Interview
1- You graduated from the Juozas Naujalis Music School in Lithuania in 2013. How do you recall your time there and your tutors?
Entering Juozas Naujalis Music School was a huge step forward for me after previously taking lessons at my local music school in a small town outside of Kaunas. It was very hard to adjust and settle to the new intense work load and standard but it was also incredibly inspiring to be surrounded by classmates who were all musicians and be able to create music together.
2- Is your family musical?
There are no musicians in my family so choosing this path was quite unusual. However, I always received great support to pursue music and do what I love no matter what so I am very lucky in this sense as I saw some of my friends struggle to get approval from their family to pursue a music career. My mother, even though not a musician, is a big fan of classical music and loves to attend concerts and listen to performances of other musicians.
3- Your soloist debut, aged 10, was with the Brno Philharmonic Orchestra. How do recall that important moment for you and do you remember which pieces you played?
I recall the preparation and the performance very well. I played Haydn Piano Concerto in D major. That was the biggest performance for me as a 10-year-old and I still remember the intense preparations. My mother and I would even come up with a detailed schedule for me to follow to make sure I managed to prepare well whilst also not falling back in school. I distinctly remember the conductor being unbelievably sweet and supportive and the whole orchestra playing in such a friendly and encouraging way. It was definitely one of my most memorable performance experiences!
4- You studied with Prof. Christopher Elton at the Royal Academy of Music in London, from which you graduated in 2017. How do you think studying at this institution and with this master helped develop your talent further?
It was an incredible honour to study in this institution and with such a remarkable professor. Moving to London was not easy for me, but I felt I always had the support of my professor. I learned so much from him, and I think some of things he taught me I understand even better now that I am older. He is definitely one of the best musicians I have ever encountered and I will never forget my years studying there.
5- You then went on to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) with Prof. Aaron Shorr and Petras Geniušas for your postgraduate studies. How do you remember these masters and their influence on you?
When I went to study at the RCS I wanted my musical ideas to be challenged, and therefore decided to study not only with two professors but two who are quite contrasting. For my Master’s degree I wanted to focus on trying to find my own voice, performance style, and repertoire I play best. The RCS is a great place for that - individuality is really appreciated there and it also has an incredibly friendly environment.
6- In 2019, you were selected to join the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) for 2019/20. How was this experience enriching for you?
The global pandemic hit right after I got accepted and unfortunately all the amazing tours and concerts that were supposed to happen in the Spring and Summer Tours were cancelled. Thankfully, in October 2020 I will be going to Austria to perform with EUYO in Grafenegg and I am looking forward so much to this experience, including the chance to work with world-famous conductor Marin Alsop.
7- For all your musical achievements you received a commendation from the President of Lithuania, Valdas Adamkus. What did this honour feel like?
I was quite young when I received this commendation and I do remember being incredibly impressed while visiting the presidential palace. Everything felt so surreal! It was an incredible honour to receive this commendation, and at that point I definitely felt all my hard work was worth it!
8- What are your fondest musical memories, privately or performing?
There are a number of performances and recitals that I look back as one of my dearest memories. One of them is definitely the performance of Shostakovich 5th Symphony on two pianos for the opening night of the RCS Piano Festival alongside my colleague Kristina Yorgova. Ever since the beginning of my studies I developed a strong passion for Shostakovich’s music and performing this symphony was my dream project for many years.
9- How often do your practice?
I love to practice! I know a lot of musicians sometimes complain about practicing or the amount that they have to do, but I always really enjoyed it. I really love to just have unlimited amount of time with the instrument and just calmly work my way through, explore different ideas, colours and so on. Therefore, if I can, I try to squeeze as many hours of practice per day as possible. If I am intensively preparing for something like a recital or a competition, I practice around 6 hours a day.
10- Would you consider teaching in the future?
I already teach a class of my private students. I started teaching immediately when I came to the Royal Academy of Music. I have always enjoyed teaching, and I get very invested in my lessons which makes it exciting and also a lot of fun. My ultimate dream would be to become a teacher at a conservatoire and also combine it with some performing. This is the life that one of my teachers currently has, and I feel this would be an ideal future that I could see myself in.
11- Who would your dream accompanist be, from the present or past?
As a solo pianist I rarely have an accompanist I need to play with but I have especially enjoyed playing piano concertos with my teacher Petras Geniusas. It was always a great joy!
12- What advice would you give to young musicians at the start of their journey?
This is a question I often think to myself – what advice would I give myself when I just started my studies. It is tricky as I definitely have a different understanding from when I was 18 years old but I would probably suggest this: don’t force it! Try to make everything happen gradually, naturally, and organically. Also, take care of yourself – nobody else will. Learn to find time to rest, reflect, and recharge! It is really easy to get fired up and overly excited to start the degree, year, or term but always remember to take time to rest.
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