The CliKK Chat

In this in-depth interview, renowned pianist and pedagogue Peter Takács shares his musical journey, practice philosophy, and insights for young pianists. The video concludes with a special tribute performance dedicated to his teacher, Leon Fleisher.Featured Topics Include:• Musical inspiration and artistic development• Practice strategies and effective habits• Tone production and listening to other instruments• Performance preparation and stage presence• Advice for young pianists pursuing music professionally00:18 Introduction00:31 What inspired you to become a pianist?03:17 Which pianists/teachers have had the greatest influence on you?05:15 Does listening to other instruments help with tone production?07:18 What is the most important thing young pianists should focus on as they develop?13:00 What recommendations do you have for building good daily practice habits? 17:26 What other important things should be done when beginning to learn a new piece?21:35 How do you prepare mentally leading up to a performance?24:49 Do you have any strategies or suggestions for dealing with stage fright?27:35 How important is it to listen to great musicians when studying a piece?35:40 Does a deep understanding of the score and the composer make a performance more compelling?38:49 Are there any performances that are particularly compelling to you, and why?43:38 What advice do you give students considering a professional career in music?48:49 What are some common tendencies you notice in young musicians?51:51 If you could spend an afternoon with a composer in history, who would it be and why?54:15 Closing54:41 Peter Takács – In Tribute to His Teacher, Leon Fleisher

00:00 Why Every Young Musician Should Hear This Conversation01:05 Meet Ani Kavafian — A Life on the World’s Stages03:10 How a Musical Career Really Begins06:18 The Teachers Who Shape Great Artists10:02 When Technique Stops Being Enough14:27 The Secret Power of Chamber Music18:45 What Decades of Collaboration Teach You23:12 Inside Her Teaching at Yale School of Music27:40 Why Students Struggle (and How They Actually Improve)32:05 Finding Your Own Musical Voice36:48 U.S. vs Europe: Two Musical Worlds Compared41:20 Advice Every Young Musician Needs to Hear45:55 Listening: The Skill Most Musicians Ignore49:30 What a Lifetime in Music Changes About You52:10 Final Thoughts & Closing🎵 Music CreditsOpening audio: Ani Kavafian and colleaguesCorelli: “Christmas Concerto” in G minor for Two Violins, Cello, Strings, and Continuo, Op. 6, No. 8🔗 https://youtu.be/VR_ndjGp-XQ?si=Lf8boIiUrbGkBbxZEnding audio: Timothy Chooi – Salut d’amour by Edward Elgar (Amsterdam, NL)🔗 https://youtu.be/IUeJUYBA7y4?si=sZzKkIRK-qSOQnd6In this episode of CliKK Chat, we sit down with internationally acclaimed violinist and educator Professor Ani Kavafian for an honest and deeply reflective conversation about artistry, mentorship, and what it truly means to live a life in music.A celebrated soloist, chamber musician, and longtime artist-member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Prof. Kavafian has performed with many of America’s leading orchestras and has shaped generations of young musicians through her teaching at the Yale School of Music.Prof. Kavafian shares stories from her career, insights gained from working across generations of musicians, and her philosophy that music is ultimately about communication, awareness, and shared human experience. Her reflections reveal how artistry develops not through perfection alone, but through collaboration, patience, and lifelong learning.Whether you are a performer, student, educator, or simply someone who loves music, this conversation offers rare insight into the mindset of a musician whose career bridges performance, mentorship, and musical storytelling.🎻 About Ani KavafianBorn in Istanbul and trained at The Juilliard School, Ani Kavafian has built an international career as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician while maintaining a deep commitment to teaching and mentorship. She continues to inspire musicians worldwide through performance and education.📌 Subscribe for more conversations with leading artists📌 Follow Project CliKK for upcoming interviews, masterclasses, and educational initiatives expanding access to music learning.

00:00 Teaching philosophy + tailoring to each student08:20 Stages of growth: consistency → intensity → artistic independence15:24 Practice brain vs performance brain + what “a performer” really is25:37 What does “better” mean in art? Communication over measurement29:21 Competitions: validation, mindset, stage presence, judging realities42:54 Classical music, elitism, outreach, and growing the audience46:17 Closing🎵 Music CreditsOpening audio: Timothy Chooi – Csárdás (Czardas) by Vittorio Monti🔗 https://youtu.be/YQ4N0opF-_w?si=F52d6l2p8NaEoEvREnding audio: Timothy Chooi – Salut d’amour by Edward Elgar (Amsterdam, NL)🔗 https://youtu.be/IUeJUYBA7y4?si=sZzKkIRK-qSOQnd6What actually separates a great player from a great performer?International violinist Timothy Chooi breaks down fundamentals, competitions, and the mental shift that makes music land on stage.In this CliKK Chat, violinist Timothy Chooi shares practical, unfiltered insights on building a sustainable musical life—from the practice room to the competition stage.Professor Chooi breaks down:- why fundamentals matter most in your late teens and early 20s- the mental difference between practice vs. performance- how competitions really work (validation, luck, mindset)- what judges listen and look for in recordings and live rounds- solo vs. chamber vs. orchestral playing, and what each teaches- how to develop an authentic artistic voice in a world full of recordingsWhether you’re preparing auditions, prescreens, competitions, or conservatory training, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t hear in a lesson.Timothy Chooi — international violinist & professor at the University of OttawaWebsite: https://www.timothychooi.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/timothychooiYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TimothyChooiPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/timothychooiviolinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimothyChooiTikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJmK4twuSubscribe for more conversations with leading musicians on artistry, mindset, and musical growth.

