Q&A with Aglaja Petrova

Aglaja Petrova’s story is one of talent and determination. She answered the following questions for the School of American Music.

SAM: When did you start learning piano? Who did you study with?

AP: My parents bought me an older upright when I was 6 and I took lessons from Donna Lotus in New Buffalo. During high school I prepared for my college auditions with Lydie Regazzi, a retired piano professor from Andrews University. During my years at Jacobs, I studied with French Classical Pianist Jean-Louis Haguenauer.

SAM: When did you realize that you had the ability to play difficult pieces? What was that like?

AP: I realized I had the ability to play difficult pieces when I began to connect with the music on such a level that I could establish my own meaningful interpretation based on relevant historical factors and aspects of music theory.  When you spend weeks and months on a difficult piece the beauty of the end result is being able to share the meaning of the music with other people, whether that is through a formal or informal recital or just through leisurely discussion. Practicing for a performance with a difficult piece teaches consistency, guts.

SAM: How much performing did you do during middle/ high school years?

AP: A couple of solo recitals at Acorn and Converge Church in New Buffalo, along with participation in my teacher’s studio recitals at Andrews University.

SAM: Jacobs School of Music is one of the top conservatories in the U.S. What was it like trying to get in there?

AP: The audition process at Jacobs took a lot of meticulous planning. Besides the written application, they required a long prescreening video recording of piano pieces from a repertoire provided by the school. Donors to the School of American Music handled the arrangements for this recording. I passed the prescreening and was invited to an in-person audition with the Jacobs piano faculty.

SAM: What did you study at Jacobs?

AP: I majored in piano performance, with a minor in arts management. I took classes in music theory, aural skills, conducting, piano accompanying, music history and more. The curriculum wasn’t just performing – the music theory, history and the elective classes required research and writing.

SAM: What was the most challenging aspect of studying at Jacobs?

AP: Balancing classes, rehearsals, lessons, coaching, and work. My typical day was from 9am to 11pm. Semesters were usually 19-20 credits; classes were usually 5 days a week, I practiced 4-6 hours a day on top of classes and work.

SAM: What are your career plans? Do you plan on performing?

AP: I am currently in my second year of a Master’s program Arts Administration at Indiana University. I want to be an impactful voice in the art community and whatever organization I work at in the future, while also performing and having a growing teaching studio.  I want to surround myself with people who are just as passionate about music as me.