As I finished the performance, I remember an elderly gentleman walking up to the stage handing me a bouquet of tulips. He was moved to tears. That was when I fully realized the power of music and what impact I could have on people. Even though I had been playing for years at that point, only there and then did I decide to "become a violinist".
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
I have been playing the violin for almost two decades now. I started young, both my parents are musicians. My mother is a music teacher and plays piano. Even though my father did not pursue music professionally after college and chose to become a doctor, he is passionate about violin and plays as a hobby. I was born and raised in Russia and went to music school in Saint-Petersburg.
I learned about The Juilliard School in NYC when I was about 14 years old and I decided to make my way over to the USA to study there. Last year, I graduated from the Juilliard with my Master's Degree as a Rockefeller Foundation fellow. My intercontinental student journey finally came to an end and I have since been making my dreams come true as a freelance solo violinist, social media creator, and educator.
2. What inspired you to become a violinist?
I started playing very young. Back in the day, it was my parents' decision. However, I remember making my own conscious choice at 13 years old. It was my first solo performance with the orchestra at a beautiful venue in my hometown, Saint-Petersburg, Russia. It was a beautiful spring day, the concert was sold-out, my family and friends were all there.
As I finished the performance, I remember an elderly gentleman walking up to the stage handing me a bouquet of tulips. He was moved to tears. That was when I fully realized the power of music and what impact I could have on people. Even though I had been playing for years at that point, only there and then did I decide to "become a violinist".
3. How would you describe your music?
I do not put labels on my music. I am a classically trained violinist, but I have performed in a variety of genres. I adore playing concerti with orchestras as much as I enjoy performing cinema music with a jazz band or arranging my favorite pop tunes for my social media.
4.How do you take inspiration to compose your music?
I do not compose, but the inspiration to practice and play always comes to me when I am ready for it. Relying on inspiration at all times is not an efficient practice strategy - since music is my profession, I often need to work regardless of whether I am inspired at the moment. Luckily, as my beloved composer, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky once said: "Inspiration is a guest that does not willingly visit the lazy". When I pick up the violin and start playing, I usually get inspired in the process.
4. Who do you admire as a violinist?
Maxim Vengerov, Anne-Sophie Mutter, David Oistrakh. Not necessarily in that order.
5. What tips and advice would you give to aspiring violinist?
Do not be afraid to use your own voice. There are times in our music life when we need to be sponges - soak in all that information from teachers and coaches. In your student years, it is important to learn from as many people and sources as possible.
Eventually, you need to trust yourself to let go of other opinions and interpretations and start playing how you feel. It certainly is scary at first, but it is the best feeling in the world. Your instrument is your voice. You do not get to be anybody else, and luckily - nobody else gets to be you. So just be you and express yourself.
6. Which is your favorite music genre and why?
I like and appreciate any genre, as long as it is something that is passionate, high quality, and sincere. My playlist is quite versatile.
Described as “spellbinding” by Northwest Music Scene, Anastasiia Mazurok is an award-winning violinist, a Clifton Foundation “emerging artist”, D’Addario artist and ambassador, GEWA official artist, TEDx speaker, and the Juilliard School alumnus (Rockefeller Foundation’s fellow).
A native of Saint Petersburg, Russia she has won top prizes at The Petersburgian Spring International Competition of the Arts, and Georgy Sviridov International competition. Ms. Mazurok, named the winner of the Russian Federation government’s award The Young Talents and featured in the Strings Magazine as the “rising star”, gave her concerto debut with orchestra at the age of thirteen.
She has performed extensively throughout Russia, United States, France, and Austria. As a recipient of the Emerging Artists Foundation award, Ms. Mazurok performed Mendelssohn’s E Minor Violin Concerto at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
Interviewed By - Prashansa Maurya
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