her unique Mediterranean charm to every role, performing fluently in German, English, and Greek. Her versatility and distinct accent add a memorable flavor to her characters, making her a standout in both film and theater. Ino Matsou’s career began in Greece, where she laid a strong foundation in acting before earning her state-awarded acting diploma in Austria. Passionate about portraying powerful female characters, Ino is drawn to diverse genres, including political thrillers, historical films, intense dramas, and comedies. This interview explores her artistic journey, from her early days as a dentist in Greece and Vienna’s University dental clinic to her captivating work on screen and stage. Whether you’re interested in acting tips, international theater, or the journey of a multilingual actress, Ino Matsou’s story offers a rich perspective on the performing arts. https://inomatsou.com/about-me/
In this interview, I talk with Anna Cebular, an Austrian multidisciplinary artist and designer whose unique sculptures are crafted from porcelain, stoneware, and metal, pushing the boundaries of traditional art and design. Anna’s art deeply explores human interference with the natural environment, examining how we impose boundaries and control over nature. Her research sheds light on humanity’s attempt to contain and reshape nature into artificial spaces. Through her creative process, she sculpts forms that mimic natural organisms—resembling the beauty of moss and roots—but constrains them within defined, rigid shapes. Her work serves as a powerful commentary on how human "ownership" over nature has weakened it, stripping it of its own agency. Join us as we dive into Anna’s inspiration, technique, and her message on the fragile relationship between humans and the environment. https://anna.cebular.at/
In this interview, I delve into the inspiring story of Daisy Hearts, a rising Jazz and Chanson française singer with a timeless 1940s style. Daisy's love for music began at a young age, as she would often sing in her room, dreaming of one day becoming a professional singer. Growing up in France with both French and English roots, she was always drawn to the rich musical traditions of both cultures. However, it wasn’t until a deeply personal moment in her life—following the passing of her mother just a year ago—that Daisy realized the importance of pursuing her dream. That life-changing realization gave her the courage to step out of her comfort zone and share her voice with the world. Daisy’s breakthrough came at an open mic night in Vienna, where she performed publicly for the first time. This moment marked the start of her journey toward becoming a full-fledged singer. Since then, she has been exploring and refining her voice, embracing both the elegance of classic Jazz and the soulful storytelling of Chanson française. Singing in both French and English allows her to express her diverse cultural heritage, while her vintage, 1940s-inspired look enhances the charm of her performances. What makes Daisy’s story truly remarkable is how she found confidence and connection through street performances in Vienna. Singing in public spaces allowed her to reach a wide audience and build a loyal following, interacting with people she may have never encountered otherwise. These experiences helped her grow as an artist and strengthen her belief in the power of music to bring people together. Daisy’s journey is not only about her passion for music but also about perseverance, courage, and the determination to follow your dreams, even in the face of loss. Her heartfelt performances and her unique blend of Jazz and Chanson have already touched many lives, and she continues to inspire others with her story of resilience and artistic discovery. Join us in this interview as Daisy Hearts shares her emotional journey, her love for music, and how she transformed a childhood dream into a promising career. Whether you’re a fan of Jazz, Chanson française, or simply a lover of inspiring stories, Daisy’s path to success will leave you moved and uplifted. Don’t miss out on this chance to hear her incredible story!
In this interview, I talk with guitarist and composer Malte Vief, an artist who seamlessly navigates the world of musical contrasts. At the core of Malte’s work is the idea of uniting polarities—creating a harmony between the calm and the intense, the traditional and the innovative, the structured and the free-flowing. His compositions are a true reflection of this delicate balance, combining elements of craft and vision in a way that feels both natural and profound. Throughout the conversation, we explore how Malte's music embodies a unique symbiosis of different styles and emotions. His playing can be tranquil, meditative, and introspective—yet at the same time, it can burst with energy, wild and alive with expression. He is not just a guitarist or a composer; he is a musical alchemist, blending genres and moods into a cohesive, powerful experience. Virtuosity for Malte is not about sheer technical prowess—it's about a deep, personal connection with his instrument and the music itself. His mastery comes from this intimacy, which allows him to express complex ideas with clarity and depth, making his performances feel both personal and expansive. With an open mind and a curious spirit, Malte Vief invites us into his creative universe—where opposites not only coexist but thrive together. Whether you’re a musician, a fan of innovative music, or simply someone who loves to hear new perspectives, this interview is an open door to the rich, multifaceted world of Malte Vief. Welcome to a journey of musical integration, where craft meets vision and contrasts blend into harmony. https://maltevief.de/en/home/
In this interview with Kevin Rego, viewers are taken on a journey through his life and career, beginning with his roots in Fall River, Massachusetts, where he was raised in a Portuguese-speaking household by immigrant parents from São Miguel, Azores. Rego’s passion for performance led him to Orlando, Florida, where he entered the world of stunt work at Central Florida’s top theme parks. Over the years, his career expanded globally, allowing him to work in over 53 countries and across various platforms in the entertainment industry—film, television, stage, and theme parks. Having directed, coordinated, and performed in numerous productions, Rego has tackled everything from urban action scenes to jungle-set performances, mastering a wide range of skills, including intense fight sequences and intricate stunt choreography. He shares his belief that stunt professionals are the unsung heroes of action-packed movies and TV shows. With this in mind, Kevin founded his own stunt academy in Clearwater, Florida. His vision is to offer students the opportunity to learn the craft without the hurdles he faced. At his school, K75 Stunt Academy, students range from actors looking to enhance their skill set to those simply seeking a thrilling new hobby. As actor Pang Thao points out, having stunt knowledge can be a crucial advantage in the independent film world, where budgets often don't allow for specialized stunt performers. Kevin Rego's academy is shaping the next generation of stunt professionals, preparing them for action-packed careers. https://www.k75stuntacademy.com/instructors/bio/id/30097 #stuntman #stuntcoordinator #filmindustry #stuntwork #stuntwoman #petrasittigtheartistsvoice
In this interview, Jenn Perkins, a dedicated choir conductor at a school in Denver, Colorado, shares her deep insights into the transformative power of choir singing and music education in shaping the next generation of leaders. As a passionate advocate for the performing arts, Jenn emphasizes the critical role that music plays in developing essential life skills such as creative problem-solving, collaboration, and emotional resilience—abilities that are crucial for success but not often taught through traditional classroom instruction. Jenn discusses how choir, in particular, offers a unique platform for students to thrive in a culturally diverse community. Through group singing, students not only enhance their musical abilities but also learn vital interpersonal skills, gain confidence, and build a sense of unity and mutual respect. She highlights how singing in a choir brings people together from various backgrounds, fostering cross-cultural understanding, empathy, and communication—qualities that are increasingly important in today's interconnected world. This interview delves into the numerous benefits of choir participation, from improving mental health and emotional well-being to creating a supportive environment where students feel empowered to express themselves. Jenn also explores how choir singing prepares students to be leaders who can think creatively, solve complex problems, and work effectively in diverse teams. Tune in to discover why Jenn believes that music education is not just an extracurricular activity, but a vital tool in shaping the future of our society. #musiceducation #choirsinging #performingarts #futureleaders #creativeproblemsolving #petrasittigtheartistsvoice
In this interview, I sit down online with the incredibly talented South African singer-songwriter Len Muller to explore his musical journey, creative inspirations, and the milestones that have shaped his career. Len opens up about how his love for music evolved over the years and shares stories from his collaborations with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Stef Bos, Francois van Coke, Joshua na die Reën, and many more. We also discuss the process behind his songwriting, his experience performing alongside renowned artists, and what it takes to make a mark in the South African music scene. Len reflects on his personal and professional growth, from releasing his own EP with acoustic versions of his well-known songs to launching a management agency that supports other talented artists like Danie du Toit (Reënwolf). In this interview, Len introduces his exciting new single, "Jy's Ok," giving us a glimpse into the inspiration behind the song and what fans can expect from his upcoming work. Whether you’re a fan of Len's music or simply interested in the journey of a musician building his career, this interview is packed with insight, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes stories. Make sure to watch until the end, and don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on all future interviews and music content! https://lenmuller.co.za/musiek/tuis #LenMuller #southafricanmusic #singersongwriter #SingerSongwriter #musicinterview #newsingle #afrikaansmusic #behindthemusic #MusicJourney #petrasittigtheartistsvoice
n this captivating interview, South African artist Portchie opens up about his journey from humble beginnings in a small town in the Free State to becoming one of the country's most celebrated creative minds. He reflects on his upbringing, where his parents' innovative spirit and strong values deeply influenced him. Growing up in an environment that fostered creativity, Portchie learned the importance of not only thinking outside the box but also considering the needs and feelings of those around him. This foundation of empathy and artistic curiosity has shaped his unique approach to art. Portchie goes on to discuss how his creative exploration extends far beyond traditional boundaries. He explains that his passion isn't confined to one medium—whether it's painting, sculpture, textiles, or even jewelry design, he finds joy in crafting beauty in a multitude of forms. Throughout the interview, Portchie emphasizes that art, for him, is about more than just self-expression; it's about creating work that resonates with others, evokes emotion, and sparks connection. Join me as I dive deep into Portchie's creative process, his philosophy on art, and how his upbringing in South Africa continues to influence his ever-evolving artistic career. This interview is a must-watch for anyone interested in the mind of an artist who effortlessly blends innovation, tradition, and an unwavering passion for creativity. https://portchie.com/
Join me for an inspiring conversation with Daniel Kumapayi, a dynamic Public & Arts Administrator who is making a significant impact in Chicago's cultural landscape. As the Founder and Executive Director of Àkójọpọ̀, Daniel has been at the forefront of supporting African musicians, promoting cultural exchange, and fostering a thriving arts community in Chicago. His dedication to nurturing creativity and advancing cultural initiatives has made him a key figure in the city’s vibrant arts scene. Daniel’s educational background is as impressive as his professional achievements. He holds a Master of Public Administration with a specialization in Nonprofit Management from the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs. Additionally, he earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a concentration in Double Bass from the prestigious University of Michigan School of Music, Theater & Dance. This unique combination of skills in both music and nonprofit management has equipped Daniel with the expertise to lead impactful cultural initiatives and drive community engagement. In this interview, Daniel shares his journey of founding Àkójọpọ̀, an organization dedicated to empowering African musicians and creating opportunities for cultural dialogue. We delve into his role in event planning, community outreach, and the challenges and successes he has encountered along the way. Daniel also discusses his experience as a 2024 cohort member of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Chicago’s Leadership Institute, where he continues to develop his leadership skills and expand his influence in the nonprofit sector. Discover how Daniel’s passion for the arts, commitment to inclusivity, and vision for community-building are shaping the future of Chicago’s arts and cultural landscape. Whether you’re interested in nonprofit management, cultural initiatives, or the power of music to bring communities together, this interview offers valuable insights and inspiration. #culturalexchange #musicandculture #musicfoundation #composers #petrasittigtheartistsvoice
In this interview, I talk with Aleksandar Gavrilović, the founder and CEO of Gamechuck, a Croatian game development studio making waves in the industry. Aleksandar also served as the Secretary-General of the Croatian Video Game Developers Cluster from 2021 to 2023. Gamechuck has produced several successful titles, with their latest game, “Paws of Coal,” released in May 2023. The studio is also hard at work on “Trip the Ark Fantastic,” the first Croatian game to secure funding from the European Union's MEDIA Fund. Additionally, they’re developing “Profesor Baltazar,” a game based on the beloved animated series, in partnership with Zagreb Film and with support from the Croatian Audiovisual Centre. Gamechuck has been featured at notable events like Design Week and has earned recognition at international festivals such as AzPlay Bilbao, Casual Connect London, and Filmteractive Warsaw. The studio currently employs a talented team of 16. Tune in to learn more about their creative process, industry insights, and upcoming projects! https://game-chuck.com/
Stanley Sibande is a Zambian-born multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter known for his captivating fusion of genres, blending indie, rock, and modern alternative pop. His unique composition style combines the melancholic atmospheres of indie and rock with the simplistic yet catchy melodies of alternative pop. This creates a deeply emotional and immersive soundscape, perfectly suited for his narrative-driven lyrics, which often delve into the darker elements of the human condition, personal struggles, and introspection. Stanley's music serves as a journey through raw emotion and self-discovery, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences. His performance style pays homage to the early 2000s post-grunge and hard rock scene, characterized by loud, raspy, and melodic vocals. With a big, rhythm-driven acoustic guitar sound, he creates a powerful sonic presence that resonates with fans of alternative rock and acoustic-driven music alike. Whether he's performing live or in the studio, Stanley Sibande's music delivers a raw, unfiltered blend of emotion and energy, rooted in both modern and nostalgic influences. His sound is a bold fusion of post-grunge, acoustic rock, and lyrical storytelling that connects deeply with listeners across genres. Subscribe to stay updated on his latest music releases, live performances, and behind-the-scenes content as Stanley continues to share his artistic journey with the world. #alternativerock #indiemusic #singersongwritertalents #acousticrock #StanleySibande #ModernAlternativePop #petrasittigtheartistsvoice
In this exclusive interview with the incredibly talented MOIRA, a singer-songwriter from Zurich, she shares the beautiful stories behind her music. MOIRA opens up about her creative process, what inspires her to write songs with such a positive and uplifting outlook, and how her personal experiences shape her art. She reflects on a particularly touching moment in her life and how her passion for music gave her the strength and courage to persevere through challenging times. Known for her artistic approach, MOIRA sees both her music and her music videos as extensions of her creativity. Her visually stunning and imaginative videos are an essential part of her artistic expression, showcasing the depth and beauty of her work. Join us for an inspiring conversation about life, hope, and the power of music to heal. 👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring artist interviews! 👈 #Moira #singersongwriter #zurichmusic #frenchmusicselection #positivemusic #artistinterviews #musicandart #inspiration #indieartist #petrasittigtheartistsvoice
In this engaging and transformative interview, I explore the world of art therapy and its impact on mental health with Carole Preston, a professional Canadian Art Therapist and Registered Psychotherapist. Carole brings a diverse background in psychology, global education, and improv theatre, making her therapeutic approach truly unique and effective. In this interview, Carole explains how art therapy works, why it’s such a powerful tool in dealing with mental health challenges, and how it differs from traditional talk therapy. You'll gain insight into her anti-oppressive, trauma-informed practices, and how she adapts to each client’s unique needs, helping them express themselves through creative outlets. If you're curious about the intersection of mental health and creativity, this interview is packed with valuable insights. Carole provides a deeper understanding of how creative expression can be a transformative journey toward emotional well-being. Don't miss out on learning about: The benefits of art therapy for mental health How creative expression helps manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviors Carole’s unique blend of art therapy, improv, and psychology Ways to create a safe, welcoming space for personal healing through creativity Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications for more expert interviews on mental health, creativity, and personal growth! https://currentsarttherapy.janeapp.com/
Interview with Kurt Darren, a true legend in the South African music scene. From humble beginnings to becoming a household name, Kurt’s journey as an accomplished Afrikaans singer-songwriter, successful entrepreneur, and beloved TV host has made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. With over 30 albums to his name and an impressive collection of 9 South African Music Awards (SAMA), Kurt Darren is more than just a musician; he’s a cultural phenomenon. His iconic hit song, "Kaptein", catapulted him into the spotlight in 1999, and he has since consistently released hit after hit, delighting fans with his upbeat party anthems and infectious melodies. In this candid conversation, Kurt opens up about his career spanning decades, from his early beginnings in 1995 to his rise as one of the most celebrated Afrikaans artists. We discuss his musical influences, the challenges he faced breaking into the mainstream, and the passion that drives him to continue producing music that resonates with audiences around the world. But Kurt's talents don't stop at music! As a television host and co-owner of Super Events, he’s also made waves in the entertainment and event management sectors. We talk about his ventures outside of music, his work in TV and film, and how he balances his busy career with personal life. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to his music, this interview is filled with inspirational stories, industry insights, and an inside look into what keeps this multi-talented artist at the top of his game. Don’t miss this chance to hear directly from one of South Africa’s most beloved entertainers as he reflects on his legendary career and what's next for him in the future. https://www.kurtdarren.co.za/
Join me for an inspiring interview with Adrian Kelaty, acclaimed film director and producer at Spirit Lift Films. In this conversation, Adrian shares his passion for creating powerful films that transform audiences, leaving them changed after every viewing. We dive deep into his latest short film, 'Epiphany', set in the 1990s, which tells the moving story of a man who lost his son during the Holocaust and finds faith through a stranger. Adrian also reflects on his collaboration with Jewish communities in Edgware and Pinner, who played a crucial role in bringing this heartfelt project to life. Additionally, Adrian opens up about the making of 'Sonder', another impactful short film that explores the tragic history of the Sonderkommandos and their legacy. Discover the behind-the-scenes insights from the production, the exceptional performances by actors Stephen Schreiber and Steven Barwick, and how these films resonate with Adrian's vision of storytelling. Don't miss this must-watch interview for anyone passionate about film, storytelling, and Holocaust history. Subscribe for more interviews with top filmmakers and stay updated on the latest in independent cinema! https://spiritliftfilms.com/
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Josh's incredible journey in the world of ballet began with the Royal Ballet School's Junior Associates program, where his talent was first discovered through an outreach initiative with Inner London Primary Schools. After excelling as a JA, he earned a place at the prestigious Royal Ballet School, training at White Lodge and completing his education at the Upper School. During his remarkable career with the Royal Ballet Company, Josh rose to the rank of Soloist and performed countless roles. After retiring, Josh transitioned into teaching, earning a Professional Dancers’ Teaching Diploma with Distinction from the Royal Academy of Dance. In this video, Josh shares his passion for dance, advice for aspiring dancers, and the importance of transferable skills. His story shows how creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving in high-pressure environments can open new doors beyond performance. https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/people/josh-tuifua/ Interview with Patricia Kelly: https://youtu.be/UyhBRtPxilg
Join me for an exclusive interview with Danie “Reënwolf” du Toit, the lead singer, guitarist, and talented songwriter of Spoegwolf, one of South Africa's most beloved Afrikaans rock bands. Formed in Paarl in 2012, Spoegwolf has captured the hearts of fans both locally and internationally with their unique sound and poetic lyrics. In this interview, Danie opens up about his songwriting process, sharing the personal inspirations behind his lyrics and how becoming a father has profoundly impacted his creative outlook. Learn about the band's journey from their early days at Boys High in Paarl, South Africa, to gaining mainstream attention and building a passionate fanbase. Discover how Spoegwolf loves to push musical boundaries, experimenting with different instruments and sounds to create a fresh and dynamic listening experience. With their powerful Afrikaans lyrics and innovative approach to rock music, Spoegwolf continues to leave a lasting impact on the South African music scene and beyond. Don't miss this insightful conversation with Danie du Toit, a true storyteller and musician at heart. Subscribe for more interviews with your favorite artists and stay tuned for more from Spoegwolf! https://www.spoegwolf.com/
In this episode, David Maclean shares his mission to transform education by making quality learning more accessible and financially sustainable for institutions. Drawing from his experience as a senior leader in both corporate and educational settings, David discusses the importance of breaking down traditional barriers and fostering environments that encourage both creative and practical skills. He explores the disconnect between educational goals and business needs, advocating for a balanced approach that allows students the freedom to innovate and take risks. David also emphasizes the critical role of the arts in education, arguing that creativity is essential for developing versatile, adaptable skills needed in today’s dynamic industries. Tune in to learn how we can reshape education to better prepare students for future success.
Christopher Marney, the Artistic Director of the newly revived London City Ballet, has long held a deep connection to the company that shaped his early dreams and aspirations. The London City Ballet played a pivotal role in his childhood, sparking his passion for dance when he watched the company perform. The impression those performances left on him was so profound that they fueled his desire to pursue a professional career in dance. This emotional connection to the London City Ballet is what ultimately inspired Marney to revive the company nearly three decades after its closure. For nearly twenty years, the London City Ballet was one of the most celebrated and successful touring companies in the world. It regularly graced major venues like Sadler’s Wells, captivating audiences with its dynamic performances. The company's reputation soared even higher in 1983 when Diana, Princess of Wales, became its patron. Her enthusiastic support not only elevated the company’s profile but also brought significant attention to its talented dancers. She remained a dedicated patron until 1996, when the company was forced to close due to financial difficulties. The loss of the London City Ballet was deeply felt throughout the dance community, leaving a void that Marney is now determined to fill. Marney understands the importance of the London City Ballet’s rich history in its revival. To ensure that the new direction of the company respects its past, he has made it a priority to speak with former members and glean insights from those who experienced its heyday. This commitment to honoring the company’s legacy is balanced with Marney’s desire to breathe new life into it, introducing a fresh generation of dancers and revitalizing works by influential choreographers that have disappeared from mainstream repertoires. His vision is not just to bring back the past but to celebrate it by infusing it with contemporary energy and innovation. Under Marney's leadership, the London City Ballet is set to embark on an ambitious tour schedule, performing for six months each year over an initial three-year period across the UK and internationally. Marney himself has had a distinguished career as a dancer, performing in leading principal roles with some of the world's most renowned companies, including Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Balletboyz, Gothenburg Ballet in Sweden, Ballet Biarritz in France, and Bern Ballet in Switzerland. His diverse experience and deep-seated passion for the London City Ballet have uniquely positioned him to lead its revival, honoring its storied past while paving the way for a vibrant future. https://londoncityballet.com/
Cobus Haupt is a renowned bronze sculptor whose work is deeply inspired by history, popular culture, and tradition. His sculptures are not only visually captivating but also invite tactile interaction, blending a sense of playfulness with profound artistic expression. The ancient art of bronze casting significantly influences Haupt’s creative process, both in form and concept. He views human beings as extraordinary in their uniqueness, vulnerability, and the so-called imperfections, flaws, and scars that mark their bodies. These human ‘defects’ and ‘deformities’ serve as metaphors for life’s experiences, mirroring the distinctive marks left on bronze through the casting process. Emphasizing the importance of process in his work, Haupt meticulously undertakes every stage of sculpting himself—from mold making to the final casting. This hands-on approach ensures that each piece is a true reflection of his artistic vision. His sculptures offer a fresh perspective on the classical Western tradition of bronze sculpture. By working directly from live models, Haupt molds his creations in clay, later casting them in bronze, and intentionally leaves surface irregularities and imperfections. These choices not only emphasize the inherent qualities of the casting process but also celebrate the raw and unrefined aspects of the human form. In this way, Haupt’s work becomes a dialogue between the transparency of his methods and the beauty of human nature, drawing attention to both the art of sculpture and the essence of humanity itself. https://www.thegallerysa.co.za/about-1-19
Erik Della Penna is a multifaceted composer, lyricist, and guitarist whose talents have graced over 60 albums spanning rock, pop, and Americana genres. With a prolific career, Erik has created and recorded seven albums of original songs with his “metropolitan folk duo,” Kill Henry Sugar, alongside drummer and producer Dean Sharenow. This collaboration has highlighted Erik’s unique ability to blend storytelling with diverse musical influences, creating a sound that is distinctly their own. In addition to his work with Kill Henry Sugar, Erik has made significant contributions to musical theatre. He wrote two children's musicals: Toby and the Big Top, produced by Walden Media, and Kitty Hawk, which is regularly performed at the Adrienne Arsht Center. His versatility extends to film scoring as well; Erik composed the score for the Netflix documentary Tree Man and has contributed songs to numerous other documentaries and television shows, showcasing his ability to adapt his musical style to a variety of contexts and themes. Erik is also known for his work with Hazmat Modine, where his sharp songwriting skills and mastery of the guitar and banjo come to the forefront. In recent years, he has been on a creative solo journey, releasing two LPs in as many years, further establishing his reputation as a versatile and innovative artist. In a recent venture, Erik teamed up with fellow musician David Yazbek to co-create an original musical, Dead Outlaw, which premiered on March 10th, 2024, at the Minetta Lane Theater in the West Village. This musical comedy tells the fascinating true story of Elmer McCurdy, an outlaw from the late 1800s whose mummified remains had an unexpected second life that continued into the 1970s. The songs in Dead Outlaw reflect Erik and David's deep exploration of themes such as mortality, celebrity, and the peculiarities of American culture, combining wit and poignancy in a memorable theatrical experience. Through all these varied projects, Erik Della Penna has demonstrated a remarkable ability to traverse musical genres and storytelling forms, making him a distinctive voice in contemporary music and theatre. https://www.erikdellapenna.com/bio
Caroline Ferrara, a talented singer and songwriter, was born in Zurich, Switzerland. At 26 years old, she has already established herself as a promising artist. Caroline studied jazz vocals in Zurich before furthering her education in Cardiff, where she honed her craft and developed a unique style that blends her love for jazz with contemporary influences. Following her studies, she moved to Paris, a city known for its rich artistic history and vibrant music scene, to immerse herself in its culture and find inspiration for her songwriting. During her time in Paris, Caroline gathered a wealth of ideas that would later influence her music, drawing from the city's diverse artistic expressions and deep musical roots. Now based in Zurich, Caroline continues to evolve as an artist, constantly exploring new musical landscapes. She frequently travels to the UK and Paris, performing at various venues and participating in collaborative projects that allow her to connect with different audiences and artists. Her dedication to her craft is evident in her ambitious plans for the coming year. In the spring, she is set to release a highly anticipated EP that will showcase her growth as a musician and her ability to blend different genres and influences into her work. Additionally, Caroline is preparing a special program dedicated to the legendary French singer Barbara, which she will unveil in late autumn 2024. This program will celebrate Barbara's timeless chansons, offering a modern interpretation while paying homage to the depth and emotion of her music. Caroline's upcoming projects highlight her versatility as an artist and her commitment to exploring new creative avenues. https://www.donstunes.com/caroline-ferrara/
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Louisa Kruger, an emerging artist from Hermanus, South Africa, discovered her passion for art in a rather unexpected way. One day, she spontaneously picked up a piece of charcoal from the remnants of a fire and sketched her dog as it lay basking in the sun. This simple, instinctive act ignited a creative spark within her, leading Louisa to explore the vibrant world of color and paint. Soon, she began producing a series of colorful, expressive paintings that captured her unique perspective. A self-taught artist, Louisa's artistic journey is deeply rooted in her upbringing on a farm. The freedom and connection to nature she experienced as a child have instilled in her a fearless approach to her work, encouraging her to experiment and take bold risks in her art. This courage and sense of adventure are evident in the dynamic compositions and vivid palettes she employs. Beyond the aesthetic, Louisa also recognizes the therapeutic value of creating art. She believes in the healing power of the creative process and is passionate about sharing this experience with others. In her studio, she offers a welcoming space where visitors can not only view her work but also engage with the process of creation themselves. Currently, Louisa is exhibiting her artwork in her own gallery in Hermanus, where her vibrant pieces bring life to the walls. On select Friday nights, she hosts live painting sessions, offering visitors a rare glimpse into her creative process as she works on new pieces in real-time. Though initially thrown into the deep end when it came to marketing her work, Louisa has embraced the challenge. Over time, she has gained valuable insights into the business side of the art world, learning how to effectively promote and sell her creations. Her journey as an artist is a testament to her resilience, creativity, and unwavering passion for her craft.
https://louisakrugerart.com/
Marina Shron is an acclaimed and award-winning writer, filmmaker, and author with a rich and diverse artistic background. Born in Russia and now residing in New York, Marina has built a distinguished career that spans multiple creative disciplines. Marina began her artistic journey as a playwright, garnering widespread recognition for her innovative and thought-provoking works. Her success in the theater world laid a strong foundation for her later transition into filmmaking, where she quickly established herself as a unique and visionary storyteller. Throughout her career, Marina has fostered close collaborations with a variety of artists across different mediums. She has worked with the acclaimed filmmaker Tony Pemberton, and renowned theater artists such as Ian Belton, David Greenspan, and Jim Findlay. Her interdisciplinary approach also led to a fruitful partnership with computer scientist Dennis Shasha, showcasing her ability to blend creativity with technology. Marina's body of work as a filmmaker is equally impressive. Her short films, including Sea Child, Lullaby for Ray, and The Silent Love of the Fish, have captivated audiences and critics alike, earning her accolades at prestigious film festivals worldwide. These films have been celebrated for their lyrical storytelling and emotional depth, winning awards such as Best Short Film at the Hamptons International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. In addition to her work in short films, Marina co-wrote the feature film Buddha’s Little Finger with Tony Pemberton, which was released in 2016. This collaboration marked another significant milestone in her career, further establishing her as a versatile and accomplished figure in the world of cinema. Marina Shron continues to push the boundaries of storytelling, seamlessly blending her experience in theater, film, and literature to create works that resonate deeply with audiences around the globe. https://www.marinashron.com/films/
Bafana Solomon Matea, a talented dancer and choreographer, hails from Gauteng, South Africa. His journey in dance began at Pro Arte Alphen Park High School in Pretoria, where he rigorously trained in the Vaganova and Cecchetti techniques, laying a strong foundation for his future in the world of dance. Bafana's career took a significant leap forward when he joined Ballet Hispanico in New York City. This period allowed him to immerse himself in diverse dance cultures and gain invaluable experience on the stage. His passion for dance and education led him to work with the Battery Dance Company, where he played a pivotal role in their educational programs. Bafana worked extensively throughout Europe as a dance practitioner, engaging with schoolchildren and teenagers in a transformative project called "Dancing to Connect." This initiative used dance as a means of bridging cultural divides and fostering understanding among young people from different backgrounds. Bafana’s commitment to dance extends beyond performance; he is also a co-founder of Juxtapower, a South African song and dance organization. In his role as rehearsal director and choreographer, he has been instrumental in shaping the creative direction of the organization. Since relocating to the UK eight years ago, Bafana has continued to share his passion and talent with the dance community. He has worked with established dance companies such as Tavaziva, BOP Jazz Theatre Company, and State of Emergency, where he served as a choreographer for the critically acclaimed dance project "Where Is Home." Bafana Solomon Matea is a respected Freelance Dance Practitioner, Choreographer, and teacher, specializing in Contemporary and African Jazz Fusion Dance. His influence in the dance world is profound, and he continues to inspire the next generation of dancers through his teaching roles at prestigious institutions, including Bird College, Wilkes Academy, and White Lodge UK. His journey reflects a deep commitment to the art of dance, as well as a dedication to using dance as a tool for education, cultural exchange, and artistic expression. https://www.jazztheatreartsuk.org/jtauk-team
Consti Dillenz, a talented guitarist hailing from Stuttgart, has carved a unique niche for himself in the world of music by blending the rugged energy of rock with the refined elegance of classical compositions on the electric guitar. His musical journey was ignited by the iconic film "School of Rock," which inspired him to pick up the guitar and explore the vast landscape of music. The movie's celebration of rock's rebellious spirit sparked a passion in Consti, but it was the delicate and intricate nature of classical music that truly captivated his artistic soul. Fascinated by the contrast between the raw power of rock and the subtle beauty of classical melodies, Consti has dedicated himself to merging these seemingly disparate genres. His performances are a testament to this fusion, where the electric guitar becomes a vessel for expressing the complexities and nuances of classical music while maintaining the intensity and drive of rock. In addition to his solo work, Consti is an accomplished guitarist in several rock bands, where he channels his love for rock music. However, his true passion lies in his own compositions, where he can fully explore and refine his distinctive style. He dreams of focusing more on his original music, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved on the electric guitar by infusing it with classical sensibilities. Beyond his work as a performer, Consti is also a dedicated music teacher. He takes great pride in sharing his knowledge and passion with aspiring musicians, helping them discover their own voices and encouraging them to experiment with different genres, just as he has done. His teaching is not just about technique but also about inspiring creativity and fostering a deep appreciation for the rich tapestry of musical styles that exist.
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Artem Yasynskyy, born in 1988 in Donetsk, Ukraine, into a family of classical musicians, has been steeped in the world of music from a very young age. His early talent was evident, and at the age of seven, he began his formal education at the prestigious Special School for Gifted Children, part of the Prokofiev Academy in Donetsk. It was here that his extraordinary musical abilities were nurtured, leading him to make his concert debut at just eight years old. Yasynskyy's exceptional skill as a pianist has since taken him around the globe, captivating audiences in countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Spain, Greece, Norway, Russia, and extensively throughout Germany. His performances have graced some of the most prestigious concert halls worldwide, including the renowned Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York, where he performed in December 2016. Other notable venues include the Konzerthaus Berlin, the Hamburg Laeiszhalle, the Jack Singer Hall in Calgary, the Kyiv Philharmonie, the Sendesaal Bremen, and the Bremer "Glocke." Throughout his career, Yasynskyy has built a reputation as an artist of profound musicality and technical mastery, earning him accolades and a devoted following wherever he performs. https://www.artemyasynskyy.com/
Thomas has been actively engaged in the arts since 2009, establishing himself as a versatile talent in theater, film, and television. His career encompasses roles as an actor, performer, director, and freelance artist, showcasing his broad range of skills and dedication to his craft. One of his notable works, "Zuckerwattewolken," earned him the prestigious Jungwild Preis, highlighting his talent and innovation. Additionally, Thomas received a nomination for the Newcomer Preis at Theater Drachengasse for his compelling performance in "Fieber fressen," and his creative piece "Romeo&Chulio" garnered him a nomination for the Fringe Spirit Award at the Gothenburg Fringe Festival. Thomas's expertise extends beyond performance. He has played a significant role in project management and tour organization, ensuring the smooth execution of various productions. His artistic contributions have been recognized internationally, leading to invitations to perform and participate in festivals across Germany, the Czech Republic, Sweden, England, and Austria. Thomas's acting talent has been further acknowledged with notable accolades. Thomas won the Acting Tournament 2020, organized by Ivo Consi & Nancy Bishop Casting, demonstrating his exceptional skill and versatility. He continued his winning streak by securing the top position in the Acting Tournament COMEDY 2021, also hosted by Ivo Consi & Nancy Bishop Casting. Thomas's dedication to his art and his continuous pursuit of excellence have solidified his reputation as a distinguished figure in the performing arts community. https://www.demidovstudiovienna.com/?page_id=471
Gaja Vittoria is a versatile vocalist whose repertoire extends from the Baroque period to contemporary music, encompassing both mezzo-soprano and soprano roles, making her a true Zwischenfach artist. Originally from Udine, Italy, Gaja began her musical journey as a violinist before shifting her focus to vocal performance. She holds a Master’s degree in Opera from the Conservatorio J. Tomadini in Udine, where she studied under the esteemed soprano Annamaria Dell’Oste and pianist Ferdinando Mussutto. Her education has been further enriched by her current pursuit of a Master’s degree in "Lied & Oratorium" at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MDW). At MDW, she has the privilege of honing her craft under the guidance of renowned soprano KS Krassimira Stoyanova and accomplished pianist Justus Zeyen. Gaja's passion for both operatic and art song (Lied) repertoire is evident in her performances. She has delivered themed recitals, collaborating with pianist Alessandro Del Gobbo, that explore diverse and intriguing subjects. Notable recitals include "DE MULIERIBUS: donne, streghe e sirene" and "Souvenirs d’Europe," which have been showcased at prestigious festivals and venues such as Carniarmonie, Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine, the Festival Internazionale di Musica Sacra, Mittelcult, and Filosofia in Città. These performances highlight her ability to convey complex emotions and narratives through a wide range of musical styles and languages. Gaja Vittoria continues to captivate audiences with her dynamic interpretations and deep connection to her art. https://www.gajavittoriapellizzari.com/copia-di-biography
Andrea Strappelli, an Italian singer-songwriter now based in Sweden, has recently released his moving new single, "There's a Time." The track marks a significant chapter in Strappelli's musical career, showcasing his growth as an artist and reflecting deeply personal experiences. Produced by the acclaimed Mustrow, "There's a Time" is not just a song but a narrative journey that draws from Strappelli's rich life experiences. The inspiration for the song struck Strappelli during a transformative period in his life. After relocating to New York City, he found himself immersed in the city's vibrant and diverse arts scene. It was here, amidst the hustle and bustle, that Strappelli began crafting the lyrics for "There's a Time." The energy and creativity of New York, coupled with the personal challenges he faced during this period, fueled the song's poignant and introspective nature. The city's cultural tapestry provided a backdrop that influenced his songwriting, allowing him to explore themes of change, resilience, and new beginnings. Upon returning to Italy, Strappelli sought the collaboration of close friends to refine the song. The camaraderie and shared artistic vision among his peers played a crucial role in shaping the final version of the track. The song's production was meticulously completed by Gustav Brunn, a renowned Swedish sound engineer, who brought a polished and professional finish to the piece. Brunn's expertise ensured that the song's emotional depth and intricate soundscapes were captured perfectly, adding another layer of sophistication to Strappelli's work. The release of "There's a Time" was accompanied by a visually striking music video, co-directed by Tim Strecker and Paul Raphael d’Indy. Shot in the picturesque city of Malmö, the video serves as a visual metaphor for the song's central themes of rebirth and personal growth. The choice of location was deliberate, as Malmö's serene landscapes and modern architecture complement the video's narrative of a journey through life's twists and turns. The video follows Strappelli as he navigates various symbolic settings, each representing different stages of self-discovery and renewal. The imagery is rich with symbolism, portraying the struggle and triumph of overcoming adversity and embracing new chapters in life. "There's a Time" stands as a testament to Strappelli's resilience and his ability to channel life's ups and downs into his music. The song's lyrics, filled with poignant reflections and hopeful messages, resonate with anyone who has faced significant life changes.
Jon Foster-Pedley's career spans an impressive 45 years and includes a diverse range of roles. He has been an educator, dean, corporate executive, airline pilot, aerobatic competitor, writer, and speaker. His academic contributions include positions as a professor of innovation, MBA director, director of executive education, and lecturer in strategy, innovation, and executive learning. He has also designed and directed numerous executive education programs. Throughout his career, Jon has maintained a strong interest in economic and educational transformation, sustainability, and business evolution. Under his leadership, Henley Africa has gained a reputation as an entrepreneurial success, known for its innovative learning design and commitment to student and client care. The school's approach to education is marked by its forward-thinking curriculum and emphasis on practical, real-world applications, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to meet the challenges of modern business environments. Jon Foster-Pedley has served as the Dean and Director of Henley Business School in Africa since 2010. https://www.henleysa.ac.za/
Lionel Reid joined the South African Air Force in 1983 and played a significant role in the Angolan conflict from 1986 to 1989. During this period, he piloted Bosbok light reconnaissance aircraft and Puma helicopters, gaining valuable experience and insights into the air combat scenarios of the time. Now residing in Johannesburg, Reid has continued to pursue his passion for aviation and history by delving into the nuanced perspectives of the Angolan Bush War. In an unprecedented collaboration, Lionel has joined forces with former MiG-23 Squadron Commander of the Cuban Air Force, Lt-Col Eduardo González Sarría, to offer a groundbreaking new narrative of the aerial conflicts over Angola during the 1980s. This partnership has resulted in the creation of "The MiG Diaries," a comprehensive account that merges their personal experiences and expertise with those of other air combatants from the Angolan, Cuban, and South African air forces. These recollections, many of which are being shared publicly for the first time, provide a richer and more balanced understanding of the events that transpired in the Angolan skies. Most literature on the Angolan Bush War, particularly those written in English, tends to present a predominantly South African viewpoint. "The MiG Diaries" seeks to rectify this by incorporating diverse perspectives from all sides involved in the conflict. Through their meticulous research and unique aviation backgrounds, Sarría and Reid have woven together the stories of former comrades and adversaries to offer fresh insights and a more holistic description of the aerial warfare that occurred. The book is further enhanced by the artistic talents of Sean Thackwray, a former fighter pilot himself, whose pencil sketches vividly bring the narrative to life. These illustrations, along with select images—many of which have never been published in South Africa—add depth and visual context to the compelling accounts. "The MiG Diaries" stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of multiple viewpoints in understanding history. By combining the narratives of air combatants from all sides of the Angolan conflict, Sarría and Reid have crafted a more comprehensive and nuanced picture of the events, challenging previously held beliefs and offering new revelations about this complex period in aviation and military history. https://clarkesbooks.co.za/products/the-mig-diaries-fighter-pilot-memoirs-accounts-of-cuban-saaf-and-angolan-air-combat-in-southern-african-skies
Chiara Angella and Silvio Zanon are internationally renowned opera stars, celebrated for their exceptional talent and dedication to the original Italian operatic tradition. Both artists have been mentored by some of the most illustrious figures in opera history, including the legendary Luciano Pavarotti, the esteemed Magda Olivero, and the distinguished Giuseppe Scandola. With a profound understanding of classical opera, Angella and Zanon have graced prestigious stages worldwide, captivating audiences with their powerful performances and emotive interpretations. Their extensive experience and deep-rooted knowledge of the art form have positioned them as leading figures in the opera community. In addition to their illustrious performing careers, Chiara Angella and Silvio Zanon are esteemed professors at the London Performing Academy of Music. Here, they share their expertise and passion with the next generation of opera singers, nurturing and guiding young talents to reach their full potential. Through their teaching, Angella and Zanon continue to uphold and propagate the rich legacy of Italian opera, ensuring its timeless beauty and expressive power endure for future audiences. https://www.lpmam.com/ https://www.cantaingiro.com/
The Italian tenor, Nile Senatore, has garnered critical acclaim for his exceptional vocal and acting talents.
