From the end of May 2022 to the beginning of March 2023, I was intensively exploring different ways of healing and restoring my overall health which in return has brought out some dormant aspects of me, resulting in a profound shift, from which my next phase as an artist and educator has started to emerge.
I play three musical instruments - classical piano, Indian harmonium and Indian tampura.
As a piano teacher I have guided many young talents from their very first steps in music to fully developed artists. Conducted many traditional piano workshops in Greece and abroad.
Meanwhile, I have been deeply interested in health and healing, an interest I had since a very early age. As a consequence I have studied and then conducted many Nada Yoga (Sound Therapy) sessions, combining my extensive musical training (since the age of 3) and training in music pedagogy, with my 8.5 years of intensive yogic training.
However, I have never tried to combine all my skills, talents and knowledge in one project at the same time.
The shift that occurred in me followed by a profound influence of Ms Maria João Pires' unique approach to music and 'teaching' method resulted in changing my perspective and the course of my work, and creating the AAM (Alternative Approach to Music) 'teaching' method, with a very clear vision of the changes that I felt I could contribute to the new world of 'teaching' and performing music through:
1. Inspiring students/artists to continuously challenge existing concepts and assumptions and thus open themselves to exploring, experimenting and developing their own unique expression, artistic 'language' and performing style,
2. Healing (an approach to wellness that simultaneously addresses the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual components of health in a broader sense of its meaning, using Pranayama, Nada Yoga, Chromotherapy and other holistic therapeutic and/or self-development approaches, as needed), and finally and as a consequence -
3. Empowering students/artists to express themselves authentically and fully develop their artistic potentials -
a deep interdisciplinary vision of the artistic expression, mixing music, yoga, therapeutic approaches, and visual arts - therefore combining all my skills, talents and knowledge and utilising all my abilities in one project, one place, one workshop, with one aim - to help develop authentic creative thoughtful and conscious pianists, musicians and artists.
My vision expands every day, and in my future workshops I will be utilising all the above mentioned skills, talents, techniques, musical instruments, experience and knowledge that I have at my disposal.
Looking forward to working with you.
With love,
Xenia Elizabeth Zilli
Athens, 31 July 2022
More about my teaching method: read here
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"I feel that music has the power to heal, like a powerful balm, by taking us to worlds beyond where there is no suffering of any kind."
~ Xenia. E. Zilli
© Alternative Approach to Music: Inspiring - Healing - Empowering