In this poignant episode of Future Classic Women Awards, host Stefania Passamonte speaks with two remarkable Ukrainian guitarists, Marina Vosmirova and Ernest Sirota, who are first-year undergraduate students at Kharkiv University. The conversation takes place during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, with Marina having escaped to Poland and Ernest sheltering in his hometown in the Dnipro region. Despite the horrors of war—bombing, destruction, and displacement—both young musicians continue to practice daily, drawing strength and hope from their music.
Renata Arlotti, head of guitar at the London Performing Academy of Music, joins the discussion to share her impressions of the students’ exceptional talent and technique. She emphasizes how music serves as a powerful connector and beacon of hope during desperate times. The episode features performances by both Marina and Ernest, showcasing their artistry through pieces by George Morel and Leon Brugger. The conversation also explores how Marina and Ernest’s friendship began at a competition in Kyiv before they both went on to study together at Kharkiv Conservatory, highlighting the beautiful connections formed through music education and collaboration.
Throughout the episode, there is a strong emphasis on the mission to bring these talented young musicians to safety in London, providing them with educational opportunities, new instruments, and a chance to continue developing their exceptional gifts. This episode stands as a testament to the resilience of Ukrainian musicians and the global music community’s commitment to supporting them during crisis.
Main Topics
Marina Vosmirova, 20, fled Ukraine to Poland after her city of Sumy faced daily bombing; Ernest Sirota, 21, remains in his hometown in the Dnipro region but continues to practice guitar daily despite ongoing conflict
Both students were studying at Kharkiv University of Arts, a partner institution of the London Performing Academy of Music, and were supposed to perform at a festival in Kyiv that was cancelled due to the invasion
Marina and Ernest met at a music competition in Kyiv before both enrolling at Kharkiv Conservatory, where they formed a lasting friendship and began performing as a duo
Renata Arlotti, head of guitar at LPAM, praises both students for their passion, technique, presence, and solid musical foundation, noting the power of music to connect people even during war
The London Performing Academy of Music is working with the British performing arts industry to help rescue Ukrainian students through refugee schemes, providing scholarships and new instruments
Despite losing her personal guitar in Ukraine, Marina found hope and continued her musical practice with a guitar provided by her uncle in Poland, emphasizing music as both therapy and survival
The episode highlights how young musicians maintain resilience and normalcy through daily practice, using music as a source of hope and belief in their future despite displacement and uncertainty
Full TranscriptHello and welcome to future Classic Women Awards with me, Stefania Passamonte on women's radio station the program where...▼
Hello and welcome to future Classic Women Awards with me, Stefania Passamonte on women's radio station the program where we search for the most amazing new female artists on the classical panorama. Today we have another very special episode of Future Classic win awards with two Ukrainian students of LPMAM that are Ernest Sirota and Marina Vozmirova. Good morning, good morning, good morning. Thank you so much for being with us today. We're gonna listen to your wonderful performance and above all we want to hear you know about you and your stories and your passion for music. So I'll start with you, Marina, where are you now? Okay. Hello. Now I live in Poland with my uncle and aunt. When the war has come in my country, in my lovely Ukraine, I must believe my Ukraine, my city, my family and migrate to my aunt and uncle. And now I live here. I'm in a safe place without bombs, without shouting and without war in Poland a lot of people want to help us, want to help Ukraine, Ukrainian children and it's so lovely and it's very pleasure to us like Ukrainian to feel this emotion and feel this support from other country and from England from you, Stefania. Yes, it's so pleasure. Thank you. You're very welcome. You're very welcome. Well, I'm very pleased. I mean first of all we have to say Marina is a 20 years old student from Sumy in Ukraine. And how is Sumy at the moment? Where are your parents? Oh, my parents is safe but Syrians is every day and bombed and fabric nearly my house was bombed and toxic gas is flying in the air and many Russian troops now in a country, in a city and bar is in the city. It's horrible. Yeah, I can imagine. And your parents are thinking of coming with you to Poland or they're gonna stay. It's so dangerous because the green corridors is shutting now and people scared to leave the town because many dangers situated may happen with my parents. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And we are working hard with professor Renata Arlotti. She's here with us at this very moment and Good, Renata, Renata, you're muted. Well, so we to bring Marina and Ernest to London to study, to continue their studies because you were studying at the Kharkiv University that is a partner institution of the London Performing Academy of Music. And we were supposed to be actually Kiev for a big festival at the Conservatoire of Kiev, that is our other partner. And if they didn't cancel our flight, we would have been there that day. So we have been working day and night to try to Rescue as many students as possible. And we're very pleased that Marina is in a safe place at the moment and we are trying to see if we can rescue as well. Ernest? Ernest, where are you right now? Hi, I'm. I now sit at home in my little city, Kaminskaya, in Dnipro regions. Now, my city no more dangerous. So more dangerous cities. Kharkiv, Mariupol and Sume. But. Every day we listen more Syrians rocket planes. But our city. Quiet, no. So not, not, not, not noisy. Not noisy. Not too nice at the moment. So you didn't. It's not been bombarded yet. Your tiny city. In. In my city, Kaminsk, no. But in Dnipro regions. Yes, yes, yes. Was attacked. Airport. Airport, yeah. And a little another city of Dnipro regions. Well, so Ernest is 21 years old. You were as well, at the first year undergraduate at the Kharkiv University. And it's. How did you feel when you heard on the 24th that the Russian troops invaded Ukraine and started the war? Were you surprised? Were you? Yeah, I was sleeping. Sleep at night. It was five. It was morning. I. I give a quote from Ernest and it told. He told me that war is beginning. Begin. Yeah. I. I was so scared. I don't know what I must do. I don't know what. Where I must go and run. I start to buy a ticket on train to go into Sumer to my family. Yeah. And I start to collect my bags and leave Kharkov. And the next day I saw. It's horrible. It's horrible destruction of this wonderful city in our conservatory, magazines, schools, music schools. And it was. It was horrible. Every day I cried because. Because it's. It's not. Must. Yeah. Shouldn't happen. I mean, this is like a nightmare. I. You know, I was supposed to be in Kiev on the 22nd, and I remember the newspaper, they kept saying that the war was coming, that Putin would have invaded Ukraine. But talking with my colleagues from Kharkiv University and from the Tchaikovsky Conservatory, they were like, no, it's been like that for so many years. It will never happen. Just come. The festival is going to start. It's going to be fantastic. I was supposed to perform as well in Kyiv, so it was a big shock. And since that day with everyone, we've been trying, you know, to be getting contact with the professors, with the students. And I'm glad you managed to escape and be in a safe place. But I'm sure you're worried about your family, and the same is with Ernest, because we don't know where this is going to go, really. But, you know, before we go on, I'd like to listen to your wonderful playing. And so we're gonna listen to Marina, Marina Vozmirova performing George Morel in the Creole Romance. And this was Sonata Criola, Romance Criola by George Morell. Renata. So Renata is the head of the guitar department at the Lono Performing Academy of Music. And what would you like? I'd like to know, you know, what were your first impression when you heard the videos of our students of Ernest and Marina? First of all, hi, Stefania. And I'm Herna Semarina. It's great to speak to you. I'm very much looking forward to meeting you. So. Well, Stefania, you do know what my first reaction there, because I sent you privately some texts, we had an exchange of texts when you sent me your videos. I can only say that in all of these horrible situation and sad situation, I am so impressed by how music has such a strong power to connect people, even in this occasion, you know, in this situation. And when I first heard Marinha's videos, I was really, really, really impressed. Because what I can see and what I can hear is all the right things that someone needs to be really successful in this job of ours, in this journey of ours. Whatever being successful means, then I mean that I can hear passion for what she does. I can hear a great presence, I can hear a very great phrasing, I can hear a great technique and a very, very solid school behind what she does. So same thing goes for Ernest. And this is why I was incredibly happy to hear to listen to both of their performances, especially if you consider that they are so young and they are doing their bachelor. So that means that they have had an endless word of opportunities and this is what we should really try to give this guy, every opportunity that they deserve. And again, music that might be able to give them these opportunities in this difficult moment. I think it's something really important. So I would like to congratulate, deeply congratulate myself with both of them, because you are really great and it's amazing that you are holding on and trying to do your best and sharing your music with us. Absolutely. Well, in particular, what I loved the most is the fact that they keep practicing every day. So despite what's happening, all they have is their music. And Ernest was telling me he's still at home and practice guitar every day. And I guess it's a way as well to keep a sort of normality in the situation. And, but, but you know, the. What is most we don't. I don't want to talk about the horror of what's happening right now. I want to talk about the hope that we can take out of this. And the hope is the music and these incredible talents that they deserve to. To have their future restored at the maximum of our abilities in helping them achieving it. I think there is a message that we can all learn from these, from these two young guitarists. Think of the strong, the power of the message, like in such desperate conditions, all the worries that, that you have because of that, your family and so on. And then you tell me that Ernest is practicing every day. So how powerful is that? You know, just keep practicing. Let me say I am very, very, very, very blessed for this. And I, I want to say you just thank you for this sunbeam that you give me and Ernest. And when I leave Ukraine, I leave my personal guitar at home in Sumy. And I was very sad because I need my guitar. But when I come to Poland, my uncle is a guitarist too and he gives me guitar. And now, now I still improving myself every day, every day I'm playing because it, it give me hope, give