"Italian actor and singer renowned for his "full and soft voice in the high register and impressive acting qualities, far superior to the average of today's opera singers" (Connessi all'opera). He performs a wide repertoire, spanning from Baroque to Classical music, in collaboration with some of the most prestigious ensembles, musical, and stage directors in the contemporary music scene. His notable debuts include the title role in Offenbach's Robinson Crusoe and Arsenico in Offenbach's Coscoletto at the Festival della Valle d'Itria and the Arena Shakespeare of TeatroDue in Parma; Ozìa in Mozart's Betulia Liberata at Teatro Olimpico; Abele in Pasquini's Cain et Abel and Falsa Mater in Charpentier's Judicium Salomonis at Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik; Humana Fragilità and Pisandro in Monteverdi's Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria at Abbaye de Royaumont; and Edoardo Milfort in Rossini's La cambiale di matrimonio at Museu Nacional dos Coches in Lisbon. During the 2021/22/23 seasons, he toured with Les Musiciens du Louvre, performing as the solo haute-contre in Lully's Le bourgeois gentilhomme. This tour featured a livestreamed performance on France5 Télévision from the Opéra de Bordeaux and concluded at the Opéra Comique in Paris. In March 2023, he made his Spanish debut at the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona and the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid, singing Anfinomo in Monteverdi's Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria with the orchestra Europa Galante. He is currently on tour with La Petite Bande, performing the role of Ferrando in Mozart's Così fan tutte, which premiered at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
Jascha Novak is not only a great storyteller but is a state-certified tourist guide who has been passionately working in Vienna since 2017. As someone who was born and raised in this historic city, Jascha possesses an intimate and profound knowledge of Vienna. Despite his deep familiarity with the city's streets, architecture, and culture, Vienna continues to surprise and delight him with its ever-unfolding layers of history and charm. Each day brings new discoveries and insights, which he eagerly incorporates into his thoughtfully curated tours. The creation of Hidden Vienna Tours marked the realization of Jascha's long-held dream. This venture allows him to offer a unique perspective on Vienna, guiding visitors to explore its hidden gems, secret spots, and lesser-known treasures. His tours are designed to reveal a side of Vienna that many tourists miss, showcasing the city's rich tapestry of history, art, and culture through a lens that is both informative and engaging. Jascha's passion for history is complemented by his academic background, having studied at the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts. This education has equipped him with a nuanced understanding of Vienna's artistic heritage, which he skillfully weaves into his tour narratives. His tours are not just walks through the city; they are immersive experiences that bring Vienna's past and present to life, connecting visitors with the city's soul in a meaningful way. With an infectious enthusiasm and a keen eye for detail, Jascha meticulously plans each tour to ensure that every participant leaves with a deeper appreciation for Vienna's unique character. Whether it's a stroll through hidden alleys, a visit to overlooked historical sites, or an exploration of Vienna's vibrant art scene, Jascha's tours promise an enriching adventure filled with unexpected discoveries. https://www.hiddenvienna.guide/en/home https://www.instagram.com/hidden_vienna_tours/
Veronika Jana Lubert, a talented violinist, has transitioned into a performance coach, dedicating her expertise to helping other artists and musicians enhance their performance skills. As a freelance violinist, she has performed with prestigious ensembles such as the Alma Mahler Philharmonic and the Webern Chamber Philharmonic. Her dual role as a musician and coach provides her with a unique perspective on the pressures and challenges faced by artists in the industry. In addition to her coaching and performing career, Veronika is an esteemed university lecturer. She conducts master-level seminars in psychology, focusing on topics such as "Motivation and Self-Regulation in the Context of Expert Performance" and "Motivation and Self-Regulation for the Road to Excellence." Her academic contributions extend to her role as a university assistant (predoc), where she engages deeply with both theoretical and practical aspects of psychology. Veronika's dedication to education and her innovative teaching methods have earned her significant recognition. She was nominated for a Teaching Award at the University of Vienna, where she was shortlisted in the Top 5 for successfully combining theory and practice in psychology. Additionally, she has been honored with the Gratitude and Recognition Medal of the Republic of Austria, highlighting her outstanding contributions to the field. https://www.veronikajanalubert.com/en/work-with-me
Amnon Lipkin is an artist and craftsman based in Tel Aviv, Israel. His journey into the world of art was significantly influenced by acquiring a Singer sewing machine ten years ago, which enabled him to transition from other careers and elevate his crafting hobbies into his primary business and creative endeavor. The simple stitch on plain canvas gradually transformed into intricate sewn sketches. Lipkin uses the sewing machine as a pen, drawing on canvas fabric as if it were paper. His sewn sketches are typically created using a continuous line drawing technique, where a single thread runs from beginning to end. Most of his works feature black thread on off-white, natural-colored, thick canvas. Lipkin's sewn sketches frequently depict city scenes, creating a dynamic interplay between the delicate technique and the often rugged subject matter. He views his sewn sketches as a modern extension of traditional embroidery, blending contemporary and classical elements. Today, Amnon Lipkin's sewn sketches and similar textile artworks constitute the core of his creative output, showcasing his unique approach to art through the medium of fabric and thread. https://www.amnonlipkin.com/about
Jak de Priester stands as a household name in the South African entertainment industry. Jak, an award-winning artist from Pretoria, has captured the hearts of many with his soulful voice, poignant lyrics, rhythmic music, and captivating stage presence. His influence and artistry have resonated deeply with his fans, creating a loyal following that spans generations. Jak's illustrious career is marked by a prolific output. He has released ten studio albums, each showcasing his unique ability to blend emotion with melody. His versatility extends to children's entertainment, evidenced by a dedicated children's album and accompanying DVD. Beyond music, Jak has proven his literary prowess, having published a book and a collection of poetry, both of which have been well-received by critics and readers alike. In addition to his recording and writing achievements, Jak has made significant contributions to the performing arts through various stage productions. His dynamic performances and engaging storytelling have made him a standout in the theatre scene, further solidifying his reputation as a multi-talented entertainer. In 2012, Jak expanded his repertoire by stepping into the world of television. His role as a TV presenter added another impressive dimension to his already diverse career. This transition to television has allowed him to reach an even broader audience, showcasing his charisma and talent in a new medium. Jak de Priester's journey is a testament to his dedication, creativity, and unwavering passion for the arts. His work continues to inspire and entertain, leaving an indelible mark on the South African cultural landscape. https://jakdepriester.co.za/jak/
Lorenzo Galdeman is a talented dancer hailing from Italy. He began his ballet training in his home country, where he honed his foundational skills and developed a deep passion for the art of dance. Seeking to expand his horizons and refine his technique, he pursued vocational training in Switzerland, an experience that broadened his perspective and added depth to his artistic repertoire. Currently based in Graz, Austria, Lorenzo thrives in an environment that allows him to explore various dance genres. His versatility and enthusiasm for the art form drive him to continuously push boundaries and experiment with different styles and movements. In addition to his work as a dancer, Lorenzo is also a professional model, seamlessly blending his dance background with the world of fashion and photography. When Lorenzo is not gracing the stage with his captivating performances, he turns his focus to capturing moments through the lens of a camera. He believes that dance, much like photography, is a medium through which he can express his vision of the world. Using movements, emotions, and narration, Lorenzo aims to share his unique perspective with others, inviting them to see the world through his eyes. For Lorenzo, there exists a delicate balance between harmony and chaos, a duality that he finds endlessly fascinating. This equilibrium is his destination, a place where the beauty of order meets the excitement of unpredictability. Through his art, Lorenzo strives to open the eyes of his audience to new horizons, encouraging them to embrace the vastness of possibility and the richness of diverse experiences. https://www.lorenzogaldeman.work/
Arno Morland, born in South Africa, embarked on a diverse and dynamic artistic journey. After completing his schooling, he served a year of military service, which was a formative experience. He then delved into higher education, studying Psychology, Philosophy, and Theology. These academic pursuits led him to the University of Johannesburg and the University of Pretoria, where he earned his degrees. Driven by a burgeoning interest in the arts, Arno began taking courses in painting and Art history. His dedication and talent soon bore fruit, and in 1999, he held his first solo exhibition. This milestone marked the beginning of a prolific period in his career, characterized by a series of solo and group exhibitions that established his presence in the art world. In 2003, seeking to deepen his artistic expertise, Morland enrolled in an MFA program at the University of the Witwatersrand, completing it two years later. Arno's artistic journey then took him to the United States. Here, he engaged in various design-related activities, broadening his creative horizons. After several years, he reignited his passion for painting, showcasing his work in Chicago. This period of exploration and growth was followed by a move to the United Kingdom. In the UK, Arno continued to develop his painting while also venturing into sculpture, adding a new dimension to his artistic repertoire. In 2018, Arno returned to his native South Africa, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a renewed creative vigor. Since his return, he has actively participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, further solidifying his reputation in the South African art scene. His interest in sculpture has continued to grow, and it now stands as the main focus of his creative endeavors. Morland’s work in sculpture is marked by a deep engagement with form and material, reflecting his ongoing evolution as an artist. Currently, Arno Morland lives and works near Cape Town, South Africa. His studio, nestled in the vibrant cultural landscape of the region, is a testament to his enduring commitment to artistic exploration and innovation. As he continues to push the boundaries of his creative practice, Morland remains a significant and influential figure in contemporary art. https://arnomorland.net/
Maddalena Del Gobbo's dedication and talent have distinguished her in the classical music world. She is the only Deutsche Grammophon artist specializing in the viola da gamba. Born in Italy, Maddalena Del Gobbo demonstrated an extraordinary musical talent from an early age. She began studying piano at the age of four and soon expanded her repertoire to include the cello and singing. Her exceptional abilities led her to Vienna at the age of thirteen, where she continued her cello studies at the Konservatorium Wien Privatuniversität. Maddalena Del Gobbo first encountered the viola da gamba during an unplanned visit to a record shop in the heart of Vienna. The enchanting sound of the instrument captivated her, leaving an indelible mark on her memory. Despite this profound experience, Maddalena continued her studies as a cellist, eventually earning a Master of Arts degree and performing as a soloist and chamber musician in numerous prestigious concert halls. Throughout this period, she nurtured a secret passion for the viola da gamba, honing her skills in private. One day, she made a pivotal decision to shift her focus entirely to the viola da gamba, dedicating her life to the art of Baroque music. Her album "Maddalena and the Prince" has been met with critical acclaim, earning the Supersonic award from Pizzicato magazine, CD of the month in Fono Forum, and CD of the week on ZDF. It has also received numerous five-star reviews, including those from BBC Music and Stereo Magazine, solidifying her reputation as a leading artist in Baroque music. https://www.maddalenadelgobbo.com/
Stefania Passamonte, the dynamic Executive Director of LPMAM, is the driving force behind the organization’s visionary approach. Her involvement in the day-to-day operations is integral to the institution’s success, ensuring that every detail is meticulously managed. Under her leadership, a team of world-class faculty collaborates to design an advanced curriculum that attracts exceptionally talented students from all corners of the globe, fostering an environment of academic and artistic excellence. A classically trained concert pianist and recording artist with Master Chord Records, Stefania's musical career is distinguished by performances across Europe's prestigious venues. Her deep passion for music and education is evident in every endeavor she undertakes. As the President of Master Chord Records, she has not only advanced the label's reputation but also influenced the broader music industry. Her entrepreneurial spirit was recognized by the British Council Global University Campaign, which featured her as a successful UK entrepreneur. Stefania's professional affiliations are as impressive as her career milestones. She is a member of the Recording Academy, contributing to the Grammy Awards process in the U.S., and she also plays a role in the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), participating in the selection process for the Classic BRITS in the UK. Her expertise and influence extend to cultural administration, having served as the Artistic Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in London for several years. In this role, she curated numerous events and initiatives that promoted Italian culture and fostered international cultural exchange. In addition to her administrative and performance roles, Dr. Passamonte has expanded her reach into broadcasting. As a radio broadcaster for the award-winning WRS, she shares her deep knowledge and passion for music with a wider audience, further cementing her position as a multifaceted leader in the arts. Overall, Stefania Passamonte’s career is a testament to her exceptional talent, dedication, and vision. Her contributions to music performance, education, cultural administration, and broadcasting have left an indelible mark on the industry, inspiring the next generation of musicians and cultural leaders. https://www.lpmam.com/president/ https://stefaniapassamonte.com/
The internationally acclaimed soprano Martina Bortolotti von Haderburg has captivated audiences around the world with her radiant, warm, and expressive voice. Known for her passionate and intense performances, she has earned the admiration and affection of her fans globally. Martina's ability to convey deep emotion through her singing and her commanding stage presence have made her a favorite among opera enthusiasts and critics alike. Martina's impressive musical journey began at the prestigious Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan, where she graduated with top honors in Opera Singing. Her time at the conservatory was marked by rigorous training and an unwavering commitment to excellence. In addition to her opera singing degree, Martina pursued advanced studies in Vocal Chamber Music, achieving the highest distinction in this discipline as well. This dual specialization has allowed her to master a diverse repertoire, ranging from grand operatic roles to intricate chamber pieces. Her versatility and technical proficiency have made her a sought-after performer on both operatic and concert stages. Throughout her career, Martina has performed in some of the world's most renowned opera houses and concert halls, collaborating with leading conductors, directors, and orchestras. Her performances have been lauded for their emotional depth and technical brilliance, earning her numerous awards and accolades. Critics frequently highlight her ability to connect with audiences, bringing characters to life with authenticity and nuance. Martina's dedication to her art extends beyond her performances. She is also committed to sharing her knowledge and passion with the next generation of singers. As a respected vocal coach and mentor, she has inspired many young artists to pursue their dreams and achieve their fullest potential. Martina Bortolotti von Haderburg's illustrious career continues to flourish, with each performance further solidifying her status as one of the most beloved and respected sopranos of her generation. Her unwavering commitment to her craft, coupled with her warm and expressive voice, ensures that she will continue to enchant audiences for years to come. https://www.martinabortolotti.com/
Julie Bowers has dedicated many years to developing programs and initiatives globally to make ballet accessible, while also enhancing the training and development of dancers and teachers. As a founding member and now Patron of the Staffordshire Youth Ballet, and the creator of the RAD Genée Dance Challenge, Julie has consistently sought innovative ways to encourage, support, and nurture dancers of all levels. Drawing from her own experiences as a professional dancer with the Royal Ballet, Julie understands the demands of the profession, recognizing the necessity for both physical and mental fitness. She, alongside Brandon Lawrence, devised methods to help graduates stay positive and gain valuable experience working with professionals who are genuinely committed to providing support. During the lockdown, Julie and her team worked tirelessly to offer online opportunities for teachers and students. Their initiatives included creating the Lockdown Challenge with Brandon Lawrence and David Bintley, launching "Creativity Unlocked," a comprehensive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program, and hosting Zoom support meetings for students and teachers. Additionally, they organized a Global Teachers Conference and offered adult classes aimed at supporting mental health and well-being. These efforts reflect Julie's unwavering commitment to the ballet community, ensuring that dancers and teachers have the resources, support, and encouragement they need to thrive, regardless of the challenges they may face. Her passion for ballet and dedication to nurturing talent continue to inspire and positively impact the lives of many in the dance world. https://www.gradpro.co.uk
iHope, a budding comedian hailing from Pretoria, South Africa, began his journey in the entertainment world by posting sketches on Instagram. Initially, his primary goal was to build a following for his music. However, he soon realized that his sharp sense of humor resonated deeply with a young South African audience. This unexpected discovery led him to pivot towards comedy, where he found a unique niche. Leveraging the power of social media, iHope has been diligently honing his comedic skills. His sketches, characterized by wit and relatability, have quickly garnered a loyal following. Through consistent effort and creative content, he has managed to capture the attention and admiration of many. iHope's commitment to his craft is truly commendable. He not only entertains but also engages with his audience, constantly seeking to improve and adapt his material. His journey from an aspiring musician to a celebrated young comedian showcases his versatility and dedication, making him a notable rising star in South Africa's comedy scene.
Keanan Eksteen & his band is a dynamic four-piece rock and roll ensemble originating from the vibrant city of Cape Town. Renowned for their high-energy performances and electrifying stage presence, they have swiftly captivated the European music scene, leaving audiences spellbound with their distinctive fusion of classic and contemporary rock. Formed in 2021, Keanan and his band wasted no time in establishing themselves as a formidable force in the world of rock and roll. Their music skillfully merges the raw power and charisma of classic rock legends with a modern, edgy twist. Each performance showcases their unwavering dedication to their craft and their genuine passion for music, which shines through in every chord, every lyric, and every beat they create. Their musical repertoire is both compelling and diverse. They currently boast a toe-tapping, hip-shaking EP titled "Forever," and a full-length album, "Golden Fever," which is infused with their signature rock and roll spirit. These releases have resonated deeply with fans and critics alike, cementing their reputation as a band to watch. With two successful European tours under their belt and a rapidly expanding fan base, Keanan Eksteen & his band are on an unstoppable trajectory. Their live shows are a testament to their relentless energy and magnetic stage presence, often described as a force to be reckoned with. The band's ability to connect with their audience on a visceral level ensures that every concert is an unforgettable experience. Looking ahead, Keanan Eksteen & his band are poised for even greater achievements. With more music in the works and an insatiable hunger for the road, their future in the international music scene looks exceedingly bright. As they continue to break new ground and captivate listeners worldwide, this band is set to leave an indelible mark on the world of rock and roll. https://keananeksteenlive.com/bio-band https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNNCcR1dwOhTnTGfnVzlOJg
Daniel Lelchuk's musical journey has been marked by a series of significant accomplishments and prestigious appointments. In the fall of 2013, he was appointed as the Assistant Principal Cellist of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, a decision made by the orchestra’s esteemed music director, Carlos Miguel Prieto. Lelchuk's talent and dedication to his craft have earned him high praise, including a description by the Washington Post as a “dazzling virtuoso.” His impressive career has taken him to perform in concert halls across North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, showcasing his exceptional skills on an international stage. Daniel's musical roots trace back to New Hampshire, where he began his cello studies before the age of five under the guidance of Donna Denniston. His early dedication to the instrument set the foundation for his future success. He later studied with Sato Knudsen in Boston and Francesco Strano in Rome, further honing his skills. His formal education was completed at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, where he studied with Eric Kim. During his time there, he was awarded the Eva Heinitz scholarship and served as the principal cellist of both the Philharmonic and Opera orchestras, roles that prepared him for his professional career. Daniel's journey from a young cello student to a renowned cellist with international acclaim is a testament to his hard work, passion, and exceptional talent. His contributions to the world of classical music continue to inspire audiences and fellow musicians alike. https://www.daniellelchuk.com/about.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SODEdugM8nI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv5eCIpKJ2w
South African born, Thami Majela has captivated audiences worldwide with his unique fusion of classical ballet, contemporary dance, and various African dance styles. His remarkable journey in the dance world has not only showcased his talents but has also significantly contributed to the evolution of the arts sector, particularly in Africa. Thami Majela is a multifaceted artist, excelling as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and creative director/producer. His collaborative efforts with other internationally renowned artists have enriched his work, making him one of the most dynamic figures in the dance community. His impact and innovation in the field were recognized last year when he received the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist award, further cementing his reputation as a leading choreographer and dancer of his generation. For Thami, dance transcends mere movement; it is an expressive art form that conveys powerful stories, challenges stereotypes, and breaks down societal norms. He places a strong emphasis on the concept of "space," pushing the boundaries of traditional dance forms and creating captivating performances that resonate deeply with audiences. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Thami is actively involved in the administrative side of the dance community. He serves as an executive committee member for the South African Dance Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting and developing the dance sector in South Africa. His leadership and vision are helping to shape the future of dance in the region. Thami's professional journey includes collaborations with esteemed companies such as Dance Factory, Dada Masilo's Company, and The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative (FATC) in South Africa. His work has also taken him to numerous international and local residencies, including Pro-Helvetia in Switzerland, which led to a tour spanning Madagascar, Maputo, South Africa, and Switzerland. He has also participated in residencies at Bhodi Khaya and FATC in South Africa, and Reunion Island, among others. Thami Majela's contributions to dance are not only redefining the art form but are also inspiring a new generation of dancers and artists across the globe. https://thamimajela.wixsite.com/portfolio/about https://www.mudaafricadance.org/ https://www.danceonline.co.uk/floor-barre-with-stephane-dalle-downloadable-set
Muda Africa is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the creative sector's role in fostering social, cultural, and economic progress for Tanzanian youth. They emphasize contemporary dance as a means to develop creativity, trust, cooperation, discipline, and adaptability. Founded in 2013, Muda Africa combines modern urban African culture with traditional knowledge, aiming to shape a future grounded in both past and present. The core values of Muda Africa are Artistic Excellence, Trust, Discipline, Curiosity and Experimentation, Team Spirit and Collaboration, Passion and Determination, and Lifelong Learning. These core values collectively define Muda Africa's approach, creating a nurturing and dynamic environment where creativity and personal growth can flourish. Artistic Director, Ian Mwaisunga: Ian Mwaisunga, with 24 years of experience, connects ancestral wisdom with contemporary ideas through dance. He has performed internationally and co-founded several dance initiatives, including Tanzania's first contemporary dance company and festival. He has been instrumental in founding Muda Africa and serves as an advisor to the National Arts Council of Tanzania. Co-Founder, Rachel Kessi: Rachel, with over 21 years of experience in visual and performing arts in East Africa, co-founded Muda Africa and handles strategic planning, finance, and administration. She has promoted East African artists, published art books, and set up commercial outlets for handicrafts. Rachel has served on the boards of various Tanzanian non-profits and currently lives in Dar es Salaam. https://www.mudaafricadance.org/
Andries Dirks, an artist of Khoi heritage, is deeply committed to portraying Khoi history through his work. Since joining Solo Studios in 2019, he has become a notable figure in the South African art scene. His sculptures are prominently featured at prestigious institutions such as the Iziko Museum in Gardens and the Koena Art Institute in Observatory, Cape Town. Additionally, his art graces numerous households across South Africa and extends its reach to international locations in France, Wales, and England. Dirks' journey into the world of sculpture began in his childhood. Raised by his grandparents on a remote farm, he was the sole child in the area, with no nearby school to attend. The farm's clay became his primary medium, out of which he fashioned life-size 'friends' to play and converse with, sparking his enduring passion for sculpture. Today, Dirks channels this early fascination into a professional career as a ceramic sculptor. He works from his studio, Klipkind, located on Short Street in Riebeek Kasteel. The studio's name, meaning "stone child," is a poignant reclamation of a nickname used to tease him during his youth. Through his art, Dirks continues to honor his heritage and share the rich history of the Khoi people with a global audience. https://solostudios.co.za/andries-dirks/
Cristian Cimei, an esteemed Italian conductor, has showcased his talents on some of the world's most prestigious stages. His illustrious career includes performances at renowned venues such as the Boston Opera House, Lincoln Center in New York, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Capitol Theatre in Sydney, Melbourne Arts Centre, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Hyogo Performing Arts Center in Osaka, and Gunpo Culture & Arts Center in Seoul, among others. Throughout his career, Cristian has collaborated with an impressive array of celebrated artists. He has worked alongside legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti, renowned soprano Mariella Devia, tenor Fabio Armiliato, soprano Kristin Lewis, mezzo-soprano Christin-Marie Hill, violinist Ole Bohn, and distinguished actors Dame Janet Suzman and Simon Callow. His collaborations extend to the realm of composers as well, having partnered with iconic figures such as Ennio Morricone, Eleanor Alberga, and Jim Stephenson. Cristian's exceptional skill and dedication have earned him numerous accolades. He was honored with the prestigious Helen Jones Graduate Endowment for Visual & Performing Arts Fellowship at Texas Tech University. Additionally, he received the 'Goossens Fellowship' and International Merit Award for outstanding performance from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. These awards are a testament to his outstanding contributions to the field of conducting and his unwavering commitment to musical excellence. Currently, Cristian serves as the Music Director and Professor of Opera at the London Performing Academy of Music, where he continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of musicians and conductors. His ongoing dedication to both performance and education highlights his multifaceted contributions to the world of classical music. https://www.lpmam.com/faculty-opera/ https://www.mandy.com/u/cristian-cimei-1/
For Matea Leko, music transcends being merely a composition of beautiful sounds; it is a state of mind that accompanies individuals through both hardships and joyous times, crossing physical and cultural boundaries. A passionate pianist, Matea invites others to share in her musical experiences through her YouTube channel, social media, and live performances across Europe. Matea's musical journey began in Zagreb, where she was born and discovered classical music as a child. She studied at the Academy of Music in Zagreb, performing with the Zagreb Philharmonic and recording for Croatian national television. Her pursuit of musical excellence led her to Vienna's University of Music and Performing Arts, where she continued to refine her skills and explore global musical styles. She recorded her first solo album with an orchestra under the German label ARS Produktion, marking a significant milestone in her career. With over 200 performances across Europe, Matea has played for diverse audiences from Stockholm to Israel. During the global lockdown of 2020, Matea launched the "Musical Stories" project, offering monthly piano recitals on YouTube to uplift listeners. Her project garnered over 2 million viewers. Now based in Cyprus, Matea continues to create and share her music, aiming to bring joy and nurture souls through digital performances until live concerts resume worldwide. https://www.matealeko.eu/ https://www.youtube.com/c/MateaLekoPiano/videos www.instagram.com/matealekopiano
Andrei’s journey with the Demidov Technique has been intensive, involving extensive work under Professor Malaev-Babel’s guidance in London, Moscow, and Florida over the past seven years. This deep immersion led him to establish Demidov Studio London, the UK branch of the International Demidov Association, with the support of Professor Malaev-Babel as curator. Beyond his work in the UK, Andrei has held significant roles internationally. In Australia, he was the artistic director of Vis a Vis Theatre in Sydney. In London, he directed Waving Not Drowning Theatre and the Wrestling the Angel polyphonic singing group. Currently, he is the director of the Tribe Theatre Collective, whose inaugural production, Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment," was entirely developed using the Demidov Technique and performed at The Cockpit Theatre in 2019. Andrei’s commitment to the Demidov Technique extends to his role as Director of the DSL LAB, a research space at Demidov Studio London. Here, he conducts classes and works with select actors dedicated to delving deeper into this innovative acting methodology. His profound impact on the acting community is marked by his dedication to nurturing the actor’s creativity and freedom through the nuanced Demidov approach. https://andreibiziorek.com/ https://demidovstudiolondon.uk/
Gerrit Scheepers embarked on his musical journey during his time as a student at Pretoria University in South Africa. His passion for choral music was ignited by Johann van der Sandt, the renowned conductor of the university choir. Gerrit's initial experience in choir conducting came when he was thrust into the role unexpectedly, conducting the choir for the first time. This experience marked the beginning of his deep commitment to mastering the art of choir conducting. With unwavering dedication, Gerrit seized every opportunity to expand his knowledge and refine his skills in this field. Gerrit's dedication and hard work culminated in his founding of the Armonia Chamber Singers, an adult mixed chamber chorus based in Pretoria, South Africa. Under his leadership, the group has gained recognition for its artistic excellence and innovative performances. Gerrit has also taken on the role as Director of Choirs and Assistant Professor of Music at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. This prestigious appointment is a testament to his expertise and accomplishments in the field of choral music. Gerrit's academic journey is equally impressive; he completed a Bachelor of Music degree at Pretoria University, which laid the foundation for his advanced studies. He then earned a Master of Music degree from Missouri State University, where he had the privilege of studying choral conducting with Cameron LaBarr. His academic pursuit reached its pinnacle with a doctorate in choral conducting from the University of Washington, where he studied under the guidance of esteemed conductors Geoffrey Boers and Giselle Wyers. Gerrit's influence extends beyond academia. He has been sought after as a guest conductor and clinician, working with high schools and festivals across the United States, Europe, and South Africa. His international experience has enriched his understanding of diverse choral traditions and practices, making him a versatile and dynamic conductor. Throughout his career, Gerrit has demonstrated a relentless commitment to choral excellence, inspiring countless students and choristers with his passion and expertise. His journey from a university student in South Africa to an esteemed conductor and educator in the United States underscores his dedication to the transformative power of choral music.
Kristi Steyn is a talented young singer and songwriter from South Africa who has been passionate about music from a very young age. She began writing songs early in her life, cultivating a deep love for the art form that continues to grow. Kristi enjoys being part of a band because it allows for collaboration with other musicians, which she finds both enriching and beneficial. She also appreciates engaging with fellow singers in the alternative Afrikaans music genre, the same genre in which she both performs and composes. Kristi believes that Afrikaans music is uniquely expressive, offering a distinct sound and style that resonates deeply with her. Inspired by some of the great artists in this genre, she takes pride in singing in her native language, Afrikaans. Live performances are particularly special to Kristi, as she treasures the connection she can create with her audience. Her mature perspective on her career and life itself is truly admirable. Kristi Steyn is undeniably a remarkable artist, and her dedication and talent continue to inspire those around her. https://www.youtube.com/@UCTKa67UR7nryoGRGHoD-duQ
As a teenager, Fraser was inspired by the documentaries of the British and Irish Lions created by Stamp. This inspiration led him to start making films about his own rugby team during his university years. It was during this time that Fraser discovered his passion for filmmaking, which soon became a central focus of his career. His dedication and talent in this field allowed him to produce content for renowned brands such as IKEA, Moët Hennessy, and Celtic Football Club. In 2022, Fraser joined the Stamp team and took on the role of leading their account with Octopus Group. In this position, he plays a crucial role in delivering our cutting-edge in-house offerings. Fraser's academic background includes degrees in both English Literature and Marketing, equipping him with a unique blend of skills. His profound understanding of storytelling and marketing strategies enhances the quality and impact of the films he directs, making him an invaluable asset to our creative team. For Fraser, passion projects are the ultimate avenue for creative growth, learning, and experimentation. So, when he was offered the opportunity to direct an interview for the Springboks' sequel documentary, he was thrilled. This documentary follows the compelling story of the South Africa men's rugby squad that won the World Cup. https://fraserharrop.com/ https://stamp.productions/fraserharrop
Every year that goes by marks a new chapter in the journey of Kennedy Junior Muntanga, a dynamic dancer and choreographer originally from Zambia. With each passing year, his passion for dance deepens, and his artistic vision evolves. Born and raised in Zambia, Kennedy moved to Leeds, UK, at the age of seven. It was here that his love for movement blossomed, fueled by a strong connection to the legendary Michael Jackson. As a child, Kennedy would choreograph short dances and host friendly competitions with his sister and friends, reflecting the early influence of his African heritage on his dance. Kennedy's dedication to his craft led him to the prestigious Rambert School, where he graduated in Ballet and Contemporary Dance in July 2019. His education at Rambert provided him with a robust foundation in both classical and modern techniques, which he further developed through diverse professional experiences. Over the years, Kennedy has performed with several acclaimed dance companies, including the Akram Khan Company, Phoenix Dance Theatre, Humanhood, and others. He has also collaborated with renowned choreographers such as Robert Cohan CBE, Michael Keegan-Dolan, Alesandra Seutin, and Raman Schlemmer. These opportunities allowed him to refine his skills and expand his creative horizons, shaping him into a versatile and innovative artist. As time goes by, Kennedy's focus has shifted towards choreography and leadership within the dance community. He is now the Artistic Director of Kennedy Muntanga Dance Theatre, where he creates and stages original works that resonate with audiences and reflect his unique cultural perspective. In addition, he leads Trinity Laban’s Youth Dance Company, mentoring young dancers and fostering their growth. Each year, Kennedy's journey is marked by new achievements and milestones. His story is one of continuous growth, driven by an enduring love for dance and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of his art. Through his work, Kennedy continues to inspire and influence the dance world, leaving a lasting impact with every passing year. https://www.kmdancetheatre.com/
Sarai Vangelli de Cresci is a talented young composer from Italy who studies composition at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, known for its excellence in artistic and academic education. Her passion for film composition is unmistakable, and her background in piano studies gives her a distinct advantage in this field. Sarai attributes much of her artistic development to her parents, who encouraged her to explore a wide range of activities during her childhood. Their unwavering support and artistic encouragement have been instrumental in helping her pursue her dreams. In addition to her musical pursuits, Sarai has a long-standing love for botanicals, which continues to inspire her work. She often finds that the natural beauty and complexity of plants influence her compositions. Sarai firmly believes that film music should not only enhance the narrative but also possess the strength to stand alone as an independent piece of art. Her unique perspective and diverse inspirations contribute to her evolving artistry, setting her apart in the world of film music composition.
Gabriela Tollman, originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, is a distinguished graduate of UCLA's theater and film department. She has an impressive portfolio, having directed over ten short films that have been showcased at film festivals around the globe. Her works have not only won numerous awards but have also been featured on HBO, highlighting her significant impact in the industry. Among her notable achievements, Gabriela wrote, directed, co-produced, and acted in THE LAST GUNSHOT. This film was featured in over 25 festivals and earned the prestigious International Cinematographer's Guild Award, leading to a screening at the Cannes Film Festival. Another of her acclaimed works is BIRTH OF INDUSTRY, a film that she wrote and directed. This project won the Los Angeles Short Film Grant, supported by Kodak, Panavision, and Filmmakers Alliance. BIRTH OF INDUSTRY was showcased in over 20 festivals and received the John Williams Award for Visual Excellence at the Cleveland Film Festival. Additionally, her film YOU TURNED BACK AND HELD MY HAND gained significant recognition, screening at numerous festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival, and earning widespread acclaim. Gabriela's first feature film, SOMEBODY'S MOTHER, was released theatrically in October 2017 to enthusiastic reviews. The Los Angeles Times praised the film, stating, "Somebody's Mother tackles a terrible loss and its aftermath with knowing empathy." This compelling feature is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime, iTunes, and Google Play. Continuing her journey in filmmaking, Gabriela recently completed the short film LOVELY and is set to direct the award-winning screenplay titled APART. Her body of work continues to grow, cementing her reputation as a talented and visionary filmmaker. https://www.gabrielatollman.com/
Howard Nightingall was born in London and trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts. He now resides in Vienna, Austria, where he works in film, television, and theatre as an actor, and has also gained acclaim as an award-winning voice actor. In theatre, Nightingall has taken on a range of compelling roles. His notable performances include Larry in "Closer" at the Ensemble Theatre, Stephen Hawking in "Hawking's Dream" at both Teatro Technis and dietheater Künstlerhaus, Frederic in "The Pirates of Penzance" at the Volksoper, and Frosch in "Die Fledermaus" at the Wienerkonzerthaus. He has also lent his voice to the character Zach Shapiro in "Jackpot" at Theater in der Josefstadt and portrayed The Grand Inquisitor under the direction of Peter Brook at the Landestheater St. Pölten. For Vienna’s International Theatre, his roles include Sergius Saranoff in "Arms and the Man," Horatio in "Hamlet," Sergeant Trotter in "The Mousetrap," Jimmy Porter in "Look Back in Anger," and Joe Pitt in "Angels in America." Nightingall's extensive work with Vienna’s English Theatre includes playing The Young Man in the world première of "Three Tall Women," directed by Edward Albee, and Malcolm in "Bedroom Farce." His other significant roles there include The Surly Man in "Lettice and Lovage" with Rue McClanahan, William Humphries in "84 Charing Cross Road," Ross in the European première of "The Goat," Barnette Lloyd in "Crimes of the Heart," William Taylor in "Donkeys’ Years," Dr. Alfred Feldmann in "Duet for One," Michel Vallon in "God of Carnage," James Dodd in "Time Stands Still," Stephen in "Chickenshit" (which also played Off-Broadway in New York), Ulysses in "Annapurna," Serge in "Art," and Torvald in "A Doll’s House Part 2." In addition to his stage work, Nightingall has an impressive list of film credits. He played Julius McDoom in "The Pilgrim Factor," The Director in "The Rehearsal," Frederic in "MA2412," William Harold in "Nous Nous Sommes Tant Haïs" alongside Sarah Biasini, the Doctor in "The Strange Case of Wilhelm Reich" with Klaus Maria Brandauer, the British Ambassador in "Das Sacher," Captain Arthur Snagge in "Der Verrat des Kaisers," and Rupert Sebacious-Smythe in Amazon’s "Tuesday Afternoon Kitchen." He voiced Zoomzeman in the animated feature "Moonbound," played Sir Duncan Berrycloth in "Die Toten von Salzburg," and most recently, portrayed a journalist in "The Regime" with Kate Winslet for HBO. Howard Nightingall's extensive and versatile career across multiple mediums and countries highlights his significant contributions to the performing arts.
Hannon Bothma was fascinated by beauty and fashion from a young age. He used to accompany his mother to Ophelia’s Hair Salon where he would sit cross-legged on the floor, mesmerized by the transformations women underwent after sitting under the cocoon hair dryers. Hannon's dream, from a young age had been a career in the fashion world. To break into the industry, Hannon offered his services as a makeup artist and hairstylist for free to the Cape Argus and various magazines, provided they credited him. At 25, he opened his first salon in Sea Point. Hannon furthered his education at Cape Technical College, studying hairdressing and cosmetology while also apprenticing. He honed his skills by offering his services at events and training with cosmetic houses in South Africa and Belgium. Today, Hannon Bothma co-owns the HANNON brand. He is a familiar face on television and in major fashion magazines and has been interviewed numerous times on national radio. Known for his ability to transform any woman into a stunning beauty in minutes, Hannon has become a celebrated figure in the beauty industry. As a TV presenter, Hannon hosts makeover shows to large audiences, where he entertains, educates, and motivates women about beauty and their societal roles. His extensive knowledge of the cosmetic industry is evident in his work. Dedicated to giving back, Hannon presents image workshops and makeover shows to various charity organizations across South Africa on a weekly basis. https://hannon.co.za
Baritone Georg Klimbacher's illustrious career has taken him to some of the most prestigious venues in the world. His performances have graced the stages of Vienna's Musikverein and Konzerthaus, the Schubertiade Schwarzenberg, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, the Philharmonie Luxemburg, the Auditorium Maurice-Ravel in Lyon, the Theater an der Wien, the Grazer Oper, the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza, the Holywell Music Room in Oxford, the International Lied Festival Zeist, and the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid. Klimbacher has collaborated with renowned pianists such as Sir András Schiff, Graham Johnson, David Lutz, and Breda Zakotnik. He has also worked under the batons of distinguished conductors like Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Sascha Goetzel, Gottfried Rabl, Martin Haselböck, Walter Kobéra, and Dennis Russell Davies. His performances have been accompanied by esteemed orchestras, including the Orchestre National de Lyon, Cappella Andrea Barca, Concentus Musicus Wien, ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, and the Orchester Wiener Akademie. His debut album, #talesoflove, was critically acclaimed and earned him the Bank Austria Art Award. In 2015, he triumphed at the Petyrek-Lang Foundation’s song competition. Demonstrating his versatility and dedication to his art, Klimbacher recently collaborated with Naxos to record a collection of Scottish and German Beethoven songs. On stage, Klimbacher has brought to life a variety of roles, including Guglielmo in "Così fan tutte," Schaunard in "La Bohème," Belcore in "L’elisir d’amore," Papageno in "Die Zauberflöte," and Dr. Falke in "Die Fledermaus." His interpretations of these characters have been praised for their depth and nuance. Klimbacher's formal training began at Vienna’s University of Music and Performing Arts and continued at the University of Arts in Graz. He has further honed his vocal skills under the guidance of esteemed mentors Uta Schwabe and Dale Fundling. His continuous pursuit of excellence and his commitment to his craft have firmly established him as a prominent figure in the world of classical music. https://georgklimbacher.com/
Her career continued to flourish, and in 2023, Brigitte's outstanding performance earned her the coveted "Best Actress" award at the International Cannes Critics’ Society (ICCS) festival in Cannes. This accolade highlighted her versatility and skill as an actress, solidifying her reputation on the international stage. Currently, Brigitte divides her time between Florence and Budapest, where she is immersed in the creation of her new film, "One Wonderful Day." This project sees her collaborating with some of the most esteemed artists in the industry, promising a cinematic experience that is both profound and visually stunning. Brigitte's artistic philosophy is deeply reflective and encompassing. She views the human body as a canvas, art in its purest form. To her, the interplay of light and shadow, the nuances of love, and the profound silence and enveloping darkness are all integral elements of art. She believes that art is not confined to traditional mediums but is omnipresent, with the world itself serving as a vast reservoir of inspiration. For Brigitte, every moment and every experience can be a source of creative energy, waiting to be transformed into artistic expression.
