<p>In this episode, I sit down with pianist and educator <strong>Mirna Lekić</strong> for a conversation that spans continents, sound worlds, and the deeper layers of what music can mean in a human life.</p><p>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.</p><p>We explore her acclaimed 2023 album <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/58SibrOpungxRAJnnZon0b?si=TXaMZxj8QnSGF0KKUD9Eqw"><strong>MIRAGE</strong></a>, 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.</p><p>This episode dives into:</p><ul><li>how early musical experiences during war shaped Mirna’s artistic identity</li><li>the healing and stabilizing role music played during her family’s resettlement</li><li>the depth of Bosnian and Balkan musical influences</li><li>how cultural diversity becomes musical philosophy, not performance</li><li>MIRAGE and its groundbreaking approach to sound, resonance, and identity</li><li>collaborative work with living composers, shadow puppeteers, and multidisciplinary artists</li><li>how educators can guide young musicians toward authenticity in a rapidly changing world</li></ul><p>It’s a conversation about <strong>healing</strong>, <strong>devotion</strong>, <strong>heritage</strong>, and the power of sound to help us make sense of where we come from — and where we’re going.</p><p>🌟 <strong>SOUND BITES</strong></p><p>“Music was a healing presence.” “Music study demands devotion.” “Music can be a lifeline.”</p><p>🎧 <strong>FEATURED LINKS FROM MIRNA'S WORK</strong></p><p><strong>From the album <em>Masks</em>:</strong> </p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/0STZXD_cv8M?si=t1NcBkT6RGUycNd2">Debussy, <em>The Toybox</em> (opening</a>) </li><li>Villa-Lobos: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/D3WFfcjtyg0?si=ydGdD5RxSaYED1xR"><em>Negrinha</em>, No. 5 from <em>Baby’s Family</em> </a></li></ul><p><strong>From <em>MIRAGE</em>:</strong> </p><ul><li>Ali-Zadeh — <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/JAjhFodgAcE?si=V-QvAj6QTIp_uSoH"><em>Music for Piano</em></a> </li><li>Lachenmann — <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/D3GmwlPTNtc?si=EEoYgTtVk2t7JANq"><em>Guero</em></a> </li><li>Cowell — <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/w83pggzCN7o?si=C1nSHQRquFxyMySH"><em>Aeolian Harp</em></a> </li></ul><p><strong>From <em>Eastern Currents</em>:</strong> Ramin Heydarbeygi — <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/RoyXECB53bg?si=_MMIX4TkRIYBPI-6"><em>Aramesh</em> </a></p><p><strong>Mirna’s Shadow Puppetry Collaborations:</strong> </p><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/V5Tj2ZHDGS8?si=Aa05gwPs0R0evO8r">https://youtu.be/V5Tj2ZHDGS8?si=Aa05gwPs0R0evO8r</a> </li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duMJtVPVOIs&amp;t=262s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duMJtVPVOIs&amp;t=262s</a></li></ul><p>Read my review on Mirna's Album, MIRAGE on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://open.substack.com/pub/thepianopod/p/meet-our-guest-mirna-lekic?r=2q1iy3&amp;utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web">Substack</a></p>