Asel Mekebaeva: ""The violin is love at first sound"
The violin has a special voice. In the hands of a musician, it can sound like a confession, a memory, an inner conversation impossible to convey with mere words. But behind this ease, which the audience hears on stage or sees in a beautiful video, lies a long journey – years of practice, hundreds of repetitions, strict discipline, and the ability to never give up after the first few failures.For Kazakhstani violinist Asel Mekebaeva, the violin was precisely such a choice – not a casual passion, but a passion that has shaped her character and destiny since childhood. Her journey began at a music school for gifted children in Kostanay. First came exams, anxiety, and tears after her first performances, then long hours of rehearsals, study, the stage, her own projects, and violin school, where today she imparts to her students not only technique but also an attitude toward music.In Asel Mekebaeva's work, the violin is heard not only in concert halls. Her videos are created against the backdrop of chalk mountains, canyons, and the endless landscapes of Kazakhstan, transforming music into a visual journey through the country. These projects combine personal history, a love for the instrument, and a desire to convey the beauty of her native land through sound.In an interview with Qazaq Culture, Asel Mekebaeva explained why the violin became love at first sound for her, how her initial failures helped shape her character, what her favorite instrument has experienced, where she finds inspiration, and why the path to mastery is impossible without discipline, self-confidence, and a great deal of stubbornness.– You began playing music as a child. When did you realize that the violin would be your life's work?– My journey began at the age of six, when I was enrolled in a music school for gifted children in Kostanay. I remember the moment I first picked up the violin. Something clicked inside me. I immediately knew: this is mine. Perhaps at that age, a child can't yet fully understand what a profession or a life's work is. But I didn't feel like I was simply trying something new. It was as if I didn't see any other paths for myself and wasn't even looking for them. The violin quickly became a part of my life. I loved the lessons, the stage, and the process of finding its sound. It was love from the very first sound, from the first performances, from the first emotions I experienced around the instrument. Over time, this feeling only grew stronger. Today, I understand that it was then, in childhood, that I made a choice that would determine my entire future.– Do you remember your first performance? What emotions did you experience?– My first appearances on stage, to be honest, were far from triumphant. I was about seven or eight years old. We were constantly being evaluated: exams in the concert hall, performances at various venues, our first competitions. I wasn't the strongest student back then. I vividly remember how I burst into tears after my first exam in first grade. Since childhood, I've been a terrible perfectionist and idealist. I was very upset because I knew I hadn't played the way I wanted. But despite these initial failures, I never even considered giving up. On the contrary, I realized quite early on that if things weren't working out, I had to work even harder. I practiced every day—four, sometimes eight hours. Even during school holidays, when other children were resting, I continued playing. Yes, nature gave me good hands and perfect pitch, but talent alone means little. Everything I have today is the result of hard work, character, and, probably, sheer stubbornness.— A musician's instrument is an extension of their soul. Tell us about your violin: does it have its own history, a name, or a special character?— My current instrument is a truly unique story. The violin was created in 2005 by master craftsman Alexander Kurnikov, following ancient Italian traditions. I have small hands, so the instrument was made very comfortable for me—neat, graceful, and a noble dark color. But behind this outward fragility lies a very deep and melodious voice. For me, this violin has long since become more than just an instrument. It seems to live with me. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, tragedy struck. My daughter accidentally fell right on her violin, and it shattered almost completely. For a musician, this isn't just a broken object. It feels like a part of yourself is breaking. My heart truly broke along with hers. We searched for a long time for a luthier who could bring her back to life. We sent the instrument for restoration, consulted, and worried. In the end, we were very lucky: master luthier Viktor from Almaty literally picked it up piece by piece and completely restored it. The most amazing thing is that after this incident, the violin's sound began to deepen. As if, after an ordeal, its soul had opened up more. For me, this is a true story of rebirth.– You have your own violin school. How did the idea come about, and what is your main mission?