Paul Jenkins boasts a career spanning over 44 years in jazz music, composition, arranging, production, and education. He embarked on formal training at the age of 10 as a chorister and later pursued trumpet studies and composition at the London College of Music. His diverse musical background allowed him to excel in various styles, collaborating with jazz, pop, and world music artists. Paul is known for his jazz compositions and his own ensemble, The Paul Jenkins Quartet, which performed at esteemed London venues. He also founded JEMWA, a band blending Western and African music styles. His involvement in the world music scene includes collaborations with Iranian musicians, showcasing a fusion of jazz and Iranian folk music. Venturing into commercial music, Paul founded Third Eye Music Productions Ltd, producing a wide range of musical projects for artists and companies. His contributions to musical theater are notable, with arrangements and original scores for productions like "Inner City Jam" and "White Folks - A Musical Fable." Paul's creativity extends to film, theater, and dance, with commissions for scores and compositions for various productions globally. He co-founded the UK's premier Jazz Theatre Company, Body of People (BOP) Jazz Theatre, creating original productions performed internationally. As a music educator, Paul has developed jazz programs and ensembles, nurturing young talent. He continues to teach jazz composition, performance, and music technology worldwide. In addition to his professional endeavors, Paul co-authored "The Essential Guide to Jazz Dance," offering insight into jazz dance history and practice. He also spearheaded the Jazz Theatre Arts UK (JTAUK) network, advocating for UK jazz theatre arts and artists. Jenkins' dedication to education and mentorship underscores his commitment to shaping the next generation of musicians. https://www.bop.org.uk/directors
Consolata Maria Ikeh, Choir Director, is a second-year student at the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome, specializing in Choir Direction and Composition. Additionally, she is enrolled part-time at the Pontifical Institute of St. Anselmo, where she pursues studies in Liturgy. Consolata Maria is also deeply committed to directing choirs in Nigeria, recognizing the profound benefits that participation in choir brings to individuals of all ages. As a teacher, she has shared her passion for music with young children, leveraging the myriad advantages of music in educational settings. Consolata Maria emphasizes the significance of singing within Nigerian communities, illustrating how it fosters unity and joy. Furthermore, she serves as the Choir Director in Rome for a Nigerian choir predominantly composed of young people from the Nigerian Catholic community. Their vibrant African melodies, carefully prepared for the occasion, brought delight to the Ecumenical Prayer Vigil at the Vatican. Even beyond physical borders, Consolata Maria continues her teaching endeavors online, serving as an exemplary figure who utilizes her singing talent to enrich the lives of those around her.
Goran Bugaric oversees the operations of Vienna's tiniest couture house, epitomizing an unwavering dedication to design and craftsmanship. His entrepreneurial journey commenced in 2012, marking the inception of his venture. Nestled within the arches of Vienna's subway, adjacent to Gumpendorfergürtel, his atelier finds its abode in the "SchnittBogen." Renowned for his avant-garde collections, Bugaric has showcased his creations on prestigious runways in New York, Paris, and Vienna. With an ethos rooted in sustainability, Bugaric predominantly utilizes deadstock materials—residual fabrics repurposed from other sources. His production philosophy is centered on a meticulous approach, ensuring that each garment is meticulously crafted under his personal supervision. Adopting a made-to-order model, garments come to life in his studio only upon receiving an order, minimizing waste and promoting sustainability. Moreover, the remnants of fabrics find new life in upcycling initiatives, perpetuating a cycle of resourcefulness and eco-consciousness. Bugaric's creative vision transcends mere aesthetics; it is a beacon of inspiration. He fervently believes in fashion's transformative power to foster inclusivity and understanding. His ultimate aspiration is to cultivate a microcosm where openness, progressiveness, liberalism, sustainability, and warmth converge. Within this realm, every individual is not just acknowledged but genuinely understood—a testament to Bugaric's unwavering commitment to his mission, fueled by boundless passion. https://bugaric.com/about
Ross Freddie Ray, the Director of International Development, is a distinguished British choreographer whose ballets have captivated audiences worldwide.At just 28 years old, Ross boasts an impressive portfolio comprising 24 original choreographies, ranging from solo and pas de deux performances to full-length ballet productions. His choreographic masterpieces have graced stages in 15 countries, spanning 31 cities and enchanting audiences in 39 theaters worldwide. Ross's flair extends to the realm of dance film, where he has choreographed five productions, accumulating over 6 million views online. Beyond his choreographic prowess, Ross Freddie Ray is a respected International Producer and Artistic Director, collaborating with various arts and cultural organizations globally. In 2023 alone, Ross brought eight distinct ballet projects to life on both stage and screen. Looking ahead, in 2024, Ross is set to unveil ten new ballet projects, further enriching the international dance landscape. https://www.rossfreddieray.com/
Julius and Julius, known as Coverrun, have been captivating audiences since 2015 with their distinctive blend of house music and electrifying performances. Driven by their passion to unite people through music and creativity, they have graced both national and international stages, including Donauinselfest, Lake Festival, Formula 1 Austrian GP, and Austria Goes Zrče in Croatia, as well as numerous clubs across Europe. Having supported renowned artists like Timmy Trumpet, Steve Aoki, Parov Stelar, Lost Frequencies, and Hugel, they have solidified their presence in the music scene. In 2020, they established Minted Records, aiming to revolutionize the relationship between artists and fans, ensuring mutual benefit. Their hit singles "VOY" and "Miezekatze" have garnered international acclaim and extensive radio airplay, further elevating their profile. Their innovative spirit led them to venture into the realm of digital art, pioneering the hosting of an NFT exhibition in collaboration with emerging art star John Petschinger at the Tabakfabrik in Linz, Austria, in 2022. https://www.coverrun.com/
Against the backdrop of humble beginnings in Ajangbadi, Lagos, Daniel's dedication to bringing ballet to his community shines through. His journey from self-taught dancer to founder of a thriving ballet school demonstrates the power of passion and determination. What strikes me most is Ajala's commitment to providing opportunities for young dancers who may not have access to traditional ballet training. By offering free instruction and seeking donations for dance wear, he's breaking down barriers and opening doors for aspiring dancers in Nigeria. It's heartening to see how his efforts have not only transformed the lives of his students but also garnered support from influential figures in the ballet world. The challenges Ajala faced in introducing ballet to Ajangbadi highlight the importance of cultural understanding and perseverance. Overcoming skepticism and misconceptions about ballet, he's been able to showcase the discipline and value of dance education. His story serves as a reminder of the transformative power of the arts and the impact they can have on communities. As Leap of Dance Academy continues to grow and thrive, I have no doubt that it will continue to inspire countless others, both in Nigeria and beyond. Ajala's vision and dedication are truly commendable, and I'm excited to see the impact his school will have on the world of dance in the years to come.
Melanie Day, Founder & Creative Director, developed a profound love for Jazz Dance early on, influenced by renowned artists like Lynn Simonson and Katiti King in NYC, and Dollie Henry, Jacki Mitchell, and Jason Pennycooke in London. Her extensive international training included mentors from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, shaping her style and technique. She honed her skills as a Dancer/Dance Captain on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, gaining diverse market insights and mastering various dance styles while traveling the globe. Between contracts, she embarked on projects across the UK and Europe, showcasing her choreographic talents in musicals like BEATLES-THE MUSICAL and FLASHDANCE. As a vital member of London's 'BOP – Body of People,' Melanie choreographed for regional theater shows, charity events, and community projects throughout Europe. Her expertise led her to judge prestigious dance competitions like the Dubai International Dance Competition and Dance World Cup Spain. She's performed in productions like SPAMALOT and currently participates in Musical Productions with Landesbühne Oberfranken since 2017. Melanie has also graced TV and film screens, most notably in SKY TV's BABYLON BERLIN. Returning to Germany in 2014, Melanie now resides in Bamberg with her husband, fulfilling roles as a Dancer, Choreographer, and Educator for Jazz Dance and Musical Theatre. She shares her passion by conducting regular classes and workshops across Germany and Europe, staying true to her lifelong love affair with the stage since she first stepped onto it at the age of 5. https://www.mdancecreative.com/about
Frank Norbet, the passionate director of the Arusha Dance Company, dedicates his life to enriching the community through the transformative power of dance. With a heart brimming with compassion and a vision fueled by empathy, Frank orchestrates special dance programs tailored for diverse demographics, ranging from children to adults, across various segments of society. His unwavering commitment extends to schools, where he ignites the spark of creativity in young minds, to the streets, where he embraces marginalized street children, and even to the disabled community, where he fosters inclusivity through movement. For Frank, dance is more than just a series of steps—it's a lifeline, a vehicle for self-expression, and a beacon of hope for those trapped in the grip of poverty. He firmly believes that by teaching dance to children, he not only offers them a means of artistic expression but also empowers them to transcend their circumstances. Through carefully curated workshops and classes, Frank provides a safe haven where youth can unleash their creativity, build self-confidence, and cultivate a sense of belonging. But Frank's benevolence knows no bounds. Recognizing the profound impact of dance on the human spirit, he extends his outreach to the local orphanages, offering the children there the opportunity to experience the joy of movement. In collaboration with the surrounding disabled centers, Frank organizes specialized dance workshops, ensuring that individuals of all abilities have access to the transformative power of dance. Despite facing his own struggles, including moments when putting food on the table becomes a challenge, Frank's unwavering dedication to serving others remains unshakeable. His selflessness exemplifies the profound impact that one individual can have on a community, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, acts of kindness and generosity have the power to change lives. In Frank's tireless efforts to harness the potential of dance as a force for good, he not only underscores the importance of art in society but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for others to follow. Through his actions, he embodies the belief that true fulfillment lies not in personal gain, but in the profound connections forged through acts of compassion and service. Frank Norbet stands as a testament to the transformative power of empathy and the indomitable spirit of the human heart.
Berenice Patrick is dedicated to integrating dance into PE lessons in schools through her personalized schemes of work, which incorporate chosen topics/themes while aligning with the National Curriculum. With over 15 years of experience in dance teaching across various settings, including primary and secondary schools, community dance schools, and adult dance fitness classes in local leisure centers, Berenice brings a wealth of expertise to her work. Her creativity shines through, and her unwavering passion for dance is palpable. Some notable highlights from her dancing career include performing at Sadler's Wells, establishing a dance team across 11 different schools within a Trust where she choreographed and taught a routine that made it to the regional finals of a national dance competition. Now, she's embarked on a new journey by launching her own business, where she implements dance education in schools through meticulously crafted schemes of work tailored to each institution's current topics.
Joan Ellison is a highly acclaimed vocalist known for her remarkable vocal talent and profound understanding of classic songs, particularly those associated with Judy Garland. Michael Feinstein has lauded her vocal prowess and authentic interpretation of Garland's repertoire. Ellison has made a name for herself by specializing in reviving Garland's iconic songs, spanning from the golden era of Hollywood to Garland's legendary performances at Carnegie Hall and on television. Notably, she has been praised for restoring Garland's original orchestrations, preserving the essence of Garland's music. Her solo cabaret show at Feinstein’s/54 Below in New York City garnered significant praise, with Cabaret Scenes Magazine noting her striking resemblance to Garland and her ability to capture the essence of Garland's voice. Joan's recent concert engagements have been diverse and impressive, including symphonic pops concerts celebrating Judy Garland with various orchestras across the United States. She has also performed holiday concerts with notable symphony orchestras such as the Erie Philharmonic, Augusta Symphony, and Cleveland Pops. Additionally, Ellison has presented her one-woman theatre piece, "All Happiness, Judy Garland," to sold-out audiences in Florida. Joan's work has gained national recognition, with features on #PBSForTheArts and Detroit Public Television, further solidifying her reputation as one of the foremost interpreters of Judy Garland's music. http://www.joanellison.com/
Viktor Krüger's diverse background certainly adds depth to his acting career. Transitioning from professional athletics and wrestling to acting and bodyguarding suggests a wealth of experiences that could inform his performances. His involvement with WCW indicates a familiarity with physicality and performance, which could translate well onto the screen. Viktor has a passion for the craft of acting and storytelling. This passion likely drives his performances, as he seeks to bring authenticity and depth to the characters he portrays. His Austrian and German productions likely benefit from his unique blend of experiences and talents, adding a dynamic element to the storytelling. Overall, Viktor Krüger's journey from athlete and wrestler to actor reflects a diverse career path shaped by a love for performance and storytelling. http://viktorkruger.eu/
"In the young boutique winery on Lake Zurich, Jonas Ettlin and Brian Serr focus on the love for each vine and nurture and care for it. The BioSuisse certification in 2023 is just the beginning of their commitment to the sustainability of their business! After hand-picking the grapes, they are brought to the nearby wine cellar for processing, as naturally as possible, into wine. As a result, the wines also exhibit a unique naturalness and impress with their distinctive taste character. This approach requires a lot of expertise, which the two trained oenologists, Jonas and Brian, bring to the table. https://jetwine.ch/about
Wayne Wells has an impressive and extensive background in the world of stunts and martial arts. He has a combination of experience as a stunt performer, coordinator, and fight choreographer, along with his martial arts expertise and competitive achievements. His proficiency in various martial arts styles, including boxing, kickboxing, judo, karate, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and more, gave him a track record of success in both competitive fighting and stunt work speaks to his dedication, skill, and ability to deliver authentic and captivating performances. Wayne's commitment to staying true to the director's vision while bringing realism to fight scenes is crucial in creating impactful and memorable moments on screen. His professionalism and ability to collaborate effectively with directors, fellow performers, and crew members are invaluable traits that contribute to the success of every production he works on. With his wealth of experience and expertise, it's clear that Wayne plays a significant role in elevating the quality of action sequences and overall production value in the entertainment industry. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0920466/
"Emma van Heyn is a South African actor, musician, producer and songwriter. Having written and composed music since the age of six, she has built a vast body of work over the course of her career. Emma’s most recent venture includes the making and orchestration of FNB and BiB Africa’s audio library as Head of Post Production & Sound, working as head composer and sound designer on projects such as Sea Change (brought to you by the makers of My Octopus Teacher) and Qhawe! Mokgadi Caster Semenya’s audiobook, each densely sound designed for an immersive audio experience. She collaborated with Zolani Mahola, The One Who Sings, on projects including the soundtracks for the launch of Rise for the World and the conservation documentary, Ours, Not Mine. Emma made her stage debut at Spier Amphitheatre at the age of seven in music production, Movie’s Greatest Music, touring nationally to KKNK. Her solo career, however, began to surface in 2011 when she was invited to perform one of her originals during the South African streak of Imogen Heap’s international “Ellipse” world tour. She has since released self-produced music, worked as a residency musician in Shanghai and wrote and performed her Fiësta-nominated one-woman cabaret show, Met Slenterslag na Shanghai. Her recent original content was tried and tested through performance in London and New York in 2019. Despite this venture being deemed a success, she decided to take more time to hone her sound. She has since collaborated on over 80 projects from film scoring, mixing, sound design and audio theatre. Her new music catalog is due for release in 2024. Van Heyn shares a great love for acting. After graduating with a Drama major at Stellenbosch University and Music Production through Berklee, she has since been cast and approached for post-production work for various film and television projects. She recently starred alongside Pietie Beyers in the New York DWFNY award-winning short film, Twintig Tone in ‘n Hangkas. This film received seven nominations at the Silwerskerm Fees in 2022. Acting role aside, Emma was also nominated for Best Film Score for this film. In 2021, she won best music and sound design at the Paris Film Festival for Pl8o. She plays the title role of Matilda in “Matilda & Matthys”, an upcoming Showmax feature film." https://www.emmavanheyn.com/about-1
Branimir Agovi, born in Albania in 1993, embarked on his musical journey at the Music and Art Private University of the City of Vienna in 2012. His dedication led him to complete a bachelor's degree in solo singing, followed by further studies in classical operetta under the tutelage of Wolfgang Dosch. Prior to his time in Vienna, Agovi pursued vocal studies at the Albanian University of Arts in Tirana. Over the years, Agovi has cultivated extensive stage experience, showcasing his talents in various productions. Some notable highlights include his portrayal of Vicomte Cascada in "The Merry Widow" at the Langenlois Castle Festival, and his performance as Gabriel von Eisenstein in "Die Fledermaus" at the Theater an der Gumpendorferstraße in Vienna. Additionally, he has contributed to productions such as "Parsifal" at the Vienna State Opera, "Dance Signals 2017," "Podium Operetta," and the Christmas concert at Baden City Theater. Agovi's repertoire also extends to operetta concerts organized by the International Franz Lehar Society, the Lehar Festival in Bad Ischl, and the EntArteOpera Festival, among others. His dedication to his craft and his diverse range of performances attest to his versatility and commitment to the world of music and opera.
"Jamiel Devernay-Laurence is a Producer of dance-based experiences for stage, screen, events, in education and professional development. Through entrepreneurship, Jamiel brings his creations to life through JAMIEL LAURENCE CREATION - collaboratively platforming and curating the work of other artists and harnessing his professional network drawn from his experience as a Performer, Choreographer, Creative Director, Venue Director, and award-winning Filmmaker. Jamiel began developing his choreographic work in parallel with his 12-year career as a Soloist of Scottish Ballet (2009 -21) – where he danced the work of emerging, established and legacy choreographers including Ashton, Macmillan, Bruce, Darrell, Page, Pastor, Bourne, Pite, Dawson, Hampson, Caniparoli, Elo, Lopez Ochoa, Pickett, De Frutos, Arias, Laplane, Whitley, and Lawrence. In April 2023, Jamiel was appointed as the Executive Artistic Director of 3GEE’s Productions and has been commissioned to deliver multiple performances of his unique vision for a new dance platform – BALLET NIGHTS" https://www.jamiellaurence.com/about
"Mia Zabelka is a noise artist, composer, experimental violinist and vocalist from Vienna. She studied the violin with Alexander Arnekov at the Vienna Conservatory and composition and electroacoustic music at the University for Music and Performing Arts Vienna. After completing her training with a strong classical emphasis, she continued to explore the limits of sound and music in a language entirely her own, based on the de- and reconstruction of the violin’s sonic possibilities, expanding the range of the instrument using live electronic devices, preparing it through the insertion of alien objects and innovative performance techniques. Since 2006, Mia Zabelka has been the artistic director of the Klanghaus Untergreith, an international centre for sound art in the region of Southern Styria, and since 2009 the artistic director of the Phonofemme Festival in Vienna. She has given concerts and performances at many festivals throughout Europe, the US and Asia." https://musikprotokoll.orf.at/en/bio/mia-zabelka https://miazabelka.bandcamp.com/
"Evelyne Tollman Werzowa is originally from South Africa. She is an actress, writer, and producer. Evelyn has written and produced three plays and received an LA Weekly pick of the week. Evelyne completed the prestigious 2-year "Writers Boot Camp Program" in Los Angeles. Her first film 'Somebody's Mother' had its world premiere at Cinequest and Revelation Film Festival in Australia in 2016. Evelyne wrote, produced, and acted in the film.LA Weekly gave the film poignant reviews. LA Weekly compared her play The Pig And I to Monty Python. Her short film Poor Peter can be seen on Funnyordie. She has written for the Huffington Post on loss. She has three award-winning screenplays. Old Time Girl was a finalist at the Paris Film Awards and won Italy's Social World Film Festival. Her film The Stand-Up Doll a documentary played at many Film Festival. Indie Rights picked up both films, and they are on Amazon Prime. The Stand-Up Doll won the best documentary at the Silk Road Film Festival and Amsterdam Film Festival and played worldwide. Her feature film about growing up in apartheid South Africa is in development. Evelyne has completed episode one of her pilot HOT MESS, which won best screenplay at XXPunta del Erste Jewish Film Festival, Best Comedy Vienna Independent Film Festival, and was nominated for best short at The Big Apple Film Festival and DTLA Film Festival." https://www.thestandupdoll.com/
Fanie de Jager's involvement in various productions and performances highlights his dedication to his craft and his versatility as a singer in both classical and lighter genres. At the age of 20, he began studying classical music and singing. His teachers included maestro Albrecht Lewald and the well-known George Kok. Fanie joined the Performing Arts Council of Transvaal (PACT), where he took on roles as either the lead or understudy in several operas and operettas. Some of these productions include "Aida," "The Marriage of Figaro," "La bohème," "Rigoletto," "La traviata," "The Barber of Seville," "The Merry Widow," "Don Pasquale," and "Il matrimonio segreto." He also appeared as a leading tenor in productions such as "Gianni Schicchi," "Rita," "La traviata," "Der Wildschütz," and "Ariadne auf Naxos" at other theaters and opera houses as a guest artist. Over the past decade, de Jager has been actively touring throughout South Africa, delighting audiences with over 350 solo concerts. His live performances allow fans to experience his music in an intimate setting and further contribute to his growing popularity and acclaim. Fanie de Jager's success in both album sales and live performances underscores his talent as a singer and his ability to connect with audiences across different musical genres and languages. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-M_qz_YK357-Kn4fTQqt1w
"In 2015 Lucho Pellegirini was having a hard time getting a washboard for a gig. With just a broken washboard frame on hand, Lucho turned to his cousin Rodri, an engineer, who helped him hack together a ribbed metal panel to get by for the gig. It worked like a charm! Lucho and Rodri were tinkerers by nature, so they went back to the drawing board, and designed a washboard from the ground up. They based their design off of the old one they had hacked together, but free from the constraints of a "restoration". From the very beginning, their intention was clear: To build an appealing washboard built for musicians, using sustainably sourced materials. For the main ingredient (wood), they chose Paulownia: a rapidly-growing tree grown in Northern Argentina for re-forestation purposes that also happens to be the world’s highest absorber of CO2. A few iterations later, in 2016, they launched the first ever washboard made especially for music. It quickly ran out of stock in the first week, and they’ve been pushing out washboards ever since. It's been incredibly exciting and humbling to see how musicians from so many different genres have adopted a Cincinnati washboard into their music including Silvina Moreno (ARG); Ed Sheeran (UK); Washboard Chaz (US); Jack Amblin (UK); Adán Jodorowsky (FR); Defne Dizzy Incirlioglu (US); Marcelo Woloski (AR); Vince Giordano (US); Pablo Leites (UY); Fantastic Negrito (US); Mon Laferte (CH); Santiago Vázquez (AR). https://cincinnatiwashboards.com/
"Dollie Henry MBE has led a respected career of 45 years as a performer, choreographer, creative theatre director and educator and is recognised as one of the most formidable exponents of Artistic Jazz Dance and creative theatre dance and movement direction in the UK and beyond. Her innovative and distinctive style, passion and energy captures the flair so needed for the dance industry of today. Her creative works have been commissioned and performed at theatres and venues both nationwide and worldwide. She continues to teach internationally as a guest choreographer, delivering jazz dance and musical theatre residencies, masterclasses, workshops and lectures. Dollie epitomizes all it is to be a consummate, all-encompassing creative Jazz artist. A fusion of expertise and genuine expression of creative spirit allows this Lady to sustain her position as the catalyst for artistic Jazz dance and theatre with a passion that is unabated." https://www.bop.org.uk/directors
"Landon’s passion for performing and love of making audiences laugh originated in his grandparents' dining room, as he put on holiday skits for relatives. Aside from performing, Landon spends his time working meticulously on professional custom character orders at his puppet building company, The Original Dummy. Not only does he build for collectors, performers, and companies worldwide-Landon has also produced every puppet he uses (from the comfort of his garage workshop) allowing him to feel "closer to the art" while he's away from the effervescent stage lights. Through studying past leading figures in the art of Ventriloquism, Landon has established his own style, presented, when he meets the spotlight. Several aspects set Landon apart from many performers. Landon, as a writer and artist, is constantly looking for what he can do to advance his career in the entertainment industry. His cast of characters are constantly evolving and he strives to develop a show that merges comedy with audience involvement for an unforgettable experience. Landon says two things: he doesn’t just do a show, he puts on a performance. And, in creating laughter for every audience he performs for, he knows the stage is where he belongs." https://www.landonharvey.com/aboutlandon https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWaNkx2FQggFGURWyh7o2wQ https://www.tiktok.com/tag/landonharvey https://www.instagram.com/landonventing/
"The young South African soprano Vuvu Mpofu is already entering the international spotlight with her shimmering vocal quality and technique, boundless musicality, and authentic stage presence. In 2019, she was awarded the prestigious John Christie Award at the Glyndebourne Festival, and she is also a recent prizewinner at the Operalia Competition and the Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition. South African soprano Vuvu Mpofu’s engagements this season include her return to the Bayersiche Staatsoper as Micaela Carmen conducted by Daniele Rustioni; Norina Don Pasquale for the Opéra national de Lorraine; Lauretta in Ersan Mondtag’s new production of Gianni Schicci conducted by Michele Mariotti for the Teatro dell’Opera de Roma; Violetta La traviata for Pittsburgh Opera and the National Theatre, Prague and Lauretta in Sir David McVicar’s new production of Il trittico for Welsh National Opera In the 2022/23 season Vuvu made her debut at Seattle Opera as Violetta La traviata; at Dutch National Opera in the European Premiere of Jeanine Tesori’s Blue; at Staatsoper Stuttgart as Pamina Die Zauberflöte; at Welsh National Opera as Cunegonde Candide and at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden as First Nymph in a new production of Rusalka conducted by Semyon Bychkov."
Aled, Condutor and director of the awardwining "John's Boys Choir", is regarded as one of Britain’s most successful and ambitious choral conductors. "He has gained international and national acclaim from prestigious adjudicators and critics from all over the world. His extensive knowledge of choral repertoire, superb understanding of choral technique and sheer passion for choral singing has led to incredible success and at Côr Cymru, he was named ‘Best Conductor’. In 2019, he became the first-ever British male voice conductor to win the prestigious Choir of the World prize at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod. Aled has conducted at many of the UK’s major concert venues, working with their orchestras in residence and leading solo artists. Concert performances include appearances at the Royal Albert Hall, Festival Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, Cardiff’s Millennium Centre and the London Palladium. His choral arrangements are frequently heard on TV and radio programmes, including Last Night of the Proms, Britain’s Got Talent, BBC Sunday Morning Worship, Netflix show Stay Close, the BBC World Choir Concert, Noson Lawen and on Only Boys Aloud’s Christmas Day Special." https://johnsboys.co.uk/our-director/ https://linktr.ee/johnsboysmalechorus New album https://listen.scot/jbsb email aledphillipsmusic@gmail.com Arrangements https://www.choircommunity.net/library/aledphillips/
Esther Sévérac was born in Geneva Switzerland and studied classical harp at the Hochschule für Musik Basel with renowned harpist Prof. Sarah O'Brien. Fascinated by the possibilities of improvisation and jazz harp, she soon took her instrument to the Jazz Campus Basel where she would study with renowned jazz masters while simultaneously continuing her classical education. She lives in Basel and is mainly active in the field of improvised music, where she is one of Switzerland's most demanded harpists. Her solo debut album with her own compositions for harp and electronics will be out in September 2023. She teaches a big harp class with students of all ages in Basel in her own harp studio. Since 2022, she is teaching harp didactics at the Hochschule für Musik Basel . She sees the value of a good internet and social media presence, that she built on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok. Prior to her academic career as a harp student Esther earned a bachelor's degree in multilingual communication from the University of Geneva. https://estherseverac.ch
Christoph Mooser is the lead singer and songwriter of the bands "Reverend Stomp" and "Kong Fusion" based in Vienna. Christoph is talking about what inspires his music and songwriting and the creative collaborations between the musicians of the bands that he is part of. REVEREND STOMP reverendstomp.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQFGYgUfNbk KONG FUSION instagram.com/kong_fusion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iBG7l2WZaY Kong Fusion“ released it’s Debut-Single „Mammon“
Ann Vanhie is a Learning & Development Facilitator in Vlerick Business School (Belgium). She is working in the team “Customized Programmes”, where they develop Learning Journeys for Companies. It’s a rather small Business School, but still nr 1 in the Benelux. Ann Said: "I always think that art helped me develop my personality. I am sure it encouraged my creativity, empathy, self-reflection and self-awareness. All diverse artistic expressions reflect the complexity of the human experience, it leads us to ponder questions about our existence, allows us to form our own interpretations and personal insights. It an bring joy, give solace in difficult times and so I can go on. It can be a way to escape." https://www.vlerick.com/en/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-vanhie-75943b17b/
Jon Mortimer graduated from the Birmingham Conservatoire having studied composition, conducting and piano with the renowned concert pianist Frank Wibaut. He was always drawn to the diversity of music found in theatre, TV and film and directly after graduating in 1980, Jon served as Musical Director and Composer for the Birmingham Repertory Company. Productions included the play ‘The Triumph of Death’ in collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company for which he composed his first soundtrack. Throughout that decade he composed for modern ballet, theatre and television productions in the UK. As a pianist and keyboard player he played countless gigs, orchestral concerts and tours throughout Great Britain and abroad, and as a studio musician for radio, T.V. and commercial recordings. In 1991 Jon moved to Hamburg and has since then conducted or played keyboards for many of the major Musicals in Germany including Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Fosse, Mamma Mia, Lion King and Sister Act. Jon has arranged and orchestrated music for many concerts, events and Musical productions. Alone in 2023 he arranged the complete music for the Abbamania European tour, Sixties Girls which is running at the Capitol Theatre in Düsseldorf and orchestral arrangements for the Robert Schumann Orchestra and the Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha - Eisenach Christmas Concert. Other credits over the years include music for the The Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra under Ingo Metzmacher, the Water Circus ‘Crescendo’ for Paris Euro Disney and the Musical ‘Teddy’, which was a commission from the Steiff Company. Amongst his compositions is a Piano Concerto, 'Through A Passage Of Time' and the Musical ‘The Garden Behind the Moon’ which was staged with great success in Canada in 2004. 'Celtic Journey', for solo violin and orchestra was premiered in 2016 at the British Flair open air Proms Concert in Hamburg and repeated in 2019. He has also composed many production music tracks for media published and sold world wide by Music Revolution, Roba and Tree Of Arts Music Publishers. https://www.jonmortimermusic.com/about.html
Eva Oskarsdottir, the Islandic Actress, director and producer, based in Vienna. She trained at Ivana Chubbuck’s Studio in LA and also had Meisner Technique, Grotowski, Le Theatre Laboratorium and Commedia Dell’Art, training in Austria. She regularly gives private acting lessons and attends international acting workshops. Currently she is training with The International Acting Studio, Adam Davenport. Eva has worked on features and several short films as an actor and producer. Her feature film „Angels Never Cry“ in which she plays the leading character Theresa is available on Amazon USA. Eva acted in and co-produced "The Darker The Lake" starring Veronica Ferres and Valerie Huber. Eva is currently (2022) working as an actress and producer on "HOT MESS" with Evelyne Tollman Werzowa, award winning writer, producer and actress. https://www.instagram.com/eva_oskarsdottir/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6819294/ oskarsdottir.eva@gmail.com
Themba Robin, an enthusiastic , young and talented South African who’s determined to bring his unique brand of comedy and wit to the entertainment industry. Originally from the coastal city of Port Elizabeth he now lives in the City of Gold rubbing shoulders and competing with the best in the industry . As an actor, he has worked on a variety of projects, from theater productions to films and television shows. Dedicated to his craft he is alwaya striving to bring authenticity and depth to every role he takes on. Themba is also a voice artist, and had the pleasure of lending his voice to a wide range of projects, from animation to video games to commercials. He is alway up for the challenge to create unique and memorable characters through his voice and bringing emotion and personality to every line. https://thembarobin.com/biography/
South African based dramatic coloratura soprano, Michelle Veenemans, hailed as “The Nightingale of South Africa” by the South African media, regularly appears in numerous recitals, oratorio concerts, opera and operetta concerts and charity gala events collaborating with various South African orchestras, ensembles and accompanists. She is an admired exponent of oratorio, opera and operetta arias and established her reputation in singing showpiece arias such as Martern aller Arten from Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serial, and Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen from Die Zauberflöte, arias from Offenbach’s Olympia, Gounod’s Juliette, Verdi’s Gilda and Bernstein’s Cunegonde. Bulgarian Miro Chakaryan, concert master of Johannesburg Philharmonic orchestra, was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. He graduated from the National Music Academy in Sofia in 1990 and the following year arrived in South Africa as Concertmaster of the Bophuthatswana Chamber Orchestra. After a two year conctract he joined the National Symphony orchestra in Johannesburg where he was appointed Assistant Concertmaster. After the cessation of the NSO in 2000, he was one of the founding members of the Johannesburg Philharmonic orchestra and was appointed concertmaster in 2001. Miro is a sought after violin mentor and has had great success with many of his students winning prestigious awards. https://www.michelleveenemans.com/profile.php https://jpo.co.za/ https://wmfestival.co.za/
Marion Schramm is a production designer and art director who has worked on numerous films, most prominently Verdingbub, Marcello Marcello , Akte Grüninger and Youth. After studying cinema and economics at the University of Zurich, she took up studies at the ETH Zurich and the UDK Berlin, qualifying as an architect (MSc ETH Arch). Whilst studying, she also started working in film, making a short movie, and gaining experience as an architect with Meili Peter Architects, Zurich. Since 2001 Marion Schramm has been employed in different positions in the film industry, including as a production assistant, script supervisor, first assistant director, location scout and art director. During this period she was asked to design the studios for the movie Grounding, leading her to find her current vocation in production design. Besides her work in the film industry, Marion Schramm has also been a lecturer at the F+F School for Art & Design, the ETH Zurich, the Academy of Architecture at the Università della Svizzera italiana and at FOCAL (Foundation for Professional Training in Cinema and Audiovisual Media). https://www.marionschramm.com/about
Laurence B.Graham, Leadership development specialist and consultant is a former senior check Check Captain of the Airbus A350 / A340 / A330 Fleet in South Africa. With 25,000 flying hours Laurence has extensive experience in flying a wide range of aircraft, including the Boeing 747-400, Boeing 737-800, Airbus A350, A340, A330, and A300 series. Laurence is talking about his career as an airline pilot and the importance of leadership development in the aviation industry. "For me one of the big things that is missing in aviation now is proper leadership development. Any young pilot starting off a career in aviation, they might think they're only joining an airline as a co-pilot or maybe even as a third pilot where they don't fly for a couple of years, they're just there as a relief pilot while the primary pilots are resting, but they should be learning their leadership skills, because that's absolutely vital..." https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurence-graham/
"For more than 15 years Martin Kluge was a regular face on German television as a lead in 3 different television series. His first series, Stefanie, won the Golden Camera Award, and the last one he shot in Germany, St. Angela, ran for more than five years, enabling him to become a beloved antagonist. He also shot several international feature films, such as Tangier, with Armin Mueller Stahl, and for the famous Pilcher format as a romantic lead in England and Ireland. In 2008, after nearly two decades in front of the camera, Martin decided to emigrate to South Africa to broaden his horizons. Based in Cape Town, he studied photography, fine-art, published a book, and continued his work as an actor in local and international productions. He recently finished filming the abuse drama Sulphur & White (2020) with BAFTA-nominated director Julian Jarrold (‘The Crown’, ‘Brideshead Revisited’) and appeared in international productions Deep State Season 2, the sci-fi series Origin and the local comedy series Evita Excelsior in (2023). In award-winning director, Campell X the British road movie Low Rider (2023) Martin plays the long-lost father in the title. As a trained stage actor (studied at the renowned Conservatorium, Vienna, with an Honors degree ), Martin has a stellar record of theatre productions in Germany, Austria, and most recently in South Africa, where he won the best actor for his portrayal of Marc in Yazmina Reza’s ART. https://mlasa.com/actors/martin-kluge/
Hannalie Taute, an artist from South Africa, was a finalist in the ABSA l’Atelier exhibition and a nominee for the Fiesta awards in 2012, 2015 and 2017. She received the Kanna Award for best visual art production at the 2014 KKNK Arts Festival for her solo exhibition called Rubber ever after. In 2017 she represented South Africa at the Museum Rijswijk Textile Biennale in the Netherlands. Her work is part the academic collection of UNISA as well as various private collections. Hannalie currently resides and works in Riversdale in the Western Cape. "I work primarily with the captured image. Altered, reimagined and reinterpreted. Using mainly vintage photographs sourced from flea markets and even from my own family archives, which are used as is, or blown up to a larger scale. Altered with tire inner tube inlays and hand embroidered detailing drawn with thread. My work is populated by people, masks and sometimes floral arrangements. These portraits by losing their identities, have the chance to become something different. They tell a story of distant colonies and traditions taken across continents to an unknown land. They depict a society based on precise rules alongside an extreme nature, in a country where politics and society are difficult and often painful topics. The black rubber, by framing the images gives an utter dystopic connotation to these contemporary treasures of a past far gone." https://hannalietaute.com/about/
Magi Avila made her directorial debut with the multi-award winning, humorous, educational, and inspiring documentary "Altitude Not Attitude". It obtained north American distribution by Gravitas Ventures after winning 'Best Documentary' at the Spotlight Documentary Awards and Virgin Spring Cinefest. Altitude Not Attitude is a semi-finalist and official selection on 20 more film festivals, including IDA, the world's most prestigious Documentary Awards, and the Academy Award Qualifying Flickers Rhode Island Film Festival. After a rewarding career in Mexican films, television, theatrical and operatic productions, Magi Avila made her way to the Mecca of Entertainment -Hollywood. Magi Avila's most recent work as an actress can be seen now in "My American Family" TV Series on Amazon Prime featuring Danny Trejo. Also, on the feature film "Dog Eat Dog" with Oscar winner, Nicolas Cage, and 4 times Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe, directed by Paul Schrader. She also has a pivotal role in "First Kill" with Mr. Bruce Willis and Hayden Christensen. Magi Avila also appears in "A Better Life" with Oscar nominee Demian Bichir, directed by Chris Weitz (Twilight Saga "New Moon"). Other U.S. Television credits include a starring role on Jerry Bruckheimer's "Training Day" with the late Bill Paxton. She also worked in the final episode of the acclaimed drama television series "The Shield", from Shawn Ryan. " Magi Avila has performed as a lead and co-starred in US Theater Productions and was the co-writer, producer and lead performer of the Musical Theater production of "Carmen Miranda - The Lady In The Tutti-Frutti Hat". https://www.magiavila.com/ ABOUT DEEP ECHO MOVIE A fearless scientist investigates the ruins of a mysterious pyramid hidden in the bottom of the ocean but gets trapped in her flooded artificial intelligence capsule. While trying to survive, she makes the greatest of human discoveries. Why is important to make Deep Echo now? Amid the climate crisis, our oceans become Earth’s vital heart. But “Deep Echo” transcends environmental tales; it’s an electrifying odyssey! It celebrates women’s brilliance who, rather than equal pay, deserve a blank check. Deep Echo ignites inspiration in young females to become scientists, echoing Mayan wisdom to elevate science, infrastructure, innovation, and education. This cinematic treasure spotlights the untapped potential within the disabled community while preserving Mayan heritage’s radiant gems. These challenges ripple through our environment, economy, and society. Brace for “Deep Echo” – a clarion call for a world of breathtaking sustainability and unbridled inclusivity! 🎥 Help us bring this epic tale to life! Support our fundraising campaign and be part of something extraordinary. Every contribution counts! Deep Echo not only will bring huge returns of investment but thrilling and beautiful entertainment. Most importantly, inspiration and education. It has a character that is a disable kid; with his deeply moving story line, ppl will develop compassion for disabled/different able ppl. Just as with Altitude Not Attitude, one of its greatest rewards was ppl telling us, how they were inspired to get a different job, to study, to do more with their lives. Viewers will open opportunities for them too! There's so much untapped potential within the community with disabilities. DEEP ECHO https://creative-visions.networkforgood.com/projects/206796-deep-echo-s-fundraiser Social media https://www.instagram.com/deep.echo.movie/ https://www.instagram.com/magi.avila.official #DeepEchoFilm #SciFiAdventure #LifeBelowWater #CulturalHeritage #Fundraiser #SupportIndieFilm #MayanRuins #spaceodyssey
David Eibl, Drummer: "I love my work for two main reasons: I love sound. Sounds shape songs. It makes a huge difference if the drum kit sounds open or tight, roomy or dry, warm and soft or sharp and cracking, saturated or clean, brilliant or dampened, close or distant, heavily compressed or with lots of air, and so much more and everything in between. I love to hear the unique performances when I listen to music. As a drummer it is my rewarding job to enable unique performances or support them. Sometimes that means to “get out of the way”, another time it means to record an extrovert and playful drum track. Sometimes it means to play as quite and soft as I can, another time loud and brutally distorted drums do the song justice. The song is always what matters. How should it feel? What is the message of it?" https://www.davideibl.com/?page_id=19
"Sani Jalalzadeh is a Canadian-Persian bilingual actor, voice over artist, and dancer who grew up mainly in Toronto, and partially in Tehran. Sani officially started her acting career at the start of 2018 when she started her extensive training at the Toronto Film School’s Acting for Film, TV, and Theater after graduating from York University with a BA in Psychology. Since graduating on the President’s List and with Honors from TFS, Sani was recently nominated for Best Female Performance in TFsFF for her performance in The Burning Cold. Other short films featuring Sani have been selected for screenings and as finalists, semifinalists, and official selections in multiple film festivals worldwide. " https://www.dacostatalent.com/sani-jalalzadeh
"Grammy Award winner, Mark S. Doss has sung with the major orchestras of San Francisco, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Chicago, Houston and Toronto, while additionally performing 102 roles with more than 60 major opera companies around the world, including Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, the Vienna State Opera, London’s Royal Opera Covent Garden, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Canadian Opera Company. Not only did he receive a Grammy Award for his participation in Handel’s Semele (Best Opera Recording), but he is also a recipient of the National Institute for Music Theatre’s George London Opera Prize, and Planet Africa’s Entertainment Award, which recognizes his achievements as an artist and for being a positive role model for youths in both Canada and the United States." https://marksdoss.com/about/
From a very young age, pointing his little finger to the planes in the sky, Loïc Jecker already showed his passion for aviation. His journey to start flying himself started in the Military in Switzerland and from there he continued his training as an airline Pilot. Loïc is talking about the dedication and motivation it takes to build up the hours to become an Airline pilot and also the sacrifices that comes with the job.
