openARTed

These are mini episodes where I read articles that I publish monthly on PianoBuffs Substack. I share essays, reflections, and research-informed insights on the pianist’s mind. I believe that piano practice can enrich us far beyond the keyboard.In this article, I talk about how learning piano can remind us of how long real learning takes and how changing our attitude towards learning can make us more resilient and curious.Throughout my musical career, I've been deeply interested in the science behind piano playing and musical performance itself. If you are interested in how music can help develop your brain, visit our Substack. More information about PianoBuffs here. Get full access to PianoBuffs at pianobuffs.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of openARTed, I sit down with Susan Blum, a professional coach helping musicians and creatives navigate their careers. We dive into some of the biggest challenges artists face - from defining their artistic identity to managing time, finances, and collaboration.Topics we cover:What it really means to “know your offering” as a musicianWhy so many music groups struggle with collaboration and conflictTime management, avoiding burnout, and building financial stabilityDo you really need to make music your full-time career to find fulfillment?Support the Podcast:If you’re enjoying openARTed, consider joining our Patreon or buying us a coffee - every contribution helps keep these conversations going! You can also check out PianoBuffs, our global piano community, where we share recordings, educational content, and more.Guest Info:Learn more about Susan Blum and her work at smblumltd.comAbout the host Monika LozinskienėPianoBuffswww.monikapianiste.com/InstagramMusic performed by M. Lozinskienė (piano), A. Szalucka (piano)M. Ravel - Gaspard de la Nuit, No. 1, "Ondine"M. K. Čiurlionis - In The Forest (From the album "Sound meditation" which is partly funded by the Vilnius municipality) Get full access to PianoBuffs at pianobuffs.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, pianist Ewa Kupiec reveals her life story, career choices, and early passion for music. She is now one of the most sought-after piano professors in Europe, teaching at the Hanover University of Music, Drama, and Media. Her work with piano students blends music-making, mentorship, and mental preparation for lifelong careers in music.Support the podcast via PatreonAbout the host Monika LozinskienėPianoBuffswww.monikapianiste.com/InstagramMusic performed by M. Lozinskienė (piano), E. Kupiec (Piano)M. Ravel - Gaspard de la Nuit, No. 1, "Ondine"F. Chopin - Mazurka In F-sharp Minor, Op. 59: No. 3 Get full access to PianoBuffs at pianobuffs.substack.com/subscribe

In Lithuania, Dalia Ibelhauptaitė's pioneering ideas on how to use advertising in the arts both inspired and surprised many. Through her determination and strong will, her independent opera company, Vilnius City Opera, became one of the most visited and well-known theater companies in Lithuania. She also mentored and trained a number of Lithuanian singers who are now recognized as some of the world's best. Dalia Ibelhauptaitė is also a producer and director of several blockbuster movies, including Ghosted (2023) and Rocketman (2019). Support the podcast via PatreonAbout the host Monika LozinskienėPianoBuffswww.monikapianiste.com/InstagramMusic performed by M. Lozinskienė (piano), N. Kalmykova (violin), L. Loulaki (cello)L. van Beethoven - Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op.70 No.2, I, IV mvt.F. Mendelssohn Piano Trio No.1, Op.49 , II mvt.C. Debussy - Clair de lune, M. Lozinskienė (piano) Get full access to PianoBuffs at pianobuffs.substack.com/subscribe

Josh Wright - a pianist, educator and founder of the Propractice Piano Academy. The academy offers around 500 video lessons covering various aspects of piano playing. On this episode, we discussed what musically inspires Josh, how he structures his work, methods to overcome unnecessary classical musician's ego, and Josh also elaborated on how he shifted his mindset regarding a career in classical music.Josh Wright YoutubeSupport the podcast Check out more info about the host Monika LozinskienėYoutube channel PianoBuffs www.monikapianiste.com/InstagramMusic - F. Mendelssohn Piano Trio No.1, Op.49 , II mvt. - M. Lozinskienė (piano), N. Kalmykova (violin), L. Loulaki (cello) Get full access to PianoBuffs at pianobuffs.substack.com/subscribe

Dawn Bennett has authored over 300 publications including Understanding the Classical Music Profession in 2008. One of her main research areas was classical music including musicians' identities, their employability, and the career thinking of postgraduate classical music performance students. We talked about success, challenges and cultural pressures in this field. Her free Employ-Ability toolkit can be accessed here. Support the podcastCheck out more info about the host Monika Lozinskienėwww.monikapianiste.com/InstagramYoutube channel PianoBuffs (NEW) Episode music - L. van Beethoven - Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op.70 No.2, I mvt. | M. Lozinskienė, Nadia Kalmykova (Violin) and Loukia Loulaki (Cello) Get full access to PianoBuffs at pianobuffs.substack.com/subscribe

