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Folk Sounds of Kyiv

FOLK SOUNDS of KYIV SUGARCOAT THE WINDS of THE ARABIAN DESERT

Viktoriia Demi connects the world with Ukrainian traditional melodies

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By Sidra Asif

here are many types of musicians and especially pianists. Someone wants to play only classical, someone just jazz or pop. They put a lot of effort and hard work to achieve a high level of performance as the work which they are doing not including only the musical part how to press the keys – They have to think about the idea of performance, how do they look, how do they set up the stage, what will we perform. Sometimes the preparation for some projects takes us a lot of time. All these efforts we need to help us to bring happiness to the listeners and public all around the world. Because of the most important thing to make our music touches people’s hearts.

Viktoriia Demi is one such great musician and Performer. She is probably the best of her genre in the United Arab Emirates. Team Edgy reached out to her and know her more. Born in Ukraine in Kyiv Viktoriia’s childhood time was full of concert time which was around her - theater, opera, ballet, etc. But the most precious element for her as a musician is to present and preserve her native music to the people – her countries folk music. This type of music is not from the book but people are preserving and transferring it to the next generation through live concerts.

Talking to Edgy about the multicultural Musical Academy in Kyiv and at the project with piano covers for the lounge society she said, “Of course, I prefer same time, I started to participate in music and DJ project. At the same time, people from different couture and pro- piano competitions and festivals. I’ve I’m working in Piano Profession at fessions to speak and exchange their done more than 50 competitions and Fujairah Fine Arts Academy - the first experience as I believe that as much more music festivals such as the Rosario Mar- academy in UAE which teaches music we know in different subjects as much ciano competition in Vienna, Arthur on a professional level. For me, music is deeper we can feel what we are doing. Rubinstein competition in Marbella, not a profession and by no means a job. And of course, for me, it will help to Festival Academy in Budapest, Chopin Music is my salvation, my philosophy. understand what other Piano Competition in This is the Truth that does not require people need to listen to. or how they react to the same style of music. MY MAIN MISSION is to bring classical music Rome, Maria Yudina competition Saint Petersburg, Beshady Bez words, this is the Soul that breaks out of the abyss. Music is Time that freezes in my hands, And last but not the least As they can’t think the education across the Graniz festival Sanok Music is Love for me ... eternal and irsame way as profession- UAE and of course to (Poland), The Art of XXI resistible. Music can relieve our hearts, al musicians so their create a lot of projects century Vienna-Lonigo music can help us to have fun, music focus is a bit different.” Sharing more from the where I will demonstrate my interpretation (Austria- Italy), Clavicologne piano competition (Hamburg Gercan say without words. While adding more she Said, every beginnings Viktoriia of modern music. many), etc. So of course musician is unique on his point. My Said, I started my piano it’s not easy to always main mission is to bring classical mujourney when I was kid 7 years old. But be a competitive player as the level of sic education across the UAE and of to decide that I want to connect the pianists nowadays is extremely high. course to create a lot of projects where whole my life with the music I realized But I believe that if you truly love what I will demonstrate my interpretation at age of 14. And I started to work on you’re doing you will get success. And of modern music. (But we will talk a professional level and I learned from from 2019 I’m based in Dubai where I’m about it later as it is my tiny secret ). the greatest professors in my country. successfully performing on the different The Ukrainian musical industry is very When I was 17 I went to the Tchaikovsky concerts and venues. Here I started my wide and interesting as we can find a

variety of shows - from classical shows to jazz, flamenco dance with musical ensembles, contemporary ballet with orchestra. In UAE for now there are not many musical shows for pianists as mostly the musicians are playing in hotels and restaurants, weddings, and birthday parties. But I believe that step by step we will open huge projects with classical music in UAE.

Talking about her lifestyle she said, I am not a fan of any specific brand for clothes - I prefer simple and casual dresses or some new designers with nice ideas. As I’m living in UAE I love Arab designers such as Zuhair Murad, Alina Anward Buka, Mochi, Amato. For the daily wardrobe, I prefer Ted Baker, Maje, Sandro, Disqueared, Elizabeth Franchi. She said I am both a Music Artist and a performer as well and as I said before we can’t separate our playing on the instrument only. We have to focus on and manage our musical life, especially how to promote ourselves around the world industry. I believe that anywhere and in any genre, you can become successful if you’re doing your job good and the most important is to never stop trying and improving yourself.

I like to listen to different music. If it’s jazz I prefer the old generation with such an amazing artist as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, Dizzy Gillespie, etc. As a rock and pop music I love Queen, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Michale Jackson, Imagine Dragons. From alternative and electro music I like David Guetta, Tiesto, Carl Cox, Blasterjaxx, Billy Eilish, Two feet, Peggy Gou, Solomun, etc.

As an artist believe that I have a huge mission to bring the culture to the mass. Of course, I take part in many charity projects and concerts to support people who don’t have opportunities to study or listen to music. I love to take part in open festivals to connect with other artists not only with musicians around the world. When the pandemic has been started, I decided to focus on online education and online concerts as I believe that the future will be with distance education.

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