"Rebecca Moses is ever-transforming. The fashionable mind, artful vision and a deft hand, so evident in her artwork, has made her a fashion powerhouse both in the U.S. and Europe. As one of the first American fashion designers to enter the European market in the 1990s, she gained renown for modernizing Italian ready-to-wear house Genny, revolutionizing cashmere with her eponymous designer label and turning old-world stationer Pineider into a full lifestyle brand. Some of her most prolific work, however, lies in the field of fashion illustration where elite publishers and global brands like Italian Vogue, Vogue Japan, Marie Claire Italia, MAC Cosmetics, Fratelli Rossetti, Panerai, Kartell, Alcantara, Vera Wang, and others seek out her stylish eye and wit. Her first book, “A Life of Style”, published by Monacelli Press is a showcase of her creative vision and highlights her importance as a style force and inspired Ralph Pucci, who only works with the most influential innovators of this time, to commission her to do a full line of mannequins based on her girls. Moses has had several exhibitions of her art in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Milan, and Tokyo. She is represented by Ralph Pucci International in New York and Nilufar in Milan." https://www.rebeccamoses.com/about
The Janzen Boys, a family trio from Winnipeg started playing music together from the very beginning, but it really only started as “The Janzen Boys” after they moved back to Canada in 2012 after a childhood spent in Japan. Mick was 9 years old and Simon was 12 and he wanted to try busking at The Forks in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dad John likes to talk about how Mick would never sing when we played together, so for Mick to join them at The Forks, he would have to sing harmonies. It was here that “the father-and-sons trio, The Janzen Boys” started. They were exclusively busking at The Forks for a while before their first real gig. After winning a showcase spot in the University of Winnipeg's Uniter Fiver contest, their first non-street performance was at Winnipeg's iconic West End Cultural Centre. Since 2022, they booked time at Paintbox again to start work on four singles that initiated the second phase of their career, and the beginning of their first album, with Mick and Simon moving into more central roles. The first single being Long Way Home, the upcoming album will chronicle the events of the last 5 years in their personal lives. "I think we’re all a little nervous about this album but at the same time we’re super excited about finally getting some new music up that represents The Janzen Boys as of now. " https://www.thejanzenboys.com/about
Cobus Toerien graduated from the South African Military Academy with a BMil degree and, after completing four operational tours on Impala and Mirage type aircraft, served as the Officer Commanding of 2 Squadron - The Flying Cheetahs - flying Cheetah aircraft for 5 years. In 1999, Cobus joined a large international airline as an Aircraft Accident Investigator, before heading up the department as the Flight Safety Manager. Cobus has flown Boeing and Airbus aircraft globally during his tenure at the airline and has facilitated CRM and Human Factors courses over the last two decades. Cobus is currently the Chairman of the Accident Analysis and Prevention Committee of AVPA-SA (Aviation Professional Association) and is an IFALPA (International Federation of Airline Pilots) accredited Aircraft Accident Investigator, advising on Safety Management and Human Factors.Cobus brings this wealth of knowledge and skills to the Human Factor Hub.
"Violinist Sebastian Leczky was born in Vienna, Austria, into a Hungarian family of musicians. Since the age of 10, he has performed regularly as a soloist and concertmaster with various orchestras. As a soloist and chamber musician, Sebastian performs regularly at renowned international festivals including the Musikverein Vienna, Konzerthaus Klagenfurt, Oper Burg Gars, Wiener Mozarthaus, MuTh Konzertsaal and the Ehrbar Saal among other halls in Austria, Germany, United Kingdom, Greece, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Italy, Czech Republic, Albania, Slovakia, Hungary and the United States. He's also been recorded and live broadcasted by TV ORF, Radio Ö1, Radio Klassik Stephansdom, Bartók Radio Budapest, ABC News, Televizioni SCAN and been featured in the world's leading classical music platforms, such as The Strad Magazine and The Violin Channel. From 2019 to 2022, Sebastian was supported by the Vienna Philharmonic young artist program. He has been awarded top prizes at numerous international violin and chamber music competitions in Austria, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary. In 2022, he co-founded the Kodály String Duo and launched the "KSDV-contemporary", a project to expand the string duo repertoire. His duo recently became the first Ambassador of the Universal Edition, a music publishing house. Sebastian is currently a second-year undergraduate studying violin performance with Prof. Ida Bieler at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts." https://www.uncsa.edu/students/sebastian-leczky.aspx https://www.kodalystringduo.com/
Kobus Rossouw, lighting designer, was born in South Africa. He has worked with many directors including Brett Bailey, Martinus Basson, Christine Crouse, Angelo Gobbato, Ilse van Hemert, Janice Honeyman, Geoffrey Hyland, Ralph Lawson, Roy Sargeant and Paul Stern. He most recently designed the lighting for Cape Town Opera’s Madama Butterfly (Puccini), Manon (Massenet), Show Boat (Kern), Treemonisha (Joplin), productions that were presented both in Cape Town and in many international tours. As Technical Production Manager he presented productions in Australia, France, Germany, Norway, Scotland, South Africa and Switzerland. Most recently he was responsible for the Technical Direction of Pieter Toerien and Hazel Feldmans’s production of Disney’s High School Musical. He has won a FNB Vita award for the lighting design for the play Die Jogger.
"Falling Astronauts" is a rising Indie pop duo that formed in 2020. Infusing classic indie pop sounds with folk-inspired elements, the pair is easily distinguishable by their bright guitar riffs, often capped with reversed and fading effects and the enchanting aesthetic of polyphonic vocals.
Laurence Winram is an environmental land artist based in Scotland, a fascination that began after attending the 2018 European Land Art Festival in Dunbar when he became inspired to create his own unique style of land art. Being a commercial and art photographer by trade has enabled Laurence to capture his pieces in superbly detailed images. His work is mainly ground-based mandala-like creations but with a broad style that has recently incorporated stop-frame animation. He runs workshops for schoolchildren and adults with a focus on nurturing playful creativity. He is building a website of his work that will make print sales possible. He attends many of the land art festivals held worldwide and is now one of the directors of the European Land Art Festival. https://theclimatetribe.com/en/authors/laurence-winram
Conductor, composer, pianist and author, Frédéric Chaslin was born in Paris and educated at the Paris Conservatoire and the Salzburg Mozarteum. He divides his conducting activities equally between operatic and symphonic performances. Major recent appearences were two new productions of Tales of Hoffman in Dresden and Copenhagen. In the symphonic repertoire, he’s conducted all major french orchestras (Orchestre de Paris, Orchestra National, Radio-France Philharmonic, Paris Opera Orchestra), the Milan Scala Philharmonic, Torino Rai, Manchester Hallé, London Philharmonia, London Symphony, Vienna Symphony, Vienna Philharmonic, Spain National Orchestra, Gulbenkian Foundation Orchestra (Lisbon), Israel Philharmonic, Nagoya Philharmonic. As a composer, Frederic Chaslin is published by Universal Edition, Vienna, with over 250 works including 5 operas, over 72 melodies in several cycles for voices, chamber music, symphonic music, piano music. As an author, Frédéric Chaslin wrote an essay, Music in Every Sense, published in Paris (France-Empire) and Germany (Böhlau) and available in English on Kindle. and in October 2017 he released a novel based on the life of Gustav Mahler, Being Gustav Mahler, (Fayard, Paris) together with his own orchestration of Mahler’s 10th symphony that has been premiered on Nov 30th, 2018, with the Zagreb Philharmonic. In summer 2022 Frédéric Chaslin made his debut in a staged production at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, where he led Ponchielli’s La Gioconda. He returned to La Scala in 2023 for a new production of Les Contes d’Hoffmann. Other recent performances in 2023 include Don Pasquale at the Wiener Staatsoper, Tosca at the Tokyo Spring Festival, and Samson et Dalila at the Bucharest National Opera. In the 2023/24 season, Maestro Chaslin will conduct productions of Les Contes d’Hoffmann at the Semperoper Dresden, of Roméo et Juliette at the NCPA Beijing and of Don Carlo at the Latvian National Opera, among others. https://chaslin.com/
Ross hails from Linlithgow, West Lothian in central Scotland. He is a member of the world famous Red Hot Chilli Pipers. A World Champion piper, Ross began piping aged 7 and was the Pipe Major of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland. He is currently a member of the Grade 1 Inveraray and District Pipe Band. He graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Traditional Music - Piping from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2017. Ross was a finalist in the 2019 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year competition. Ross has performed in many countries such as: New Zealand, Australia, USA, Ghana, Russia and all over central Europe as well as appearing on BBC Hogmanay Live and performing solo on the roof of Murrayfield Stadium. In 2021, Ross performed along with a group of pipers on the soundtrack of the OSCAR & BAFTA award winning film 'Dune'. His debut album The Roke was released in 2020 to critical acclaim followed by a tune book titled The Roke Collection. https://www.rossmillermusic.com/about
"Life On Marzj is a talented female Dutch artist (Maartje Simons) who has transitioned from being a drummer to becoming an innovative augmented reality (AR) artist. With a passion for combining animation and music, Life On Marzj has created an entirely new art form that immerses viewers in a captivating digital world. In addition to creating solo works, Life On Marzj frequently collaborates with other artists to create unique and exciting AR experiences. Through her work, Life On Marzj explores themes of technology, nature, and the human experience, often using bright colors, vivid imagery and humor to captivate audiences. With a growing following and an ever-expanding portfolio, Life On Marzj is poised to continue pushing the boundaries of both music and art in the years to come." https://lifeonmarzj.com/about
Colin is a AL based musician who specializes in hammered dulcimer, steel pans, and percussion. Known for his unique style of playing, Colin mixes elements from a variety of genres in his music. These include classical, jazz, Irish folk, African, Brazilian, Cuban, Caribbean, and various others. Colin picked up the hammered dulcimer in November of 2013 and has since used his growth as a musician to grow as a player. After winning his first hammered dulcimer contest at the Southern Strings Dulcimer Festival just three months after he started playing, Colin has accumulated a plethora of hammered dulcimer awards including the 2015 and 2017 Southern Regional Champion, the 2014 and 2016 Deep South Champion, the 2016 Texas State champion, and the 2016 Mid-East Regional Champion. In September of 2018, Colin competed in and won 1st place in the National Hammered Dulcimer Contest at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. https://www.colinbeasley.com/
The actor, singer and producer is a well-known face in the local entertainment industry. Bouwer Bosch is one of the most accomplished and multi-talented figures in the Afrikaans community. The latter has a well-established music career, and he has a history in being the lead singer in an award-winning band. Bouwer finds peace in releasing music, and he has composed most of his songs. He is also part of a duo and has established himself as a solo artist. Bouwer also has a very successful acting career that is earning him more than fame, and his journey depicts how much success is dependent on the amount of hard work that one puts in. Bouwer is co-director of the Film company, Freckle Agency https://www.bouwerbosch.co.za/
"I think now it's not about singing that much. It's about knowing yourself, know who you are, what you can do, what you cannot do and what do you like. Just knowing yourself, the good and the bad. For me the biggest challenge is to be honest to myself, and through my honesty standing on a stage, delivering something, this is the most difficult."
Anete Liepina was born in Latvia. She performed her first role with the Latvian State Opera at the age of 14 in Benjamin Britten’s Opera “Noye’s Fludde” where she sang the role of Gossip Girl. In 2011 she moved to Vienna in order to study Operette at the MUK under Professor Wolfgang Dosch, and Voice at the Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien with Professor Annamaria Rott (voice) and Viktoria Grois (accompany). Since then she has been seen on the stage of the Herbsttage Blindenmarkt as Beatrice in “Boccaccio”, and has sung the roles of Laura in “Bettelstudent” and Magdalena in the wold premiere of the musical “Löwenherz” from Gerald Schertberger, Rita at the world premiere of the operette “Die Rose des Kaisers” from Paul Hertel in Strasshof. In Vienna, Anete has performed the roles of Maria in “West Side Story”, Gretel in “Hänsel und Gretel”, Pamina in “Zauberflöte” and Musetta in “La Boheme” and the role of Anina in “Eine Nacht in Venedig” at the Theater Wiener Neustadt. She has performed at the Summerfestival Kittsee as Stasi from the operette "Die Csardasfürstin"” and at the Operetten-Festival in Luisenburg, Germany, she sang the role of Lisa in “Gräfin Mariza”. She is rugularly featured in Operetta Galas and has worked with church musicians all over the Europe."
“Violinist Miclen LaiPang has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting and versatile artists of his generation and has earned global recognition as a soloist, chamber musician, concertmaster, and teacher. The New York Times acclaimed Miclen as "a force to be reckoned with..." while German newspaper Die Welt said he is "a musician of daring virtuosity with gripping access and noble elegance". Miclen has performed with numerous orchestras and have had solo recitals in halls such as the Carnegie Hall, Vienna Musikverein, Salzburg Dom, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Elbphlharmonie in Hamburg, Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Berlin Philharmonie, Luxembourg Philharmonie, Victoria Hall in Singapore, St. Martin in the Fields, and many more. He has had the privilege to work with international artists such as Ivry Gitlis, Janos Starker, Irvine Arditti, and Peter Serkin. His primary mentors have included Ruggiero Ricci, Charles Castleman, Boris Kuschnir, Aaron Rosand, Ida Bieler, and Alice Schoenfeld. He is the artistic director of the Miesbach Kammermusikfestival and currently resides between Paris and Vienna where he keeps a busy schedule as guest concertmaster, teaching, chamber music projects, and solo performances while being the violinist of the internationally acclaimed Trio Zadig.”
About DD Jutino: He expresses what is not on purpose. That is, emotion. All emotions come from experience, and emotions are reaction that Don’t have any reason. On the life stage, he is not an actor, acting out emotions. He doesn’t feel something on purpose, and does not try to find out the reasons for them. He loves all emotions from experiences and accept them just as they are. Therefore he catches all moments and keeps them in his art. All arts are moments of emotions. And stacking lots of emotions they are becoming his life. https://www.ddjutino.com/
Sophie Clarke is a Mezzo-Soprano and Actor from Liverpool, UK. She has been awarded the Hargreaves and Ball Scholarship to study for a Masters of Music in Classical Singing and Opera at The Royal Northern College of Music under the tutelage of Yvonne Howard and Louise Winter. She is the first student at the RNCM to be sponsored by the international Gilbert and Sullivan Society and she is also kindly sponsored by Mr Peter Snook. Sophie is the RNCM Song Cycle Competition Winner 2023 and the Patricia Routledge National English Song Competition Winner 2022, for which she was subsequently invited to perform as part of the London Song Festival. Recent highlights include performing the role of the 'Witch' in Sondheim's 'Into The Woods' for the RNCM 50 Year Anniversary 2023, being the Alto Soloist in Handel’s 'Messiah' at Nottingham’s Albert Hall and performing as the Mezzo-Soprano Soloist in Bernstein’s 'Mass' firstly at The Royal Festival Hall in London, conducted by Marin Alsop, and then at Bridgewater Hall for the Manchester Premiere, conducted by Clark Rundell. In June of 2023, Sophie was delighted to make her Wigmore Hall debut singing works by composer Larry Goves to celebrate the RNCM 50 Year Anniversary and for the last four months she has also been travelling around the UK as a Soloist for London Concertante Orchestra's 'West End Musicals' UK Tour. Before this, Sophie filmed her solo performance for BBC One’s television series 'All Together Now!' sharing classical music with a wider audience and for Christmas 2022 she performed 'Walking In The Air' with Violinist Esther Abrami for 'Christmas Carols on ITV' which was hosted by Jane McDonald. Earlier in 2022, Sophie returned from Bergen, Norway after singing in the World Premier of Ryan Wigglesworth's 'Magnificat' at the Grieghallen with the Bergen Filharmoniske Kor, Edvard Grieg Kor and the Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester conducted by Edward Gardner. www.sophieclarkesinger.co.uk instagram.com/sophieclarkesinger
Zuzanna Małgorzata Budzyńska (born 1997 in Radzyń Podlaski, Poland) won the 2nd prize at the Antonio Vivaldi International Competition Vienna in 2018. A year later she released her debut album POLONAISES, recorded together with Szymon Ogryzek (piano). The album has been very well reviewed by the ResMusica (France) and PIZZICATO (Luxembourg) and the musicians have been proclaimed the perfect duo by the Jazz Era Magazine. POLONAISES has secured the musicians the prestigious Coryphaeus of the Polish Music Prize - one of the most valued Polish artistic awards. In 2021 Budzyńska has been nominated for the Artistic Award of the City of Lublin, where Henryk Wieniawski was born. Zuzanna is a prizewinner of many international music competitions, i.a. in Poland, Austria, France, Great Britain, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Canada, and Singapore, and has been the finalist of the Student's Noble Prize in 2020. She has been a scholarship holder of the Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage, the Polish Prime Minister, and the Société Générale Bank. For her engagement in the promotion of Polish music, in particular this of Karol Lipiński (the famous rival of Niccolo Paganini, who was born in Radzyń Podlaski as well), she has been granted many awards and scholarships from the Lubelskie Voivodeship. She has been supported by the Julian Cochran Foundation and Globalworth ("Bridge to the Future"), Polish National Children's Fund, and the "Young Poland" Scholarship of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. She is a member of the Harvard Club of Poland and the winner of the 6. Path to Harvard Competition 2015.
Jacques le Roux stands at the helm of MYNDVOICE with the poise and experience of an operatic tenor whose voice has echoed through the world's prestigious concert halls and opera houses. His journey in music, marked by over two decades of stirring performances and a repertoire of over a hundred leading roles, speaks volumes of his dedication to the art form. In the grand narrative of opera, Jacques has played pivotal roles, often as the male lead in inaugural productions for major new opera houses in Linz and Erl, Austria. His collaborations with theatrical titans like Robert Wilson, La Fura dels Baus, and Sir Robert Pountney have seen him breathe life into the complex narratives of operatic drama. The essence of Jacques’s talent was not confined to his voice alone but extended through world premieres of contemporary masterpieces by composers such as Philip Glass, William Bolcom, and Moritz Eggert, under the baton of maestros like Franz Welser-Möst, Teodor Currentzis, and Dennis Russell Davies. Beyond the limelight, Jacques's accolades include being named Artist of the Year by the Deutsche Theaterverein in Germany and receiving the prestigious Ulrich Burkhardt Prize. Yet, it is his compassion and empathy that truly define his character. Witnessing the struggles of immensely gifted but inwardly nervous artists led Jacques to a profound realization about the power of the mind over performance. He saw a need for a method that would empower artists to transcend their inner battles and fully embody their artistry on stage. With MYNDVOICE, Jacques has created more than a methodology; he has ignited a movement. His system extends its reach to professionals in any field where the spotlight demands not just presence, but authentic engagement. Jacques’s vision for MYNDVOICE is a world where the introspective genius of every artist and professional is not hindered by self-doubt but enhanced by self-understanding and confidence. www.myndvoice.com
About Alex Sepkus: "Alex Sepkus is out! Or, as he might say, Alex Sepkus is also not so out. In a world full of designers scrambling to turn fine jewellery into an offshoot of the fashion industry -- and therefore, by nature, attuned to the fad (it‘s called the rag trade for a reason) -- Alex remains so focused he never feels the need to chase anything. Why should he? His picture is big, like a magnificent mosaic; the components comprise detailing so small he and his workforce require microscopes to execute it, which is only the first contradiction from this designer. Alex Sepkus makes no sense. Somewhere between P.G. Wodehouse (of whom he is a big fan) and a worn flagstone from a medieval church floor, Alex found timeless beauty. So, perhaps he makes perfect sense. Alex would enjoy the question. Alex Sepkus is a fanatic; the intelligences he applies to his work is far beyond the national standard requirements of a jeweler set by the committee of national standard requirements. Which leads to the second contradiction about Alex: This obsessive approach would normally suggest an absence of humour. Instead, we see in Alex‘s work an irresistible playfulness, even a quirkiness, unrivalled in the world of the goldsmith. Alex Sepkus is an intellectual eccentric, which would explain his exceptionally large hat size and his slant towards a somewhat dandy cut of suit. So, Alex is out - which is precisely why Alex Sepkus is in." Stephen Webster http://www.alexsepkus.com/
"Mike Hines, co-founder and creative director of epoch, IS epoch. With a reach far and wide from Chicago to across the globe, Mike has made his impact in the floral industry by defying the rules, creating styled and unique spaces and ensuring complete client satisfaction by developing and installing possibilities beyond imagination. During his 20 years of experience in the world of floristry and design, his passion for floral goes beyond the stem and often enters into a world of interior design as he is constantly changing the atmosphere of floristry to include that of the interior for which he works. However, having fun and challenging his own imagination is what makes Mike a leading floral designer. His rebel editing has fed his success to the highest of standards. "To just place a centerpiece on a table is just too easy....to create a space with the interpretation of what a finished interior of an event, lobby, home or party should be is what makes for a memorable, magical and timeless space for both you and your guests". Proudly knowing that no job is too big, Hines continues to challenge himself as well as his staff to be more than creative...to be memorable and timeless is the task at hand. His approach starts with an attitude and vision and ends with a fleeting, yet unforgettable experience for both himself and his clients." https://www.epochfloral.com/mike-hines
Peter Quanz, Resident Choreographer of Harbin Ballet & Artistic Director of Q DANCE, is a Canadian choreographer of international renown known for his groundbreaking choreographic collaborations in dance, music, and visual art. He also choreographed for The Royal Ballet, the New York Choreographic Institute, American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, as well as young choreographers’ evenings with the Stuttgart Ballet and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. His diverse aesthetic encompasses classical and contemporary ballet, contemporary dance/theatre experiences, and classical Chinese dance. Cultural immersion is a significant component of Peter’s work and he is attracted to projects that offer opportunities to build international cooperation. Peter is Resident Choreographer of the Harbin Ballet, China. For this company of 35 dancers, he has staged: The Nutcracker, Winter Dream, Meet Again when the Flowers Bloom, Give Wings to You, Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, If I had Never Seen the Sun, and Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto. Peter has built exceptional collaborative relationships with numerous Chinese dance companies and institutions including Harbin Ballet, Beijing Dance Academy, Guangzhou Ballet, and the Wuxi Song & Dance Theatre. In August 2019, Guangzhou Ballet performed Peter’s Memory on Water at Lincoln Center, New York City. https://www.peterquanz.com/
MC van Rensburg is a sixth-generation farmer, farming in the Karoo (Khoikhoi word for desert) within the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. During a period of drought in this area, he decided to start doing leatherworks and designed and created beautiful leather bags, belts and much more. "I always loved leather and wanted to showcase what you can do with Dorper skin. I also use a variety of quality leather that I source from reputable tanneries and hardware from local manufacturers, purchasing the best quality available because only the best will do. All of my leather articles are handmade and hand-stitched from start to finish. No machines are used and I concentrate on durability, style and simplicity. It takes time to create quality articles, and I can ensure you that you will be buying an heirloom for future generations to use and enjoy."
"Martin Gillespie is a man of many talents. One of the founding members of Skerryvore, a contemporary Scottish traditional music rock band, he plays the accordion, bagpipes and whistle. On top of that, he is one of the founders of Tiree Music Festival and Oban Music Festival, as well as the financial director of Apex Music International. Skerryvore is a Scottish Celtic rock group formed in Tiree, Argyll and Bute islands in 2004. Its founding members are the Gillespie brothers, Daniel and Martin. Regular Tiree visitors include Fraser West and his friend Alec Dalglish, both from Livingston, West Lothian. The group took their name from the Skerryvore lighthouse which lies 12 miles (19 km) off the coast of Tiree. The group's current members include Craig Espie, Alan Scobie, Jodie Bremaneson and Scott Wood. Skerryvore have released six studio albums, with the addition of a ‘deluxe’ version of one. It includes some live tracks, a compilation album, and a live album. Their earlier work was ‘West Coast Ceilidh’ inspired, with Celtic influences. As the band developed, rock, pop, jazz, Cajun and country influences have also emerged. Now based in and around Glasgow, Scotland, Skerryvore tour throughout Scotland, in Europe, and in the United States, the Middle East, and in China."
About Johan Steyn, the artist: "Art is intrinsically part of me. Playing in my father’s studio (he was the well-known SA batik artist, Louis Steyn), the smell of wax and paint intoxicated me. I could paint before I could talk. I started late in life to live my dream of becoming a full-time artist. As a young child, I was fascinated with nature, colour, and form, which was intrinsic to the creative process surrounding me. I deeply explored the mannerisms and anatomy of the wildlife of South Africa by drawing them until I mastered these elements. This is crucial for a sculptor to be able to capture the animal’s personality and behavior and portray it to the viewer in such a way that the animal comes to life. I sculpted by using light and shadow to communicate form. It is a natural process for me to create these animals and this is where the exclusive “Minky” range was created, where child and animal join to become one. By joining these two together, reality and fantasy takes over. A dialogue and a bond are formed between the artist, animal, and child. This is where mankind and animal become so close that the universe and the animal cannot live without each other. My subject matter must resonate with me to enable me to create my art. I am passionately and emotionally involved with my craftsmanship. I see the human figure and emotion as the ultimate challenge and I aim to use form and colour to create poetry in art in order to communicate emotion through my work." https://www.johansteynart.co.za/
"John Havu, Creative developer in Theatre, was born in Chicago and following university degrees in education and music began a career as a musician in symphony, opera, ballet orchestras in the US, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland and Germany, as well as in show orchestras for Chita Rivera, Henry Mancini, Lionel Hampton, Shirley Bassey, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald and other stars. His first professional encounter with musical theatre came as a musician in the final US tour of THE KING AND I starring Yul Brynner. In 1991 John began a four-year stint in the A.L. Webber musical CATS, in Zürich and its ensuing tour. This was followed by his engagement by The Really Useful Group as orchestra manager and musician in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, Basel and SUNSET BOULEVARD, Wiesbaden. John then went into musical theatre as a manager, show scout, creative developer, creative producer and consultant. In 2005 his collaboration with Shaun McKenna, Stephen Keeling and Stefan Mens led to the large 2005 open-air production of HEIDI in Switzerland, where John served as Creative Developer and Creative Producer. Shaun, Stephen, Stefan and John cooperated on three more musicals, HEIDI II & III and THE RETURN OF PETER PAN, which will be premiered at Theater Regensburg in 2023. John served as a consultant for the stage adaptation of THE LORD OF THE RINGS (Shaun McKenna, Matthew Warchus, A.R. Rahman, Värttinä) as well as on the MAHABHARATA stage adaption by Stephen Clark and Nitin Sawhney which played at the Saddler’s Wells Theatre, London. Other development projects included the successful TELL musical in Switzerland, a musical based on the German novel and television series TIMM THALER and further development and re-writes of the Eric Woolfson musicals GAUDI and GAMBLER. In 2016 John began the development of a musical comedy based on the German smash-hit FACK JU GÖHTE in cooperation with Constantin Film which was first produced by Stage Entertainment in Munich in 2018 and will tour Germany, Switzerland and Austria in 2023. In current development is a musical about the 1848 revolution in Germany and German immigrants to the US, as well as a musical based on the novel DIE SCHWARZEN BRÜDER by Lisa Tetzner and Kurt Held. He has also been involved in the translations of musicals from English to German including ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, CALENDAR GIRLS, FOOTLOOSE, THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD, THE NEW MOON, THE KING AND I, SPONGEBOB – THE MUSICAL and THE WIZARD OF OZ and also created the English translation for FACK JU GÖHTE – THE MUSICAL. John currently serves in the areas of promotion, acquisition and creative development in the Berlin office of Concord Theatricals. https://www.johnhavu.de/page-1
About Carolina: "Introducing myself is perpetually difficult. I am one of the odd, rootless people of a new generation: my mother grew up in Brazil, my father in Austria, and I, around the world. My if-somewhat-fragmented cultural experiences have been a true blessing, revealing different facets of humanities subjects, music, and hands-on creativity. Someplace between fashion, textiles, and art, I collect ideas from my surroundings and lived experiences. Exposed to many languages throughout my upbringing, I gravitate towards translating these ideas into knits as an expression of binary code. Using these approaches, I embrace critical design, questioning digital societal structures and human-material relationships." https://www.carolinatrinker.com/
Hat designer Cha Cha, moved to NYC and soon realized Seventh Avenue was not where she would find her people. Her tribe would be quirky and slightly awkward. Her tribe would be filled with authentic characters who also felt slightly out of place. Cha Cha studied with Anne Albrizio. She was her first mentor. Gruff and honest in her criticism, she soon learned her hands were where her magic resided. "Britney Spears wore my hat in Rolling Stone, Alicia Keyes wore my hat to the VMA awards. Bette Midler stopped in and bought a piece. " https://www.chachashouse.com/
Following the intense desire to make chamber music in orchestras and a wide variety of ensemble formations, musical training on the recorder and piano, ultimately led Beatrice Holzer-Graf to the cello. She received her training at the University of Mozarteum Salzburg and the universities of music in Rostock and Stuttgart. Beatrice became intensively involved with the performance practice of early music from a very early age and has been working with the baroque cello ever since. Continuo playing is a very important part of her professional activity. As part of various ensembles, she acted as a continuo cellist in operas such as C.W. Gluck's “Il parnaso confuso” and “L'Etearco”, W.A. Mozart's “Le nozze di Figaro”, Idomeneo”, “The Magic Flute”, “Abduction from the Seraglio” and “Cosí fan tutte”, in several cantatas by J.S. Bach on sons and contemporaries and oratorios She is co-founder of the Early Music Ensemble"Quattro Cieli", which is based in Vienna and performs the early to high baroque works for continuo and prescribed singing. Her diverse interests lead her again and again on contemporary music and interdisciplinary projects and is further illustrated by the fact that in 2020 she will do this in addition to her cello activities started studying law. Beatrice plays a modern violoncello Paolo Vettori from Florence, 2013 and a Anonymous baroque cello from Vienna, 1805. https://www.beatriceholzergraf.com/vita
"Ricardo González Zurita is a mexican-spanish classical guitarist based in Lithuania. He started his musical career in his native country México, where he started studying with Luis David Ramírez in Centro de Estudios Musicales Manuel M. Ponce in Aguascalientes and continued with Miguel Ángel Castellanos and Sergio Damian Wilson at the Conservatorio de las Rosas in Morelia. Wishing to go deeper into the musical world, he decided to move to Barcelona, Spain where he started his Bachelor's Degree at Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya, under the mentorship of world renowned guitarist Zoran Dukic. His enormous desire to learn, took him to Strasbourg, France where for a couple of years he accrued more knowledge from Alexis Mozourakis (from «Duo Melis») at the Haute École des arts du Rhin. He finished his Master's Degree at the Real Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid, Spain, where guided by Professor Javier Somoza de Pablo he specialized in spanish repertoire for classical guitar. Ricardo is very passionate about two topics directly related with classical music: interpretation and teaching. As a performer he intends to highlight different types of messages that are hidden in the music and portray them in such a way that gives a fresh perspective. Ricardo always tries to give a part of himself to his pupils and helps them find their own personal way to develop and to always put the music first. His approach is to always be professional, meaningful and sincere." https://www.ricardogonzalezzurita.com/biography-eneslt
Even though, her piano repertoire is large and diverse (XVIIth - XXIst century), Giedrė Mažeikaitė González will always have a soft spot for the classical music patriarchs: J.S. Bach, J. Haydn, F. Schubert. In her interpretations her biggest priority is always to highlight the beauty of music with all of its purity and power. This kind of perspective makes her interpretation full of sentimental lyricism, vivid energy, bright contrasts and most importantly honesty. Giedrė met piano at the early age of five and immediately fell in love with the instrument. Her musical path began in Kaišiadorys School of Arts, Lithuania, guided by Professor Daiva Uždravė. At age eleven Giedrė enrolled in M.K.Čiurlionis National School of Arts in Vilnius the most prestigious school in the country for professional musical studies under Vaida Kirvelytė's tuition. For her Bachelor's degree of piano interpretation Giedrė was accepted to Catalonia College of Music (ESMUC) in Barcelona, Spain. For four years she had the pleasure of studying with an incredible pianist Vladislav Bronevetzky, who was a direct pupil of piano legend Eliso Virsaladze. Giedrė finished her Master's degree at the Royal Conservatory of Music Madrid (RCSMM) in Spain, where under the wing of the magnificent pianist Mariana Gurkova she specialized in Spanish repertoire for piano. https://www.giedremgonzalez.com/
Hand crafted Hats, by hat maker, Jack Savage. Inspired by a love of Nature and connection to Spirit, Jack strives to create unique, one of a kind pieces that tell a story and speak to the Wild within. Using only the finest quality materials available, Jack employs traditional hat making tools and techniques to make each hat in the same way hat makers did over 100 years ago. Felts are first chosen by colour and quality, then steamed, placed over wooden blocks and ironed to give them their basic form. The fur felt is then sanded and brushed to a soft smooth finish, while the crown is steamed and hand shaped to give the hat its distinctive style. Brims are measured and cut to the desired length, and soft leather sweatbands are sewn in by hand for comfort and support. Finally the hats are finished with an assortment of ribbons, trims, trinkets and feathers to give each one its own unique look and feel. In a world full of homogenisation, mass produced carbon copies and throw away fashion, Jack seeks to create quality works of lasting value that will stand the test of time and serve to express the unique spirit of the people who wear them.
Elli Milan: "Life is meant to be lived abundantly, triumphantly and outrageously romantic! Whatever your spirit leaps at, whatever makes your heart swoon and your soul dance, these are the things to live for." Elli Milan is passionate about empowering artists. Her powerful art inspires artists around the world to step into their true potential. She has changed the lives of over a thousand artists, helping them find their voice, and turn their passion for art into a profession. She is a leading voice of the current Art Renaissance. Elli Milan has dedicated her life to transforming our world into a prosperous atmosphere for artists everywhere. https://www.ellimilan.com/pages/elli-milan
Marius Roca, the 14 year old Ballet dancer from Barcelona: "For me competition is, first of all, competing with yourself and learning from other dancers and teachers. It's also an opportunity to learn self control." Thank you Dominic Ferris for introducing me to this lovely young artist.
Kerson Leong has been described as “not just one of Canada’s greatest violinists but one of the greatest violinists, period” (Toronto Star). Forging a unique path since his First Prize win at the International Yehudi Menuhin Violin Competition in 2010, he continues to win over colleagues and audiences alike with “a mixture of spontaneity and mastery, elegance, fantasy, intensity that makes his sound recognizable from the first notes” (Le Monde). Passionate about pedagogy and music outreach, he has been invited to give masterclasses and teach at various festivals and universities. Fostering a significant audience away from the concert hall as well, he is cementing his noteworthy role in reaching young people, aspiring musicians, and potential music lovers alike with his art in creative and engaging ways on social media. He is an associate artist of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium, where he was mentored by Augustin Dumay. He has always been keen on making connections between music and other fields. Ever since his dad started introducing him to physics concepts about string resonance, they have strongly influenced his playing and philosophy on sound production. Together with his dad, he has given lectures about this subject in places such as the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, the Barratt-Due Music Institute in Oslo, and various universities in California. https://kersonleong.com/about-kerson/
"Anthony Waichulis is a contemporary Trompe L’Oeil painter from Northeast Pennsylvania. Often celebrated by critics and collectors alike, Waichulis’ efforts have captured top honors in both domestic and international competitions and have been published in most major art publications including, but not limited to, The Artist’s Magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur, American Artist, American Art Review, American Art Collector, Art News, and Art-Talk. Currently represented by Denver’s Gallery 1261, Santa Fe’s Meyer Gallery, Alexandria’s Principle Gallery, Charleston’s Robert Lange Studios Gallery, and Tulsa’s Lovett’s Gallery, Anthony’s exhibition record also contains a number of well-respected venues, including The Smithsonian Institute, The National Arts Club, The John Pence Gallery, The Butler Institute of American Art, The Arnot Art Museum, The John F. Peto Museum, Art Basel, The LA Art Show, The Orlando Museum of Art, and the Beijing World Art Museum. In January 2006, Anthony became the first Trompe L’oeil painter to be granted Living Master status with The Art Renewal Center. https://anthonywaichulis.com/
The South African-Argentine soprano Reinet Behncke studied voice and vocal pedagogy in the United States at the University of Colorado at Boulder before moving to Vienna. She graduated from the Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien, where she received her Master of Arts in Lied and Oratorio, studying with KS Birgid Steinberger, KS Angelika Kirchschlager, and Carolyn Hague, as well as studying voice with Michele Friedman, and early and Baroque music with Nicholas Parle and Reinhard Führer. During her studies, she also participated in masterclasses with Helmut Deutsch, Julius Drake, and Susan Manoff.
"The Singer/Songwriter, Chris Beer offers uplifting performances filled with charismatic singing, rapping, catchy chants and superb rhythms. Drawing on his bilingual background, his songs showcase a lively passion for melody, language, pun and rhyme. His musical journey has taken him all around Austria, and to countries like Poland, Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland, Luxemburg and Italy. Chris Beer’s music combines vocals, guitar, bass, drum and electronic elements to create an authentic and colourful tapestry of sound. His stylistic mix of World, Rock, Reggae and ethnic music proves that off-beat can be relaxing and dance-inducing at the same time!" https://www.chrisbeermusic.com/bio/
Ben Creighton Griffiths is a touring Jazz and Classical musician based in South Wales, UK. He made his International debut at the 2004 1er Concours International de Harpe in Nantes, France where, aged 7, he came second in the Under 18 division. In 2006 he won the Under 13 Division of the Wales International Harp Festival before going on to win the 2008 Junior Lily Laskine competition in Paris, winning a concert harp in the process. Other competitions include runner up in the 2009 Texaco Young Musician of Wales, second place in the Elias Parish Alvars Competition 2008, and multiple 1st prizes throughout age categories at the Urdd Eisteddfod of Wales. http://www.bjcg.co.uk/
Based in Den Haag (Netherlands). Kanako Abe is highly acclaimed as a specialist ofcontemporary repertoire. She premiered more than160 pieces and works in collaborationwith worldwide renowned composers like Michael Jarrell, Jonathan Harvey, Michael Lévinas,Régis Campo, Motoharu Kawashima and more. On 2019 and 2021, she was invited as the conductor of world famous “Toru Takamitsu Composition Award” to conduct Tokyo Philharmonic the world premiere of 4 finalists’ work under the jury composer PhilippeManoury (2019) and Pascal Dusapin (2021). On 2021, she made her debut to L'Orchestrede Chambre de Genève at Festival Archipel, L'Orchestre de la Garde Républicaine. On 2022, she is appointed as the conductor of the world premiere and following European tour including her debut to Festival d'Aix-en-Provence and Royal Opera House with Bushra El=Turk’s New Opera "Woman at Point Zero."
