MARGARITA SIPATOVA

You started playing piano at just three years old. What initially drew you to the piano, and who were your early influences in music?

The idea to start teaching me to play the piano came from my grandfather. At such a young age, I hardly realized anything and perceived piano lessons as a game.

I would say my early influences in music were my piano teacher, as well as my mother and grandmother, who helped me with my studies.

During your time at the Moscow State Conservatory, you became a laureate of several international piano competitions. How did those experiences influence your approach to music and performance?

Actually I`ve never liked to participate in piano competitions, because it’s always very stressful and the jury’s opinion is always very subjective. I don’t see any point in competing in music, because music is not a sport, and every musician has the right to express his feelings through music the way he wants.

I am grateful for my awards, but I realized that competitions are not my thing.

With around 2 million followers across social media, you’ve built a global audience. How do you feel social media has impacted your career as a musician, and what do you enjoy most about connecting with your fans online?

I would say that social media made my career because through social media people found out about me and I got fans. I love my fans, they always support me a lot. I feel like we are on the same wavelength and that’s what I like the most.

Your first original composition, “Memories,” was released in 2022. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this piece and what the process of composing your own music is like for you?

“Memories” is a recollection of something happy, of something that was in the past and remained there, of the time that can no longer be returned and of those who can no longer be returned. I think everyone has happy memories that also make them sad, so that everyone can perceive my composition in their own way.

I composed it quite quickly, I just sat down to play the piano and the music flowed from under my fingers.
Later I edited a video for this composition, consisting of my childhood memories. I cried a lot while editing.
When I posted the video, people wrote in the comments that they cried too, and that the video and music brought back their own memories.

Your covers of rock songs are incredibly popular, garnering millions of views. What inspired you to reinterpret rock music through a classical lens, and what’s your process for selecting which songs to cover?

Despite the fact that I have been studying classical music since childhood, I have always loved rock. I secretly dreamed that after finishing my studies I would become a rock star. So now I am a classically trained pianist making my childhood dreams come true.

I always choose the songs that I like the most. Often my followers give me ideas for new videos and suggest songs that they like. Since our tastes coincide, I like these songs too.

You perform both offline and online concerts. How do these experiences differ for you as a performer, and do you have a preference between live in-person performances and virtual ones?

What I like about offline concerts is the energy we exchange with the audience. It is impossible to feel this energy through the screen. What I like about online concerts is that the atmosphere is more cozy.

We often communicate with followers on my livestreams, I answer their questions and can play something that they ask for. In general, it feels like you are sitting and playing the piano with friends.

Outside of music, you have a passion for traveling, surfing, snowboarding, and gaming. How do these hobbies influence your music, if at all, and how do you balance them with your career?

When I travel, I get inspired, I get to know the music and culture of other countries, which influences the content I post on social media. After traveling, I always come back with new ideas for my videos. All my hobbies help me recharge and inspire me to work and create music.

You’re also a dog lover. Does your love for animals play a role in your life as a musician? Perhaps in terms of inspiration or even lifestyle choices?

When you give your love to an animal and it gives you love in return – it’s a magical feeling and it’s always inspiring.

You’ve expressed a dream of visiting every country in the world. How do you incorporate your love of travel into your music career, and are there any specific destinations that inspire you musically?

I hope that I can combine my two passions – music and traveling, and someday go on a world tour. It is difficult for me to choose one destination that inspires me. The world is diverse and beautiful in its diversity.

You’ve gained a large following by sharing videos of you playing the piano on social media. What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who want to use social media to showcase their talent and build a fanbase?

Don’t be afraid to experiment, don’t be upset if something goes wrong, don’t be upset because of haters, because haters are a sign of success. Always be yourself, do what you love, and do it with all your heart.