Xenia Pestova Bennett: Befriending Performance Anxiety episode artwork

EPISODE · May 14, 2026 · 30 MIN

Xenia Pestova Bennett: Befriending Performance Anxiety

from Crushing Classical

I have such respect for musicians who use their own journeys and learnings to help others! Described as “a powerhouse of contemporary keyboard repertoire” (Tempo), pianist and composer Xenia Pestova Bennett has earned an international reputation as a leading proponent of uncompromising music. Her work spans a wide range of sound worlds, styles and genres from classical to contemporary art music, free improvisation, experimental electronica and avant-pop.Since receiving the unanimous First Prize at the Xavier Montsalvatge International Piano Competition in Girona, Spain and prizes at the Messiaen International Piano Competition in Paris and the KeriKeri Piano Competition of New Zealand, Xenia has performed in over 20 countries - at international festivals, in concert halls, tropical rainforests, caves, ponds and countless weird and wonderful venues and spaces. She explores classical music boundaries with electronics, toy pianos, synthesizers and the magical and mysterious Magnetic Resonator Piano. As a composer, she is represented by the Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland. In addition to her performance career, Xenia is in demand as a wellbeing instructor, coach and lecturer for organisations and educational institutions around the world. She convenes a popular online performance anxiety management programme, "Befriending Performance Anxiety" for musicians of all levels.https://xeniapestovabennett.com Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to Crushing Classical, and maybe even leave a nice review! Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical! Theme music by DreamVance.I help people to lean into their creative careers and start or grow their income streams. You can read more or hop onto a discovery call from my website.  https://jennetingle.com/work-with-meI'm your host, Jennet Ingle. I love you all. Stay safe out there! Your portfolio career is YOURS to design. If you are seeking inspiration, grab the first chapter of my book for FREE at the link below! You are allowed to thrive, and your artistry MATTERS.https://jennetingle.kit.com/c6e4009529Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to Crushing Classical, and maybe even leave a nice review! Thanks for joining me on Crushing Classical! Theme music by DreamVance.I help people to lean into their creative careers and start or grow their income streams. You can read more or hop onto a discovery call from my website.  https://jennetingle.com/work-with-meI'm your host, Jennet Ingle. I love you all. Stay safe out there! 

I have such respect for musicians who use their own journeys and learnings to help others! Described as “a powerhouse of contemporary keyboard repertoire” (Tempo), pianist and composer Xenia Pestova Bennett has earned an international reputation as a leading proponent of uncompromising music. Her work spans a wide range of sound worlds, styles and genres from classical to contemporary art music, free improvisation, experimental electronica and avant-pop. Since receiving the unanimous F...

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Xenia Pestova Bennett: Befriending Performance Anxiety

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Rania Awaad Muslim Central Dr. Rania Awaad M.D., is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Stanford University School of Medicine where she is the Director of the Stanford Muslim Mental Health & Islamic Psychology Lab as well as Stanford University’s Affiliate Chaplain. In the community, she serves as the Executive Director of Maristan.org, a holistic mental health nonprofit serving Muslim communities, and the Director of The Rahmah Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating Muslim women and girls. In addition, she is faculty of Islamic Psychology at Cambridge Muslim College and The Islamic Seminary of America.She is also a Senior Fellow for Yaqeen Institute and the Institute of Social Policy and Understanding. Prior to studying medicine, she pursued classical Islamic studies in Damascus, Syria, and holds certifications (ijaza) in the Qur’an, Islamic Law, and other branches of the Islamic Sciences. KBACH's Classical Next KBACH 89.5FM Phoenix Each month we recognize one student on air during KBACH’s Classical Next initiative, celebrating the future of classical music. Tune in each month to hear our interview with this month’s winner. The President's Desk at Hillcrest Academy Brad Hoganson Exploring the link of discipleship, mentorship and classical education at Hillcrest Academy. AbdelRahman Murphy Muslim Central Ustadh AbdelRahman Murphy is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, with a Bachelor’s in Teaching of English and Religious Studies. He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Mental Health Counseling. He has served as a youth director, Muslim chaplain, and assistant imam in a full-time capacity since 2009.His Islamic studies background includes completing an Imam Certificate Program in Makkah, Saudi Arabia under the mentorship and training of Shaykh Khalid Hilwany. While growing up in the Chicagoland area, he spent two years studying at Riyadh As Saliheen Institute under Shaykhs Ehab Ash-Shaer and Abu Abdullah. While finishing his university studies, he benefitted directly from the training and teaching of Professor Omer Mozaffar in areas of Quran and texts of Imam Ghazali. After graduating with his BA, Ustadh AbdelRahman moved to Dallas, where he began reading classical texts with Shaykh AbdulNasir Jangda. In May of 2014, he formally graduated from the Qalam Seminary’s o

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I have such respect for musicians who use their own journeys and learnings to help others! Described as “a powerhouse of contemporary keyboard repertoire” (Tempo), pianist and composer Xenia Pestova Bennett has earned an international reputation as...

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