MEET OUR LAUREATES - IVAN ČERNUKIN
Dear friends of ZIMC, we present to you Ivan Chernukin, LAUREATE of the competition's PIANO discipline. Below you can see an interview with Ivan Chernukin and his professor Olga Borozenko.
Ivan is a fifth grade student at the "Isidor Bajić" Elementary Music School in Novi Sad, in the class of professor Olga Borozenko. Here is how our conversation went:
How did your musical journey begin?
Ivan: My parents like to listen to classical music and they played a lot of classical compositions by various authors when I was little. Besides, my mother knows how to play the piano. They had an electric piano in their room, I sometimes played some compositions for children on it. That's when I learned the notes. My parents decided on my music education when they realized that I have the ability to recognize tones. Still, it would have been logical for me to play the violin, but since we already had a piano at home, they decided that I should play piano.
At last year's ZIMC, you made a wonderful performance, you won the title of LAUREATE of the competition in the discipline PIANO. What are your impressions after the competition? Are you satisfied with the instrument you performed at the end of the competition program and the acoustics provided by the Ceremonial Hall of our school?
Ivan: I really liked performing in the Hall of the Music School "Kosta Manojlović". This place has a positive vibe that inspires and relaxes. The ceremonial hall has good acoustics and I liked the way the sound spread in it. Of course, each piano has its own unique character and voice. I liked this piano because of the imprint and the way it produces sound. Its velvety sound reminds me of the gentle cooing of pigeons.
There was a warm and social atmosphere at the competition, everyone was happy, smiling and relaxed, so I wasn't too scared and nervous.
You have achieved a large number of notable results in competitions for young artists, as well as concert performances. Could you single out what determined you the most as an artist?
Ivan: After many performances, I realized that the biggest impact on my development as an artist is the recognition of the audience. When you see that the audience appreciates not only your abilities, but also the enormous effort, dedication and time invested in the preparation, it gives an unforgettable feeling of satisfaction with the work done and connection with the audience.
When it comes to performances and competitions, what especially inspires you in your expectations for this year?
Ivan: I am inspired by the possibility of performing compositions so that I can convey the whole story of that composition, all the emotions that will attract the attention of the audience. Also, I want to present a new program that I worked hard on together with my professor Olga Borozenko, and to share the beauty of the compositions with the jury and the audience.
What other art is close to you?
Ivan: Apart from the piano, I still feel a great love for drawing. I dedicate a very large part of my free time to drawing different scenes and characters from my imagination. I don't draw as professional, but rather as an enthusiast.
What does an ordinary day of Ivan Chernukin look like today?
Ivan: Since school shifts change every week, it's a little different. Like all children, I do my homework, learn new material from primary school, follow the online classroom. As for music and competitions, I never forget to practice the piano every day, regardless of the fact that school takes up most of the day. Sometimes, when I get to do everything, I have time to play.
And here is how the intercession with Ivan's professor Olga Borozenko went:
What is the most important lesson you want to share with your students?
Olga: Working with my students, I try to introduce them to the fantastic world of music, to present each new piece of music as a story that they should tell and convey to the audience with the help of instruments and notes. As my task, the most important thing for me is that the student loves music and the instrument they play. I consider it a success when a student becomes interested, starts researching and listening to music on their own, when I manage to develop students' curiosity and the need for independent practice and progress…
Ivan fascinated us all with his performance at ZIMC. Please share with us your experiences in working with him.
Olga: Ivan is without a doubt a talented young artist. In addition to the great pleasure of working with such a talented young artist, it is at the same time very demanding and binding. The educator has a great responsibility to constantly think about the constant progress and development of young talent.
How do you see the role of young musicians' competitions in their professional formation?
Olga: I see competitions as an opportunity and a new opportunity for a young artist to play in front of a new and wider audience, to perform in different places and concert halls, to compare themselves with other young musicians and thus improve. The competition provides an opportunity to show how much they have progressed, which is additional motivation to improve and advance.
What do you currently see as your biggest challenge in dealing with music and music pedagogy?
Olga: Working with students - future young artists, for me is a constant challenge to improve their playing and myself, explore new repertoire and thus enrich my pedagogical knowledge and experience.