Shanti Perpellini - Musicologist, Stage Manager: "I think the amazing thing about orchestras are that there are so many people, sitting in the same place, playing different lines, different notes and then you have the concert. The question should be: How does it really work, the human connection? Because music is energy. You can feel it!" https://perpellinishanti.com/index.php/podcast/
Conductor David Handel: "I always thought, why is an orchestra, the activity of making orchestral music, why is that so well received, absorbed and integrated in cultures around the world. In Tokyo there are more orchestras than any other city on earth. I think it's because the musicians themselves and the public, they understand that it's an idealised social paradigm. There's the structure: The conductor, the concertmaster, the principal players, then the section players. The protocols are observed form the time that they tune the orchestra to the time that you give the downbeat. Everybody has the same material but different parts. We begin, we have cadences, we have ups and downs and we all arrive in harmony. So it's a paradigm that almost anybody could appreciate wanting for the structure of society to work as sufficiently and harmoneously as an orchestra." "Acclaimed on five continents for his passionate musical leadership and rare gift for energizing orchestras and audiences alike, David Handel is widely regarded as one of the most significant conductors of his generation." https://www.davidhandel.info/
Dr Jesús Martín-Fernández - Neurosurgeon, Neuroscientist,Conductor, composer: "I'm pretty sure that artist's are different people because creating things like cooking, composing, conducting, everything, is like going beyond what you are. A lot of philosophers and scolars have been discussing this, but I think art is the highest cognitive function of the brain of the human being. You have language, attention, executive functions, semantics but on the top is the Arts and you are creating something that you don't need. You don't need art, you need to have proper language in order to act according to the behaviors of others but you don't need art. So why? That question is fascinating." "The young neuroscientist, neurosurgeon and composer from La Palma, Jesús Martín-Fernández, 30, who currently works in France with his mentor Hugues Duffau, made history in February 2023 at the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona by carrying out, together with his team, the first surgery awakens in Spain from a brain tumor located in the right hemisphere, managing to identify and respect areas in charge of personality, emotions and social cognition. In addition, he applied, for the first time in the world, an artificial intelligence test with metahumans (avatars), designed by him, during surgery, with the patient awake, to identify which parts of the patient's brain are responsible for processing emotions. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jesus-Martin-Fernandez-3
Zdeněk Řihák - Winemaker: "In the community of wine cellars where I live, there's around 260, but all of them are just small family cellars. Some of them are without wine and some of them only have 200 to 300 litres of wine, just for the family. There's around 20 small scale wine makers, making something nice and it's always interesting to visit somebody and do a tasting. Usually it's not only about the tasting, but about the friendship and normal things, tasting Riesling and then some singing." It is only since the Velvet Revolution of 1989 that this region’s wine industry has been able to evolve from a state-owned and operated industry into its modern-day enterprise. Today, Czechia—formerly known as the Czech Republic, and Czechoslovakia before that—is part of the European Union, recognized as a democracy and free market with private, independent ownership of wineries, cellars, and vineyards. Thanks in part to governmental and foreign financial subsidies, this industry is now brimming with innovation and education.
Felipe Tristán - Awardwinning Mexican Conductor: "Often I say that working with such a talented group like, every conservatory in the world is the same, the challenges are not if they can play or not, but rather, how can we make them detach from their strong personalities playing Sibelius violin Concerto to playing in a collaborative way. To really let go. To really trust the person next to them, or infront or behind, and join the community. Really join the party of making sound." "Award-winning Mexican conductor and educator Felipe Tristán is known for bringing lively musical prowess to the podium. He has worked with orchestras around the world and currently serves as conductor with the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra, Teatro Grattacielo, and at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege division, in New York. Also, he serves as the Creative Partnerships Manager of the GRAMMY®️ award-winning, Afro Latin Jazz Alliance. https://www.felipetristan.com/conductor
Natalie Featherston - Artist. "...but for me, one of the reasons that I switched from still life to Tromp l'oeil, is that whole thing about connecting with the viewer where they have this shift in perception. They think it's real and then they realise it's not. It's like this thing that happens in the brain. I love that. I also love the humour, the whimsy. That suits me, as I'm not a really serious person" https://nataliefeatherston.com/about/
Anina Deetlefs - Artist. "When I'm creating something, I want to find out what is it I'm creating and then I real more about it. As I'm building up that kind of knowledge, it also infiltrates in the artwork and that becomes part of it. Eventually I end up with a portrate that has a story: A story about the flowers and that leads on to a whole persona that I create, a woman with a name and with a lesson. An uplifting human lesson that I want to send out into the world." Hear more about what inspires Anina to create these beautiful works of art. https://aninadeetlefs.com/about/
Seth Orza, designer of the ORZA ballet shoes: "I designed it and prototyped it as well. Each part of the shoe, I built myself, with prototyping and the process of trial and error. I would try these in rehearsals, I would try them in shows, the different ways that you would assemble it. It's almost like a puzzle in the back of the heel section where every single part of it makes a stable structure because I didn't want the the shoe, where the dancer feels they are almost on top of the pad and not part of the shoe. So when you put on the shoe, it actually hugs you heel and makes it like very stable and structured." Find out more about these groundbreaking new ballet shoes. https://orzabrand.com/
Fernando Otero, Pianist and Composer: "Because I would play all day, and it was really anoying. Even though we had a seperate place for the piano, still. And also because I did it all day, especially when I was 10 years old. I remember exactly that age. It was the discovery of many musical genres and styles, and I thought this is a complete new universe that I can explore. So I would listen to albums all day and then tried to play what I heard." "Fernando Otero is a GRAMMY®-winning Argentine composer, pianist and vocalist based in New York City. He has been described by many critics as a classically-trained virtuoso pianist and composer who developed his own style by blending elements of classical contemporary music and improvisation while acknowledging Tango as a starting point. He found his voice when he began to incorporate the indigenous sounds of his native Buenos Aires into his work. Otero's pianism displays song-like melodicism, expressiveness and a wide palette of colors. He possesses a particularly strong rhythmic intensity when performing up-tempo pieces, playing notes repeatedly with piston-like precision that contrast with sudden detours into day dreamy pastels." https://www.fernandootero.com/home
Clay Artist, Jo Roets: "Though I didn't know, it was a gamble to see whether the fine art industry would accept air drying clay as a medium, it just went crazy and everyone love it. I was quite amazed and in that same year I also won an award for a competition that was run at State of the Art." "She calls her clay artworks ‘light relief sculptures’. The way Jo uses the medium is unique. The artworks are created from an air-drying clay medium, which is rolled out to a paper-thin thickness to create delicate bass relief sculptures. Using unusual sculpting tools such as toothpicks and needles, she scores the damp surface with indents, holes and incisions. Part of her creative challenge is to push the medium to its breaking point, encouraging it to warp in the process. This warping quality is unique to the each artwork and unplanned." https://www.tiktok.com/@jo.roets https://www.galeriabegbiecoll.com/jo-roets
Nehemiah Kish, Artistic director and Principal dancer of the Royal ballet: "I personally believe that it's really important to keep that tradition and especially when you have master works by such transformative artists. I think it should be celebrated at every opportunity and the big classical ballets are really a great opportunity to keep that tradition. I think what Nureyev means to us as an artist is really profound, but also those works will continue to challenge, inspire and elevate companies that continue to perform them." Roles with the Royal Ballet includes: Kish’s many roles with The Royal Ballet include Albrecht, Romeo, Vershinin (Winter Dreams), Prince (Cinderella, SwanLake,The Nutcracker,The Sleeping Beauty and The Prince of the Pagodas), Des Grieux (Manon), Richard P. Arnold (Enigma Variations), Jack/Knave (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland), Onegin, Solor (La Bayadère), Espada (Don Quixote),Creature (Frankenstein) and roles in Monotones II, Still Life at the Penguin Café, Theme and Variations, Voluntaries, Les Patineurs, DGV: Danse à grande vitesse, Gloriaand Song of the Earth. His role creations include in ‘Trespass’ (Metamorphosis: Titian 2012) and Aeternum. https://danceinternational.org/nureyev-gala-anticipating-an-occasion-to-remember/
Soul Jazz singer and songwriter, Raul Midon: " It has to be something that people can grab on to, and also a twist in writing from a perspective. So I was interested for a while in writing from the perspective of being a blind person. I tried to see if I can stretch some metaphors out, to not just use visual metaphors" "Singer/songwriter and guitarist Raul Midón is on an undeniable roll. After GRAMMY® Award nominations for his two previous Artistry Music/Mack Avenue Music Group releases – Bad Ass & Blind and If You Really Want, each for Best Jazz Vocal Album – he returns with his 11th studio album and fourth for the label: The Mirror" https://www.raulmidon.com/
Freddie Rutz, Performer, Environmental Magician: "I will find out how many times did I build things, even show them, and how far it actually did fly. So not many things, although the drum show went really far, but not as far as I wanted to have it flown. So with the Environmental Magician show, I want this really to fly. I know by piloting it, I make mistakes, but I'm eager to learn and correct. I know this show is the first object that I've produced that really can fly." Freddie is a former dancer and musical performer and a popular artist at many international shows and events. As one of the few magicians with a full theater education, comedy-magic is his big passion. Freddie is also the president of the Berlin Magic Circle. https://www.umweltmagier.de/english.htm
Anastasiia Karpenko, Opera singer and Artist- "Because when you're on stage, most of the time the opera is written so good, and you have time to get used to get used to the atmosphere and be part of the story. Then I'm not Anastasiia anymore, I'm Rosina, and Rosina doesn't have hesitations. She's not nervous about the audience or about what people think. She is Rosina. It's much easier." In 2021 the young soprano will make her debut as Adina in L’elisir d’amore and as Gilda in Rigoletto at the Dnepropetrovsk Opera and Ballet (Ukraine). In summer she makes her debut as Queen of the Night in “The Magic Flute” at the Jerusalem Lyric Opera Festival. In addition to her numerous recitals in Austria and the Urkaine, Anastasia also devotes herself to painting – numerous exhibitions and galleries in Austria and Germany show her great talent! https://viennaoperaacademy.com/artist/anastasiia-karpenko-2/
Captain Annabel Vundla - Airline Pilot: "... I then went on to fly the Falcon 15, which is a 3 engine Turbine, beautiful aircraft....Jet, and that's when I started flying President Mandela, until he stopped flying, before he passed on. I was one of his pilots." Hear more about Annabels incredible career in Aviation and the wonderful opportunity she had to be one of Nelson Mandela's pilots during the time he was President of South Africa.
Artistic Director, Otto Plesner: "The easiest point of inspiration for me to make a show is always the music. I can just close my eyes and it just starts coming. It's a little bit like what you do when you are dreaming or daydreaming. You're just closing your eyes and I just see the universe unfolding."
Jon Clark - Pilot: "They're just such amazing machines and to think they were built around 80 years ago. They are still so fast, they're all inspiring and powerful but yet so simple and to think of the people who flew them as well. Looking inside the cockpits of some of them, they're not comfortable in the slightest, they don't look like they'd be fun to fly for 5 or 6 hours straight for long distances or under high stress. But young men did it day in and day out and this is inspiring to me."
Christoph Seidl, Operatic Bass: "The voice is facing constant changes and also the roles do. If you leave roles for a couple months or years, they kind of develop themselves automatically. If you put them on the piano again and sing them through, its a totally different experience." The Austrian bass Christoph Seidl is an ensemble member of the Oper Köln since 2022/23 after being in the Ensembles of Aalto Musiktheater Essen and Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz in Munich. He started exploring the broad repertoire of Richard Wagner as Fafner in Rheingold with Concerto Köln under the baton of Kent Nagano in the Philharmonie Köln and Concertgebouw Amsterdam and sang also Fafner in Siegfried and Daland. https://www.christophseidl.at/
Charlie Kimbell - Pilot: "...because it's taken 25 years of effort and having that as a goal in sight throughout my career, that maybe every little desicion I've made has ultemately led to that. So it's not something that you do overnight, and you're not lucy at it. Somebody doesn't put it in your lap. It takes a lot of dedication and time, a lot of hours and being focused on that as an outcome." Charlie is co-owner of CK Aviation and has over 25 years’ experience in aviation. He has clocked up in excess of 12,000 hours as a commercial pilot, which has included flying the Airbus A320/A321/A330 family at Monarch Airlines, the four engine A340-600 at Virgin Atlantic and more recently as the Captain of a privately-owned Gulfstream jet. He's been part of the Biggin Hill team since 2021 flying Spitfires. https://ckaviation.co.uk/about-us/ https://flyaspitfire.com/meet-the-pilots/
Milène J Fernández - Writer, Painter, editor: "As you mature, I think gradually you become a little more selfless and want to give more to the world. For me, I think art is very much about expressing beauty. When I'm painting, I'm not thinking so much about myself. I want to express the beauty that I experience and that I see. I want to give that as a gift to others." https://milenejf.com/bio/
David and Lisa Dault: "There's a lot of preasure on artists to have a voice. I don't know if it's just in the pottery world but I imagine it's all artists, to have a voice, to have their style. I feel that it's neccesary because if you don't then you are essentially just copying things you've seen, which is fine. It's part of the process. But that's not your voice or what you're going to sell, or what you're going to become. It's just a step. I feel that the only way to get there is time." https://daultpottery.com/
Puppeteer, Tea Kovše: "I first do the story. I know the visual concept of where I want to go. I often work in groups so I rarely work alone. Then I start to make it and sometimes I have a great idea in my head of how it should be, then sometimes it turns out to be something different, maybe even better. I also follow the materials and the puppets and sometimes on the way of creating a puppet, something wonderful happens." Tea explores the performing area within puppetry, physical theatre and street theatre. After completing MA Dramaturgy at the Academy of theatre, radio, film and television (AGRFT) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, she co-founded Gledališče DELA (Theatre WORKS)- a performative theatre based on puppetry, movement and music . The theatre's performances focus on social relations and phenomena such as: boredom, burnout, mindset and stigma. www.zraven.si
Actress and Director, Maria Lohn: "Whenever I start an artistic project, whatever it may be, and this is also the quintessence of why I became an artist or an actress, is, I follow the fire in my belly. The enthusiasm. I feel that this enthusiasm, this fire in my belly, leads me and I find great resource in this. This enthusiasm also gives me a sense of safety. " https://en.maria-lohn.com/
Jan Prax, Saxophonist: "So I'm always paying credit to these masters because I'm so influenced by them and that's where I'm coming from. But on the other side, I'm also trying to find my own way, to break free from patterns that I'm used to and trying to find new directions for myself, and try to develop my own sound, my own way of playing." https://janprax.com/
Brent Clark, Pilot and Photographer: "You've got to really love it and I think that helped motivate me is that I really loved it and wanted to do it. It helped me through the discouraging times when things were slow, when you maybe didn't get the job you were hoping for." Hear more about Brent's career as a pilot and what inspired him to pursue a career in Aviation. Brent also talks about his love for photography and how he developed this form of art with his passion for flying.
Christopher Schlesinger, Carving artist and sculptor: That's my thinking, where I say it's a living material and the sculpting I do out of them are humans at the moment. Like humans, they are living. It's a process that shows your fragility, the human fragility, because we think we stay here forever but we don't. You change, you get older, you die, and that's all a process and it's similar to wood. For me it's part of the expression of the piece." Hear more about the work of the Austrian sculptor and what inspires him to create these outstanding pieces. “Anyone who wants to understand me only has to look at the wood that I have worked on and listen, feel and see what it says, because it shows everything my soul had to say at that point in time“-Christopher Schlesinger https://christopherschlesinger.com/
Part 2: Dominic Ferris - Pianist, Producer and Steinway Artist: "But I think it also goes back to trust in yourself. I think you have to trust yourself to a point where you know that it's going to be fine, you know it's going to be ok. A lot of people tend to focus on the technical aspect rather than the theatre of the performance. But for me, even if you play a piece of Bach or Chopin, or a piece of Bernstein, it's still theatre because it's a performance." Dominic’s collaborations with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra have sold over 3 million albums worldwide. He has performed on and provided orchestrations for six top ten albums since 2015, all recorded at Abbey Road Studios, and recently worked with Michael Ball on his latest release Coming Home To You, reaching No.1 in the UK album chart. Dominic joined the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra as assistant musical director and pianist for the Elvis Presley: If I Can Dream UK arena tour and Memphis Symphony Orchestra for the USA anniversary tour, finishing with a performance at Graceland with Priscilla Presley for the Elvis 40th Anniversary Celebrations. Dominic regularly tours around the world with his piano duo The Piano Brothers. Endorsed by Steinway & Sons, The Piano Brothers (Dominic Ferris and Elwin Hendrijanto) are a cutting edge live act creating their own arrangements for two pianos. Their recent collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra will see a new album release in October. https://dominicferris.com/
Part 1: Dominic Ferris, one of the UK's leading pianists, Steinway artist and Producer: "The theme that runs through everything I do is Story telling. I think whether you're playing a classical piece or a piece of musical theatre, or whether you're singing a song, you're telling a story. I love watching dance and the reasons why are; first of all, I don't know anything about it, so I can't critique it and I can't comment on it. But it's also story telling. The dancer is telling a story through what he or she is doing. I suppose that's the chore of what attracts me to art, it's the story telling, the narrative..." Dominic also talks about his dad, Roger Ferris, who worked on several Beatles recordings at Abbey Road Studios, mainly around the “Let It Be” era in 1970. https://dominicferris.com/
Beatrice Bolis - Illustrator: When you do therapy, you do a lot of associations and then you can connect all those parts. For me, drawing is the same thing. I am trying to understand my past and make drawings and for me this is like therapy." Hear more about how Beatrice uses illustrations as a form of therapy and also a way of expressing herself. Her beautiful illustrations all reflects periods of her life and the experiences she had. @beatrice.bolis
Francois van Coke, lead singer of the South African band "Fokofpolisiekar": We wanted to make music that reflects our taste and we were into songs that were honest and had commentary about the world around it. That were the kind of songs we wanted to write when we started Fokofpolisiekar and still want to write." Hear more about how this great South African rock band started and their continued success. http://www.francoisvancoke.co.za/ https://www.fokofpolisiekar.co.za/
80 year young Judith Boyd: We loose our value and there's a defiant part of me that ... I first need to value myself and then go from there. Value other people and have intergenerational relationships. Have relationships with people of all ages because I feel that that is part of what does away with ageism." Hear more about how Judith started her hat collection already in the 1970's and what inspired her to write her blog. Judith is such a great inspiration with her sense of style and many hats. “I feel I can change my mood with the hat I put on. It’s almost like changing character in extreme. I could wear more than one hat in a day depending on my activity. I don’t feel complete without having a hat on.”
David Wagner - Film Director of the award wining film, Eismayer: "I always have this picture in my head that this idea, the potential of Eismayer being a movie, it wasn't coming out of me, it wasn't me who invented the whole thing. It was out there, it was an external, living potential creature. I see it as a wild horse running around and by accident it just passed me, I saw it, I jumped on it and held on to it. It just took me along the way, wherever it wanted to go and I was just steering it a little bit. Whoever joined the team was immediately also fascinated and pretty much sure that this was going to be a great movie." Hear more about the making of this outstanding award winning film based on a true story. https://eismayer.com/
Garreth Robertson, Pianist: "I'm always advocating for collaborative playing and when I look back at my musical journey, I think I learnt the most form playing together with other people. There's only so much you can do in your practice room and only so much inspiration you can have if you sit and play alone all the time. I think when I really tapped into chamber music and specially when I worked in a more professional realm in that sense, I couldn't believe how my journey changed." Hear more about the teacher that opened up a world of classical music for him and how he now also see the importance of inspiring young musicians in South Africa.
Marc Parret, Artistic Director of the Object project: "It could do anything in a way and that's what I like in puppeteering. In a sense it is a living thing. I love directing puppetry because when you get it right, it's another person on stage. It's not just and object, it really is a living entity. That's another thing we're experimenting with the Object Project: What it is when an object turns into a living entity, it's that liminal space." Hear more about the Object project and the inspiration behind this unique project https://www.objectproject.info/
Hunter Kennedy, Die Heuwels Fantasties: "I think we're trying to document our existence, basically. If I listen back to the albums now, I can remember exactly how I felt when we wrote them and so they almost become pictures. So I think the inspiration is just our immediate environment and what that brings." Hear more about the inspiration behind the music and the band Heuwels Fantasties. https://www.dieheuwels.co.za/
Pianist, John Ntsepe: "Yes, I do look back. I mean, there have been challenges along the way. The thing is, music has always been in me. All my dreams have been accompanied by music, always. So it's been the theme. Hear more about the wonderful story of how John came from Sebokeng, a township in South Africa to Vienna. Critics have labelled John as one of South Africa’s most outstanding young pianists and without a doubt the leading Black classical pianist in South Africa and throughout Europe. https://soundcloud.com/john-ntsepe
Martin White, Artist: "The whole point of art is to make something your own. I want to capture the feeling of the ballet, I don't want to capture the exact pose. I want to capture the feeling and the emotion, not just where they're standing and how they're standing." Hear more about Martin's artworks of ballet dancers and what challenges artists in London face to get their art seen and appreciated.
Award winning Austrian Actor, Gerhard Liebmann is talking about his role as Eismayer in the outstanding Film "Eismayer": "I always thought, to know this world which I didn't know before, in no way, and other things like to know Eismayer. This was also for me as a person very enriching. I would never have had the chance to get so close to these things." "Based on a true story, Eismayer follows Sergeant Major Charles Eismayer (Gerhard Liebmann) a closeted gay man serving as a brutal drill sergeant in the Austrian Army, a terrifying figure for new recruits. But then one of the recruits, an openly gay soldier called Mario Falak (Luka Dimic) enters his life, and a secret passionate romance blossoms. Eismeyer succeeds in depicting a complex yet fundamentally moving portrait of a person conflicted with his involuntary cruel persona as a drill sergeant compared to his actual individualism. Gerhard Liebmann fully excels in the titular role, through his balance of fury represented through his military persona, and tenderness when we view his quieter moments in his life. In the instances that demand his forged strict demeanour, inklings of compassion surface when face-to-face with his recruit, Mario Falak. Liebmann expresses both facets of Charles Eismayer with conviction and pure sincerity, constructing a fully fleshed leading character." Ethan Soffe
David Griessel - Artist: "My lecturers were valuable. I think in everyone's journey you have to get mentors and learn from them, but there should be a time where you actually push them aside and do what you think is best. I think that's a fine balance and I'm glad I took that step." Hear more about what inspires David's artworks and how he is now able to bring his art to life with animation techniques. https://www.davidgriessel.com/ https://www.instagram.com/davidgriessel/
Opera Singer and composer, Ekaterina Shelehova: "I wanted to go back to my roots and try to incorporate that style with the operatic style that I had been pursuing for the last 15 years. So I created something which was really an improvisation of what I felt I could express with my voice and then it turned into a sort of meditation, sort of a story of the elements coming together." Hear more about the beautiful Earth melodies composed by Ekaterina and her affinity for singing different genres. Ekaterina also took part in Italy's got Talent as well as Bulgaria's got Talend where her Earth Melodies took her to the semi-finals. https://www.shelehova.com/
Gabriela Galarza De Konrath, GadeKo Studio: "...and that was the thought about the window painting, that it is really ephemeral, that afterwards you have to take it away. And yes, you can't have it forever and I like this thought a lot. People understood it and they know they are paying for something that is not forever." Gabriela's art can be seen on the shop windows in Vienna and now she is also collaborating with Wiener Konfektion, a beautiful fashion store in Vienna where her beautiful artworks can be seen on skirts made and designed at this fabulous shop. Hear more about Gabriela's dream and next challenge to paint a mural in Vienna. https://www.bookastreetartist.com/gadeko-studio https://www.instagram.com/gadekostudio/reels/ https://www.wiener-konfektion.at/
Director of Sling Aircraft, Mike Blyth: "I studied each aircraft, that I thought was a good aircraft, in detail; the sizing, the shape, the look of it, whatever I could get information of, the handling characteristics, the speed etc. From that I set out my list of wishes for this aircraft, and I strove to meet those list of wishes by designing the aircraft appropriately for that. So we started from scratch. Initially I just started sketching on a piece of paper, getting the feel of what I think it should look like and then slowly as time went on, it took shape." Hear more about the story of a dream of building an aircraft that would give anybody the possibility to not only own their own well designed and aesthetically beautiful aircraft but also have the possibility of building it themselves. From South Africa, Sling aircraft are being shipped all over the world and I am fascinated by the the Sling Aircraft community of passionate aviators. https://slingaircraft.com/
Tomm Moore, Illustrator, animator and co-founder of Cartoon Saloon: "I feel there's a journey within the studio towards something that could only be made by hand, as a response to AI (Artificial intelligence Animation), as a response to CGI (Computer-generated imagery). As a response to everything, we're trying to keep the flame alive of making things in a much of a artisanal way as possible. I think you feel it. It's pretty easy to trick people because people are bamboozled by technology everyday, but I feel, like with Bambi, you can feel a timelessness to it. Even though it was made in 1940's, it doesn't feel as dated as early CGI". Hear more about the award winning work being done by the team at the Cartoon Saloon and the inspiration behind these wonderful films. At Cartoon Saloon is where the magic happens. https://www.cartoonsaloon.ie/
Airline Pilot, Bernie Diehl: "Now we're talking about how I keep my motivation high, it's because I'm looking for jobs aside from the airline business where I can build up flying skills. For me personally, this is the most important thing in my life so I am fulfilled in my flying career. I know everyone is different and some people would be saying: Hey, you guys are crazy for flying the 747 and still you are looking for something cooler. But that's just how I am. " Bernie is talking about his career as an airline pilot at Lufthansa and also what drives him to do aerobatics and be part of the national team in Germany. Hear more about what inspired him to follow a career in aviation and what are his wishes for the future.
Laura Valkovsky, Pianist: "Yes I always support these ideas and I think this orchestra also has a very important mission. With these kinds of actions so get the young people in the concert hall. Sometimes you recognise who is in this hall for the first time and who is listening to an orchestra for the first time. They have this "Wow" look...." Laura is talking about the concerts of the 21st Century orchestra of which she is part of and how they connect with younger audience members by playing well known film music. She also tells about her own music school, Klavier Schule Valkovsky, and how she would like to focus on her students learning music as part of a community. This is a wonderful concept and Laura has so many wonderful ideas for her music school. https://www.lauravalkovsky.ch/
Ekaterina Kardakova, singer, voice and public speaking coach and founder of Creative Tech Lab: "We really need to develop emotional intelligence because this is what, in this innovative world, makes us different from robots. Robots don't have emotions and we do. That's why our job as human beings are to manage these emotions, to teach kids from a very young age to understand their own emotions, to express their own emotions in a very natural and creative way. Because for us as human beings, creativity is an absolute natural thing." Hear more about this wonderful project where children get the opportunity to learn about music and use technology in a positive way. https://ekaterina.kardakova.eu/
Pianist, Francesco Parrino : "Attending the conservatoire at this age, and I'm 29, makes me look at things differently because I am older, and it's not just about that I have to study, I have to practice. There is a bigger vision to it. There is the whole path. Hear more about how Francesco enjoys the connection with his audience and how lucky I was to hear him play two of my favourite songs live on zoom. https://www.francescoparrinomusic.com/ Instagram @francescoparrinomusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrancescoParrinoMusic/
Antonis Sousamoglou is talking about the production of the recording "Mosaico Mediterraneo" with soprano Maria Kostraki: "It was liberating because of two reasons: The first reason was the music itself because it was music that gave us the opportunity to mess around with. We didn't take the easy path. We tried to dig into the music and find what lies underneath. How this music could be transformed into something else, something contemporary..." Hear more about the work on this beautiful recording and why Antonis enjoys these projects apart from his work as concert master of the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra in Greece.
Thomas Erlank, Tenor: "...but you are not what you do, and this is something that helped me also with the process of deciding that, going home is not giving up. Going home is not saying goodbye to this world that I'm part of. Going home is not a surrender of any kind. It's a change of what I do, but it doesn't change who I am and what I want to do in this world. So this was very much a part of the process." Thomas is talking about the transition he is making in his career and why he chose to go back to South Africa after many years as opera singer in Zürich. https://www.thomaserlank.com/
Alison Duddle, puppeteer: "But there's something really interesting about puppet theatre that's very different to conventional theatre in that, I feel as though it's to do with empathy really. When we se something that we know is not real, we kind of play into that game in the same way we did when we were a little child with a piece of wood or a doll". Hear more about the wonderful art of puppetry and how Alison created a character who played a roll in an opera. https://www.abirdinthehandtheatre.co.uk/about
Winemaker at Reyneke wines, Barbara Melck: "In winemaking our biggest goal is, because we sit with this amazing terroir, and the biggest goal of a winemaker is to be able to reflect where the grapes come from and to do it in an honest way. I believe that this way of farming truly does that to the utmost extent. Of course the way you make the wine also has a role to play and at the end of the day, everything starts and ends with the grapes." Hear more about the Biodynamic way of farming and Barbara's approach to winemaking.
Michael Sheppard - Pianist, conductor, composer: I'm learning new things all the time about how to put down the key but it's not so much about how to be able to play pieces, because I can play pretty much whatever. It's about making it more and more sufficient. It's sort of... I don't want to say 'wasting time', because no time spent with this incredible music is truly wasted, but you find these ways to streamline your technique and get closer and more quickly to the ideal that you hear."
Animation Director, Stephen Anderson: "...but leaving it open enough for people to experiment, to play, to come up with things that you'd never imagine on your own. But because you've opened the door and created a safe space for these amazing brains and artists. They bring all this incredible stuff to the table and then as a director you say: Great! Let's shape that. Let's put that in there and then that creates sort of a different journey that we thought we would never go on. But it's better because now we have this great contribution from these people." Hear more about Stephen's work on Disney films such as Tarzan, The Emperor’s New Groove and Brother Bear. He made his feature film directing debut with Meet the Robinsons in 2007. A year later, he was offered the chance to bring Winnie the Pooh back to the big screen and directed the 2011 film Winnie the Pooh. https://www.stevehatguy.com/
David K Israel - Composer, Author, Screenwriter, Director: "...and so Stravinsky harmonised it for 4 voices and gives that manuscript back to Mr Balanchine. I got a copy of it in the 90's from Harvard Library where a lot of Stravinsky and Balanchine's personal effects and manuscripts lived. I started thinking, this is so lovely and the idea that one master had given it to his friend, another master in another discipline, and that Stravinsky had harmonised it and given it back. It just seemed like it was begging to be something larger." Hear more about David's love for composing for ballet and his many creative and artistic projects working with Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp and the New York City Ballet as well as working with the Estate of Leonard Bernstein to help edit and publish editions of West Side Story, Mass, On the Town, and Wonderful Town. https://www.davidkisrael.me/
"I do take every opportunity that comes my way, even if I get nervous and think: Can I really do it? And then I think: Do you know what? How do you learn? How do you better yourself?
Cristian Spătaru - , Pianist, Composer: "I had the opportunity to work with some choirs on some beautiful works that creates a connection which is very different from that with an orchestra. It's much more personal, it's much more into the mind and the body as well. And yes I enjoyed it. I like is very much that I can wake some smiles, some new curiosity in people's activity in everyday life. In a choir you can feel it straight away. " Cristian is also talking about how his career developed from graduating as a conductor to now having had the experiences of conducting for choirs as well as opera and ballet. Hear more about what inspired him to become a conductor and also what his wishes are for the future.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Franco Boonzaaier: "I must say that's what I love about the industry and the specific direction that I chose in life. What I am doing, at the back of your mind, you're not just fixing an aeroplane, people need to be safe in the aircraft, in the air and on the ground. It's a constant pressure, the realisation everyday that you're not just doing another job. You're making sure people travel and fly around safely." Hear more about the job of an aircraft maintenance engineer and why Franco decided to work in aviation.
Pilot, Flight testing and Aerospace engineer, Rein Inge Hoff: "It was like a burning desire to do more and learn more about the aircraft. To learn more about how they were designed and what you can do to improve technology. I guess that was why I wanted to get more education." Rein is talking about working in flight testing and aerospace engineering. He sees the test pilot as the missing link between the pilot and the engineer, aircraft builder and designer. "We must move forward in aviation and develop new technology but I think it's also important to honour the past and the aviation history." In addition Rein also regularly takes part in air shows where he flies the legendary Spitfire and Mustang. Hear more about his wishes for the future.
Pianist Ian Bothma: "That was just such a phenomenal experience. I still remember that moment specifically, thinking gosh, I need to do more of this. So how I used that, my understanding of vocal technique and my experience in it, I use now in my training to also become an opera coach, a répétiteur" Ian grew up in a small town in the Freestate of South Africa and from a young age he had a love for playing piano and was very much encouraged by his father to pursue a career in music. Hear more about why he enjoys his work as ballet accompanist at Cape Town City ballet and what his wishes are for the future.
Wine Educator, Heidi Iren Hansen: "In the master wine education you have to have a really deep understanding of the viticulture and the winemaking. Also shipping, bottling and quality control, so you really go very deep into the production as well. I think even though I'm not trained as a winemaker, I really understand the process, what happens in the vineyard and in the wine." Heidi believes that as with food, a good wine is all about the balance of flavours. Hear more about what took her from being a chef, to a sommelier and now a wine educator.
Sommelier of the Southern Sun group, Miguel Chan: "Too many people taste wine very subjectively. They look at the label or they look at the price, straight away before tasting they've already made their mind up that it's a great wine because it's expensive or the label looks great or they've heard about the producer. It shouldn't be that way. The impartiality and the objectivity of tasting wine is one of the most important aspects of being a sommelier today. It's about being, and having the freedom to decide on a particular wine with the story behind it...." Miguel gives a wonderful insight into the work of a sommelier and also the wine industry of South Africa. Hear more about what inspired him to become a sommelier and what his wishes are for the future.
Violist and music professor, Ettore Causa: "So I know how much mental power you also need in order to, beside the fact that everything is not going right, you have to believe: 'Ok, I'm going to make it. I don't know when, but it's going to work.' So I know how that feels. I remember it so vividly. In that way I'm good to tell that to students. I say: 'Look, I know it's depressing. I know you feel that this is too much, but if I'm here, you can do it too.' That's my point of view. Hear more about how Ettore's love for the viola, performing and how he inspires his students at Yale and also internationally during his masterclasses
Clay artist, Stephen Procter: "As someone who is essentially self taught, I feel like anybody can teach themselves as long as they know what to pay attention to and they're not intimidated. Al lot of my teaching is about helping people get passed the idea of: 'Oh I could never do that' and I'm just saying: 'Break it down. You can always make it smaller increments and work with that and build on that.' So the process that I use to teach is more about patience and strategies than it is about brut strength and world class talent to work with large amounts of clay. https://www.stephenprocter.com/
Soprano, Maria Miró: "Because in medicine I felt very helpful, to help people and to cure them (dermatological diseases and so on). But singing is another thing. It's more inside the soul." Maria is talking about her love for singing and why she felt drawn to it more than her medical career as dermatologist. Hear more about how she her incredible drive to study medicine and alongside also music. Maybe the link between science and art are much more evident than we think it is. https://mariamiro.com/
Conductor and clarinettist Dimitris Spouras: It's very crucial, playing and music making. Then I think it gives you another security because you believe: I have done it by myself and it worked, so I could say it to others. If you are not sure then ... And the musicians smell the fear and the 'not confidence'. They immediately smell it from how you walk on the podium. They know that: 'Ah not confident or confident'. They know. It's a magical thing. Hear more about Dimitris path in becoming a conductor and what gives him sleepless nights. https://www.antwerpencamerata.be/en/conductor-and-artists-in-residence/
Conductor and composer William Walker: "For me personally, when I show up on the podium, I know that I've done my homework and I'm secure in that. I know that I've conducted orchestras before, good ones and not as good ones. So I have all these experiences that I can draw on and I can make the rehearsal work and I can make the concert work. I know that. " Hear more about why William thinks its so important to expose children to music and instruments and how he started on his journey in becoming a Conductor. https://www.williamgarfieldwalker.com/ https://nowsymphony.com/
Sipho Fubesi of the Mzanzi Tenors: "We were involved in the local choirs before we started this training. At that time we didn't even know that we could make a living from music. We were just singing because we loved singing. Fortunately we had people who believed in us even though they also didn't know you could make a living from music. And so it helped us to move away from things that would have affected our lives negatively." Sipho had the initiative to form a group of 10 tenors to give young singers who studied music in South Africa the opportunity to perform on stages around the country. Hear more about the people involved in this wonderful initiative and about the hope it brings to young artists in South Africa.
Griffin Moss, a commercial Pilot in South Africa is talking about his career in aviation: "No matter how experience you are, that learning curve never stops. There is some form of Plato, if you can say that, when you're a Captain and know more, but you will never stop learning. You'll fly with a first officer or something, and they'll ask a question that you've never heard before, and your might not necessarily know the answer off hand. An yes, I guess it's that drive of never stop learning. That's something I love about flying" Hear more about where his passion for flying started and the steps he had to follow for becoming a commercial pilot.
Agricultural economist and Winemaker, Petri de Beer: "For me, I have a very strong belief that our South African wine industry's future does lie in looking inwards into what we have and what we do well instead of trying to copy what other guys are doing" Petri is also talking about his interest in Agricultural economy and his new wine label "Ou water" that will be released around April 2023. https://news.wine.co.za/news.aspx?NEWSID=39675
Film Director of the new animation film 'Pond', Eva Rust: "For me it was the first time working so close with someone else, because normally I am an illustrator and this was my first time as a film director. I'm used to always working by myself but this time it was cool to see how easy you can change something because you are braver when you are together." Hear more about the inspiration behind the film and the wonderful story and characters of the film. http://www.evarust.ch/
Pianist and Bandonion player, Claudio Constantini: "I think this is very common in everybody and in any profession. You encounter these blocks which you put there yourself or somebody else puts it there and tells you that you can't or you're not doing this good. Then suddenly you start dimidiating yourself and thinking that it's not possible. But nowadays I'm so open to that everything is possible. When I get an idea I try to make it possible and that's it!" Hear more about how Claudio was determined to teach himself to play this unique instrument and how he manages to play piano and the Bandonion at the same time. https://www.claudioconstantini.com/
Thembani Wesley Mpande, 'Best young Sommelier of South Africa': "The discipline, the dedication, I transferred it from being a sports person to being a sommelier. The same training methods, the same goals. I used to have different goals back then, but I transferred all my goals, realigned them and now I just want to be a master Sommelier. I want to will competitions as well and be the best in the world." Hear more about how Thembani came from a footballer in Zimbabwe to becoming a Sommelier in South Africa. With no previous knowledge of wine, after many hours of studying he won the awarded the title of "The best young sommelier of South Africa"
The young pianist, Zev Sebastian is talking about his love for playing the piano and gives an insight into life at the prestigious Purcell school for young musicians in London. Hear more about what inspired Zev to play the piano since the age of 6 and his dream of becoming a concert Pianist. His mum, Ester Sebastian also gives an insight from a parent's perspective of supporting in his musical education.
Mezzo Soprano Alexandra Gravas: "I love what I'm doing at the moment. I love to explore songs, I love to explore languages. If I can combine things together, if I can make the Mexicans sing their songs int he concerts or the Arabs, where I was in Kuwait, sing their Arabic songs with me, the Greek. Yes I'm happy. I'm very happy to do that." Hear more about Alexandra's extraordinary journey from loosing her voice to singing on the international stage. This is a story of utmost perseverance and courage to be able to make her dream of becoming a singer come true.
From Los Angeles, Film composer Jeff Danna: "Work on your craft and be a great composer. Be the best composer you can be, but equally important are your people skills and your ability to make people feel like you're understanding what they are telling you. That's incredible, that kind of creative empathy is really important for film composers, especially when they're starting a relationship with a filmmaker." Hear more about how Jeff started composing for film and the creative processes and teamwork that's involved in making a film. Jeff composed or co-composed scores for a wide range of films and television, including The Boondock Saints (1999), Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004), Silent Hill (2006), The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009), The Good Dinosaur (2015), Storks (2016), The Breadwinner (2017), The Addams Family (2019), Onward (2020), Guillermo Del Toro’s Tales of Arcadia (2019-2021) and most recently Nora Twomey’s My Father’s Dragon (2022) and Julia (2022).