Ugnė is a doctoral student and she is investigating the role of emotional intelligence for musicians at the Royal College of Music. The aim of her research is to investigate a musicians’ EI profile and how it impacts their professional life. If you are a professional musician, please consider filling this survey and helping Ugnė to collect as much data as possible.Support the podcastCheck out more info about the host Monika Lozinskienėwww.monikapianiste.com/InstagramYoutube channel PianoBuffs (NEW) Get full access to PianoBuffs at pianobuffs.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew Simonet, a choreographer and writer who shared his insights and experiences on making a life as an artist. We also discussed the importance of cultivating a strong work ethic, building a supportive community, and taking risks in pursuit of one's artistic goals.Andrew reflects on the unique challenges faced by artists, including financial instability, self-doubt, and the pressure to constantly innovate and create. He offers practical advice on how to navigate these challenges, emphasizing the importance of staying focused on one's vision, staying connected to one's values, and finding joy in the creative process itself.Support the podcastCheck out more info about the host Monika Lozinskienėwww.monikapianiste.com/instagramAndrew's website - https://www.andrewsimonet.com/Music - L. van Beethoven - Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op.70 No.2, II mvt. | M. Lozinskienė, Nadia Kalmykova and Loukia Loulaki; M. Ravel - Gaspard de la Nuit, No. 1, "Ondine" | Monika Lozinskienė Get full access to PianoBuffs at pianobuffs.substack.com/subscribe

Bernhard Schimpelsberger is an Austrian composer and percussionist. He studied Indian classical rhythms with masters such as Suresh Talwalkar and Trilok Gurtu. Bernhard says "Rhythm is a universal language that allows us to connect on deeper levels." Join us for this more than incredible talk with some beautiful excerpts of Bernhard playing the percussion.Support the podcastCheck out more info about the host Monika Lozinskienėwww.monikapianiste.com/instagramMEREDIAN | Melodic World Percussion | Bernhard SchimpelsbergerRhythm Diaries - Rhythms of fractals and collective movement - Bernhard SchimpelsbergerThe Guru Utsav Solo (Full Concert) ・Bernhard SchimpelsbergerIntro music - M. Ravel - Gaspard de la Nuit, No. 1, "Ondine" | Monika Lozinskienė Get full access to PianoBuffs at pianobuffs.substack.com/subscribe

If someone would ask me to describe this episode, I would say two words - beauty of thought and gratefulness. On the last day of 2021, I am sharing this spiritual, but also very down to earth conversation with soprano from Barcelona Serena Sáenz. Serena is among those remarkable people who I have been lucky to meet while living and studying in Barcelona. Little did we know that in 5 years since then, Serena will be singing with the world famous conductors including Daniel Barenboim and that during her first season as a member of the Staatsoper Berlin International Opera Studio, Serena will be asked to jump in as Pamina for the opening night of Yuval Sharon’s production of Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute). I am so thrilled to be able to bring you this conversation which, I believe, is the best fit to positively end this year and gracefully start the new year. Enjoy and Happy New Year!Support the podcastCheck out more info about the host Monika Lozinskienėwww.monikapianiste.com/instagramAbout Serena SáenzSerena's IGAbout the spiritual practice Serena mentioned.Episode music - M. Ravel - "Ondine" performed by M.LozinskienėLucia di Lammermoor’s, Mad scene “Il dolce suono” performed by Serena Sáenz and pianist Ricardo Estrada Get full access to PianoBuffs at pianobuffs.substack.com/subscribe

A discussion from Kaunas Piano Fest 2021, a piano festival in Lithuania which I host yearly since 2018. My guest - Neringa Valuntonytė is a Lithuanian pianist who gathers audiences throughout Europe with a big variety of solo and chamber music repertoire. Always searching for different performance ideas, Neringa is currently running a doctorate research at Lithuanian academy of music and theatre on the topic of creating academic musician's persona: from stage to personal brand. We will discuss: - why Neringa decided to investigate this topic - the issues we see regarding our career visions as classical musician and how we could improve them - how classical music industry has changed and what it means for a performing musician - building your brand - contemporary academic culture - old vs new career strategies in music.Support the podcastCheck out more info about the host Monika Lozinskienėwww.monikapianiste.com/instagramMore about Neringa Episode music - M. Debussy - "La fille aux cheveux de lin" performed by N. Valuntonytė Get full access to PianoBuffs at pianobuffs.substack.com/subscribe

A discussion curated by Kaunas Piano Fest and led by me and Rūta Sudakovienė. Rūta holds a Master's degree in sports psychology and now she actively coaches athletes, dancers as well as figure skaters. Rūta runs an Instagram profile where she educates about sports psychology including tips to reaching your performance peak. Support the podcastCheck out more info about the host Monika Lozinskienėwww.monikapianiste.com/instagramWe discussed:- Analogy between an athlete and a performing musician- What challenges performing musician faces- Hard work vs good resting schedule- Healthy daily routine- Self confidence (inner and outer)- How to build self confidence- Pressure regarding performanceEpisode music - M. Ravel - "Ondine" performed by M.Lozinskienė Get full access to PianoBuffs at pianobuffs.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation I talked with Laurynas - a CO-founder of Urban Vilnius city dance theatre "Low air". More than 40% of the theatre's performances are shown abroad. The company has represented Lithuanian dance culture at various international festivals and culture fairs such as Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Internationale “tanzmesse nrw”, Dance International Glasgow and etc. Laurynas holds several Golden Stage Awards for his theatrical performances as a dancer. His attitude towards dance is far away from simple. His artistic activities include education, community, visual art, music, sociology and pedagogy. Laurynas thinks that talent is simply hard work and that the real secret of success is an ability to see opportunities. Support the podcastCheck out more info about the host Monika Lozinskienėwww.monikapianiste.com/instagramLOW AIR Instagram Episode music - C. Debussy - Étude No. 11 "Pour les Arpèges Composés" performed by M.LozinskienėI. Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring. Part I The Augurs of Spring - S. Poška and A. Szałucka Get full access to PianoBuffs at pianobuffs.substack.com/subscribe