Rachel Barton Pine on Performance Prep, Musical Legacy, and Empowering the Next Generation 00:00 – Introduction01:03 -- Music prep as dialogue: research, repetition, and renewal05:43 – Historical technique meets modern interpretation10:05 – High-stakes prep + pandemic solo projects13:41 – Performing under pressure: stories from the field19:36 – Why she founded the RBP Foundation (and what it does)24:52 – The value of promoting underrepresented music26:54 – Repertoire with purpose: connecting culture & talent32:05 – Music as discipline and gift: Rachel’s legacyExplore More:• Rachel Barton Pine Official Site: https://www.rachelbartonpine.com/• Rachel Barton Pine Foundation: https://www.rbpfoundation.org/• Music by Black Composers: https://www.musicbyblackcomposers.org/How does one of today’s most compelling violinists prepare for a performance? Violinist, scholar, and advocate Rachel Barton Pine shares how she blends research, history, and personal voice in performance prep—while spotlighting her foundation’s mission to support young musicians and promote underrepresented composers.Highlights:• Balancing historical accuracy with artistic freedom• Performing under pressure & pandemic solo projects• The Rachel Barton Pine Foundation’s impact• Elevating Black composers & women in musicWhether she’s talking about playing 24 concertos solo during the pandemic or managing emergency performances with grace, Rachel invites us to see music as both a disciplined craft and a gift meant to uplift others.If you’re a musician, educator, or simply passionate about music’s power to shape lives, this is a must-watch.

“Every note should breathe honesty.”In this episode of CLIKK Chat, acclaimed violinist Agata-Maria Raatz shares her remarkable journey from early struggles in Poland to becoming an internationally recognized soloist. She reflects on mentorship, technical discipline, and how to stay true to classical music’s soul amid modern pressures.🎻 Learn more about Agata-Maria Raatz:🌐 Website → https://www.agatamariaraatz.com📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/agata.maria.raatz💿 Albums →• Echoes of Bach – Spotify• Mozart 1766 – Apple Music🎧 Produced by Project CLIKK — a student-led nonprofit connecting global artists and young musicians through conversation, collaboration, and community.Time Segment0:00 Childhood, family influence & musical beginnings3:23 Leaving home at 16 – discovering mentorship & freedom6:28 Lessons from Maxim Töns & Zahar Brun: practice and structure10:52 The soloist’s challenge: artistry vs. commercial pressure15:48 Echoes of Bach – re-imagining improvisation18:26 Mozart 1766 – violin as voice and personal expression21:47 Advice for young musicians: skill, networking, persistence24:01 Closing gratitude & reflections

00:00 -- Introduction 01:04 -- Rachel Barton Pine shares her innovative approach to Bach's music.03:29 -- How to develop an authentic artistic identity in performances.05:55 -- Benefit of playing Bach.09:47 -- How to interpreting Bach music.11:54 -- Variation and expressiveness in Baroque music.15:02 -- Embrace diverse musical interpretations and personal style in performance.17:19 -- Exploring diverse musical styles and embracing creativity.20:52 -- "Dependence Arising," and genre exploration and emotional expression through music.In this electrifying conversation, world-renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine takes us on a journey through the soundscapes that have shaped her one-of-a-kind musical voice. She speaks of Bach not as history, but as presence; a living voice she converses with daily. Her insights into Baroque interpretation reveal a language as elastic as it is exacting, shaped not only by scholarship but by soul.We journey through the expressive grit of the blues and the spiritual hunger that feeds it. Her album Dependent Arising becomes a touchstone — a meditation on cause, connection, and creative freedom. She speaks of heavy metal not as rebellion, but revelation. Her violin becomes a bridge — between past and future, gut strings and distortion pedals, tradition and defiance.And when we arrive at Shostakovich — that ferocious, haunted terrain — her performance is not described, but invoked. Rage, resolve, mourning, resistance: all of it lives in the bow.This is Part 1 of our interview with Rachel Barton Pine. In Part 2, we’ll explore her foundation’s mission, her advocacy for underrepresented composers, and the technique behind her unmistakable voice.About Rachel Barton Pine:A trailblazing soloist, advocate, and genre-crossing artist, Rachel Barton Pine is celebrated for her bold interpretations, inclusive repertoire, and fearless fusion of musical worlds. She is the founder of the Music by Black Composers initiative and has performed with major orchestras across six continents — from Baroque masterpieces to blues improvisation to headbanging with doom metal bands. Website: https://www.rachelbartonpine.com/ YouTube:  @RachelBartonPine  Instagram: @rachelbartonpineMusic Credit: Composer Silvia Pine, Performed by Rachel Barton PineLink to the music:https: //youtu.be/oqmyZSdze7g?feature=shared

