Between Worlds: Mirna Lekic on Cultural Crossings, Sonic Identity, and the Art of Connection

In this episode, I sit down with pianist and educator Mirna Lekić for a conversation that spans continents, sound worlds, and the deeper layers of what music can mean in a human life.Born and raised in Sarajevo during the Bosnian War and now based in New York City, Mirna brings a rare perspective to the piano — one shaped by resilience, migration, devotion, and an unshakable belief in music as a stabilizing, healing force.We explore her acclaimed 2023 album MIRAGE, a breathtaking collection of sonic illusions and cultural crossings that reimagines the piano as a global storyteller — moving from Azerbaijan to Spain, Armenia to Java, and beyond.This episode dives into:how early musical experiences during war shaped Mirna’s artistic identitythe healing and stabilizing role music played during her family’s resettlementthe depth of Bosnian and Balkan musical influenceshow cultural diversity becomes musical philosophy, not performanceMIRAGE and its groundbreaking approach to sound, resonance, and identitycollaborative work with living composers, shadow puppeteers, and multidisciplinary artistshow educators can guide young musicians toward authenticity in a rapidly changing worldIt’s a conversation about healing, devotion, heritage, and the power of sound to help us make sense of where we come from — and where we’re going.🌟 SOUND BITES“Music was a healing presence.” “Music study demands devotion.” “Music can be a lifeline.”🎧 FEATURED LINKS FROM MIRNA'S WORKFrom the album Masks: Debussy, The Toybox (opening) Villa-Lobos: Negrinha, No. 5 from Baby’s Family From MIRAGE: Ali-Zadeh — Music for Piano Lachenmann — Guero Cowell — Aeolian Harp From Eastern Currents: Ramin Heydarbeygi — Aramesh Mirna’s Shadow Puppetry Collaborations: https://youtu.be/V5Tj2ZHDGS8?si=Aa05gwPs0R0evO8r https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duMJtVPVOIs&t=262sRead my review on Mirna's Album, MIRAGE on Substack