About Workshop " Exploring the Sound"
Xenia Elizabeth Zilli has created AAM (Alternative Approach to Music) method with a very clear vision of the changes that she would like to implement/contribute to the new world of piano 'teaching' and performing music through inspiring, body awareness (posture, breathing), and finally empowering students/artists to express themselves authentically, to find their own artistic 'language', and thus fully develop their artistic potentials. Xenia Elizabeth Zilli’s workshops offer non-traditional master classes, either alone or in collaboration with other pianists/piano educators, this time with the world’s renown pianist and piano educator - Mr Igor Lazko - combining their music knowledge and lifelong piano teaching experience with Xenia Zilli's knowledge of Yoga and Nada Yoga (Sound Yoga), and her experience as a visual artist, a deep interdisciplinary vision of the artistic expression, mixing music, yoga, therapeutic approaches, and visual art. The main focus of this workshops will be exploring the sound and participants’ expression through sound, leading to their individual expression and realisation, using one or all the above mentioned methods/techniques as applicable and/or needed. This very special project will enrich Malta Piano Festival in such a meaningful way, and Ms Xenia E. Zilli and Mr Igor Lazko are hoping for a great experience in which everyone can develop their talent and deepen their love for music.
Igor Lazko is descended from a family renowned for its musicians through several generations. When he was six years old, he was admitted to the special school for young musicians in the Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory, where his professors were Pavel Serebryakov and Sophia Lekhovitskaya. He was profoundly affected by the example of Glenn Gould's playing during his tour in the Soviet Union in 1957, and from this and from Gould's recordings he drew a wealth of inspiration: the pianist describes this in a published article. At a very young age, he displayed exceptional gifts and when only 14 he became the youngest laureate in the history of the Johann Sebastian Bach International Music Competition at Leipzig, receiving from them the bronze medal. Soon afterwards (in 1965), he recorded the Two - and Three - Part Inventions for the Russian Melodiya record label, the disc which launched his recording career. His hard work and his exceptional talent opened for him the very finest teaching that Russia had to offer. He perfected himself at the higher Tchaikowsky Conservatory in Moscow in the class of Jakov Zak, successor of the master Heinrich Neuhaus, and took the First Prize in all his paths of study. From 1974 to 1977, he pursued a career as soloist and chamber musician in the Soviet Union, and was soloist with the Leningrad Philharmonic. In the USSR, he performed in duo with the cellist Alexey Lazko (appearing before the Leningrad Philharmonic Society in 1965), and in trio with Mirra Lvovna Furer-Lazko. More about Igor Lazko click here.
Xenia Elizabeth Zilli - pianist, piano educator, and creator of the Alternative Approach to Music method
Xenia Elizabeth Zilli is an accomplished pianist and piano educator who has made an international career as performer, and teacher of other pianists. As a pianist she posses the unique ability of 'communicating' through piano, conveying refined lyricism with profound spiritual message to the listeners. As a piano teacher and educator she possess the ability to inspire creativity and freedom of expression, with constant motivation and encouragement that brings out the very best in her students.
Xenia Elizabeth Zilli is descended from a family renowned for its musicians and artists through several generations.
Her music personality has been moulded and most profoundly influenced by her father violinist and violist Milan Zilli, and her teachers, mentors and role models, pianists Olivera Djurdjevic, Igor Lazko, and Maria João Pires.
She studied Classical Piano Performance and Music Pedagogy at Faculty of Music, University of Arts in Belgrade, Academy of Music in Novi Sad, and also studied History of Art at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philosophy, and holds a Master of Arts degree.
Xenia Elizabeth Zilli also studied Hatha Yoga and Nada Yoga at Bihar School of Yoga and holds a Nada Yoga Master certificate.
She is also an accomplished and award winning colour therapy book author, designer, and illustrator, with 37 published colour therapy books that can be found in many book stores and libraries around the world. In her recent work Xenia Elizabeth Zilli combines her music knowledge with her knowledge of Nada Yoga, and her experience as a visual artist.
Xenia Elizabeth Zilli has created AAM (Alternative Approach to Music) method with a very clear vision of the changes that she would like to implement/contribute to the new world of 'teaching' and performing music through inspiring, body awareness (posture, breathing), and finally empowering students/artists to express themselves authentically, to find their own artistic 'language', and thus fully develop their artistic potentials.