Welcome to Project CliKK - Clikk Chat series!In this exclusive interview, we sit down with the incredibly talented Capathia Jenkins to explore her inspiring music journey. From her roots in gospel music to her rise on Broadway and beyond, Ms. Jenkins shares her experiences, challenges, and triumphs in the music industry. Discover the passion and dedication that have shaped her career and hear firsthand how she continues to captivate audiences with her powerful voice and soulful performances. It’s an interview filled with laughter, warmth, and unforgettable stories—you don’t want to miss it!Subscribe to stay updated on more exclusive interviews and performances!

Welcome to Project CliKK -- CliKK CHAT series! There's nothing quite like the magic of music and the charisma of Mr. Goosby to inspire us and keep the laughter flowing. Prepared to be inspired, enchanted, and immersed in the world of music! So grab a seat, join the fun, and let's embark on an unforgettable adventure together.

Welcome to Project CliKK -- CliKK CHAT series!Get ready to fine-tune your skills and embrace the beauty of ensemble playing.Join us on a journey of musical discovery as we explore the secrets behind mastering both skill and ensemble harmony. Prepare to be inspired as we unravel the harmonious blend of skill and passion. Ms. Xu shares wisdom accumulated through years of experience nurturing talent and fostering musical excellence.Stay tuned for a symphony of wisdom.

Project CliKK -- CliKK CHAT series! Join us as we dive into the lives and music of extraordinary musicians from around the globe.Prepared to be inspired, enchanted, and immersed in the world of music!

Welcome to Project CliKK -- CliKK CHAT series! Prepare to glean practical advice on overcoming performance anxiety, managing time effectively, and harnessing the power of deliberate practice to elevate your playing to new heights. Discover the secrets behind structuring practice routines for maximum effectiveness, tackling challenging passages with precision, and cultivating a mindset conducive to continuous improvement. From setting specific goals to incorporating mindful practice techniques, Mrs. Elizabeth Faidley shares wisdom accumulated through years of experience nurturing talent and fostering musical excellence.Tune in now to elevate your playing!

Building Bridges for Young Musicians in Latin America 🇲🇽🇻🇪 Cellist and FIMG founder Ángel Miguel Hernández shares the inspiring story behind the Festival Internacional de Música Guadalajara and its mission to open doors for young classical musicians across Latin America. In this episode, we also announce a new collaboration: Project Clikk is partnering with FIMG to launch the Clikk Scholarship, a new initiative supporting talented students who lack access to formal training and opportunities.New! Clikk x FIMG ScholarshipProject Clikk and FIMG are proud to announce a new scholarship supporting underrepresented youth musicians. This joint effort reflects our shared mission: to expand access to high-quality music education and empower the next generation of artists.Ángel Miguel Hernández is a Venezuelan cellist and passionate music educator, known for his expressive performances and commitment to youth musical development. He is the founder and director of the Festival Internacional de Música de Guadalajara (FIMG)—a growing international platform offering high-level masterclasses, recitals, and mentorship for young musicians across Latin America. A member of the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra, Ángel has performed as a soloist and chamber musician around the world, collaborating with acclaimed artists such as Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Rachel Barton Pine, Giovanni Gnocchi, Inbal Segev, and Jennifer Stumm. 0:00 – Ángel introduces the Festival Internacional de Música Guadalajara (FIMG) and its founding purpose1:35 – Why young musicians in Mexico needed this: lack of access, elite barriers, and community gaps6:33 – Lessons from Venezuela: why Ángel wants to build low-cost cello festivals & the funding roadblocks11:13 – How social media and grassroots action are reshaping access to classical music for Latin American youth16:19 – Scholarships, mentorship, and a $1,500 custom bow: how FIMG supports its students20:49 – Empowerment through stories: ongoing support and visibility for young musicians23:45 – Chamber music as a community-builder + hopes for orchestral collaboration and competition31:37 – FIMG’s vision: beyond concerts, it’s a movement of belonging and global artistry🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more Clikk Chats with visionary artists and educators reshaping the future of music education.Questions or collab ideas? Reach out via [email protected] or  @Project_cliKK  Music credit: Angel HernandezFollow Ángel & FIMG:🌐 FIMG Website: https://www.fimg.mx▶️ FIMG YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fimgmx▶️ Ángel’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@angelmiguelhernandez📸 FIMG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fimgmx