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. In this essay, I argue that learning music reveals how the brain actually learns and may be one of the most valuable forms of cognitive training in the age of AI. Throughout my musical career, I've been deeply interested in...

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 wrote this after completing the Ultraspeaking course on public speaking. It was fascinating to discover how many similarities there are between making music and speaking in public. Throughout my musical career, I've been...

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. The title says it all. This is a personal look at my thought process as I prepare for a concert. Throughout my musical career, I've been deeply interested in the science behind piano playing and musical performance itself....

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. In this article, I discuss the flow state, what it is, and how you can experience it. Throughout my musical career, I've been deeply interested in the science behind piano playing and musical performance itself. If you are...

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. Here's another reading of my latest article about how learning an instrument can provide valuable life lessons and help develop problem-solving skills. Throughout my musical career, I've been deeply interested in the scienc...

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...

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. I wrote this article after reading Deep Work by Cal Newport—a truly inspiring and insightful book if you feel, too, that we live in an overly chaotic and...

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 musician Why so many music groups struggle with collab...

In this PART 2 episode, pianist Ewa Kupiec discusses her experiences as a concert pianist. She reflects on the influences that shaped her journey and shares book recommendations that have profoundly impacted her life philosophy. Listen to PART 1 Support the podcast via Patreon  or Buy me a coffee Books: Sparks of Divinity  An Actor Prepares About the host Monika Lozinskienė PianoBuffs www.monikapi...

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 Patreon About the host M...

In this episode, I speak with Tristan de Montebello, a finalist in the 2017 World Championship of Public Speaking. Tristan is the co-founder of Ultraspeaking, a platform designed to help people become more confident and authentic speakers, which he created with his partner, Michael Gendler. But there’s more to it than just mastering public speaking. We explore how learning to speak confidently can...

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 worl...

Mental toughness is an important trait that helps people handle challenges, stress, and pressure effectively. In this episode, I talk with Doug Strycharczyk, an author and the founder of AQR . Doug is an expert in creating psychometric tests and programs, and he has played a key role in developing the concept of mental toughness. His programs focus on improving wellbeing, satisfaction, employabili...

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 classica...

In this conversation, I had the pleasure of speaking with my high school mate, flautist Beata Preisaitė-Šidiškienė. Our discussion revolved around the complexity of musical careers, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their non-linear nature. We delved into our early experiences as forming musicians, highlighting the significance of nurturing expansive dreams in both music-making and career...

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 toolki...

Pianist and Head of Keyboard at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Aaron Shorr speaks about finding novelty in classical music, musician's routine, his way of working at the Conservatoire and the purpose of being a musician.  Support the podcast Check out more info about the host Monika Lozinskienė www.monikapianiste.com/ Instagram Youtube channel PianoBuffs (NEW)  Episode music - L. van Beethove...

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 podcast Check out...

Graduating from the music conservatoire, preparing for your professional career, musical exellence vs. relevant skills, the reason behind making arts. All these topics and more in the conversation with Sean Gregory a Vice-Principal & Director of Innovation and Engagement at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.  Support the podcast Check out more info about the host Monika Lozinskienė www.monik...

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...

In this conversation we uncover different professional roles and how swaping between those roles can be challenging. Also I was interested to know Jurgita's unbiased opinion about the classical music industry. She shared a lot of valuable insights about artistic life and how archetypes play an important role in it. Support the podcast Check out more info about the host Monika Lozinskienė www.monik...

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 podcast Check out more info a...

A very homey conversation with my dear friend, pianist and roommate Kamilė Zaveckaitė. At the moment we both live and study music in Vienna. We talk about our very private feelings as jealousy, comparison and how do we feel in the classical music industry. Kamilė has listened to all of my episodes and we discuss ideas from the previous episodes. Join us! With an exception of my and Kamile's perfor...

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...

A conversation with musicians' performance psychologist Noa Kageyama. Noa is a founder of Bulletproof musician platform where you can find a lot of interesting material about practice hacks and mental skills to help you reach your highest level of performance. He is currently working at the Julliard School in New York and I am so happy that I had a chance to talk with Noa and to find out how to im...