me belief. I. I can, I can will be a musician. I believe that I definitely have a place in your academy and I hope you think too. I really, really hope for this. Thank you for what you do. You know, I told Marina before she needs to thank me when she arrives in London when she can study with us. We're working hard. There is now this refugee scheme. We're working with colleagues from the British pornographic industry where I am one of the council members and directors and everyone is putting their efforts in helping us bringing you to the uk, giving you a new guitar so you can have your own instrument here to perform and to practice and to develop your talent. So much more is going to be done and above all we can't wait for Ernest as well to join us here. Ernest, I know it's difficult at the moment, but we are doing what we can and that will be a way for you to come to London very soon. So in the meantime I'd like to listen to Ernest performing and his choice, his beautiful video is from Leon Breuer, the first part of the sonata. And this was Ernest Sirota performing Leon Brugger Sonata. But the first part of this sonata, Ernest and Marina. So you are both students of the. Were students of the Kharkiv University of Arts. Did you met at meet at the Kharkiv University. You knew from each other from before. You say. Meet with Marina, not in Kharkiv. We meet on the competition in city of Kir Mahrat. And after this competition we. Was more friendly and we started speaking in messengers. Yes. And. And after this. After this we reveal we went study in Kharkiv Conservatory. And we started to work it in duet in orchestra of guitarist. And. We met before pandemic, before coronavirus and this pandemic, we was chatting, chatting in messenger. It was wonderful. There was a support each to us. And I was supposed to study elsewhere. Not in fact, but we became so friend, so friends and that we entered and hark together. It was happy time. Yeah, wonderful. And what is wonderful? I mean, Renata, did you become friends with other guitarists when you were doing competition? Yes. Competition. Yes. Marina. Yeah, I think it's competitions and festivals and courses are a great chance to meet with people. Not all of them, as you know, generally speaking, in life, not all of them are going to be your friends. Some are going to be colleagues. But I do have several real and close friends that come from meeting in courses or competitions. Just let's think about one of our visiting professors, Pietro Locato, and he is a dear friend of mine. And we started our friendship the courses in academia Chijana in Siena, when we started with Oscar, Tia here. And then we've been friends since. And now we also share many projects together. So. Yeah, it's absolutely beautiful. Though these things are the most important part of these things. You know, independently of the outcomes, for example, in a competition are the real important parts are meeting with people and sharing and becoming friends and then maybe starting making projects together. And it's amazing that Marina and Ernest became friends. So much so that then they went to the same conservatory and then they also play as a duo. I know, great. We're gonna listen to them in duo in a moment. But that's. That's. I mean, that what happened to me too my. The piano department started because I'm a pianist and started with friends that I met at international competitions or then when I came to study Royal Academy of Music here in London. Competition and academies are a wonderful place to meet people that they are like minded and that they have the same passion. And when there is not rivalry, that comes in the way, because sometimes that happens. Exactly, exactly. But yes, I think, you know, luckiest part of what we do in life is that we get to travel so much thanks to music and that again, yes, there are some environments where, as you said, the competition Feeling gets in the way. But mostly we, thanks to this amazing thing, amazing power that music is, we get to really enter into contact with people, to travel. The music takes us in amazing places that I would have never thought that I would end up in some places in my life where I actually ended up because of music. So that's a great thing. And I think this is also something that is happening now with Marina and Ernest is not because of the war. I mean, the war was a way for us. It's sad, but it's way for us to get to know them, to meet them, but it's because of their talent. It's because of who they are and what they are doing that they will get to travel thanks to their abilities and skills, their passion. Because they do, first of all deserve the full scholarship that they are going to get. But you remember Renata, we were at the master class with the Kharkiv University on the 15th of January. I have a video from Nikita. That is our other violin students from the Kharkiv University from that day, day and time. And we would have never imagined today to actually be in this situation. No, never, never, never. It's a. It's all one of those things. Yeah, it's a little bit like the pandemic. We couldn't even believe it when it first started. Was so crazy even just to think about that. If someone came and told us, look, there's going to be a pandemic that is going to lock you up and change the world forever. And the consequences will go on for years. Would you have believed so the same thing I would have never believed that a war within Europe so close to us would really happen. And I think this also should give us some thoughts, some, you know, some ways to really reflect a little bit on the horror that can spread and how much music can be something that help unified and help feeling. And really this is a great thing. Just trying to focus a little bit on the positive sides. And yes, I think this is the