Bass singer William Guanbo Su: "You have to read the notes on a page, so if you read a whole opera, you're not only reading the singing text, you're also reading the notes. With reading the notes, it's almost as if you're reading another language, it just happens to be that the language has tones, (like Chinese) When you are singing, you're actually very spoilt because you have singing text while you have a melody that is almost like a text as well. So there's two lines going on at once and somehow you bring them together." Hear more about how William went from being an Olympic swimmer to becoming an Opera singer and why he enjoys teaching as well. https://www.houstongrandopera.org/hgo-studio/studio-artists-and-faculty/william-guanbo-su/ https://schmopera.com/scene/people/william-guanbo-su/
Film and orchestra composer Oscar Navarro Gonzalez: "I would say the most of the pieces that I wrote for orchestra or for wind bands are pieces that are very descriptive, like symphonic poems. You can put the music to a little story but you don't need the pictures. In a lot of my pieces for concert music you just need to imagine the story, close your eyes and just feel the music." Hear more about the first music Oscar composed and what inspired him to go to Los Angeles to further his study in composing for film. https://www.onavarro.com/web/film/en/biography/
Character and production designer and Head of story, Jeff Ranjo: "I was at Disney at the time when they switched from 2D animation to 3D animation and it didn't change my job or the story people's job. It mainly changed the animators' job. If you make a good story it should be timeless and it should strike a cord with people when they watch it and they're not thinking about it's placement in time. You should be able to watch these films over and over." Jeff is also co-executive producer of the animation series on Netflix " Maya and the three". Hear more about his career in the Animation industry at Disney where he was involved in films such as Hercules, Fantasia 2000, Emperor's new Groove, Tarzan
"Maybe I'm the voice of the composer," says Harpist Rachel Talitman. "When you don't have a good relationship, a good comprehension of the person, it's very difficult to understand the music." Rachel is talking about working with composer Yoram Meyouhas who composed the music for their latest recording with Harp and Flute. The music is available on Spotify to download and also to buy in CD format
Christo Davids says: "It's got a lot to do with where we come from I think, that influences where we are going and the type of stories we put out. And the responsibility that we have to bring authenticity and to pay, not justice, but to pay tribute or homage to your people, to the stories that you want the world to hear." Hear more about Christo's work as director and actor and the difficulties the arts face in South Africa. https://www.tvsa.co.za/actors/viewactor.aspx?actorid=6154
"It looks so easy but with all the pedals, with all the things that need to be thought of, it's more difficult than one thinks. Also the movements. Sometimes when we rehearse we sit back to back so I can get a sense of how Natascha hat to move to also reach the upper notes. That's quite interesting, as well as Natascha feeling my breath and that is also linked to my singing. The more my duo partner is relaxed, the better I can sing" says Mezzo Soprano, Luzia Ernst with Natascha Ziegler of Duo Cantarpa
Valeria Tessari is talking about her father, Gianni Tessari, who is the winemaker at Giannitessari: "At that time, thirty or forty years ago, it wasn't common to study winemaking at university, so he just decided to start, and more or less everything he knows he learnt by doing. He did it all by hand." Valeria is telling more about the history of their winery and the different wines they are producing. Hear more about how she and her father are working together and what their wishes are for the future of the winery. https://giannitessari.wine/en/
Harpist, Nichole Young says: I just realised that I didn't want this to be the end of my relationship with this instrument because I enjoyed it so much and it had become an extension of my voice. It felt like it was part of me and I could really speak through the instrument." Hear more about what inspired Nichole to start playing the harp and what goes on behind the scenes for a harpist.
"I think knowing more gives you more freedom, but I can also see how, creatively perhaps, you do something that might be unconventional but once you start start studying, you realise that it's not as unconventional as you think. One thing leads to another and there are so many possible paths. So I think studying can be liberating but it also depends on the teacher and how restrictive that person is with you" says Pablo Dabdoud, pianist in California. Hear more about Pablo's music and what inspires him to compose and create extraordinary visuals with his music. https://www.pedrodabdoub.com/music/
"Maybe before, people thought that women couldn't play flamenco guitar correctly, but I grew up in an environment where everyone was considered equal. Obviously it depends on the people in your environment. Sometimes when a person doesn't value you as much as they should, it's then more about them as it is about you." Theresa is talking about what inspired her to start playing flamenco guitar and what her future plans are for her music. https://www.teresajimenez.com/
Pianist, Donna Chan says: "I still have to come back to music, it's like a magnet. Every time I'm away from it, I become another person. When I'm back with it, when I'm back with my instrument, when I'm back in the routine practicing and planning for the future in music, then I become me again." Hear more about Donna's approach in teaching and what inspired her to become a pianist
Composer, Oskar Gigele is taking about his music: "She told me that my music is always a story telling music. It doesn't matter what kind of instrumentation it is, whether I use words or not. It always is some kind of story and it's something that I do automatically. It's something that I want to do also. I never really thought of that before and since she told that over one and a half years ago, I realised that and now I am doing it more consciously." Hear more about what inspires Oskar to compose his music and why he decided to study media composition. https://www.oskar-gigele.at/
Pianist and Piano professor, Petar Plesa: "I think this is the way to show people what is the point of classical music: The point of classical music is not that we go and listen to important and most known Pianists, violinists or orchestras. But the point of classical music is to transform emotions directly to the public. And through this, also a person who is not a musician, will understand the message, because classical music is the most universal language in the world. https://www.instagram.com/petarplesa/
Talking about the Legacy of one of the great artists of our time, Gene Kelly, is his widow Patricia Kelly: "He understood his artform. He understood the history, the politics, the music. He was there to record the music and worked with the musicians. He was there to check the colour with the technicolour team. He understood every component of everything. He was just a really descent man. He was always looking out for the underdog, the guy who didn't quite make it."
Tenor Gianluca Moro says: "I think you have to believe that everyday you can do a little bit more. A little bit more and better than yesterday. So this is what I think every time I have to do something for my career and for my life, to grow."
Commercial Pilot, Brad Mears says: "If anybody has the determination to do anything in the world, they can do it. If I look back at the twenty to thirty of my life and say: 'wow, how did I achieve this?' The actual answer is: 'I don't know'. I just know that somehow I made a plan. I've always prioritised flying in my life. It's my wife, my children and very soon after that comes flying"
Edo Frenkel about the experience working assistant conductor at the Royal Ballet "I'm very lucky that through coincidence, through my short time, comparatively in this career, that I've ended up in a wonderful place like this. The experience has been tremendous. I never thought in a million years I'd be working in a house like this, let alone ballet, which I never really experienced as someone working in it. Everyday is a learning experience and I am taking every moment I can and soaking it in." https://www.edofrenkel.com/
Airline Pilot, Alex MacPhail says: "...Understand your job and understand what's required. The passenger doesn't know I'm doing the sums, and it doesn't matter, they don't have to know. But what they need to know is that I'm passionate and I love what I do. That's the stuff I'm looking at when I'm flying an aeroplane and taking you safely. And the announcement for you to look outside and to see the Helderberg and Table Mountain and Robin Island. It's so beautiful and I am seeing it too. But I am also running numbers, it's a game and it's something I'm working on all the way down."
Architecture is more than just buildings and houses. "It's a practice which is much broader and which covers so much more parts of our daily lives as well." says Magdalena Stainer. Together with Andreas Brandstetter they have worked on a fascinating project for their Architectural studies. Hear and see more about this wonderful project and what they have experienced through their research. Andreas and Magdalena's shout out goes to Paremi
The Slackline-violinist, Carolina Mazalesky says: "Music making is about performing. It's about the moment of the 'now'. This strong 'Being in the now' and the strong concentration of what we are doing, this we are not practicing. We are practicing to play the violin but we don't practice how to concentrate and we don't practice how to perform. This is exactly what the balance training is teaching you. Because when I am standing on a slackline and one second I would be thinking about Pizza or about what somebody else is thinking, I will fall down. So my concentration, when I am in a state of balance is 150%." Hear more about the study that Carolina is doing with regards to the effect of balance on the brain and also what inspired her to start slacklining. https://www.carolinamazalesky.com/biography
Bass Singer, Fabian-Jacob Balkhausen says: "One of my mentors, the great British Bass, Matthew Rose told me: You have to convey a message with everything that you sing. It's not about you singing, it's not about the person singing an area. No, it's about this area that's being sung. So you have to put yourself behind the work. You have to know every word and you have to know what's on the page very well. This is more 'taking away' what you are doing than adding things on top of what you are doing." Fabian is talking about studying at the MDW and the opportunities he has been given to develop as an artist. Hear more about his wishes for the future and what inspired him to become an opera singer Fabian's shout out goes to: Cafe Kafka
"...and I started painting what I want to, but it's still something that I battle with because there are so many styles that I like and I am trying to combine them all. But I think in the end it was, for me, the most valuable lesson that I could have learnt as an artist, to paint what I want on my walls, and if I can get that right, there will be other people that would share the same views than I do," says the artist, Sebastiaan Theart. He is talking about the journey of being a self taught artist and the process of finding his style in his artworks. Hear more about where Sebastiaan finds inspiration to paint and sketch and also his wishes for the future. https://www.saatchiart.com/sebastiaantheart
"For that exposure, at this point, it's invaluable because I also direct theatre productions and for me to have this wealth of productions that I've seen. I think it goes into your subconscious, and then you have you have a whole library of experiences, knowing how the lights influence a show, the sound, how the theatre productions flow, the tension, creating suspense," says Anna Davel, Singer, songwriter and actress in South Africa. Anna is talking about how she was inspired to start singing and her love for song writing. She also talks about the film and theatre industries in South African and why she is thankful for every director she has worked with. Hear more about Anna's love for singing Jazz and also her wishes for the future. Anna's shout out goes to Melkbos Kitchen https://www.annadavel.com/about/
"Some of the best winemakers I know are almost zen in that they spend so much time in the vineyards to get the grapes absolutely how they want them to be. Then they very carefully handle them coming through, and they almost then want them to express themselves. It's definitely science but it's definitely art as well." says Christopher Yorke, CEO of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board and Chairman of the Austrian Wine Academy. Chris is talking about the wine industry in Austria and the characteristics of the Austrian wines. Hear more about the Wine Academy where students already learn about winemaking at the age of 14 years old and Chris' wishes for the future. https://www.austrianwine.com/
"That was the first time I officially played my music. Me being on stage really made me feel excited, the place where I belong. So where I see myself with my music, I see myself performing on a stage. I just want to perform," says the 17 year old, self taught composer, Roxi Keyser from Wellington in South Africa. Roxi is talking about what inspired her to start composing and how she realised her talent during pandemic. Hear more about her wishes for the future and the CD she recently released. He music is available on Spotify and Itunes. Roxi's shout out goes the Perfect place in Wellington
"I feel joy in everything because I think everything has a certain essence of life in it. However you bring it out, you still tell a beautiful story like life itself. So I don't have a fixed say that I will only do certain types of opera," says Heather Tan, Assistant Stage Director at Staatstheater Augsburg. Heather gives some insight into her her work as Assistant Stage Director and her experience of working behind the scenes at the Wiener Staatsoper, where she gained a lot of experience. Hear more about what inspired her to follow this career path and also what her wishes are for the future. Heather's shout out goes to Soya Noodle in Mariahilf https://www.heathertandirector.com/
"I was very determined because at the beginning it was very difficult for me. It was not really to find what's my voice and I remember many times after singing lessons, I was depressed. I thought maybe it's not my thing. Many times I thought about that but then something in me was always pushing in that direction," says Tenor Enrico Casari. Enrico is talking about how he went from being a drummer in a rock band to studying classical singing. He also give some insight into the challenges opera singers have to overcome to be able to sing on stage and these are the things that we as the audience don't always realise. Hear more about how his wishes for the future and a beautiful love story of how he met his wife. Enrico's shout out goes to Stile Libero in Altamura, Italy https://www.enricocasari.com/
"I think an arts organisation, for example a symphony orchestra, our 'product', (if you want to get in the business world) is not necessarily music," says Thomas Fortner. "It is music but really behind that music, what we provide are three things: Joy, meaning and belonging. The joy and the meaning come from the music. You talked about the kids falling in love with the instruments. I would go a step further and say we hope that they fall in love with the music, which is why my job as a music director of a youth orchestra, is to pick meaningful important music that stood the test of time." Thomas is assistant conductor and music director of the youth orchestra of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. He is also talking about the value of art education in schools and why the arts and sciences are vital for humanity. Hear more about the opera conducting program he attended in Vienna and more about his work as conductor in South Dakota. Thomas made a shout out for Hidden Kitchen Park in Vienna
"I've never felt restricted with the piano." says Joe Bailey I've never felt, you have to do it this way, you have to follow this progression. I've never felt like that which is nice because for me it's simply a passion, simply something I enjoy doing, and it's never been forced on me, not a single time." Joe is talking about his love for playing the piano and what brought him to France to come and study French. He also talks about how his first piano teacher gave him the opportunity to play the piano without putting restrictions on him and how this helps him even now in how he approaches playing the piano. Hear more about his wishes for the future and why he calls himself "The angry pianist" on his Instagram page. Joe's music is available on Sound Cloud
"I think what's lovely about textiles is that it can encompass such a huge mix of different techniques and approaches. Textile is such a wide umbrella for so many different things. So I guess it just opened my eyes to all sorts of different possibilities," says Alice Fox, textile artist in the north of England. Alice is showing the different works of art she is making with the fibres of plants in her environment. She is also telling of her life long interest in nature and how she collected little objects already as a little girl. See and hear more about her fascinating work and what inspired her to use textile as a medium for her art works. Alice also expresses her wishes for the future and talks about her latest book "Wild Textiles" Her shout out goes to Toast house near Ilkley UK https://www.alicefox.co.uk/ http://www.toasthouse.co.uk/
"I listened to so many different stuff, al lot of different, even unrelated to music. I think I cannot do things the same way many people do it. It's more like a new cuisine that came out of that. I started to embrace that early on and at a young age. I realised that's what I have to give back, that's what I can give," says guitarist Daniel Marques. He won major awards in different countries for his music and continues to explore telling different stories with his instrument. He is talking about how he started playing the guitar as a child and how gets inspired by listening to different genres of music. Hear more about Daniels' wishes for the future and why he likes to play Brazilian music “Daniel Marques is one of those artists that you run into once in a while and you just go: ‘Wow! Where did this guy come from?’" (Niels Lan Dokky, pianist, Grammy Awards)
"There are times of maybe unemployment, which I feel in any other job or profession it's always seen as not the most positive thing to be unemployed. Where as for me, or for our profession it's also good to have some periods of rest and of recreation and to rediscover your artistic side and what you really want to do," says Alexander Auler who recently played the role of Danny Zuko in Grease the musical and also the role of Munkustrap in the German version of Cats that have been running for the past 3 years in Vienna. Alex is talking about his roles in the different musicals and how is is dealing with the idea of having to audition again for new roles. Hear more about how he deals with criticism in this industry and what his wishes are for the future. Alex gave a shout out to the Kaffeefabrik
"We're also showing that immigration, like what we are doing for our careers, that we are leaving Lithuania to go and study because we are hungry for opening the world of music and to learn. Now we are coming back and showing that it's not a bad process to leave because all the information you are getting, you are bringing back," says Laura Latvaityte- Zaman, founder of the foundation. Together with Pianist, Kamile Zaveckaite and Conductor, Marius Reckaitis they are organising a 7 day music festival in their home town of Marijampolės in Lithuania get the people of their town interested in classical music again. Hear more about this wonderful initiative and what they are planning for the future. There are many possibilities to get involves in this festival and they would also be very grateful for sponsors or donations to be able to carry on with their work. Their shout out goes to a restaurant in their home town called KamBary
"Obviously I'm not expecting perfection. It's impossible to reach this within a week with a brand new youth orchestra," says the Conductor, Marius Reklaitis. But we're concentrating on the progress and hopefully we will learn from working with this youth orchestra and hopefully we can carry on and maybe expand within the natural borders of Lithuania and do something more with the youth, because it is a growing problem especially in Lithuania. United Kingdom is also suffering kind of the same problems and solutions are needed soon otherwise in ten, twenty years, we will have no orchestras in the world because we will have no students studying." Marius is the founder of the Kent philharmonic orchestra and he tells the story of what inspired him to become a conductor. He is also talking about his role as head of music at a primary school in the UK and the benefit music education brings to the pupils of the school. Hear more about the great work Marius is doing for these children and his wishes for the future. His shout out goes to Cafe Du Soleil in Cantebury https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk/about-us/our-impact https://kentphil.com/contact https://cafedusoleil.co.uk/
"I knew that there was a lot more out there, that one shouldn't be confined. Where you were born shouldn't confine you to that place," says Paul Siguqa, owner of Klein Goederust wine estate in Franschoek. "Social mobility was possible. I was taught from a young age that it is possible. But the only way that you can achieve social mobility is through education, which is something my mother was very passionate about, and still is. So I bought into the vision from a long time ago." Paul is telling the inspirational story of how he grew up as the son of a farm labourer and how his mother encouraged him to where he is now the owner of a wine farm. He is also talking about the different wines of this boutique wine estate and how he restored the buildings to their original style. Paul also have a goal to assist the young children of his farm labourers to get an education and to know that everything is possible. Hear more about the lovely traditional restaurant on the farm and also Paul's wishes for the future. https://kleingoederust.co.za/
"In my recent book I wrote about the relationship between music and medicine. I devoted one entire chapter to see how music and medicine, since the ancient times, also since the age of Babylonia, they are documenting how important is music for the wellbeing of people," says Patricia Caicedo, Musicologist, Singer, Author and Physician. She is talking about her latest book, We are what we listen to: The impact of music on individual and social health. Patricia is also talking about her career as a singer, dedicating many years to researching the Latin American and Iberian art song repertoire, bringing to light numerous composers and works that were previously hidden. Hear more about Patricia's multi-faceted career and also her wishes for the future. Patricia has published ten books considered a reference in the area. Her books included editions of scores and monographs. The scores are available at www.mundoarts.com Patricia's shout out goes to the coffee shop in the garden of the Biblioteca de Catalunya in Barcelona called El Jardi https://www.patriciacaicedo.com/aboutpatriciacaicedo
"Humans, we are like that. We are born with trust. That's what we do. We go and do things because we believe it's going to be ok," says Ken Forrester, owner and Winemaker of Ken Forrester winery Stellenbosch. "You've got to believe. You just have to go out there and and do it and find out what happens." Ken is talking risks and also about his most exciting project where he is making wine using 4 or 5 vintages from one vineyard to create a wine. He feels that the fact that he is not a qualified winemaker but learnt the art of making wine by gaining experience on wine farms around the world, gives him the freedom to do whatever he wants. He also believes in a more natural approach when it comes to farming as well as making wine. Hear more about the story behind his wine farm and Ken's wishes for the future. Ken's shout out goes to Peter Tempelhoff restaurants and also The food barn in Noordhoek https://kenforresterwines.com/
"I think that if you want to be convincing when you are performing, whatever piece of music, that piece of music, from a certain moment, has not to be written in the score anymore. It has to be written into your heart," says Pianist and music professor, Igor Cognolato. Igor is talking about his love for performing the works of composer Robert Schumann and also how Franz Liszt was able to transform the piano into an orchestra. He also talks about his role as a music professor and how important teaching is for him as a performer. Hear more about the wonderful story of how his first piano teacher inspired his passion for playing the piano and also his wishes for the future. Igor's shout out goes to Trattoria Storica in Venice www.igorcognolato.com
"It's a fascinating process and it's once a year that you get this chance," says Hein Koegelenberg, CEO and Winemaker at La-Motte wine estate. "So as a winemaker you must take your chances and make sure you get all your information and do your research and be spot on to identify the vintage and the trend in the vintage and then make a special wine." Hein is talking about the way winemaking is creative and how much climate, soil, timing and processes of harvesting and fermentation affects the wine. He also mentions that, apart from winemaking, as a family they share their passion and love for art, food conservation and sustainability as part of the La-Motte experience. Hear more about Hein's wishes for the future and his views on winemaking in South Africa. Hein's shout out goes to Noma and Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen Restaurant https://www.la-motte.com/ https://janonline.com/ https://janonline.com/restaurantkleinjan/
"Culture, music and art, it gives us the possibility to experience things; Positive emotions, negative emotions, or just experience stories that would be impossible to experience otherwise," says Double Bass player Dominik Wagner. I think if these experiences could add to our own lives, to our own experience of life, then that could make us grow so much as people." Dominik is also talking about his passion for playing Bass and how there is a misconception about what is possible to do with this instrument. He gives more detail about his last recording and he has two new recordings that will be released next year as well. Hear more about Dominik's wishes for the future and the story of how he started playing bass. Dominik's shout out goes to Nikko and To Ellinikon in Vienna https://dominikemanuelwagner.com/
"I think winemaking is about timing. Most important: When do you pick the grapes. After that every step of the way is similar in many cellars, but it depends on what you do and when," say Edmund Terblance, Winemaker at La-Motte in Franschoek. Edmund is talking about the processes of winemaking and the types of wine they are making at La-Motte. He also speaks highly of the winemakers in South Africa who share their knowledge and experiences with each other and are very supportive towards each other. Edmund explains why it is important to learn from winemakers in different countries and he thinks that the success of the winemaker in South Africa is due to the fact that they were eager to explore winemaking in the rest of the world during the 1990's. Hear more about Edmund's approach to winemaking and what his wishes are for the future. His shout out goes to Giovanni's at Laborie in Paarl https://www.la-motte.com/pages/wine-making https://www.laborieestate.co.za
"The main pillars of academia that you have, to study a language, maths and science, and I think art is an important pillar that really builds any child's tenacity and their belief in themselves and also spiritually, how they develop themselves." says Ino Chang. He is talking about how he used his ability to draw and paint to communicate as a child and how this helped him to express himself. Ino works as a project manager dealing with mergers and acquisitions and even though his job seems to be worlds apart from creating artworks, but to do his job requires creativity that he borrows from his ability to do art. Hear more about Ino's wishes for the future and how he would like to get involved in art education. Ino's shout out goes to Le Soufle in Paris https://www.inochang.com/ https://www.lesouffle.fr/ https://sugarfishsushi.com/
"You know how to work it, your planning is better, your decision making on what you like, what is the right method to make your specific wine, here to get it from , when to harvest. All those little things that's necessary to make a good wine comes with a little bit of experience." says Lukas Wentzel, winemaker at Groote Post in South Africa. Lukas is taking about the experience he gained over the years he has been making wine at Groote Post and he is also grateful for the experience he gained from working at La-Motte wine farm under Jacques Borman during the first years of his winemaking career. He is also talking about the different wines at Groote Post and how connected science and art is in the process of making wine. Hear more about the history of this wonderful Wine farm in the Westcoast of South Africa and what Lukas wishes for the future. His shout out goes to 1910 The old forge in Darling and also Hilda's Kitchen at Groote Post
"I guess it's when you work with something like this, or it can be when you work with your passion, it's nothing that I can turn off when I come home. I don't see it as going to work and then I'm going to do what I love when I'm done. It's very much gelled, so it's my life really." says Paul Glaser, Artistic Director of The English Theatre Hamburg. Paul is talking about how his experiences in music, dance and theatre all have an influence on each other and how his passion for what he does. He sees the English Theatre in Germany as very relevant and his gives some insight into the plays that are performed during the season. Hear more about Paul's work as composer and his wishes for the future. Paul's shout out goes to the Hamburg Gondola
"You need to make sure that you know all the ins and outs of flying." says Jacques Pienaar who is a commercial Pilot. "You don't get experience just when you're flying, you need to do some homework behind the scenes as well. You need to be current all the time so that you don't miss out on anything or forget anything, so you must make sure that you are on top of your game. I think that's the biggest motivational thing within aviation." Jacques is talking about what it takes to become a Pilot and how he is working towards building up enough flying hours to get his Airline transport licence. He gives some insight into his training as a pilot and how he got his current job which is beneficial for him in obtaining experience also on the ground. Hear more about Jacques wishes for the future and how he keeps himself motivated. Jacques shout out goes to the Canteen at the Laseria Airport.
"I think an Artist must embrace his own story and uniqueness." Says Jaco Sieberhagen, who is the creator of the most beautiful Silhouette sculptures. "You don't have to be like anybody else. As soon as you embrace your own story, even if it's a bad story, or a difficult story, or a strange story, and except that you are unique, then rather look for your own unique eye and your own unique expression and you own unique sensitivity." Jaco is talking about how he uses his art to tell stories and start conversations. He sees himself as an artist who is always on a journey where sometimes things work and sometimes it doesn't. He decided that on his art journey, he would not allow himself to be intimidated by decisions he makes, but rather to just do it. Hear more about how Jaco got inspired to work with metal structures and how his art has evolved through the years. Jaco's shout out goes to the restaurant in Onrus called Milk on the Beach
"As a pilot it took me basically 20 years to get a command with South African Airways and when you go and apply for a position like that, it's basically a 'for life' position because you're going on a seniority list and you work your way up the ladder..." says Marc Fourie - Airline Pilot. He is talking about the effects of the pandemic and the mis management of SAA that had a huge impact on the Aviation industries in South Africa. Mark gives some insight into how he trained and build up his hours to be able to qualify as a commercial Pilot and also how he sees the future for young pilots in South Africa. Hear more about Marc's views on the fall of a great Airline company SAA and what he is planning for the future. Marc's shout out goes to a coffee shop in the beautiful coastal town of Stilbaai in the Western Cape: "Sterrehemel"
"I am really not a big fan of saying, no if you're an opera singer then you can't do musical theatre, because it's not true. Unfortunately the industry is like that, but I personally will not put myself in a box, because I enjoy doing both." says Baritone Jubin Amiri. Even thought he is an opera singer, Jubin says he is growing fonder and fonder of singing in Musicals as well and he believes that it is just a matter of adapting your singing technique to be able to sing both opera and in musical theatre. After watching the musical "We will rock you" the seed to become a musician was planted and he became interested in playing the guitar and taking up his piano lessons again. It was a teacher at his school who encouraged him to take singing lessons and intuitively he became more drawn to opera music. Hear more about Jubin's path to studying music at MUK and also his wishes for the future. Jubin's shout out goes to the Restaurant Das Ananbol in Das Gym
There's a whole education that needs to happen on many levels because the talent in this country is exceptional, says Johan Engelbrecht, writer, actor, singer and designer in South Africa. "But I don't know what are they going to do. If you train people and the sad thing is when you say, I can take your money but I can't guarantee you anything. It is sad because the opportunities aren't here." Johan is talking about the big changes in the theatre world that happened after 1994 in South Africa and the why there are not many opportunities for actors in South Africa. He is also talking about his award winning Novel "Kaffertjie" based on a true story. Johan is also now developing a Radio drama and it's a new challenge for him to work only with audio. Hear more about Johan's career as an actor, singer and stage designer and what his wishes are for the future. Johan's shout out goes to Paputzi's Cafe in Linden, Johannesburg
"It's really important to me. I love the harp and I love music," says the harpist Glenda Allaway. "I think that even if the gig doesn't feel like it's where you want to be or if it's not the most dazzling or wowing gig in the world, I think it's just really important to create beautiful things and do your absolute best and you'll never know." Glenda is talking about exploring different genres of music and how she loves listening to music and always finding something interesting. She also loves to explore music from different cultures and already delved into Mexican and Syrian harp music and Paraguayan harp techniques. Hear more about what inspired Glenda to start playing the harp and what her wishes are for the future. Glenda’s shout out goes to Unity Diner in London
"Motivation is the key word," says Airline Pilot Robert Schofield. "I think for most Pilots the pandemic has taken the wind out of their sails. It's trying to get back on track. You've always had a plan. You've been flying the aeroplane and there's always been a structure to it, and we are structured. Everybody in aviation is in a structured scenario so, if I can't do this and can't do that, then what do I do?" Rob is talking about the fact that it takes adaptability and resilience to go through this situation and he talks with admiration of colleagues who have done amazing things and also helping each other. He also talks about the situation of the aviation industry in South Africa and how many Pilots are having to leave the country to be able to pursue their careers in aviation. Hear more about what inspired Rob to become a pilot and also what his plans are for the future. His shout out goes to Ons Huisie in Bloubergstrand
"There is not creativity," says Ballet teacher Jean-Pierre Pribilois. "We want to see new names who can go up to the level of Balanchine and Marius Petipa, who can create new ballets, full ballets with a story, with new costumes, with new music. This is what is missing today and what we need. This is the oxygen of art, of culture, of dance, of ballet. This is what the ballet world needs today." Jean- Pierre is also talking about his career as a ballet dancer and his passion for teaching ballet. Jean-Pierre gives some wonderful insights into the world of ballet and also his thoughts on how audiences should be educated to show their appreciation for this art form. With his facebook group "Ballet international" he always shares the most wonderful posts of historical ballet pictures and videos as well as information about ballet of our time. It was a great joy to do this interview with Jean- Pierre who added: " my aim is to encourage all artists of ballet to be creative and create new things to help dancers. I'm doing this interview because it must sound like a message to all artists to be creative and to battle for the art and culture of tomorrow."
"When we started to do the research we knew that Gin is our preferred drink as consumers and we realised that with Gin we could use our local Botanicals," says Martin Murray of Dunnet Bay Distillers. "We could create a spirit that captured the flavours of our area but also the stories and the legends of our area. So we believed Gin was a great product for because it was something that could showcase our area and our talents." Martin is talking about how him and his wife started the Dunnet Bay Distillery in a small coastal town in the North of Scotland. The success story of this Distillery is so inspirational and it is wonderful to hear about their new venture to restore a 200 year old mill to be able to produce whiskey on the site. Hear more about what inspired Martin to start making Gin in this small coastal town and also about the interesting project to restore the Old Mill. Martin's shout out goes to a local Restaurant, No 1 Bistro at the Mackays Hotel
"I truly believe that listening to different music, studying different things and getting involved with what's happening around the world definitely help you build that person or that character that you want to be as an artist", says singer and songwriter Daniella Mass. She believes that it is important to take time to discover what it is you feel comfortable with as an artist and to not be put into a so called box. Daniella tells what inspires her to write her own songs and how she has used the time during the pandemic to do her own recordings in her studio. Hear more about the reason that Daniella started singing and also her wishes for the future. Daniella's shout out goes to The Pure kitchen in Tampa Bay
"Maybe we have a slightly different way of viewing what the organ is, The girly organist," Rebekah Okpoti. "For me, I think it's just such an interesting instrument and I would like people to be able to experience it, and so demystifying the organ." Rebekah is talking about how important it is to let people come in close contact with the organ as instrument and also knowing more about what goes on behind the scenes. She tells what inspired her to play the organ and how she transitioned from playing the piano to getting to know the organ. Rebekah calls herself 'The girly organist' and she believes that playing the organ should not just be exclusive to someone who studies the instrument at university level. She also feels that the audience should be able to walk around in the church during an organ recital so that they could experience the sound from the different places in the church. Hear more about Rebekah's recent projects and also her wishes for the future. Her shout out goes to The emporium Clitheroe
"The general public have high knowledge about what food they want to consume. So to me it's the way to go," says Jared JiannLih Chuah, Pastry chef, chocolatier and Confectioner. Everyone, it's not just for pastry chefs, not just for me as a confectioner, for chefs, for who ever is working with the Food and Beverage business. We need to be more conscious about what food we are actually producing to sell to costumers, because that actually has a very big impact on how we live." Jared is talking about the concept he developed of making confectionary with natural colour and flavourings. He also give some insight into the work of a pastry chef in a restaurant and how he decided on the choice of deserts to make. Hear more about Jared's sweets business he developed during the pandemic and also what inspired him to become a pastry chef. He is now starting a new job at a Hotel in Oslo called Sommero House and he is telling more about the renovation of the Art Deco building and what his job as a Pastry chef there would entail.
"You become a family. Every airline that I've been with, you become a very close knit family," says Joanne Jordan who is an Airline Pilot at Safair. "It's a very small industry, it's a small world. You become a family so when you see that broken apart, it's very sad. You go through quite a mourning; First you're dealing with the reality of loosing your job and now you've also lost your family, your aviation family. It's a very difficult situation to be in. " Joanne is talking about the consequences or the pandemic on the airline industry and the uncertain times the pilots also had to go through. She is giving some insight into the years of training to become an airline pilot and how everybody in the industry are so passionate about their jobs. Hear more about what inspired Joanne to pursue a career in aviation and how she coped with losing her job because of the aviation industry that came to a halt. Joanne also expresses her wishes for the future. Her shout out goes to Melkbos Kitchen in South Africa
"Those of us who were under privileged were not ever about to know what a theatre is", says singer and actress Stephanie Baartman. "Those were our first experiences of people coming with a bus and everyone being so excited, looking through the windows because the actors have arrived." Stephanie is talking about the value of theatre and art in our society and especially for young children. Stephanie is a well know actress in South African who plays the role of Bibi in the television series "Getroud met Rugby." She is also now involved in a program where maths is taught in schools through story telling and short little plays. She recognises the value of music and acting in her life and she wants to give back to the communities of South Africa. Hear more about Stephanie's love for singing, her new single and her wishes for the future Stephanie's shout out goes to Emzini Restaurant where she also regularly performs.
"If ever I cannot learn from somebody something, I'll take my wings, hang them up, go sit on the stoep, have a beer and look at the sunset" says Airline pilot Riaan van Zyl. Even younger people have something that they can give you as a guy with 22 000 hours. The bottom line is that the learning curve, you're going to have it for the rest of your life, doesn't matter what you fly, how you fly or how long you've been flying. Riaan is talking about how he was called out of retirement and given the opportunity to fly as a commercial airline Pilot again for Air link in South Africa. He gives some insight into his career in aviation and his role as Captain during a flight. Riaan also tells of his passion for aviation since a young age and path he had to follow to become a commercial Pilot. Hear more about Riaan's wishes for the future and what happens behind the scenes in the cockpit. Riaan's shout out goes to Mug and Bean coffee shop
"I see how much passion these people have for the ballet and for the dancers, " says Adrian Cunescu, hear of the Ballet circle of the Vienna state ballet. "I really appreciate them for being there every time when there's a show, for trying to come for every stage rehearsal and supporting financially. They give us money and they are ready to support us more for different projects." Adrian is telling how thankful he is for the help and support of the members of the Ballet circle. He is talking about the projects they are planning to support the ballet dancers of the Vienna state ballet and also the possibility of outreach programs for the future. Adrian himself had a career as a ballet dancer and he talks about how he started doing ballet in Romania and also some aspects of his career that actually prepared his for his role as head of the ballet circle. Hear more about Adrian's wishes for the future and how his career brought him back to Vienna Adrian's shout out goes to a vegan restaurant in Vienna The plain
"This year is my 40th year on stage, " says actress and singer, Elzabe Zietsman, "and the commitment that you have to have to your art, to have been on the stage for 40years in South Africa is huge, because there is so little work that all of us basically have to do other stuff to stay alive, to keep the pot on the stove. That kind of commitment, I do not think the public understand." Elzabe is talking about how small theatres in South Africa disappeared and the way artists have to create opportunities for themselves to be able to pursue their artistic careers. She is passionate about acting and is well known in South Africa for doing Cabaret. Elzabe is also talking about her new show called 'Femme is Fatal' which is raising awareness to the plight of woman in our society. In ‘Femme is Fatale’ a brand new one-woman cabaret, Elzabé Zietsman gets onto the case of this scourge using song and story telling to get to the bottom of this ‘other epidemic’ which is threatening to devour the very fabric of South African society. Here more about Elzabe's love for the theatre and the stage and how her great wish has already come true. Her shout out goes to A-Z, a baking business that she and her business partner Agnes is working on. May A-Z cookies and rusks soon be seen on the shelves of the big supermarkets in South Africa! Thank you Agnes for showing off your lovely bakes.
I think art, music, a the end of the day is an empathetic art form. Music, I feel like the main purpose or the main goal is for you to share a human experience with someone else, whether that is through classical or another form of music. If the recipient or the listener listens to that music and they resonate with the empathetic nature of what that artist was trying to communicate, what kind of human experience they were trying to communicate and if they resonated with that, and are moved emotionally, then that's great. You've accomplished what you were here to do." Ken is talking about playing different music genres and how, the more he is exploring, the more amazing things he discovers. Ken has a unique style of playing the cello like a guitar. He tells the story of how he came to play the cello this way and what he has learnt in the process. Hear more about Ken's wishes for the future and also how he started playing the cello as a young boy. Ken's shout out goes to an Ethiopian restaurant in Manhattan Benyam Cuisine
"And I think it puts us organists and the organs as instruments on par with, for instance; Violinists and Pianists, who can stand on a stage and we can clearly see what they are doing. We have to do tricks like that to show people what we are doing because if not, we would just be hidden," says Organist Jonas Nielson about why he is using a camera and screen during his concerts. Jonas is an organist from Denmark and he is talking about all the aspects of playing the organ. His wish is to show more people that the organ is an interesting instrument. He has a wonderful news feed on instagram where he regularly posts videos of him playing the organ. He also raises the topic about the physicality of playing instruments and why there are not more awareness around the fitness when it comes to being a musician. Here more about how Jonas started playing the organ and his wonderful way of doing improvisations during his concerts. Jonas makes a shout out to his favourite coffee shop in Denmark: Stiller's coffee and La Cabra
"We're going into a really positive phase for the arts", says Jan Malan, Director, producer and Choreographer. "If people have just the savvy, you know. They need to think out of the box. They can't try and keep things the way it was before. The world is a stage so they need to find ways how they can change their concepts, and this is what I've learnt, to suit smaller spaces." Jan and his husband Greg Meyer their company, Umzingeli, staged many high profile productions all over the world until the pandemic and Lockdowns have created a big turning point in their work. It's from their unique theatre in Paternoster on the West coast of South Africa that Jan is talking about how this wonderful theatre came about and how much the community and surrounding towns are benefitting from having some of the most talented South African artists perform on the stage of the "Koelkamers". Hear more about Jan's wishes for the future and all the great positives he sees for the arts in South Africa. Jan's shout out goes to some of the award wining restaurants of Paternoster Cathy's Kitchen. Voorstrand restaurant, De See kat, Leeto, Wolfgat and Paternoster Hotel
"For a long way of the journey, you work on your skills, and you want to sound like what is in your head, the vision, " says Singer and songwriter Dara Winter. Then, when you have this kind of level where you say: "Ok, now this is what I feel good with to go out in the world," then this is just the starting point, for even having the chance to figure out what should this brand look like, what is my social media strategy. All of these other stuff, all these enterprise thinking and management thinking. This is something on top." Dara is also talking about what inspires her to write her music and how she loves to play with words to get the the core of what she wants to express with her songs. Hear more about Dara's journey in creating her first album and her insights into what it takes to market yourself in the music industry. Dara also expresses her wishes for the future and her shout out goes to a restaurant in her home city Linz in Austria Gelbes Krokodil and Schloss cafe
"And that was the first time I heard the orchestra in the pit. I was on stage, so I felt the floor vibrating because of the orchestra. And that day I knew that I was going to do that for the rest of my life, one way or the other," says Baritone German Olvera. He is talking about how his love for singing opera and how he had the dream, growing up in Mexico, to be singing on the stage in Germany. " As we said from the places we come from. Yeah, there's no one picking people from nowhere and taking them to Europe just like that. There's a way we have to do it all by ourselves. And I remember that with a lot of joy, because it was a beautiful dream. Hear more about the wonderful Mexican tradition to serenade in the street for someone you love and what his wishes are for the future. German's shout out goes to a restaurant in Hanover Masa
"The idea is that the music is quality enough and that the illustrations are fun enough so that the whole family can enjoy it", says Chanda VanderHart. Together with Rima Al-Juburi who is the illustrator of the story "Morgiana and the 40 Thieves", they are working towards raising funds to get the music recorded and the book published of the wonderful project "Talespin -Musical Tales for Big and Small." The idea was to bring family entertainment to Austria originally, because we felt that there's a wonderful classical music scene and there's children's events, but there's not a lot where everyone is going to have a good time." These projects are so valuable for bringing music back into our homes. This musical and visual project is aimed for young and old and it's a great way of sharing music and stories together as a family. Hear more about the wonderful artwork that Rima did for this project as well as how she felt she grew in confidence in her illustrating since the project started in 2008. Chanda also shares her story of how she started in music and her journey as a pianist. Feel free to support this wonderful work. Find the link below. Chanda's shout out goes to her favourite Restaurant in Vienna: Ludwig und Adele Rima's shout out goes to Kent restaurant for their wonderful breakfasts
"I think once you divide art into these different categories then we have trouble. I always say that the best technique is to be able to express your intention up to the fullest. The real technique is to be able to say artistically what you want to say fully. So that could include all of the depth and the nuancing and the expressivity, and it can include speed and velocity and being flexible " says Violist Hsin-Yun Huang. She is also talking about the wonderful project she did with Alessandra Ashkenazy and the dancers of her ballet school Ashkenazy Ballet. "She has such an amazing respect for music, for silence, for drama. She did not just let there be dancing in time with the music, she allowed many moments to be blank." explains Hsin-Yun about the choreography by Alessandra and how she also included her dancers to give there input in the choreography. Hear more about this great collaboration and project and also Hsin-Yun's wishes for the future.
