NURDANA ERNST
Performance Violinist
Composer | Artistic Content Creator
Eat My News Interview
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“In this interview with EatMyNews, I share my journey from Kazakhstan to the Swiss Alps, my views on music as therapy, and what inspires me as a violinist and creator.”
Nurdana Ernst Interview
"The music carries echoes of my Kazakh heritage while also reflecting my journey as a woman and artist navigating between cultures. Every note holds a memory, a question, or a truth I couldn’t say out loud."
Q. What sparked your interest in music and the violin, and how did you get started on your musical journey?
Music has always been my native language. I was instinctively drawn to the violin at a very young age, it had a voice that felt profoundly human, capable of expressing what words could not.
My formal training began early, but it never felt like discipline; it was discovery. Over time, the violin became not just my instrument, but an extension of myself, a way to channel emotion, convey stories, and offer timeless beauty in a modern world.
Q. Who or what inspires your compositions, and how do you incorporate those influences into your work?
My creative inspirations come from emotional memory, ancestral connection, and nature’s landscapes. Artists like Hauser, Vanessa-Mae, and Carlos Santana have influenced my approach to merging elegance with edge.
I seek to mix the depth of classical music with the vibrancy of cinematic and contemporary elements, producing works that are emotionally charged and aesthetically captivating.
My pieces often begin with a visceral impression, a melody felt during travel, in silence, or among the mountains, and then grow into complete musical stories shaped by emotion and imagery.
Q. Can you walk us through your typical creative process when composing a new piece or developing content for your audience?
Each piece begins with a feeling, an instinct I translate into sound. I start by improvising on the violin, searching for something raw, honest, and emotionally true. From there, I build the piece layer by layer, adding harmonies, textures, and depth.
But I don’t just compose music, I craft experiences. I imagine the tone, the atmosphere, and the visual world of each piece as if I were curating a scene. This immersive creative process allows me to connect deeply with audiences around the world, especially those who value elegance, emotion, and artful storytelling.
Q. What’s been your most memorable performance to date, and what made it so special?
A sunrise performance in the Swiss Alps stands out: there was no formal audience, just nature, silence, and the light of dawn. The mountains became the stage, the sky the spotlight.
That moment reminded me of music’s sacred power to connect us with something greater than ourselves. These kinds of immersive experiences, where art meets atmosphere, are at the heart of what I hope to offer to both audiences and partners.
Q. How do you think the violin’s expressive qualities can evoke emotions in listeners?
The violin mirrors the human voice, it can whisper, weep, or soar. Played with vulnerability, it cuts through barriers and speaks directly to the heart. In the right setting, even a single sustained note can create stillness or ignite emotion.
That power is why it remains timeless and why luxury brands and cultural institutions increasingly seek its elegance for their most exclusive moments
Q. Can you describe a personal experience or memory that has inspired a violin piece you’ve written or performed?
“Jürek üni – The Sound of the Heart” was born from a deep longing for home and identity. It’s a tribute to my Kazakh roots and my journey as an artist navigating between cultures.
The piece blends traditional echoes with modern cinematic structure, each note holds a personal truth, a memory, or a question I couldn’t voice. It has become one of my most requested and resonant works in performance.
Q. How do you see your music and artistic style evolving in the next few years, and what exciting projects do you have on the horizon?
My work is evolving into a multidimensional art form, merging music, film, fashion, and design. I’m currently developing a concept album inspired by ancient legends and modern femininity, reimagined through orchestral soundscapes and digital artistry.
Beyond the studio, I am passionate about returning to the stage with powerful, emotionally immersive live performances.
I want to share this evolving sound in both intimate and grand settings, from iconic concert halls to curated luxury venues. I’m currently in conversation with global stages and premium partners to craft bespoke shows that feel both cinematic and deeply human.
Whether in a historic theatre, a private villa, or an open-air estate, I aim to create unforgettable performances that merge elegance, storytelling, and raw emotion.
Recognitions & Awards
Swiss Influencer Award 2025: I am officially nominated among the Top 10 in the Music category. The awards ceremony will take place on October 17, 2025, at The Hall in Zurich, Switzerland. Community voting opens on August 1st, 2025: https://swissinfluence.ch/en/award
Press Features: Featured in leading media and TV shows in Kazakhstan, highlighting my cultural contributions and artistic journey. Here is the link to the interviews: https://www.nurdanaernst.com/media
Social Media Milestones: Accumulated over 50 million views and over 400,000 followers globally across platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Brand Collaborations: Partnered with prestigious brands including Rolls-Royce, Chopard, Swiss Helicopter, and luxury hotels to create immersive musical content.
Award-Winning Performer: Recognized in classical violin competitions and invited to perform at high-level international events and cultural summits. I have collaborated with the following conductors: Kent Nagano, Kazuki Yamada, Kristjan Jarvi, Vladimir Fedoseyev, Vladimir Jurowsky, Mariss Jansons, Felix Korobov, Yuri Temirkanov, Charles Dutoit, Teodor Currentzis.
I also participated in masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Zahar Bron, Boris Kuschnir, Maxim Vengerov, Daniel Hope, Sergey Krylov, Sergey Khachatryan, and Gyula Stuller.
