Nurdana Ernst Interview
"The music carries echoes of my Kazakh heritage while also reflecting my journey as a woman and artist navigating between cultures. Every note holds a memory, a question, or a truth I couldn’t say out loud."
Q. What sparked your interest in music and the violin, and how did you get started on your musical journey?
Music has always been my native language. I was instinctively drawn to the violin at a very young age, it had a voice that felt profoundly human, capable of expressing what words could not.
My formal training began early, but it never felt like discipline; it was discovery. Over time, the violin became not just my instrument, but an extension of myself, a way to channel emotion, convey stories, and offer timeless beauty in a modern world.
Q. Who or what inspires your compositions, and how do you incorporate those influences into your work?
My creative inspirations come from emotional memory, ancestral connection, and nature’s landscapes. Artists like Hauser, Vanessa-Mae, and Carlos Santana have influenced my approach to merging elegance with edge.
I seek to mix the depth of classical music with the vibrancy of cinematic and contemporary elements, producing works that are emotionally charged and aesthetically captivating.
My pieces often begin with a visceral impression, a melody felt during travel, in silence, or among the mountains, and then grow into complete musical stories shaped by emotion and imagery.
Each piece begins with a feeling, an instinct I translate into sound. I start by improvising on the violin, searching for something raw, honest, and emotionally true. From there, I build the piece layer by layer, adding harmonies, textures, and depth.
But I don’t just compose music, I craft experiences. I imagine the tone, the atmosphere, and the visual world of each piece as if I were curating a scene. This immersive creative process allows me to connect deeply with audiences around the world, especially those who value elegance, emotion, and artful storytelling.
A sunrise performance in the Swiss Alps stands out: there was no formal audience, just nature, silence, and the light of dawn. The mountains became the stage, the sky the spotlight.
That moment reminded me of music’s sacred power to connect us with something greater than ourselves. These kinds of immersive experiences, where art meets atmosphere, are at the heart of what I hope to offer to both audiences and partners.
The violin mirrors the human voice, it can whisper, weep, or soar. Played with vulnerability, it cuts through barriers and speaks directly to the heart. In the right setting, even a single sustained note can create stillness or ignite emotion.
That power is why it remains timeless and why luxury brands and cultural institutions increasingly seek its elegance for their most exclusive moments.
“Jürek üni – The Sound of the Heart” was born from a deep longing for home and identity. It’s a tribute to my Kazakh roots and my journey as an artist navigating between cultures.
The piece blends traditional echoes with modern cinematic structure, each note holds a personal truth, a memory, or a question I couldn’t voice. It has become one of my most requested and resonant works in performance.
My work is evolving into a multidimensional art form, merging music, film, fashion, and design. I’m currently developing a concept album inspired by ancient legends and modern femininity, reimagined through orchestral soundscapes and digital artistry.
Q. Can you walk us through your typical creative process when composing a new piece or developing content for your audience?
Each piece begins with a feeling, an instinct I translate into sound. I start by improvising on the violin, searching for something raw, honest, and emotionally true. From there, I build the piece layer by layer, adding harmonies, textures, and depth.
But I don’t just compose music, I craft experiences. I imagine the tone, the atmosphere, and the visual world of each piece as if I were curating a scene. This immersive creative process allows me to connect deeply with audiences around the world, especially those who value elegance, emotion, and artful storytelling.
Q. What’s been your most memorable performance to date, and what made it so special?
A sunrise performance in the Swiss Alps stands out: there was no formal audience, just nature, silence, and the light of dawn. The mountains became the stage, the sky the spotlight.
That moment reminded me of music’s sacred power to connect us with something greater than ourselves. These kinds of immersive experiences, where art meets atmosphere, are at the heart of what I hope to offer to both audiences and partners.
Q. How do you think the violin’s expressive qualities can evoke emotions in listeners?
The violin mirrors the human voice, it can whisper, weep, or soar. Played with vulnerability, it cuts through barriers and speaks directly to the heart. In the right setting, even a single sustained note can create stillness or ignite emotion.
That power is why it remains timeless and why luxury brands and cultural institutions increasingly seek its elegance for their most exclusive moments.
Q. Can you describe a personal experience or memory that has inspired a violin piece you’ve written or performed?
“Jürek üni – The Sound of the Heart” was born from a deep longing for home and identity. It’s a tribute to my Kazakh roots and my journey as an artist navigating between cultures.
The piece blends traditional echoes with modern cinematic structure, each note holds a personal truth, a memory, or a question I couldn’t voice. It has become one of my most requested and resonant works in performance.
Q. How do you see your music and artistic style evolving in the next few years, and what exciting projects do you have on the horizon?
My work is evolving into a multidimensional art form, merging music, film, fashion, and design. I’m currently developing a concept album inspired by ancient legends and modern femininity, reimagined through orchestral soundscapes and digital artistry.
Beyond the studio, I am passionate about returning to the stage with powerful, emotionally immersive live performances.
I want to share this evolving sound in both intimate and grand settings, from iconic concert halls to curated luxury venues. I’m currently in conversation with global stages and premium partners to craft bespoke shows that feel both cinematic and deeply human.
I want to share this evolving sound in both intimate and grand settings, from iconic concert halls to curated luxury venues. I’m currently in conversation with global stages and premium partners to craft bespoke shows that feel both cinematic and deeply human.
Whether in a historic theatre, a private villa, or an open-air estate, I aim to create unforgettable performances that merge elegance, storytelling, and raw emotion.
Recognitions & Awards
Swiss Influencer Award 2025: I am officially nominated among the Top 10 in the Music category. The awards ceremony will take place on October 17, 2025, at The Hall in Zurich, Switzerland. Community voting opens on August 1st, 2025: https://swissinfluence.ch/en/award
Press Features: Featured in leading media and TV shows in Kazakhstan, highlighting my cultural contributions and artistic journey. Here is the link to the interviews: https://www.nurdanaernst.com/media
Social Media Milestones: Accumulated over 50 million views and over 400,000 followers globally across platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Brand Collaborations: Partnered with prestigious brands including Rolls-Royce, Chopard, Swiss Helicopter, and luxury hotels to create immersive musical content.
Award-Winning Performer: Recognized in classical violin competitions and invited to perform at high-level international events and cultural summits. I have collaborated with the following conductors: Kent Nagano, Kazuki Yamada, Kristjan Jarvi, Vladimir Fedoseyev, Vladimir Jurowsky, Mariss Jansons, Felix Korobov, Yuri Temirkanov, Charles Dutoit, Teodor Currentzis.
I also participated in masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Zahar Bron, Boris Kuschnir, Maxim Vengerov, Daniel Hope, Sergey Krylov, Sergey Khachatryan, and Gyula Stuller.
Bio
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