beautiful message behind it. Absolutely. And well, we had other students that were already studying with LPMAM since October last year from the Kharkiv University. They were having lessons every day from Kharkiv. They kept. They wanted to have a sort of contact with the outside world, you know, and that was the only moment that somehow they were in a. In a safe place when they were playing their instrument. Although it was a safe mental place more than physically. And luckily those two students managed to. To escape. And they are now in Switzerland with our Der Alpiman professor there and waiting to come to the uk. We're hoping we can have Marina very soon as well in London. And the same goes with Ernest. Now, Ernest, you know, when they introduced the limitation for people to leave the country, how did you feel about that? I mean, did you think it was, you know. For example, we have a postgraduate student who escaped Kiev, but he's in another place in Ukraine and he's working as a volunteer, patrolling the street while he's having theory classes over our platform with Valentina Ciardelli, that is our other professor of double bass. And because he left without his double bass, that's another instrument that you can't really carry with you easily. So, Ernest, how are you feeling about the fact that you are somehow, you know, not allowed to, to go anywhere, that your freedom is taken away from you? Basically, It's so, so sad. Many people must go on in other country, many schools, schools, houses destroyed. People can, can, cannot be at home. And we believe in better, more people believe in better, all people believe. And we believe this will be stopped and Ukraine will win. I think too, you know, I really believe so because it's your right to be free. And we are all working for helping you achieve that. And in our little way, you know, everyone will do what they can. But we're all praying and hoping together that this will stop as soon as possible and that you will be back to have what, you know, get back all the hopes for the future that everyone deserves to have in their life. What I really loved was the fact that you were working teaching guitar to children while you are also studying at the university. You've been teaching for three years already, right, Ernest? Yes, it's right on my third course of the college. Yeah. My teacher helped me go, go work in the music school. And now I have three years practice in music school. More. Three years. More. Three years. Three. This three years? Yeah, almost four. Yeah. I went go to the music school because I very like children and this is very interesting and my teacher said me about this and I. I was tried. Yeah, yeah. But it. I think it's a wonderful thing when you can share your talent with the new generation. You are already new, new generation because you're only 21. And actually your birthday was just a few days ago, wasn't it? The 14th of March. How. I mean, did you celebrate your birth? Yeah, I must celebrate with a little more celebrate in this time. Yeah, exactly. Did you manage to. To have something nice to eat for your birthday? My. My mom buy birthday cake Ah, lovely. After. After she's work and we with my family in the kitchen. Yes, nice little celebrate. Well, that's great. You know, I mean it's. These are very hard times, but it's right not to forget these moments and to share it with your family. I'm sure it's. It's always special and I didn't know. So your mom still works? She still managed to work. Sorry, repeat please. So work goes on. Your mom still goes to work? Yes, in this time in my city, people works. Wow. Okay. Not time, not long for working, but people works. Wow. Very, very good. Very good. And does your dad work as well? My. My dad have a studio of sound producer. Ah. Oh, wow. Yes. And in this time work. It stopped. Yes. This is very, very hard for our hard time of our people and this business not work, of course, but my mom work and I usually have. I have practice with my. With my children, with my studies in online. Oh, wow. Okay. Online practice. Amazing. Amazing. Very good. Well, I'd like to listen now to you with Ernest with Marina performing together in duo the back. Marcello Concerto in D minor, the first movement. Beautiful. I really loved it. This was Bach. Marcello Concerto in D minor performed by Marina Vosmirova and Ernest. Well, you know, there is nothing more beautiful than playing together, I guess and. And seeing you together, really, it's a joy for the eyes. Although, because this is a video we're gonna. We are on the radio, so you can't really see their faces. But Renata, I know you have wonderful projects for Ernesta and Marina. Would you like to tell us about it? Yes. So the first thing that I'm trying to pull off, actually that we absolutely will manage to pull off is to bring them to Italy this summer. And I will be teaching at a campus, a summer campus. It's called Italian Guitar Campus is possibly the most important summer campus we have that is entirely dedicated to the guitar. You can find there many teachers coming from all over. We've got Gabriel Bianco from France. We've got Paolo Peguera from Grass. We've got many Italian great teachers. And we will all be teaching. Teaching in an environment of sharing and happiness. It's five intensive days of lessons and every night a concert, a seminar and possibilities for the students to play and to listen to other concerts. So I have already spoken to the organizer about Marina and Ernest because first of all, it would be great to have them there because they are such talented students. Students. And also because this way we can. Going back to that thought That I shared before about how important it is to travel and to do these things thanks to music and to meet friends, then it would be great to have them there. So we