Petra Sittig

In this interview, I speak with Hannah Lena Rebel , a gifted Austrian composer, choreographer, and dancer whose journey through the world of art is as unique as it is profound. Born in Vienna, Hannah began composing intuitively at the age of three, creating her first piece titled “The Dying Flower.” Her early artistic expression led her into a successful professional ballet career at the Vienna St...

Dancer Nicholas Vavrečka is now in his second season with the London City Ballet, working under the direction of Christopher Marney. He describes the experience as both artistically fulfilling and personally enriching, highlighting the company’s mission to bring high-quality ballet to smaller communities across the UK. Originally founded in 1978, London City Ballet earned a loyal following for its...

In this interview, I talk with Jack Amblin—a specialist drummer whose musical journey spans the golden eras of rhythm, from the hot Jazz of the 1920s to the explosive Rock 'n' Roll of the 1950s. Jack is not only an accomplished Welsh drummer, but also a passionate collector of vintage Ludwig drums, a skilled washboard player, an enthusiastic singer, and even an amateur tap dancer! His dedication t...

In this interview, I explore the world of LAMTA (the Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy) with its Artistic Director, Anton Luitingh. Based in South Africa, LAMTA is renowned for its intensive, highly practical training programme designed to prepare students for the dynamic demands of the performing arts industry. The academy places a strong emphasis on multi-disciplinary training, recognis...

In this interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with the incredibly talented Christina Baader—mezzo-soprano and painter—surrounded by her stunning artworks. Christina shares how her journey in art and music began in early childhood, when she would instinctively reach for paintbrushes as a toddler and later began playing the piano. Growing up in a home filled with music and creativity, she felt a...

In this interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with Geir Ness, the creative mind and heart behind the iconic fragrance Laila. What struck me most about Geir was not just his passion for perfume, but the deeply personal story that led him to create a scent that has touched so many people. Geir grew up in Norway, where some of his fondest memories were walking through nature with his mother. Even...

In this interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with Cinzia Fossati, a talented scenographer and costume designer. Cinzia originally studied architecture, but her lifelong love for theatre, nurtured from childhood by her father who encouraged her and her siblings to stage family holiday plays, eventually led her down a more creative path. Her background in architecture gave her a strong foundati...

In this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, I speak with the remarkable Nathalie Peña Comas, a celebrated soprano from the Dominican Republic whose musical journey is as moving as her voice. Nathalie shares how her path into music began at a local music school, where she learned to play the recorder and sang in the choir. Encouraged by her mother, who believed strongly in the value of music, she...

In this inspiring and heartfelt interview, South African lyrical soprano Sinesipho Mnyango shares her remarkable journey—from her early days singing in a school choir in the Eastern Cape to her passionate pursuit of a professional singing career. She reflects on how those early choral experiences gave her the discipline and confidence to step into the demanding world of classical music. Sinesipho...

I recently had the pleasure of conducting an online interview with Michael Judkins, an accomplished author, film producer, and screenwriter from the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania. During our conversation, Michael opened up about his creative journey, which began with a strong passion for poetry. He shared how, at a young age, a teacher recognized his natural talent for writing and encouraged...

I recently conducted an online interview with Marc Hoberman, an educator, author, and motivational speaker. Marc shared his powerful journey of overcoming epilepsy during his teenage years, an experience that has deeply influenced both his life and career. Diagnosed at 16, Marc faced overwhelming challenges. But instead of letting his condition define him, he transformed it into a foundation for s...

In this online interview, I speak with Lelo Mncwango, a talented and passionate street artist based in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Renowned for her vibrant, colourful murals that fuse fine art with storytelling, Lelo’s work brings walls to life with cultural richness and social relevance. Her murals often explore themes of identity, heritage, and community — told through a deeply personal and art...

I recently conducted an online interview with Constance Devernay, principal dancer with the London City Ballet, currently in the midst of rehearsals ahead of the company’s upcoming tour. Constance shared insightful reflections on her experience working under the artistic direction of Chris Marney, praising his collaborative approach with the dancers. She emphasised how Chris' leadership style fost...