Bio
Nurdana Ernst is a Kazakh award-winning violinist, composer, and content creator based in Switzerland, celebrated for mixing classical virtuosity with cinematic depth and contemporary storytelling. With over 400,000 followers and 50 million views across social media, her emotionally immersive performances resonate globally, especially with discerning audiences in the worlds of luxury, art and culture.
A Top 10 nominee at the Swiss Influencer Award 2025 (Music category), Nurdana is a rising voice in the world of high-end performance and experiential artistry. She has collaborated with iconic brands including Rolls-Royce, Chopard, Swiss Helicopter, and renowned luxury hotels, curating bespoke musical content that merges elegance with emotion.
With a Master’s degree in Music Performance from the Haute École de Musique de Lausanne (HEMU), and over six years as a soloist with international orchestras, Nurdana brings both technical mastery and artistic sensitivity to every stage she steps on. Certified in Music Therapy by Berklee College of Music, she infuses healing and emotional intelligence into her work, offering not just concerts, but deeply moving experiences.
Her original works, including “Tomiris” and “The Voice of the Heart”, reflect her Kazakh heritage and a modern, cinematic sound that transcends genres. Nurdana’s creative process is multidimensional, merging music, visuals, fashion, and narrative design to create immersive performances that feel both intimate and iconic.
In August 2025, she will audition virtually for America’s Got Talent, entering a global platform that has celebrated some of the world’s most inspiring performers.
From sunrise performances in the Swiss Alps to intimate villa concerts and collaborations with iconic luxury brands, Nurdana Ernst is reimagining the classical artist for a new era, where sophistication meets soul in every unforgettable performance.
Interviewed By Irene Elina Eldhose
July 15, 2025
Nurdana Ernst: A fusion of heritage, emotion, and innovation in music
Nurdana Ernst stands out as a compelling figure in modern classical music, not just for her masterful violin playing, but for her profound approach to composition and performance. Hailing from Kazakhstan and now based in the Swiss Alps, her journey is a testament to the power of artistic self-discovery, blending deep cultural roots with a drive for contemporary expression.
The violin as a voice: beyond mere sound
For Nurdana, the violin is far more than an instrument; it's an extension of her voice, a means to articulate the "inexpressible." This intuitive connection, forged in childhood, underscores her belief in music's capacity to transcend words. Her shift from orchestral performance to composing reflects a natural evolution a need to process her inner world and external experiences through her own creations. This deep personal connection to her instrument is key to the emotional resonance found in her work.
Weaving identity: cultural influences and artistic innovation
Nurdana's music is a rich tapestry woven from diverse inspirations. She admires artists like Hauser, Vanessa-Mae, and Carlos Santana, all of whom share a common thread of emotional honesty and a willingness to push boundaries. This ethos is clearly reflected in her own compositions. Her Kazakh heritage is not merely an influence but a foundational element of her identity as an artist. Pieces like "Jürek üni – The Sound of the Heart" demonstrate her commitment to integrating her roots into modern soundscapes, offering listeners a unique exploration of identity, longing, and resilience. This deliberate fusion of traditional motifs with contemporary styles truly sets her apart.
The creative process: from feeling to vision
The genesis of Nurdana's compositions is deeply emotional, stemming from an "inner tension or inspiration." Her method of improvising and recording fragments on the violin highlights an organic, intuitive approach to creation. It's a journey of discovery, where melodies and structures emerge naturally. Her visual thinking imagining the atmosphere, emotion, and story shows a holistic artistic vision that extends beyond the auditory, encompassing the full experience of her music, whether live or through digital content.
The purity of performance: connection in nature and stage
Nurdana's most cherished performance moments aren't necessarily on grand stages, but in nature, where she finds a pure, unadulterated connection. Playing for an audience of just "the wind" in remote locations or at sunrise in the mountains strips away external pressures, reminding her of music's fundamental purpose: to connect. This concept of music as a "form of presence" emphasizes being fully in the moment and sharing that raw energy, which undoubtedly translates into her more formal performances, allowing audiences to feel a deeper connection.
The emotional resonance of the violin
The violin’s unique ability to channel raw emotion is central to Nurdana's artistry. She notes its closeness to the human voice, capable of breathing, singing, or weeping. The emphasis on subtle nuances a vibrato, a sudden silence reveals her deep understanding of the instrument's expressive power. For her, a truly powerful performance is one where the audience doesn't just hear the music, but feels it profoundly, indicating a desire for a visceral, transformative experience for her listeners.
The future: bridging worlds through sound
Looking ahead, Nurdana's projects reflect her ongoing commitment to innovation and connection. Her upcoming concept project, drawing on ancient legends and cinematic textures, points to a continued exploration of storytelling through sound. Collaborations with visual artists and brands for immersive experiences further underscore her vision to break down artistic barriers and create multidisciplinary works. Ultimately, her aspiration for her music to be a "bridge" between cultures, tradition and innovation, sound and soul encapsulates her artistic mission: to foster understanding and emotional resonance through her unique musical voice.
Nurdana Ernst's journey is a compelling example of how personal heritage, emotional depth, and a commitment to innovation can coalesce into a powerful artistic statement. Her future collaborations promise even more immersive and boundary-pushing experiences for her growing global audience.
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@kiartsmagazine_off / @kiartsevents / @whoiskevinz_model
kiartsmagazine@gmail.com - whoiskevinzmodel@gmail.com