will find a full scholarship for them that pays for the flights, that pays for the courses, the accommodation and the food so they can come here. And the most important part is that this event is pretty huge because every year is attended by around 200 students coming from conservatoires all around the world. And so, again, going back to that thing of the friendships that you can make thanks to music, I think they will have plenty of opportunities there. Not to mention that it happens to be in Tuscany, so not the worst of places to stay. And to be in this resort is in Cancano Terme, which is a thermal area. I might come. Exactly. Can I come even if I don't play the guitar? We stay there 24 hours all together every day, and we have a lot of fun and music. So this is the first thing. Second thing is I am now working on a festival, guitar festival, in Sardinia, which is the island I am from. And part of my project, a very important part, was for me to give space to young talents. So there will be, of course, the main concerts given by the main artists. But my dream is that it's for each concert to be opened by young talents and so to bring people, to give people the opportunity to play on a stage with a cachet, of course, being paid. And so I am working also on bringing them there and giving them the opportunity also there to stay with. There will be master classes, so first of all to perform, then to take part into the master classes. And in Italy as well, we have some opportunities where at the moment we can use some money to help refugees and so talent, plus the need they meet. And I surely will manage to also do that. So this is the first. Also, Sardinia is not the worst place on earth to go to. So these are the two things that we are looking forward to doing for the founder. Absolutely. Well, that sounds fantastic. And Sardinia as well, is one of the most beautiful places on earth, with the wonderful beaches and sea. On top of the music, of course. Marina and Ernest. What. What are you, you know, have you been in Italy before or in the uk? In London? No, never, Never. Are you, are you looking forward to. To come to London and then also to Italy? Oh, of course, I'm looking forward to meeting you and starting to work with you. It's. It sounds so great. And Italy, it's a wonderful country. I. I really, really want to visit Italy in future. And this academic. Sorry, Ernest, sorry. I said it will be very interesting. Thank you for this inviting, for this opportunity. Thank you. You're very, very welcome. And what we're gonna do, you know, when you're gonna come to London, we're gonna take care of you and, you know, help you achieve, achieve everything that you deserve and develop your talent. And, you know, I had another student who told me that she left with her mother in such a panic from Kharkiv. And the mother forgot the passport. She left. She packed the concert dress and left the passport at home. Because for the mother, the most important thing was, was the concert dress and being able to perform again. And it's something that I think I would have done as well if I was in the same situation. Because it's true. More than a piece of paper saying your name and where you're from is what you can say when you perform your instrument. So in this case, when you perform the guitar. And I think the most important thing is that you can continue doing so and you can continue thrive and bring joy to the world with your example as well, of resilience and of courage, you know, in going farther with your talent and life. And so I would like to really, very much thank you for your time today. I know it's difficult with the Internet as well. Sometimes it drops off. So we were lucky. Before Ernest was telling me that there were some sirens. So we're lucky. We managed to postpone it. And I wish you both the best of luck and a safe journey to London in the next days, as soon as possible. We can't wait to welcome you here. Renata, would you like to say something? Sorry, it was muted. Yes, we absolutely. We're absolutely looking forward to welcoming you here. Actually there. Because I'm in Italy now and I can promise that you will have plenty of opportunities. You will be followed by a lot of teachers that love the idea of sharing knowledge and building beautiful things together. Because it is me, yes, teaching every week, but we have three visiting professors that are three amazing human beings on top of being great artists. And LP mom is a welcoming place and you will be just coming to the right place. And you are the right kind of students who are LP Mom. So keep your hopes high, keep doing the amazing and incredible work you're doing, so relying on music. And just get ready because very soon a new life will start for you. Thank you. Thank you, Renata. Thank you, Ernest. Thank you, Renata. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Marina. And thank you, Ernest, for the great chat and the beautiful music play today. And thank you to the women's radio station for giving us the space on my radio program, Future Classic Women Awards to listen to your music and talk about what is happening today. So Future Classic Women Awards is live every day at 10am and 10pm London time. So you you will be able to listen to this interview live on repeat every day for the next two weeks. And if you have any questions that you would like to ask to our guest or nomination for future Castigma awards, please email presenterswomensradiostation.com or tweet us @womensradiostn. And if you would like to listen to it again or catch up on our previous programs, you can head to my presenter page, Stefania Papasamontern, future classic women awards on womensradiostation.com so I'll say thank you again for the wonderful talk. And I leave you listening to Marina performing back the BWV1001 reveal. Sa.