A Conversation with Hanlee Louw: South Africa’s Coloratura Soprano Bringing Song, Spice, and Soul to Life I recently had the pleasure of conducting an online interview with Hanlee Louw, an accomplished coloratura soprano whose talent and passion have taken her from the Swartland region of South Africa to some of the most renowned opera stages in the world. Hanlee’s love for opera began at an early...

I recently had the privilege of conducting an online interview with Makhubalo Ikaneng, also known as Khuba, a passionate film producer, writer, and storyteller from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Khuba’s work is deeply rooted in community upliftment, and he uses his creative gifts to inspire and empower the youth. Khuba travels to schools across the region, performing one-man shows armed with nothin...

In a heartfelt and inspiring conversation, Laura Mwakio, the visionary behind Touch by Laura, shared her journey and passion for beauty, empowerment, and transformation. Based in the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya, Laura has carved out a unique space in the beauty industry by being intentional about not just providing excellent services, but also teaching and sharing knowledge to uplift others. La...

In this heartfelt and inspiring online interview, I speak with Mpilwenhle Gwala, a young artist from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, whose life story is as rich and textured as the artwork he creates. Growing up in a rural village, Mpilwenhle's early days were spent herding cows and watching boys play football, games he was never chosen to join. Instead, he found his own form of expression on the sid...

I recently had the opportunity to conduct an online interview with Andrew Odera, a seasoned film editor based in Nairobi. In our conversation, Andrew emphasized the pivotal role that editors play in the filmmaking process. He described editing as more than just piecing together footage, it's an essential storytelling craft that shapes the narrative, evokes emotion, and brings the director’s vision...

Natascha Mair has always embraced bold choices. A principal dancer with the Vienna State Ballet at a remarkably young age, she rose to prominence under the artistic directorship of Manuel Legris, performing lead roles that many only dream of. Later, she joined the English National Ballet in London, further solidifying her place on the international stage. Now, Natascha is navigating a significant...

In this uplifting episode, we sit down with Matt Hogarty , founder and Director of Love Howick — a dynamic community project based in the small town of Howick in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. What began as a small group picking up litter has grown into a vibrant movement that uses public art and creative engagement to uplift, unite, and inspire. Matt shares how Love Howick has transformed public sp...

In a sincere and inspiring conversation, actor and producer Joe Rabl opened up about his creative journey—from his early childhood in Austria to his current work at the helm of his own film company, Pelican Pictures. With a deep-rooted love for storytelling, Joe has transformed his passion into a thriving career in the entertainment industry. He reflected on his childhood spent in the forests of A...

I recently conducted an online interview with Paul Doyle, a highly respected figure in the dance community. Paul is a multifaceted professional—he is a dance teacher, Dance Examiner, sports and exercise scientist, and currently serves as Head of Studies at the prestigious Central School of Ballet. During our conversation, Paul spoke with heartfelt passion about his lifelong dedication to dance. Hi...

In a lively and heartfelt online interview, beloved South African radio host, author, and public speaker Amore Bekker shared her journey from the world of drama to radio, writing, and now back to the stage with a brand-new theatrical production that promises to charm audiences across the country. Amore’s story begins in the world of drama, which she studied with passion and ambition. Though she in...

I recently had the opportunity to conduct an online interview with Lewis Gardner, a talented and passionate ballet dancer whose career has taken him from intensive training at Elmhurst Ballet School and the prestigious Royal Ballet School to performing professionally in Universal Ballet, Korea. He spoke warmly about his time there, highlighting how much he enjoyed dancing the diverse and exciting...

In this interview, Nairobi-based lighting designer Gregory Kiwo Maole opens up about his journey into the world of film lighting—a path that began with dreams of aviation and took a creative detour into visual storytelling. Gregory shares how a chance opportunity introduced him to the art and craft of lighting design, where he quickly discovered a passion for shaping the emotional tone of a scene...