– When I graduated from the University of Arts in Astana, I had no intention of teaching. In fact, I never wanted to teach. I dreamed of performing, playing on big stages, and developing as a concert musician. I got married in my final year, and almost immediately after graduating, I gave birth to a daughter. Around that time, friends and Instagram followers started messaging me, asking if I taught. People knew I was a performing musician and had experience, and they wanted to bring their children to me or come themselves. At first, I just decided to give it a try. I taught a couple of lessons and suddenly realized how much I loved it. Teaching has an amazing feeling: like piecing together a puzzle or creating something from scratch. Over time, I saw how my students changed, opened up, began to hear music and believe in themselves. They became the essence of my school for me—adults and children of all ages, each with their own story. The main mission of my school is to develop talents and impart knowledge that will last a lifetime. It's important to me that students not only learn to play the violin, but also experience music more deeply and believe in themselves.—Where do you most often find inspiration for your creativity?My main inspiration is people and the information space we create around ourselves. In 2019, I started actively using Instagram. I was traveling, scouting locations, filming my first videos. And then something amazing happened: people who wanted to learn music started coming to me through social media. This inspired me greatly and became one of the impetuses for opening my own school. Now, inspiration for me is largely connected to exploration and observation. I can't remember the last time I simply scrolled aimlessly through my feed to kill time. For me, it's more of a workspace and an endless source of ideas. I watch other musicians play, how they convey emotion through the screen, how the lighting, framing, and movement are structured. I can see one detail and immediately start creating my own shoot. I save interesting ideas, analyze them, and think about how I can do it my own way. The creativity of others energizes me. Afterward, you don't just want to watch, but immediately run and create something of your own—even more beautiful, deeper, more honest.– Your videos are often filmed in picturesque locations across the country. How do ideas for such projects come about? Is there a place in Kazakhstan that particularly inspires you to create new projects?– Ideas come very unpredictably. Sometimes late at night, sometimes early in the morning, sometimes literally from images in a dream. I believe that when an idea comes, you shouldn't put it off but immediately try to bring it to life. In such moments, a special energy emerges. It's as if everything comes together: people, time, opportunities, the right mood are found. The main thing is to catch this wave and not be intimidated by the scale of the project. I am sincerely happy that I was born and live in Kazakhstan. We have incredible land—with fantastic, almost cosmic landscapes. Each region can become a separate stage for music. We recently returned from a trip to Mangystau. There, we realized the shoot of my dreams. This place stunned me: the chalk mountains, the canyons, the vastness, the silence, the sense of some ancient power in the land. It was there that I felt very clearly that I wanted to travel all over Kazakhstan with my violin. Now my big goal is to travel to the east and south of the country, film new projects, and show the world even more of our beauty through music.– The violin is considered one of the most difficult instruments in the world, requiring tremendous discipline. Have you ever experienced periods of crisis or burnout, when you wanted to quit?– I first heard the violin when I was only four years old. At six, I picked it up myself – and, you could say, fell in love with it forever. So, I never once considered quitting. Of course, that doesn't mean the path was easy. There were challenges, including psychological ones. For a long time, people close to me didn't fully believe in my choice. They advised me to choose a more understandable, down-to-earth profession. There were also professional challenges: complex programs, competitions, moments when things didn't work out as quickly as I'd hoped. International competitions also require great inner strength. But I have this trait: if I take on something, I see it through to the end. Others' lack of faith didn't break me. Quite the contrary, it strengthened me. During the most difficult periods, my goal, discipline, and stubbornness saved me. I simply kept working until I reached the next level.– What qualities are especially important for young musicians to develop today? And what would you like to say to those just beginning their musical journey?– For a modern musician, in addition to talent, discipline, psychological fortitude, and a sincere love for what they do are crucial. Without a love for music, it's almost impossible to endure this journey. At the same time, developing all these qualities alone is very difficult. A teacher plays a huge role. A mentor not only imparts technique but also helps the student believe in themselves, overcome the initial difficulties, and not be afraid of mistakes. To all young violinists and those just starting out in music, I have one wish: never give up. Don't be afraid to dream big. Set the biggest, even seemingly impossible, goals for yourself. Visualize them in your head, keep them in front of you, and take at least one step toward your dream every day. If you take action, work hard, and don't stop after the first few failures, the world will surely hear you.
