My first lesson with ukulele wasn’t at the school but my auntie’s place. She showed me the violin lesson I have to do. I was so scared, I had no idea how to be a musician. Once I started, I was playing my first real concerto. Before that, I was a violin prodigy in my family. It was easy to become a professional violinist in Ukraine. I started playing my “proper” violin when I was 17. I didn’t know how to do it but I liked it.
Now I’m going to study piano and piano theory. I want to play an all-star concerto.
It’s not only a musical instrument. How do you feel about modern tech?
People ask me all the time if I used to do a techno set sometimes at my hotel. I think that kind of techno set has lost its appeal when it takes place outside in the street. There are many people playing these sounds while wearing their streetwear and doing that. I think that kind of music was much better when it was outdoors.
Do you believe in music in general, and do you still listen to what your peers are listening to?
Yes, I like many artists from different genres. They make music that is both original and also very unique to them. I don’t even remember the last artist I heard from a different continent. Also I like classical music more than electronic music. Maybe electronic music is good because it is musical?
In a previous interview with Ukulele.com, you said that you are looking forward to moving to the US. Do you have a specific place in mind that you want to visit?
I would like to go to the UK. I was so happy to be the first non-Ukrainian musician to make it to a Grammy ceremony last year.
What should the listeners of Ukulele.com learn about you?
I’d love to perform live in the US. I would love to play at Carnegie Hall in New York. And I’d like to perform for the people of Ukraine! I am going to sing for you. Come and hear me!
[Photo: Alexey Mokhachev]
In the next article we will discuss your current project, “Odessa: Ukulele’s Story” that will be released on January 30.
Follow Ukulele.com’s Facebook page
Ukulele.com
easy ukulele songs somewhere over the rainbow, learn ukulele online beginner piano, best way to learn ukulele, learn how to play the ukulele online lessons, easy beginner ukulele pop songs