"The thing with ballet I find, it's a real team effort because sometimes the runs are very long, or there are many shows. There isn't only one conductor for the production, there are sometimes 2 or 3 plus the assistant. So it's a real team effort and that's what I love", says conductor Charlotte Politi. Charlotte is currently part of the Lambert Fellowship at the Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet and she is talking about the great experience of working at these two world renowned companies. "If you wake up in the morning and you're really excited about going to do your job, it's a good sign, for sure." During the audition process for the Fellowship she already realised that working with the ballet as a conductor is something she would love to do. Charlotte also tells how she always loved being part of an orchestra and how studying conducting was the natural path for her to follow. Hear more about Charlotte's experiences during her time in London and also what her wishes are for the future.
"We met people from all around the world, so it was very interesting me how, at that moment, when everything stopped, we were able to connect in some other way with others by teaching and in some weird way "travel". It was a very nice experience." says Olja Djukic, ballet dancer at the Belgrade national ballet. Together with her husband Randol Betancourt, also a dancer at the same company, they started teaching online classes during the pandemic and with so much interest, they are still teaching this way. Randol is talking about his ballet training in Cuba and how he had to make a mind shift from the way he was taught to teaching online. Olja agrees that this platform that they have created allows more people to get the opportunity to explore the art of ballet and in this way there will also be a new appreciation for this form of art. Hear more about how Randol and Olja support each other in their careers and also what their wishes are for the future. Randal's shout out goes to Konoba Akustik in Belgrade and Olja recommends any coffee shop at Republic square
"It's not just the hitting, because hitting the drum is of course really important. Because when you play on a drum or on a Xylophone bar, the thing you hit starts resonating, and the way you hit it, defines the way the resonating goes and how it sounds. says Multi-percussionist Nick KleinJan. Nick is talking about his interest as a young boy in playing the drums and then went on to study both in the Netherlands and Germany. He mainly plays classical music and explains that percussion instruments have become more interesting since the 20th century. Hear more about Nick's wishes for the future and his advice for young musicians who are interested in studying percussion instruments
"What I like when I teach recipes, for me it's not just to learn the recipe, do this, do that. For me people should really embrace cooking. It's not following steps from a guide book one after the other, it's really learning. If you can learn letters from the alphabet, you can read. If you learn a few things in cooking, you can cook anything in the world," says Chef Julian Kutos. Julian has a wonderful concept of doing online cooking classes and in this way people from anywhere in the world can take part and learn from him. His wonderful informal way of demonstrating dishes makes cooking seem effortless and this is a great way of inspiring people to get involved with cooking. Julian talks about how his interest in cooking started and how he went from working in marketing to becoming a chef. His grandmother played a big part in his love for cooking since a young age and he still admires her for her skills. Hear more about Julian's views on cultural dishes and his wishes for the futures. Julian's shout out goes to Kaffee Alt Wien for the coffee expertise.
"It's a very popular instrument though it has evolved so much during the last 50 years and you can do so many more things than you used to do or hear. But not a lot of people know this or have seen the development that the instrument has made," says Daniel Roth about the Accordion. Daniel is part of the Accordion Duo Con:trust and he is talking about how he and Marius came together to form this unique Duo. Daniel and Marius are both studying the Accordion at Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt in Weimar and even thought they are study classical Accordion, they also like to play different genres and collaborate with other musicians. Here more about Daniel's wishes for the future and how they came up with the name for their Duo. Daniel's shout out goes to Cielo Weimar
"There's a tremendous power in art healing us. But it's not because of the art itself, but it's because of the slowing down our lives from this hectic race we're running and we don't know where we're running to. By experiencing, seeing, and in that process the healing will take place as well." says Emile Manefeldt, Obstetrician and Multi- medium artist. " For me it's a lifeline, " "Sometimes if you are stressed and over worked, it's just a release to let these things come out. Not merely as decoration, but saying something, making a point, highlighting the plight that woman are in. We see, where I'm working at the moment, a lot of terrible things, and you need some way to show the world on one side, and for yourself to reconcile being a human with what is happening around you." Emile is talking about his art projects and the series of art works he did to bring attention to the work the nurses do in hospitals every day. They are the ones who care for the patients, not just their physical needs but also their emotional needs. His Modern Madonnas represent these women, old and young who are caring for their patients. Hear more about Emile's work as artist and his wishes for the future. See his artwork at the end of the interview.
"The old vine blocks that you find in each region truly are unique. You can truly see the difference that different soils can have on such an old block, how it develops and the ability it has to become an old vineyard block. So it really is a fulfilling project to be part of. " says Madeleine du Toit, viticulturist at Wine and vine Solutions. Madeleine is talking about the role of the viticulturist in the winemaking industry and why she decided to follow this career path. She is also passionate about the Old Vine Project and supports and advice wine farmers on how to preserve and nurture these old vines for the future. Madeleine explains on the hand of wines from Du Toits kloof Cellar and Perdeberg Cellar how the different regents has an effect on the tastes of the wines from the old vines. Hear more about why Madeleine feels that preserving the old vines is not only for sentimental reasons but also for sustainable wine farming for the future. Madeleine's shout out goes to Bootlegger
"I think if you have a passion for it, don't ever give up on your passion. There's a always ways and there's always means of reaching your dream. That's for sure." says Nick Hawke, Captain and managing Pilot. Nick is talking about his passion for aviation from a young age and the challenges he had to overcome to become a pilot. Nick's passion is in Crew recourse management. He recently became recertified as a CRM instructor and will now be training Pilots from all ages and experience levels in Crew recourse management. It's about how to teach the human side of aviation; Decision-making, risk management, working as a team, being a leader, communication skills etc. " I don't believe flying is for everybody. I believe most people are trainable. I have witnessed in my career certain people somehow get their PPL (Private Pilot License) but unfortunately there's a difference between the actual flying of an aeroplane and then what we call the human skills of flying." Hear more about Nicks wishes for the future and what he just ticked of his bucket list. Nick's shout out goes to Jackson's real food market
"For me the organic things is just a natural thing to do. If you're just a consumer you don't necessarily think about it. All those things that happen in agriculture, also viticulture or fishing. There is often very little respect towards nature or that there will be generations after us. For me it just feels natural not to do something harmful in the vineyard." says Kai Schubert, winemaker and owner of Schubert wines. He is talking about the importance of organic wine farming and winemaking. Kai grew up in Germany and his passion for winemaking led him to buy a winery in New Zealand. He gives insight into the many factors that play a role in the vineyard ever before the actual wine making process starts. Kai also talks about the business and marketing side of winemaking and why export plays an important role for winemakers in New Zealand. Hear more about winemaking in New Zealand and Kai’s wishes for the future.
"So that, for me, is where the aeroplane and individual harmony needs to come into it's own. Where, it doesn't matter what happens, you're so in one with the plane, you're able to do literally whatever they can throw at you." says Patrick Davidson about the challenges of Aerobatic competitions. Patrick is the Five-time South African Aerobics champion and also in the Red Bull Air Race World Series Challenger Class. He was only 12 years old when he took part in his first aerobatic competition and he explains more about the art of flying aerobatics. Patrick tells more about the Red Bull Air race that he is part of and the difference between the two types of competitions. Patrick is a true aviator and he takes to the skies not only for aerobatics but also just for his own enjoyment. Hear more about the strains that this sport has on the body and also about his wishes for the future. Patrick's shout out goes to Seattle coffee company in Port Elisabeth
"And I think even across the cultures and especially now where South African music is, and South African communities are after 24 years of democracy, the new South can be heard in the sound of the choirs. And when they come here, it's a message that's so strong, because of the South African spirit that's being transmitted." says Johann van der Sandt, professor in music pedagogy at the Faculty of Education, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy. He is doing his research in community singing and he is talking about the great value of choir singing and the sense of belonging that this brings. Johann has conducted the choir at the University of Pretoria before taking on the role of choir master of the Drakensberg Boys choir. He is now not only doing research work at the University of Bozen-Bolzano but he is also greatly involved in different choirs in his area. Hear more about why he calls himself a "choir Junky" and what his wishes are for the future. Johann's shout out goes to Restaurants Decantei and Kutscherhof
"You need to be the renegade. You need to be the gorilla and just go out there and try something totally different," say Master distiller, Hendré Barnard from Jim and Tonic Distillery. He believes that within the rules the boundaries should be pushed to create something that is unique and different. Hendré is also talking about the how the Jim and Tonic distillery is aware of their carbon footprint and the different ways it tries to make the day to day production of the distillery environmentally friendly. The distillery is based in London and they are also doing workshops and training for people who are interested in learning the art of distilling. Hendré introduces the different gins of the distillery and he explains how the different flavours are put together to create the different types of gin. My view point about Gins are a bit different. I don't necessarily agree with the idea that you have to have large numbers of botanicals to make a good gin. I feel that if you limit yourself to just a few botanicals, you actually create a gin that for the consumer, is more interesting. Hear more about the origin of the name of the distillery and also Hendré's wishes for the future. Hendré's shout out goes to Mercato Metropolitano at Elephant and Castle in London
"I have a theory that we love blue porcelain so much because you rarely get blue in nature. The places you see blue is in the sky and in the ocean. And you can never really touch the sky or the horizon of the ocean. So blue is the colour of that, that cannot be touched, yet with blue porcelain you can hold it in your hands." says Michael Chandler, Ceramic artist in Cape Town. Michael is talking about how his love affair with ceramics started and where he gets his inspiration for his artworks from. He also does commissions with the idea that he could create a porcelain artwork for someone to commemorate a special occasion or a capture a precious memory. Michael has done research on the origins of blue painted ceramics and he is inspired by historical information to create his own works of art. Hear more about Michael's creative ideas and his wishes for the future. His shout out goes to a coffee shop in Cape Town called: Blue Café
"After 41 years in the game, well I think I've had the most fantastic flying career anybody could have had. I'm very lucky," says Colonel Tony Smit who is leading the Spitfire restoration project in South Africa. He is talking about the process of the restoration and the people involved. At the moment they are still building the hanger where the restoration will be done and this will then also be a suitable place for future restorations. Such initiatives should get our support as these historic planes are valuable for generations to come. Hear more about this wonderful project and also Tony's wishes for the future. At the age of 85, Tony is still flying everything from corporate jets to vintage aircraft and turbo props, with over 25000 flying hours on 230 aircraft types and he is also examiner for civil aviation. It was a privilege to talk to you Tony.
It's ok if we take a step back and breathe a little bit, and do things a little differently. I've discovered a whole new palate of exciting roles, exciting music that I'm again very passionate about. I've always been passionate about what I do. " says Laura Tătulescu, Operatic Soprano. She is talking about accepting when something is not suited for her and realising that everyone has their own voice and their own way of doing. Laura also recently became a mum and she is telling who it has changed her life in a beautiful way. She now plans and prioritise her workload so that she and her husband can spend enough time with their daughter. Hear more about how her career started at the Vienna State opera and her wishes for the future. Laura's shout out goes to a traditional restaurant in Bucharest. Hanul lui Manuc. See also the photographs at the end of the video.
"Writing with a certain place of performance in mind always changes some things" says Singer and Songwriter Cesár Sampson. "But it doesn't really change the core. It's like putting fluid in a different vessel. I still do me but I acknowledge the realities and the opportunities of a live televised performance." Cesár is talking about his performance during the Eurovision song contest and how much he values such an opportunity. He also tells about his singing career and how he was able to perform live on stage already since the age of 17. Hear more about Cesár's advice for young singers and also his wishes for the future. Cesár's shout out goes to Klyo
"The ideal situation is where nobody has to accommodate you, they just have to assimilate you." says Actor, comedian and writer Melt Sieberhagen. He feels it is good to familiarise yourself in your field and the more you know and understand what other people are doing, the better a team player you can be. "It's more about knowing what not to do" explains Melt. Melt also does stand-up comedy in South Africa and for him it's a very interesting art form to explore. It's something you can't go and study, you have to learn to do it as you go along. Hear more about how Melt started his career as an Actor and what led him to do stand-up comedy. Melt also expresses his wishes for the future and he feel very optimistic about the South African film industry. Melt's shout out goes to a restaurant in Cape Town: Van Hunks The restaurant is named after the local legend of Van Hunks, who got into a smoking contest with the devil and lost – thus causing the misty “smoke” around the mountains.
"If I don't believe in the wine, I don't put it in the bottle." Says Brad Paton, winemaker at Buitenverwachting wine Estate. Since making wine at this beautiful wine estate in the Constantia valley in Cape Town, Brad started a new portfolio for the wine farm. It is a limited vintage series of wines that is exclusive to the property and can only be purchased on site. He describes this series of small volume wines as being site specific and more personal. He feels that these wines almost goes "against the grain" He doesn't like to follow trends "I sometimes like to be more controversial. I try and do something different" says Brad. Hear more about how Brad decides on the name for these wines and why he believes that wine is part of life and should be enjoyed this way. Brad expresses his wished for the future and his shoutout goes to a boutique restaurant in Noordhoek called "The food barn" http://buitenverwachting.com/
"And definitely your experiences will shape you. I do like that I came from a more live background. It's most fun for me." says singer and songwriter Juliana Riccardi. What she finds most challenging is when she is recording. It's very different going into a sound isolated booth compared to singing and performing in front of a live audience. Juliana is also talking about how she started her career as a singer in New York, singing in bars and small venues to gain experience. She also introduces her band and is talking about the different music instruments and musicians which are part of this creative collaboration. Juliana has such a beautiful voice, perfect for the repertoire she is singing. Hear more about her wishes for the future and what made her decide to live in LA. Juliana's shout out goes to Sachi
"It comes back to this word of sustaining wine identity in a changing climate, if we can allow solutions of maintaining the traditional cultivated or signature variety, that is a great adaptation solution." says Etienne Neethling, Lecturer and researcher in viticulture. Etienne is involved in researched about how climate change are affecting the traditional vineyard and how wine growers and wine makers will have to adapt to the change in temperatures as a result of global warming. He also has an interest in the old vine projects and explains why these old vines could hold valuable information about how vines could adapt to climate change. Etienne also expresses his wishes for the future and that there will always be support for the traditional way of farming in the wine industry.
"I wanted to highlight to singers how important it is that, when you do sing, you are conveying emotion, you are telling stories." says Conroy Cupido, Associate Professor of Classical singing at the North West University in South Africa. Conroy is talking about a project he has done where he wanted to make singers aware that by using certain elements in singing, meaning of songs are communicated "Besides the fact that you annunciate, you also have power in the prosodic elements of your voice. So how do you shape the colour of the sound, how do you play with word painting? How do you play with vibrato?". This fascinating project will be available for downloading from July and even though it is aimed for scholars, it would also be interesting to anybody who have an interest in music and art. Hear more about how Conroy started in music and how his career path led to Dallas in the US, where he lived for 10 years before joining the faculty of Music in Potchefstroom at the University. Conroy also expresses his wishes for the future and I am joining him in wishing for more Opera companies in South Africa. Conroy, may your wishes come true! Conroy's shout outs goes to restaurants in Potchefstroom: Vista's at the Feather hill hotel DeMilko Coffee shop Kauai
"Time is important when we share things. For example: We sit together and drink some wine and the the wine itself has an effect on time. " says winemaker Sieghard Vaja. He is talking about how the taste of wine changes for each person in relation to the time frame it is consumed, the memories and emotions attached to the experience. He has a holistic approach to wine making and see it as more than just the technical and scientific aspects. Sieghard is touching on very interesting and philosophical thoughts about the variables and influences we experience when drinking wine and how much of a person can be revealed by his taste in wine. Hear more winemaking in Europe and the way older vineyards are kept. Sieghard also expresses his wishes for the future and how he would like to share his knowledge about wine making and be a mentor to someone who is approaching the industry. Sieghard's shout out goes to restaurants in Zürich:
"You perform best if you feel relaxed, accepted, loved and appreciated. So you have to build this environment for yourself and that takes a lot of work," says Karin Bonelli, flutist at the Vienna Philharmonic. Karin is talking about the program they are developing where they help flutists to prepare themselves and be confident for auditions. The team consists of a mental trainer, physical trainer, doctor and Karin herself is teaching the artistic side. Karin explains why teaching is important to her and we also discussed the importance of art education in schools. Hear more about how Karin started playing the flute and her wishes for the future. Her shout out goes to: Restaurant Pauli https://www.karinbonelli.com/ https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/en/
“A place where grapes grow optimally means that there should be very little intervention in the final winemaking process.” says winemaker Justin van Wyk of Constantia Glen wine estate. From the vineyards, where they don’t use any insecticides to the cellar where the red wines are allowed to go through a natural fermentation process, they follow the traditional way of making wines. “I try and intervene as little as possible, and we try and do the entire process as naturally as possible”. Hear more about the different wines from this beautiful wine estate on the slopes of the Constantia Mountain in South Africa and the lovely story of how the winery started. Justin’s shout out goes to "Coffee block" and "Beyond Expectation" on the Buitenverwachting wine estate
The ultimate cut is still based on sensory attributes, that's purely based on the distillers ability to be able to distinguish between what heating is good or not" says master distiller Renaldo Fourie. He is talking about the the processes of making Gin and Brandy and how many variables there are to keep in consideration in the distilling process. Renaldo tells how he learnt about distilling at a very young age which led him to study wine making and organic chemistry which helped to gain more knowledge about distilling. He is now also in the process of starting and developing a new distillery business and is looking forward to this process. Hear more about the beautiful love story of how he met his wife, and how they share the same passion for distilling. Renaldo's shout out goes to the Restaurant in Paarl South Africa, "Black Smith's kitchen" where him and his wife went on their first date and since ten it has been a place to celebrate many firsts for them.
"I think in the end it has made me a happier person because I ended up realising that my identity or myself worth don't depend on the things that I do or the things that I have" says Eva Carizza, multi instrumentalist, Conductor and singer. She just finished her Doctorate in Music, violin and instrumental conducting at the Frost school of music at the University of Miami. Eva suffers from a a severe type of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that forced her to be in bed for six years. She became, then, the first person who has ever earned a Professional Degree playing violin in bed. She also prompted a law in Catalonia improving the situation of people with disabilities in artistic degrees—which was finally approved by the Parliament in November 2013. Eva continues to raise awareness and uses her expertise to help artists with disabilities. This is again proof that the voice of one person can bring about so much positive change. Hear more about Eva's inspiring story and also her wishes for the future. Her shout out goes to Casa Cuba in Miami
"The first thing is the idea because for me to create a cake is very important because people buy cake with their eyes" says French Pastry Chef Gregory Doyen. He explains that after he created a design it can sometimes take 5 minutes to make or sometimes two or three days. Gregory believes that beautiful cakes should be eaten and enjoyed and it should be part of the whole experience of being presented in a beautiful way. It doesn't bother him if it took him two hours to create the cake and it gets eaten in 2 minutes. He doesn't think of it in this way, but rather the joy it brings to the person who eats it. Hear more about how Gregory was inspired to become a pastry chef and also the advice he gives to young pastry chefs. He also expresses his wishes for the future and I am sure they will come true.
"We try and keep it as simple as possible, with the least amount of ingredients to still give you a very complexed product, because ultimately, the creativity is in the hands of the person making his cocktail" says Joubert Roux of 1st Principles Distilleries. By using the indigenous flowers and Rooibos tea and also Honey bush tea from the Langeberge, which is much sweeter and more complex. Joubert also believes that Brandy is made by natural processes and man should only supervise the process. "You are just a custodian of a process that happens naturally". Hear more about this wonderful distillery where they are aware of their carbon footprint and believe that simplicity is key to making extraordinary products. Joubert also expresses his wishes for the future that people will start to explore the art of making cocktails. His shout out goes to a nursery in Vredendal with a lovely coffee shop attached
"Sometimes many young dancer that perform, they don't give soul, they only do steps, just movements, and this is really sad" says Ballet dancer and teacher Fethon Miozzi. He is talking about how much pressure there is on young dancers to have perfect technique but in the process the art and expression of the artform gets lost. Fethon tells the story of how he started his career in Ballet in Rome and then at the age of 18 went to join the Mariinsky Ballet company where he danced for 18 years. He also danced as a guest artists in ballet companies all over the world. "Classical ballet is forever" says Fethon "Classical work is our base, it's our soul" Hear more about Fethon's work and career and also his wishes for the future It was a wonderful privilege to talk to you Fethon.
That's what we try and bring to the fore, to have wines that have real personality and express themselves the best for that particular time. I feel a bottle of wine is really a snapshot of a time period of both the geography and geology. " say Winemaker Luke O'Cuinneagain from Glenelly wine estate. Luke tells the wonderful story of this prestige wine estate in South Africa and also the story behind some of their wines. Hear more about how he went from wanting to go to Veterinary school to ended up studying winemaking at Stellenbosch. Luke's shout outs go to: Rykaarts, Genki and Asta la pasta in Stellenbosch
“I have something here in my hands which can not be taken away from us” says Bandura player Bohdan Shutka. He tells the wonderful history of this traditional Ukrainian instrument and what inspired him to learn to play the bandura. Because this instrument is only played by a few musicians still, Bohdan makes use of old literature to understand what the composers intent was and also keep on practicing to understand the physics and mechanics of the instrument. There are still so much to discover about the bandura and Bohdan feels it’s a project for a lifetime. He is talking with so much pride about this instrument and I admire him for his dedication in spite of the difficulties he has to face to make people understand the beauty of the music written for the Bandura. Hear more about this very unique instrument and Bohdan’s wishes for the future His shout out goes to Carl Ludwig cafe
"Old vine wines don't necessarily show the varietal characteristics, but it shows site" says Andre Morgenthal from the Old vine Project. These wines express where they come from and this is what makes the wines made from the old vines so unique, explains Andre. Together with Rosa Kruger, who initially started the project, they work tirelessly to raise awareness to the importance of preserving the old vines. Andre is also talking about the research that is currently done to try and give scientific proof that it is important to preserve the old vines, not only because of the unique wines, but also because of environmental protection and sustainable wine farming. With this project, a lot is also being done in the farming community for farmworkers regarding education and better working conditions. Look out for the Old vine Label to know that you are not just drinking unique wine, but also adding to a wonderful story with many people involved. Hear more about Andre's wishes for the future of the Old vine Project. Andre's shout outs go to: De Warenmarkt, Genki, Fat butcher, Le Siemma, Rykaarts, Decameron, Bertus Basson restaurants
"Music felt very powerful and that's what changed my mind after the very first show. The first song, the second line of the song, when I see how people reacted, I've never felt such a connection before. " says singer and composer Ola Egbowon. Originally from Nigeria, Ola came to Vienna to work at the Nigerian Embassy. It was by coincidence that he came to a recording studio where he met musicians who gave him the opportunity to sing. At the age of 30 Ola started singing and doing concerts for the first time and from here his journey started as a recording artist, producer and composer. Ola tells about the struggles along the way and learning from mistakes that brought him the success he is experiencing today. Hear more about his future projects for young artists in Vienna and also his wishes for the future. Ola's shout out goes to Daniel Moser Coffee shop and Bar
"I think Baroque music, there's a kind of physical aspect to it, which is at the same time very earthy but also quite profound because it links with your body in a way." says Erik Dippenaar, director of the Cape Town Baroque orchestra. It was from his first music teacher, in a small town in the countryside of South Africa, where Erik first discovered the sound of the harpsicord and from there it became the instrument which inspired him to dig deep into the Baroque genre. Hear more about Erik's studies in the UK, and his return to South Africa where he is now bringing Baroque music and instruments to the audiences in South Africa. Erik also expresses his wishes for the future and for music education. Erik's shout out goes to Marias Dunkley Square
"As a dancer you always have a process as well. You grow up throughout your career and I think you have a different awareness, of your body and also of the experience have, and it makes you aware of how you develop as a dancer but also as an artist." say Ballet dancer and Choreographer Fabio Adorisio. As a young boy already Fabio showed his love for dance and after going to ballet classes in Italy, he later joined the Ballet school of John Cranko in Stuttgart. It is here where his talent for as choreographed developed and since he joined the Stuttgart Ballet he has continued his success with commissions to create a world premiere for the Stuttgart Ballet, titled Or Noir and following Calma Apparente and Empty Hands. Hear more about Fabio's dreams for the future and his inspiring story. Fabio's shout out goes to his favourite restaurant at the lake in his hometown in Italy
"Reviving the ancient Greek Lyre should be for everybody and not just a few, and this is what we are trying to do" says Lyrist Theodoros Koumartzis. He feels that this is a space and chance for musicians from all over the world to present their music outside the idea of what is commercial and what is widely acceptable. Together with his father and brother, their study of the ancient Greek literature has been the inspiration behind the revival of this beautiful instrument. He says the most important way to introduce this instrument to the world is by communication, by accepting that they don't know all their is to know about this ancient instrument. They are also working together with music therapists, phycologists, amateur musicians, professors at the university from all over the world to share knowledge about the ancient Greek mythology and music. For Theodoros it's also an applied philosophy and it's not just about one thing. By adding all these steps together they have managed to create a musical community and in this way it is possible to reach more people to have the possibility to know about the beautiful music of the ancient Lyre. Hear more about the wonderful work Theodoros and his family is doing to revive the Lyre and also his wishes for the future Theodoros gives a shout out to Mikri Frida In the centre of Thessaloniki
"Comedy has just developed more as an art form where now, comedians can decide, how much do I want to involve comedy in a topic" says Comedian and Actor, Schalk Bezuidenhout " ....because the silence in the room, if you have a point to make, drives your point home that much harder than putting it in a joke." Schalk is a stand-up comedian in South Africa and he explains why humour can be understood universally and does not have to be specific to a culture. With his stand-up comedy show "Feeling good" he uses comedy but also adds some more personal and thought provoking topics. He feels that every comedian has his own style and way of structuring their show and for him it is important to have this deeper layer to his shows. Schalk is also involved in the KykNet Dating show "Die Kliek" and more serious acting roles. Hear more about Schalk's wishes for the future and how he started doing stand-up His shout out goes to Corner Cafe and Mr Pants Wine bar in Johannesburg
"... back then, even though I just wanted to be a pianist, I just wrote as a dream: 'Conductor in Vienna', I just put it out there. And then suddenly I find myself here.... Yeah, dreams come true!" Andrej Vesel - Conductor Andrej is still excited about being in Vienna and also that he had the opportunity to study conducting at the MDW. Now in June 2022 he will be finishing his studies and conduct the closing concert at the Musikverein in Vienna. On the 11th of May 2022 Andrej will be conducting the Ton der Jugend Symphonie Orchester at the Konzerthaus, with pianist Nefeli Mousoura. He is talking about his choice of music for this concert and why he also chose to do the music of the young composer Alma Deutscher. Hear more about the work he has been doing for his thesis and also his wishes for the future. Andrej's shout out goes to the Menza at the MDW Anton-von-Webern-Platz
Starting to play the piano at the age of 40, Kris soon established himself not only as a pianist, but also as a composer and creator. He is also involved in organising music festivals apart from being an professor in Business studies. He feels that people can relate to his music within their own experiences and this way everybody has their own story of what his music mean to them. He uses video and images together with his music and he enjoys this creative process very much. He is looking forward to doing more live concerts and tells about a project he will be doing with 100 students. I am so grateful that Kris agreed to do this interview in English despite the fact that his first language is French. Thank you very much to his nephew Geoffrey in New York who helped him with his language. Hear more about the wishes that Kris has for the future and hear him play one of his beautiful compositions at the end of the interview.
"It's good to concentrate on your ballet life but it's also nice to be open to other things, to be able to do more cultural things or just to get some inspiration from outside" says Nina Tonoli, ballet dancer at Dutch National ballet. Sometimes you might take a gamble if you move from one company to another but there are so many factors that could be positive when doing it. Nina initially trained in Belgium and then went on to do her training at the Royal Ballet Upper School in Covent Garden. Nina feels that even though ballet is an artform, the physical demand on a dancer's body is has been increased in recent years because of the dancing styles compared to year ago. It is therefor very important to have a plan and support for when injuries occur. Hear more about her advice for young dancers who are just starting their career as professional ballet dancers and also her wishes for the future. Nina's shout out goes to Kriterion in Amsterdam. A film theatre that originated during the second world war.
''It was the magic of the transformation. To see the stuff on the street, to take it in, and even not to wash it but to start using it as it was, and that ended up being that double tiered piece..." says Scott Hart from Magpie Art Collective in the small town of Barrydale in the Western Cape. Scott is talking from his studio where he is creating the most spectacular art works in the form of Chandeliers from items that he recycles. He is using things that gets thrown away like bottle caps, plastic bottles and many more items that society considers as "garbage". Not only is Scott creating these beautiful pieces of art, but he is involved in the community in Barrydale to add value to the lives of the people. Scott tells how much his late partner Shane had so much understanding and acceptance of people around him in this community and how his work lives on in the lives of the people he had contact with. Together Shane and Scott started this magnificent Magpie Art Collective studio and now Scott is continuing this wonderful work after Shane passed away only 6 months before the time of this interview. I applaud Scott for the wonderful work he is doing. Hear more about Scott's wishes for the future. His shout out goes to the Karoo Art Hotel in Barrydale
"Now with time, I am really happy with all that I did and all the difficulties I faced because it taught me so much. Now I feel it helped me in life. I learnt many lessons from ballet, the good, the bad and everything in between" says Jara Coulomb who made the leap from the ballet world to being a student of Fashion marketing. Jara gives a very honest and heartfelt glimpse of her journey to happiness and fulfilment after she stepped out of the only life she knew and what was part of her hopes and dreams. What struck me most is how Jara has such a positive way of looking at the path she had to go and how she now has so much hope in what the future will bring. Hear more about her story and also the advice she gives to young ballet students. I admire Jara for the courage she had to pursue a new career in spite of many uncertainties.
"What I like to bottle, is something that's from this place, one hundred percent! It's not been tweaked, it's not been manipulated..." says winemaker Callie Louw of Porseleinberg wines. At Porseleinberg farm, Callie is using natural fermentation processes to make the Porseleinberg wines. He is explaining how he is treating the soil and using organic methods to keep the process of wine making as natural as possible. He feels that this process is an ongoing and a long term way of doing. To add to this natural process, Callie also prints the labels of every bottle with an old printing press on the farm. For Callie, the organic way of making wine is a mindset and not a marketing strategy. He is also involved in the wine making at the famous Boekenhoutskloof winery where they follow the same organic principles of winemaking and the treatment of the vineyards. Hear more about his wishes of the future. Callie gives a shoutout to everybody who supports Porseleinberg and Boekenhoutkloof wines.
"For me it never felt like sacrifice. It felt like a choice and what I wanted to do and I wanted to devote time to it. " says Principal Ballet dancer Ksenia Ovsyanick about her career as a ballet dancer. Ksenia grew up in Belarus and then later did her ballet training at the English National Ballet school From there she moved on the dance at the English National Ballet company and is now Principal dancer at the Berlin state ballet. About the changes in the ballet world, Ksenia feels that on social media, there has been diverting from the art form. There is too much focus on the technical side and even though she acknowledges that technique is important, the many videos on social media have not made it possible to value the artistic side of the dancers. Ksenia has also become a mum a while ago and she is talking about how she focusses on these two parts of her life. Hear more about her wishes for the future and how she spends her time when she is not in the ballet studio. Ksenia's shout out goes to Coffee drink your monkey in Berlin.
"I've never worked a day in my life", says Chocolatier Jeffrey De Weyer. "Every day I arrive at my job, but honestly, it's the greatest job in the world to be a chocolatier" Jeffrey's is so passionate about chocolate and interest in baking started at the age of 4 when he started baking with his grandmother. From that age already he knew he wanted to be involved in baking and now he is specifically working as a chocolatier at the most famous Belgium chocolate makers "Belcolade chocolate". Jeffrey explains what is specific to Belgium chocolate and the process from harvesting the beans in different countries of the world to the process of producing chocolate in the factory at Belcolade. The process of fermentation already happens in the countries where the beans are harvested and Belcolade has developed a program where coco bean farmers are being educated in how to achieve the best coco bean farming methods. Belcolade has also invested in these communities and have ensured that schools are built and communities are provided with running water. Hear more about Jeffrey's work as chocolatier and the creative aspects of his work. Jeffreys shout out goes to Starbucks in Seattle because of the great concept of how this Starbucks franchise has developed from there.
"I was always looking for ways to bring music to the farm and combine it with wine" says winemaker Cerina van Niekerk, winemaker of Cecilia wines. This dream of her came true and in addition, with part of the proceeds of her wine, she is bringing music to children on farms who would otherwise never have had the opportunity to play an instrument. Cerina is involved in many other music programs with the aim of getting less fortunate children the exposure to music and her next project is to collaborate with the music therapy post graduate faculty at the University of Pretoria to get music therapy available to some of these children. Hear more about this wonderful work that Cerina is doing in her community. This is proof that one person has the ability to bring change and enrich children's lives with music. Cerina also expresses her wishes for the future and if anybody would like to get involved in her projects, please fee free to contact her. Cerina's shout out goes to Salome's grape vine and Hebron Restaurant and De Tol Deli at Piekenierskloof wines
"Sometimes you discover something really brilliant when you make a mistake" says Steven Den Toom, Luthier. Talking about the decorative designs that is something very distinctive in his guitar making, Steven feels that the journey towards the design is also a learning process that can be applied to everyday life. Steven was very inquisitive about how things work from a very young age and soon after he started playing guitar, he also became fascinated about all the facets of these instruments- After finishing his studies and qualifying as a Luthier, he started creating his own decorative designs on the guitars he is building. Steven loves working with Mother-of-Pearl: "I was trying to establish a relationship with beauty for myself" and all the beautiful features of this material gave him much inspiration to work with. Hear more about Steven's passion for his work and his wishes for the future. Examples of his work can be seen on his website and he has a great presence on Instagram His shout out goes to: Astenkick Megazipline and D'addario strings
"My pastry is not only about eating. It is enjoyable, it has colour, different layers and texture." says Jeffery Koo. People should experience his pastry with all 5 senses. Jeffery is talking from outside his shop "A little sweet" in Manchester in the UK. It has been a dream come true for him to own his business. He gained his experience by working and learning from pastry chefs in France and now he would like to combine the sweet treats of Hong Kong with the sweet treats of Europe. Jeffery tells the story of how he started his career as a pastry chef and also the competitions he took part in. He also try to educate people on why it is important to buy a good quality pastry and how important it is to use the best quality ingredients. He is also a chocolatier and would like his customers to understand the difference between commercial and artisan chocolate. Hear more about Jeffery's advice for young pastry chefs and also his wishes for the future. His shout out goes to his own "A little sweet" and his customers favourite "Hong Kong bun" with "Hong Kong tea"
"I think what is interesting to me is the blending of different musical genres" says Jazz Pianist and freelance musician Richard Seniow. When different musical styles like blues, musicals rhythms from Africa and European instruments and knowledge, and all these different genres coming together to make something new is what Richard finds inspiring. Richard is also part of a band called "Son del raval" with Maroccan, Spanish, Nigerian and Austrian influences from the musicians that give them a very unique sound. Richard also teaches Piano and his has a very natural and organic approach to teaching where he allows his students to progress at their own pace without unnecessary pressure. He also gives advice to young upcoming musicians on how to get into the music industry in Austria where there is not a fanbase culture that you have in other countries. Hear more about Richards wishes for the future, that things will get back to normal again where people could go and experience live music again. His shout out goes to Frau Mayer and Soul Kitchen
Being close to nature and listening to the sounds of the forests, the fields and the ocean around her is what inspires Catherine MacLellan to write her beautiful songs. "If you're quiet and can listen to the world around you then you'll generally head in the right direction" says Catherine. Growing up with a father who was himself a singer and songwriter, Catherine feels that he showed her that it is possible to be a musician and that she now can look at his work as being a true inspiration to her. "Song writing for me has always been about communication" says Catherine. She remembers being very shy and afraid of the world when she was younger, so writing songs became a way for her to talk about her feelings and experience without having to say it to someone directly. Hear more about Catherine's album "Coyote" and her wishes for the future. Her shout out goes to a Korean BBQ restaurant, Haru K BBQ in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
I had the privilege to talk to the winemaker at one of South Africa's oldest Wine estates, Groot Constantia's. Boela Gerber has been winemaker as this historical wine estate for 22 years. He is talking about the changes in the wine industry of South Afrika over the past 20 years and how young winemakers are experimenting and coming up with some great wines. Groot Constantia is situated on the slopes of Table mountain and Boela explains how the difference in climate affects the vines on this estate. Boela gives a wonderful insight into the wine industry and the new developments in the way vineyards are being treated. He recognises the advantages in the organic approach to wine farming and the changes of the past few years in this regard. Hear more about his wishes for the future not just for himself but for the wine industry in South Africa. Boela's shout out goes to the restaurant "Jonker's Huis" situated on the Groot Constantia wine estate.
His love and passion for ballet took Preston Li from Beijing to America. His fascinating story of how he started with Chinese folk dancing but following his heart to become a ballet dancer. Hear is story of how he manged to make his auditions tapes in the years before the luxury of the internet, and sent them across the world just to get the opportunity to join a ballet company. He is now based in Los Angeles and started his own Ballet academy teaching mainly ballet for adult students, of which the oldest is 85 years old. He believes we are never to old to do ballet or any form of art. He also insists to teach the correct ballet technique even though his dancers only do ballet for their enjoyment. Preston's love for what he is doing is so clear to see from the training videos he posts on Instagram and youtube and I admire him so much for bringing ballet to the community of Los Angeles. Hear more about how Preston give his dancers the opportunity to perform and also his dreams for the future. His shout out goes a restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles: Perch and an Japanese Restaurant in Malibu: Nobu
Pianist and composer Nicolas Namoradze is talking about his latest project where he combines music and mindfulness, a sort of cross between mindfulness and music appreciation. In this way audiences can get some cues on what to listen to and think about the piece of music they hear. It has been very successful in familiarising audiences with music that are knew to them. Nicolas is working with Idagio on a project that will be released in the following months. Idagio mindfulness is looking at bringing mindfulness and what it can offer to both listeners and musicians. Hear more about this wonderful project that will be available in the form of apps: The mindful performer and then also the mindful listener. Nicolas also expresses his wishes for the future and advice to young musicians. His shout out goes to Hachapuri - A real Georgian culinary experience in the hear of Budapest.
The process of wine making is creative and already starts in the Vineyard, says Winemaker Tyrrel Myburgh at Joostenberg wines. He describes the many factors that comes into play when making a great wine. "What I like for people to see in my wine is that each bottling has its own individual characteristics that are totally unique and there's a story behind it." says Tyrrel and he continues to show and tell the story behind a few of his wines. Terryl also believes in organic farming and he explains how at Joostenberg they are implementing different strategies to keep to their aim to produce organic wines. Hear more about this wonderful winery in South Africa and also Terryl's wishes for the future. Terryl's shout out goes to Genki Sushi, Glenelly Vine Bistro and Rykaarts in Stellenbosch
"There's such a thing as nurturing the art and the artist is a way that they can fulfill their best potential and full potential in a way, without having to crush their souls" says Pianist and Professor of Piano, Alexandra David. She started The performance anxiety Management course at the Central Michigan School of music which is now part of the curriculum. Alexandra says she is a rule breaker and she is not comparing her students to anybody else. For her it is more important that her students practice, work hard and are self-motivated. She encourages them to be self sufficient, problem solvers and guide them to work productively. She also teaches them the value of discipline but she does not crush their souls. Alexandra went through her own difficult experiences and for this reason she understands the value of nurturing the talents and abilities of young artists. I applaud her for the wonderful work she is doing and I hope more universities and schools could implement such a way of teaching art. Alexandra also expresses her heart felt wishes for the future and the end of the interview. Her shout out goes to a coffee shop in Michigan: Ponder Coffee
"When someone is truly connected to themselves, then there is also the possibility that they can connect with someone else. " say Kinga Jakabffy. I have been following the artist Kinga Jakabffy for a few years now and I am also happy that she was one of the first artists that I photographed in her window for my project "Moments in Lockdown" back in 2020. Kinga has a beautiful way of communicating important subjects and social issues with her paintings. The colours she uses gives her paintings a Mediterranean feel because this is where she feels herself most comfortable. "What I try to do is to show almost a bubble of a feel-good- moment. I try to show my subjects in a very confident and self- determined pose, because I think that it's amazing when someone feels really self confident and happy with themselves, and truly connected to themselves, then there's always the possibility to connect with somebody else. " Hear more about how she celebrates the solidarity between women through her paintings and how her work is evolving by the social questions she raises. Kinga also expresses her wishes for the future and she gives a shout out to the lovely French restaurant in Vienna "La Mercerie"
After leaving Russia, Alexander Boldachev is now stuck at the airport in Istanbul for 4 days on his way to Zürich. He nevertheless took time to speak to me which I appreciate very much. Alexander is talking about the importance of rebuilding relationships between people and how artists also find it difficult in this terrible situation to still make music. "You feel like the music is not necessarily needed. You play the music but it sounds like a bit alien, like it's out of this world. He also talked about how his first got introduced to playing the harp and how comfortable he felt from the start with this instrument. Alexander believes that he should give back what he received and this is why he is also passionate about teaching. He also explains the difference between the way musicians are taught in Russia compared to the rest of Europe and America and feels there should be a middle way where the discipline and freedom in teaching could be applied. Alexander expresses his wishes for the future, both for himself and also for people around the world. Because he is on his way to Zürich I thought it would be good to ask him to do a shout out to his favourite coffee place there: Felix Cafe am Bellevue
Stephanie Wiid Winemaker- The many factors that play a role in the making of a good wine.
"Having the ability to express feeling or emotion through the face is something I find very curious and intriguing" say the sculptor Gadi Leshem. When Gadi starts with the idea of sculpting a face, it starts with the expression of the emotion first and then this is where the piece is pulling itself. Gadi explains more about the process of sculpting and the materials he uses. He also show some of his beautiful sculptures and talks about the different methods of creating and casting. Gadi is a part time sculptor but he believes that the skills of being a software engineer can be applicable when he is sculpting. Hear more about Gadi's advice to beginner sculptors and also his wishes for the future. Gadi's shout out goes to a restaurant in his area called Wunderbar.
"I realised that an audience member does have a comfort in listening to something they recognise " says concert pianist Charl du Plessis. He tells the wonderful story of how he would play for his parents in preparation for his piano exams or competitions. By their reaction and comments, he realised that audiences would also like to hear something that is known to them and that they could recognise. Charl says that the effect of hearing something familiar should never be underestimated and the feeling achieved through music, is something money can't buy. Buy playing different genres, he has been able to established himself as a musician in South Africa who can be part of many different projects and concerts. Charl believes that music should be more inclusive and with his trio, they are taking classical music and making a jazz versions of it. This type of crossover music is opening a door for people into the world of classical music. Hear more about Charl's wonderful work and also his wishes for the future. His shoutout goes to Haloa Coffee in South Africa
Taking an instrument like the ancient Greek Lyre and making music with it is what Lina Palera love to do. Taking the lyre from the museum and giving it a revival and with ancient pieces of music Lina could learn to play the lyre. There are also recourses from Plato, Homer and Aristotle about the theory of the music. They have discovered scales, rhythms and little pieces of music that can be played like the ancient Greeks. During the golden years of Greece, the Lyre was the national instrument and even children in school all learnt to play this instrument. In school they believed that the playing the Lyre will develop the education of children. The music of the Lyre was in those times also used as music therapy because the sound of this instrument was believed to have healing effects. Hear more about how Lina is now experimenting with the music of this wonderful instrument and also about the Lyre academy which she has started. Lina also expresses her wishes for the future and her shout out goes to a restaurant Toixo Toixo in the old town of Thessalonica
While on tour with the Rock Horror Show, I spoke to Ryan Goscinski who plays the role of Rocky in this very famous musical with music, lyrics and book by Richard O'Brien. This version of the musical that is currently touring in Germany is done with a fusion between a rock concert and a musical. “It maintained its following because it played such an important role in making people who maybe felt different at the time, feel more comfortable about who they are and more proud of who they are. “ He is talking about the important message of this musical and that music has a powerful way of communicating. Ryan is talking about his training at the Royal ballet school in Richmond Park as a young boy from York, and how this training shaped his young life and formed friendships that still lasts after all this time. Hear more about Ryan’s advice for young dancers who are starting their careers and also his wishes for the future. Ryan gives a shout out to: Kaffeemik and the Blue's Kitchen
Dramatic Coloratura Soprano, Michelle Veenemans is talking about her career as a singer in South Africa. She started singing already at the age of 3 with her mum who is the well known Soprano Barbara Veenemans. Michelle started her career as opera singer at the time when the State Theatre in Pretoria closed down and she felt she lost out on singing for the productions of PACT (Performing arts councel). She does however see a positive that came about in our digital times and that is that it is much easier for artists to do recordings of their work. Michelle created her own platform by doing concerts and this is her way of being able to fulfill her dream of being able to sing Opera. She also gives advice for young singers in South Africa on how to have a career as opera singers even though there are not many training opportunities and most young singers would only be able to have a career as opera singers if they leave the country to go to Europe. It is once again so wonderful to hear how artists in South Africa keep classical singing and opera alive and the positive attitude of singers like Michelle is truly inspiring.
I just love this story of the young boy who had a fascination with the Circus, a love for musicals and live theatre. Christian Struppek is VBW Artistic Director responsible for bringing some of the most famous musical theatre productions to Vienna. His interested in the business side of theatre as well as the artistic side, was already apparent at a young age. His sheer determination and not accepting "no" as an answer ensured him his first role in the musical The Rocky Horror show. Christian is also talking about the production of Miss Saigon, the most successful musical ever, that is currently playing in Vienna at the Raimund Theater . He gives some insight into the planning of this wonderful production and how the casting process works. He has a great understanding of what these artists go through during the audition processes and talks with great admiration about these performers. Hear more about Christian's wishes for the future
Concert Pianist Sebastian Forster remembered having two calls to become a pianist. The first was when he was little, learning to play the Bach little prelude in C minor and choral harmonic structure already awaken something in him like a spirituality and resilience that is transmitted in Bach's music. Then secondly, it was Mozart's music that created the final spark. "With the simplicity and spontaneity that Mozart actually built empires, such longing and such dialogue between instruments, that incredible teamwork when I was listening to the orchestra, gave me the faith and courage to move on as a musician." Sebastian also talks about his most joyful years in music since living in the US where he is also now teaching piano to students all over the world. His advice to young artists is: "Do what ever it takes to protect your gift and never let the joy be compromised."
Working with the choreographer, Mats Ek was a great privilege for Ballet Dancer Luca Curreli when he was dancing one of the main roles in "She was black" at the Norwegian National ballet. Luca tells about the great energy and passion Mats Ek has for his work and that the 8 weeks he was working with him was a great honour. He also tells more about the meaning behind this contemporary piece and how the audiences reacted to this great work. Seeing that this interview was done on Valentine's day, I wanted to know from Luca what it is like to be a couple where both are dancers. "I feel there's a level of connection and deep understanding between us. We don't understand each other just as humans, but as dancers." Luca also expresses his wishes for the future and gives a shout out to his friend who started his restaurant during Lockdown in Oslo, Fabio Pezzoli
A book tour performance, "a whole kit and caboodle" on zoom for the world to see. Iestyn Edwards, Author, entertainer and Bass Baritone introduce me to Madame Galina, who has appeared with Combined Services Entertainment on bases throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. Even thought he was asked to do more Schumann and less Sugarplum, I was very happy to see his Madame Galina act. In her Tutu, Madame Galina, in true diva manner, performed her solo before Iestyn gave an introduction to his book: My Tutu went Awol. He wrote about his experiences as entertainer to the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Iestyn does not only has a great sense of humour in which he tells stories, but he also has the most beautiful Bass Baritone voice that he only recently started training. This was the most wonderful entertaining zoom interview with an artist who has sung at a naval supper in the presence of her Majesty the Queen and who also took risks to entertain soldiers on the war front. Iestyn, thank you for this wonderful book tour performance. You made my day beautiful!
"What I've got from her by working on this piece is how deep her soul was. She was a big bundle of love who had very difficult things happen to her, early on in life and then continuously. But her passion for her music and her love for people an life was bigger than any pain that she went through" says Lynne Ann Williams who is playing the Billy Holiday in the play with music "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill". Because of the determination of Joanna Godwin-Seidl, who acquired the rights to produce this play in Vienna, it can now be seen at Theater Drachengass from 14-19 and 22-26 February. Hear more about the very moving story of the wonderful Jazz singer Billy Holiday and how deeply Joanna and Lynn have been moved by working on this play. Joanna and Lynn also gave a shout out to their favourite coffee shops, both in Vienna and Berlin.
The Heroic Tenor, Jacques le Roux believes that the blind ambition a young person has is the best quality you can have "That blind ambition of 'I'm going to make it, I'm going to do it, that small gap and I'm going to fit it in there. That is the greatest gift. " Jacques also tells how he first went to study law but then realised that he rather wanted to pursue a career as an opera singer. He left his home in South Africa after his studies and was fortunate to start his career as a singer very soon after arriving in Europe, for which he is very grateful. Hear more about how he got his first role as a young singer and what his wishes are for the future. Jacques also mentioned his favourite Korean Restaurant in Vienna is the Modern Korean restaurant near the Volksoper in Vienna
Dance and Ballet is an art form and if you get too obsessed about the body and what the body is doing, it becomes more like a sport, say Jo Meredith who is the creative director of the National Youth ballet in the UK. The art form of ballet comes in the self expression and story telling or in a contemporary work, where you are expressing and performing something beyond yourself and at the NYB Jo and her team are working towards giving young dancers the training that focuses more on developing their artistry. Hear more about the wonderful work that the NYB is doing for young dancers and her wishes for the future. Jo also mentions that her favourite place to go for coffee is the wonderful coffee shop called "Saints" in North Hampton.
They call themselves Seven Purple Tigers and working together when they are writing their songs are for them like a fluent exchange of creativity. Phil and Austin from this indie band are creating beautiful music. They see their work as a collaboration and they are inspired to write about real life experiences that people will be able to. Both of them come from different career backgrounds where Phil studied Law and Austin studied International Relations. They decided it was time for a change of direction and while they were both in Poland, playing in a student band, they realised a connection and decided to start writing their own music. It was then there in Krakow that they formed their band and since then they have developed their music and written beautiful songs. Hear more about Seven Purple Tiger's wishes for the future and their favourite coffee places in Krakow, Vienna and Freiburg.
This here is proof that one person can make a difference in the world. Violinist Dalina Ugarte heard about the situation in her home country Venezuela where there are a big need for less fortunate musicians to get strings for their instruments. She started asking musicians to donate their used strings for this is how the project Strings 4 all started. In 2020 I photographed Dalina as part of my project Moments in Lockdown and she told me about the difficult time she also went through during the pandemic. This project is a way for her to do something meaningful for less fortunate musicians in her home country because she also received help as a young girl to have the opportunity to study music. Dalina is telling how grateful she is to be able to do music in the beautiful concert halls in Austria and she is so positive that 2022 will be the year where her wishes come true. Hear more about the inspirational project
Soprano Petra Radulovic's advice for young singers is to be brave and work hard. She says that there is no moving forward unless you are willing to step out of your comfort zone. It is fear that stops us from reaching our goals and the fear makes us feel unsure. But, she tells the story of how she didn't even know a year ago if she would still be able to be an opera singer and now she is singing at the opera studio Staatsoper Hannover where she has the opportunity to learn and perform on stage. Petra is so thankful for this opportunity that she has been given to do all these different roles and this type of training to be on stage and work in the theatre is valuable experience for her. Hear more about Petra's wishes for the future and also which are her favourite places to go for coffee, both in Hannover and Vienna
I discover a lot of gems on my Instagram newsfeed and one of them is the puppeteer, Paul Lewis who lives in New Zeeland. Joined by two of his puppets, Paul is talking about how he came to be interested in puppeteering already at a very young age. Inspired by the program Sesame Street and later the Muppet show of the 70's Paul started making his own puppets. After a career as a opera singer at the New Zeeland opera and also working as an actor, Paul returned to do his first love to be a puppeteer. He story is so beautiful and just shows that we should never give up on the dream. Hear more about the process of puppet making, the development of the characters and see first hand how a puppet comes to life in Paul's hands. Paul I hope more of you wishes would come true and I also hope more people would realise how beautiful the art of puppeteering really is. For a few minutes I could turn back into a child again.
Pianist Ryutaro Suzuki believes that all the effort you put into your work as pianist will pay off. From experience he know that even if you are in a rehearsal, or a tiny concert hall, you never know who are listening to you and you never know where this can lead to. It's important to do whatever you can do at that specific moment because and the results will come later. For musicians the results can't be seen immediately, as it is in the case with Athletes. There are no points to tell you how good you are. Everything is related to yourself as musician. There are so many unique differences that in the end it is only about yourself and your efforts.
Ryutaro also tells how he started with music lessons and his love for music that was instilled in him by his parents, even though they were not musicians themselves. Hear more about his wishes for the future and how much he loves cooking at home
Conductor Thomas Fortner is talking about a new production he is working on which is part of an event that's exploring hopeful answers to climate change. In this way he is hoping to bring the arts and sciences together. "It will kind of like a Rite of spring, on a farm, in the mud, with a campfire. Like Woodstock meets Stravinsky..." says Thomas. South Dakota has been a wonderful place for him to work and has given him the opportunity to learn a lot about programming in general and what a symphony orchestra can do and can mean to bring people together and to cross cultural boundaries. It is a great way for orchestras to explore how they could be relevant to their community. It is good to find a program that reaches people and resonates with them based on what is special about their situation. He mentions the Dakota music project that was started 15 years ago to address racial prejudice. Hear more about his work at South Dakota Symphony and also his love for flying.
Duo Karolina Mikołajczyk & Iwo Jedynecki are talking about the their program where they are playing from Baroque to contemporary with Karolina playing the violin and Iwo the accordion. For them playing music from different eras bring colour to their program and then everyone can find something they love. Karolina explains that the sound of the accordion is quite similar to the sound of the accordion and even though she had to adjust the tuning of the violin, there are many things that the two instruments have in common. Iwo and Karolina would like to show all the possibilities that the violin and accordion combination could bring and even thought the like to do something new, they always want to play to a high standard. Hear more about their new album, their wishes for the future and where to find the best Thai food in Warsaw
Music director of the Windsor Symphony orchestra, Robert Franz is talking about a wonder online concert series called The music. The story. The food. This is a collaboration between music and culinary art and together with Rob Nelson, a distinguished chef, Robert and the Windsor Symphony orchestra have created a series of 7 concerts and dishes from the time period and region of where the music originally came from. The series is constructed in such a way that in each episode there is one where the dish is being demonstrated by Rob Nelson and then the second part is the concert. The idea of how food brings families and friends together was the inspiration behind this project and in this way Robert wants the series not just to be about watching an online concert but also to have a whole experience of eating together and enjoying the music. The series starts on the 14th of January 2022 and continues until 31st of March. A recipe book with all the dishes is also included.
The more I talk to artists, the more I discover how many art forms there are. Kevin Patterson did not just open up a world of piano tuning but he also opened up a Steinway piano to show where some of the magic happens. This is a fascinating job and done by a man who has so much love for his job. Kevin shows and talks about all the mechanical detail inside these beautiful instruments and talks about his experiences of having to tune and check pianos during concerts. What if a piano string breaks? Seems like pianists who are playing music of Rachmaninov should carry pliers in the pocket of their Frack. Kevin tells how he became interested in piano tuning and how much he has learnt over the years. Here more about his beautiful wish and his favourite place to have coffee. Thank you to Steinway and Sons of Tampa Bay for sponsoring this interview. Co-ordinated by Tina Giorgio
With her beautiful paintings in the background, Valerie Graniou-Cook is talking about the inspiration behind her work. She believes that love is the answer and that we can make the choice at every moment. "If we simply listen, will will be guided towards that" says Valerie and she would love her work to be a reminder of that to people and the support to be able to connect within and have the meditative aspect. "So that they can let go of the world for a little bit and turn within and realise that we can make it better and everything will be ok. We can heal we can choose to embrace love, we can choose to be supportive of each other." This is the true intent of what she would like to achieve with her work. Valerie shows some of her paintings and tell the story of how they were created and how they evolved. Hear more about how Valerie's life experiences has an effect on her work and what her wishes are for the future.
The multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter Geeta is talking about her music project Belle Scar. She wanted to go a different direction with more orchestration and arrangements and chose to write for instruments that are not usually heard in pop music. Even though she doesn't consider her music as being pop music, it is more of a mixture of different genres. She is using the different sounds of the instruments to give texture to her music and it is a way to evoke specific feelings when listening to her songs. This project evolved and is still evolving and Geeta loves working with different musicians on this project. She also considers the visual side of this project and just as she is interested in textures of sound, she is also interested in textures visually by connecting visual aspect with the meaning of her songs. Belle Scar is such a great creative project and I think it's wonderful how Geeta is collaborating with different artists to bring different aspects of art to her project. Hear more about this great project, Belle Scar
Author and British former diplomat, Leigh Turner is talking about his new book, Palladium, an international thriller set in Istanbul. The will be released in May 2022. The book was inspired by the time Leigh spent in Istanbul, the history of the place and also by reading novels by his favourite authors. Leigh also thinks that the best source of fiction ideas come from other people and from some of the stories he heard from hoteliers, he wrote his book "Seven Hotel Stories". Leigh has been writing under the name of Robert Pimm but since September 2021 his book "Eternal life", a science fiction thriller, was the first publishing under his own name. Hear more about Leigh's beautiful wish for the future and the Blog he has been writing over the years. He also names his favourite Coffee houses in Vienna and on his website are some reviews about some of these great places to visit. Leigh was also one of the first Diplomats to take part in my project "Moments in Lockdown" and I am very grateful for his continued support.
My first interview for 2022 is with the young dancer Brandon Carpio. From initially doing Karate, he was encouraged to do ballet and the moment he got in the studio he loved it. He is talking about how the experience of doing Karate and the quality of the movements, helped when he eventually started doing ballet. Brandon believes that teaching dance in schools could be very beneficial for all children and would ensure that their are no misconceptions of boys doing ballet. After finishing high school and doing ballet training after school, Brandon was fortunate to be able to train for 4 years at the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance with the internationally renowned choreographer William Forsythe. He valued training and realised that being trained in all these different genres, and discovered the style of dancing that he feels passionate about. He is currently dancing at Tampa City Ballet company Brandon loves to improvise and I had the privilege to see him dancing at the end of the interview. Thank you Brandon for this wonderful performance.
Organist Gerrit Jordaan is talking about his role as organist in the town of George in the Western Cape. From a young age Gerrit already had a great love for the organ as instrument and he tells the story of how he, at the age of 3, built an organ with Lego blocks. Gerrit organises Lunch hour concerts where the local musicians can have the opportunity to play or sing and with the help Dalene Steenkamp-Brits, composer and Pianist they achieve a lot. He feels optimistic about young people being interested in playing the organ and he feels that the organ is still a fascinating instrument. Gerrit expresses his wish to come and do organ concerts in Europe where he can play South African repertoire with works of Stefans Grove, Afrika Hymnus, where he imitates the sounds of Africa. For Gerrit it was always a privilege to bring this beautiful music of South Africa to Europe and to tell the folklore of Africa through the sound of the organ.
Director, actress and writer, Elise Hofner is talking about the French acting school in Vienna. With her project, Les Médusés du radeau she is giving French 'non- professional' actors the opportunity to do theatre in their own language. The next production is created around the topic of 'Love' and this will be the 9th performance of the theatre group. Hear more about this wonderful project and the enthusiasm and passion of the actors talking part.
Pianist and Composer Martin Herzberg is talking about his love for playing the piano and expressing himself through his music. "There's nothing but love for the instrument, actually." Says Martin. To be a musician is not about the education, but it is about the love for the music, even if your songs contain a few notes, you are still a musician. For Martin music is the most intuitive way of expressing himself but he is also discovering other ways as a form of expression. In front of the piano he can instantly connect with his emotions and when he plays a concert, it feels like it is a connection with the emotions of all the people who are listening to his music. "The music is just a medium to give myself and the people who are listening the opportunity to connect with themselves and then others" This was such a wonderful interview with a musician that is so in touch with his emotions and what he is creating. Very true and sincere words spoken throughout this interview.
Violist Marc Sabbah is talking about his paintings and how he started by buying canvas and paints and then experimented with abstract works of art. His paintings changed over time and he felt that the emotions he couldn't express in words, he could express through his paintings. It wasn't about the technique or an image that he had in mind, but rather about getting his emotions out. Marc says that as a musician you are constantly looking for colour and shapes in the music, talking about timbre and tone in music, speaking in abstract terms. For him painting with these strong colours is very daring but there is also the aspect of having to balance the creativity with taste. Marc is showing some of his beautiful paintings during this interview and at the end he also plays a wonderful peace on his viola . This was indeed such a special interview and I loved that Marc shared so much of his art with me.
Counter Tenor and Choreographer Nils Wanderer is talking about his new single release St Petersburg and the collaboration between him Peter Plate and Ulf Sommer of the German Pop group Rozenstolz to produce this song. The song is about the forbidden love between two men and it speaks about the fact that there are still a lot of prejudice and intolerance in the world against same sex relationships. The proceeds of this single goes to the Aids foundation and at the time of this interview, the single already had 77000 views here on youtube within a week of its release. Nils sees himself not only as an opera singer but as an artist in general. Opera singing is just another tool to release his artistry and energy. He is now working on a new project called "Wanderer" where they are exploring the world of Baroque music where it meets techno sounds. He feels himself free as an artist to express his urges and emotions. Hear more about how he started singing, his work as choreographer and his wishes for the future. I feel myself very privileged to get the opportunity to speak to such inspirational artists such as Nils Wanderer.
Pianist Dominic Ferris is telling the wonderful story about playing at the Steinway factory on one of the newly built Steinway pianos. It was an impromptu lunch time recital on the factory floor for all the workers that built these pianos. “It’s not just the players that should get the credit. It’s these crafts people that spend years perfecting their craft, you know and that’s a very important part of it. “ Dominic also did a project over the first Lockdown period with singers and performers of the London West-end and the tells how the great Dame Vera Lynn sent a wonderful last message of hope to everyone in the Theatre industry before she passed away. Hear more about his work with Steinway in London and his advice to young musicians about the importance of playing and knowing about the different genres in music.
Misha Kovar is talking about how much music has meant to her throughout her life and how much she loves singing different genres. She experimented with her voice a lot to see how it would be possible to do because of the different techniques involved in singing classical and pop. She likes to express herself in different ways through music and she also experimented now with her new single release that is a classic pop version of Mozart's Königen der Nacht. A few weeks ago she also released a Christmas single called Winter Wunderwelten. Hear more about Misha's upcoming works and also her wishes for the future.
Pianist Dusan Sretovic is talking about how his upcoming chamber music concerts and how much he appreciates being able to do concerts again. "...because this kind of practice for us as musicians are something we cannot practice in a room. The time on the stage is precious for the development of us as musicians." He feels it is important to be flexible as a musician and he enjoyed the challenge of having to jump in for a concert with only having had one rehearsal before the night of the concert. Dusan is also part of my series "Moment in Lockdown" where I photographed around 500 artists in their windows over the year of Lockdowns. As positive and enthusiastic as he is in this interview, this was exactly the person I met the day I took his picture.
Ballet dancer Khanya Manongana is talking about how his dream of being a ballet dancer came true and the faith and support he received from his ballet teachers during his training. Looking back now Khanya realises that he followed in the footsteps of his role model at the time, another boy who paved the way from a township of South Africa to becoming a ballet dancer in England. His wish is now to go as far as he can in his career as a ballet dancer in Europe and to make an impact in the industry and he would like to push the boundaries of what people think he can or cannot do as a black dancer. He would also like to be an example for other boys from the townships who have the dream of becoming a dancer.
Raymond Lukens and Franco De Vita are talking about what inspired them to write and develop The ABT National Training Curriculum. They explain the factors they took in consideration to ensure that dancers are stylistically flexible and technically solid and in tune with their bodies to ensure they could do the work without the risk of injuries. It was also important to define what it was that made a dancer happy. The health aspect as well as the state of mind aspect were important points that they wanted to focus on. With a lot of research they were able to put together this wonderful program at The American Ballet Theatre. Hear more about their work, about their careers as ballet dancers and how they teach their program all over the world.
South African Conductor and Composer Franco Prinsloo is talking about choir singing as part of the culture in South Africa and the choirs that he conducted over the years. When he moved to Pretoria, he started his own choir, The Vox Chamber choir, as a way to have an instrument for his music compositions. For the past 5 years, The Vox Chamber choir has performed in numerous competitions and festivals, won some golden medals at the World Choir games and the performed also at the International Anton Bruckner Competition in Linz, Austria. Hear more about the great work that Franco is doing by using the different languages in South Africa. His music can be found on Spotify and soundcloud
Alessandra Ashkenazy is talking about the importance of understanding the responsibility when teaching ballet to young children and to form dancers. She is using the ABT's (American Ballet Theatre) curriculum that was designed and written by Franco De Vita and Raymond Lukens in collaboration with ABT’s Artistic Advisors and the Medical Advisory Board. Alessandra knows when she is teaching these young students that they will not all become ballet dancers but for her it is important that they enjoy the process and she wants them to have a positive attitude towards dance in general and ballet as a form of art. They will be the audiences of tomorrow, or the journalists or the parents of the next generation of dancers. This is such a great approach that Alessandra has towards teaching and I admire her so much for how she is conducting her school.
I had the wonderful privilege to talk to Violin Maker Andrew Ryan and got to see one of his beautiful Violins. Ryan is talking about all the detail that goes into the design and making of the violin up to the complexity of applying the varnish. He explains about the importance of knowing and understanding what the musician when designing a violin: "It's understanding how sound functions, how the musicians project the sound they are trying to make and how do they physically make the sound. He is also telling about the history of Violin making and why the Stradivarius Violin is such a has been so well known and sought after throughout the years.
Singer and Songwriter Gabriel Benedek is talking about what inspires him to write his music and how he uses the influences around him to create the different sounds. His music ranges from electronic sounds, playing acoustic, some Reggae sounds and his recent song has a lot of influences from the music of the 80's. Gabriel has a great love for his music and for him it is also about the enjoyment of being in the studio and recording. I admire Gabriel for staying authentic to who he is and having the confidence to create music in an individual way
Pianist Jeffrey Biegel is talking about how he got involved the recording of the critical edition of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. For Jeffrey this edition is almost history correcting itself. Because of the University of Michigan Gershwin initiative , Dr Ryan Banagale's Harvard dissertation about the original scores of the Rhapsody in Blue, the original version of this very famous music was played and recorded by Jeffrey Biegel and the Adrian Symphony with conductor Bruce Anthony Kiesling.
The director of the Johannesburg Opera, also known as Jozi opera, Phenye Modiane is talking about the concert Power of a woman's voice that was done in celebration of Woman. Phenye introduces the singers that took part in this concert and he explains what the inspiration was to do the concert. Jozi opera is doing great projects and Phenye is the driving force behind this opera company in South Africa. Hear more about the work they are doing in the communities and how these talented South African singers' love for singing opera support a wonderful project for less privileged young woman.
Composer Oliver Ostermann is talking about the new opera he wrote called Spuk unterm Riesenrad for the Theatre Chemnitz in Germany. The storyline is based on the television program of 1979 with characters from a ghost train, the Giant, the Witch and Rumplestiltskin, that come to live. They are chased by the ghost train's owner and his grandchildren and the three flee across Germany and try to hide in a castle. The text for the opera was written by stage director Thomas Winter. Oliver is talking about the staging for the opera, with opera choir and children's choir and what was most important to him was the roles of the children are played by children. Hear more about what inspires Oliver to compose music and the new CD project he is working on.
South African conductor Richard Cock is talking about the great talent in classical musicians this country has to offer and the many wonderful projects done by musicians and also schools to give children the opportunity to play and also be exposed to classical music. Unfortunately the situation in South Africa is such that classical music it is not seen as a high priority by the government. Western music is not very popular amongst government officials and for this reason he can't see that the situation will be changing. It is very difficult to run an orchestra in South Africa but Richard has his own freelance orchestras, The Johannesburg Festival orchestra and and the Phoenix orchestra which are dependent on private funding. There are many orchestra players in South Africa, but they all work on a freelance basis. Richard is very positive for the future of classical music in South Africa and he is proud of the many talented singers that are now singing at some of the great opera houses in Europe.
Pianist Vovka Ashkenazy is talking about how musicians are all unique and individual and even if you try to copy, it will still be a unique and individual copy. Musicians have an opportunity to be different because they all play in different places and at different times and for Vovka, this is enough, to create something new and creative. "The less the artist tries to do it artificially, the more genuine it will be." Vovka also talks about his father, pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy and what it was like growing up with both his mother and father being famous pianists. There is also the touching story of how his father uses to reply with hand written letters to his fans and how Vovka got to know Tina Giogio because of the correspondence she had with his father over the years. Interview sponsored by The Music Gallery Steinway & Sons of Tampa Bay
Conductor Koen Kessels is Music Director of The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Koen talks about how he was affected by lockdown, how he started as a musician playing piano and his wish for the future. Not only does he give some great insight into the world of musicians, but also understanding for ballet dancers. This interview is part of my project "Moments in Lockdown" where I photographed 500 artists in Vienna in their windows or balconies as well as 13 Ambassadors of various countries in support of the artists who were affected by the lockdown situation during the pandemic. I started this project in April 2020 up to January 2021 and in February 2021 I started interviewing artists from all over the world to get their insight into the situation. I believe in the value and the importance of the Arts in our society and the role that it plays in the evolution of humanity. The pandemic has highlighted the lack of support and relevance that the arts and cultural scene has in our modern world. Thousands of artists and students have and are still unable to work, and many without any source of income. It is our generation’s responsibility ´- now more than ever- to raise awareness and re-educate our society to appreciate the contribution of the Arts and to recognise artists as members of a working community. What initially started as a modest photographic project- simply wanting to uplift Artists, by photographing them in their windows from a street angle - very quickly became a much more significant and symbolic message. The repercussions and consequences of this pandemic will shape the Artistic and Cultural industry long into the future and I believe in the importance of creating awareness and showing support for the many creative individuals and organisations who are fighting to create and envision a future where Arts and culture remain important and relevant in our society.
Pianist and Steinway artist Charlie Albright is talking about how the point of music is to communicate and touch people: "The audiences want to be moved. People want music to speak to them, to communicate to them. They don't want music to be all technically perfect and just 'bla', and not saying anything." Charlie is also a composer and improviser and hear more about the improvisations he does at his concerts. Charlie tells how he started playing the piano at a young age and how he learned from different people in his community. Hear more about how he prepares for a concert and a great experience he had playing at Carnegie hall
Conductor and Baritone Davide Damiani is talking about the beautiful project, Schubert Winterreise project with him as Baritone, the Accordion, and a dancer. He explains why he chose to do Winterreise and what the reason was for doing it with accordion instead of the traditional way with piano. From a young age Davide wanted to be a conductor but in the years so many wonderful opportunities came on his way that involved him singing rather than conducting. Now after almost 30 years he has the opportunity to conduct and the first time back in front of the orchestra felt very natural to him. Davide talks about how to keep faith in the dream and even if it takes many years, the dreams will come true. A wonderful and inspirational interview that I wish every young artist could hear.
It started with a metal whistle with a green top to playing music on flutes and woodwind instruments from all over the world. Veronika Vitazkova has a collection of around 50 instruments, from an Irish whistle to her most favourite instrument, the Armenian Duduk. Veronika tells the story of how she started playing the Irish whistle at the age of 7 and then later continued to study the flute Her interest in collecting all these different flutes continued during Lockdown and by the videos she posted on social media, she connected with other musicians who play these traditional instruments and also some composers. Hear more about Veronika's wonderful collection and also about the projects she wishes to do.
Yuting Zhou, Pianist and Doctor of Musical arts, is talking about the adjustments from being a student and having piano lessons to entering the career path and deciding in which direction to go. Yuting has finished her studies in New York and is moving with her husband, saxophonist Lukas Gabric to her home town in China. She is also aware that although it will be good to be close to her family and friends again, she will also miss the western way of marketing music. Although there are big audiences and marketing opportunities in China, Yuting feels that it is a different world with a different philosophy of art. It seems that there the focus is more on the success of the individual than it is on making art. Yuting can see a change would be possible if the music teachers would have a different approach in teaching music. Hear more about Yuting's love for different composers and what her wish is for the future https://yutingzhoucom.wordpress.com/ #yutingzhou #pianist #awardwinningpianist #doctorofmusicalarts #chineseartists #lukasgabric #pianomusician #interviewseries #petrasittigtheartistsvoice #petrasittig
Alec Otto is talking from his new music studio, Studio Alec, in Thuringia, Germany. For Alec, teaching was always something he loved doing and now he has his own studio from where he can offer singing lessons and more to students in the area. Alec has many great ideas and the passionate way he is talking about educating children in music shows of his dedication to bring music education to his community.
Conductor Jonathan Lo is talking about his new appointment as staff conductor at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He also has a strong relationship with the Birmingham Royal Ballet as it was this company where he was introduced to conducting in the Ballet world. He was conducting fellow both at the Birmingham Royal ballet as well as the Rambert Dance company and it is here where he gained insight and understanding of how to conduct for ballet. Jonathan is also talking about the difference between conducting for ballet and opera and the importance of communication between conductor and the dancer.
Conductor Marcelo Falcão is talking about the Taschenopernfestival he is attending and the valuable experience of conducting premieres of contemporary works of established composers. The director of the academy is Thierry Bruell and conductor Peter Rundell is the music director. Marcelo also talks about conducting orchestra for silent movies and he is looking forward to be doing more arrangements for these films. Hear more about this interesting work and how Marcelo prepares for a concert.
Mike Wollin from Shoreline Studios is talking about the new Virtual production, Unreal Engine, where the power of the video game engine is used to generate backgrounds for live performances. "Unreal Engine is a complete suite of development tools for anyone working with real-time technology. It gives creators across industries the freedom and control to deliver cutting-edge entertainment, compelling visualizations, and immersive virtual worlds." Shoreline Studios started as a casting facility for film and TV and after Mike took ownership of the studio, they built a green screen studio and work with actors doing "self tapes" for auditions. Shoreline studios also cater for acting classes and workshops.
Principal dancer of the Royal Ballet, Matthew Ball talks about his time in Lockdown and how things like yoga and meditation were some of the tools he used to help him during this time. He also explains that is is also important to try and create some magic during streaming because so many more people are watching these performances but live performances, with the give and take of the dancers and the audience could never be replaced. Matthew also gives some insight into how art is valued in London but also in Liverpool where he grew up.
Composers OIiver Ostermann and Jürgen Tauber are talking about the musical Die Schatten Kaiserin that they wrote together. The musical tells the story from history of Kaiser Maximilian, of the German-Roman empire and his relationship with Bianca Maria Sforza. They were approached by Johannes Reitmeier of the Tirollerlandestheater to write this musical for the 500 year anniversary of the of the reign of Kaiser Maxilmilian. Oliver and Jürgen are telling how they worked together on this project and now have been nominated for best composition at the "Deutschen Theatepreis 2021. Also nominated for this musical is Michael D Zimmermann for best costume and a further nomination for best Stage Set.
Talking to Pianist, Anna Sutyagina during her time in Lockdown in Munich. Her positive attitude and her story of how she became a pianist is truly inspiring.
Anna is talking about the effects of Lockdown on her and also the composers she is working with and she believes that art plays such an important role when it comes to education. She is also telling about her creative projects and films that gives her a way of expressing herself through her art.
Anna Sutyagina, born in Tomsk (Russia), received her first piano lessons at the age of 5 from her mother. She studied piano and literature in Tomsk, Russia, with semesters abroad in Oklahoma – USA and Frankfurt am Main – Germany (two scholarships: The American Collegiate Consortium and DAAD).
"Dreaming and exploring something new are the leitmotifs of the artistic work of Anna Sutyagina"
Pianist Gerardo Teissonnière is talking about the recording he has recently done of the Beethoven Sonatas. He considers Beethoven's sonatas as 40ct diamonds with multiple facets with so much to discover. He spends a lot of time to discover the substance and beauty of Beethoven's works and even after recording the sonatas, he would still find something new and interesting about these works. Gerardo sees the recording of these sonatas as a picture of where he was at the time and nothing more. He feels he is a transformed musician because of this and realises that he plays the music now even better. It is so wonderful to talk to Gerardo about music for the way he describes the works he is playing. He has such an in depth understanding and passion for what he is playing which I find so beautiful
Harpist Joel von Lerber is talking about the strength needed to play the harp and that it is more challenging and demanding than it looks. He tells very interesting story of how he started playing the harp as a young boy and his path to becoming a professional harpist. Joel is also performing at the Linzer Klangwolke and he is telling of the magnitude of this event and the great idea of giving this cultural event to the people for free.
Pianist Svetozar Ivanov is talking about the series of short films he made during the fall in the time of the pandemic. These short films are inspired by poetry and in a very creative way Svetozar was able to connect different artforms with this project. It was lovely to talk to him from his home studio with the Steinway Piano in the background. It is here where he has been doing home concerts and he talks about how much he loves the more intimate atmosphere during these concerts.
Company founder, executive director and designer Alexander Shorokhov, is talking about his path from studying architecture and working as a building engineer in Moscow to moving to Germany to start designing watches and creating his own brand, "Alexander Shorokhoff". Alexander describes how and where he gets the inspiration for his designs and shows original sketches to give examples of how the process starts. This was a great privilege for me to be able to do this interview with this great designer whose work I have been admiring for many years. It is so inspiring to hear of the deep thought and passion that goes into the design and manufacturing of the Alexander Shorokhoff watches
Conductor Daniel Wiley is talking about his new appointment as the Assistant Conductor for the Jacksonville Symphony and the the music director for the Jacksonville Symphony youth orchestras. Daniel speaks passionately about the value of music education and he talks about the great online music program he is involved in for children from different ages to link music with other art forms and show the connection between the different forms of art as well as the sciences.
Composer Anders Nordentoft is talking about the inspiration behind composing music to the poems of Rose Ausländer. He found her word play so interesting and her poetic world so inspiring. He explains how he tried to capture some atmosphere in the poems and bring it out further in the music. For Anders the process started with the words of the poems and he demonstrates his thought process to create the melody. Anders is also talking about the new opera he wrote and I had the privilege to see the hand written score during our conversation. This is a very insightful interview of how this great composer of Denmark is working.
Soprano, Birte Dalbauer Stokkebæk is talking about the project she is doing together with the well known Danish composer, Anders Nordentoft. Inspired by the life and poetry of Rose Ausländer, Anders composed the music to these poems, sung by Birte. Birte tells the very touching story of the life of Rose Ausländer and how, after discovering the story, it changed how she was singing this music. Also part of this project is: Bettina Rossbacher - Recitals Anastasia Dombrovska - Pianist Elzbieta Sajka-Bachler - Violist
Soprano Katarina Novčić is talking about her dream of singing the role of Mimi in Puccini's La bohème, that came true. This production of La bohème is directed by Heather Tan with conductor Hannah Eisendle. Katarina has such a great positive energy and she has a beautiful story to tell of how she became an opera singer. She believes that dreams do come true and she also values the process and enjoy the moments along the way.
Award-winning American radio broadcaster Robert Sherman is talking about how his career started as a broadcaster. He hosted radio programs such as as the folk music program Woody’s Children and The Listening Room, at WQXR in New York Robert tells the story about how he first became aware of his love for classical music by watching the famous Disney Film, Fantasia. Robert has such great insight into the world of music and had the great privilege to interview many musicians since 1970, such as Luciano Pavarotti, Carter Brey, Andres Segovia, Robert Joffrey, Montserrat Caballe, James Levine, Franco Zeffirelli and many more. Apart from being a broadcaster, Robert was also an author, music critic and columnist for the New York Times and served at the faculty of the Juiliard School for nearly 20 years. This was a wonderful privilege to be talking to Robert about his career and the great work he has been doing over the years.
Conductor Agata Zając is talking about being a resident conductor Filharmonia Sudecka in Poland. She will have seven assistantships during the season and 2 of her own concerts Agata talks about the importance of self development as a young conductor and the importance of attending conducting Masterclasses. She also explains what the role of assistant conductor is and the valuable experience to be gained in this role.I am so happy to hear about the youth orchestra she will also be conducting and I hope to catch up with her again in a few months time to talk about this wonderful work.