Today we’d like to introduce you to NASTIIA.
Hi NASTIIA, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up completely immersed in music — I started playing piano when I was five, and it quickly became not just something I did, but truly who I was. My childhood was spent in practice rooms, competitions, and classical festivals. I had the honor of performing on some incredible stages, including the Musikverein in Vienna, the Moscow Conservatory, the National Gallery in Washington D.C., and the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow, among others.
I pursued a classical path very seriously, graduating from the Central Music School of the Moscow Conservatory and later moving to the U.S. to earn both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Piano Performance at the University of Maryland.
Around 2017, while still deeply involved in classical music, I started writing pop songs — a passion I’d had since I was about eleven. I’ve always loved pop culture and pop music, but growing up in a very traditional, classical environment, I didn’t know how to express that side of myself. At first, songwriting felt like a secret — something I did late at night on the piano just for me — but over time, I realized it was another part of my artistry that needed to grow. That’s when I began blending my classical background with modern production and storytelling.
I released my debut classical album, PIANO, in 2019, and over the past few years, I’ve been building my career as a pop artist under my own name. In 2024, I attended LAAMP, a music program founded by Stargate (Rihanna and Coldplay), which opened up my creative world and connected me with collaborators who share my vision.
Now, I’m based between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, focused on creating deeply emotional, honest songs — both for myself and for other artists. My journey has been about bridging worlds: classical and pop, tradition and innovation, always with the goal of making music that truly connects with people.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, it hasn’t always been a smooth road. The path of an artist is never predictable — there’s no clear roadmap or guaranteed outcome. You’re constantly relying on yourself and your art, and you don’t always know which direction things will go. There are so many moments where doubt can creep in, where you question yourself or the choices you’ve made. Over time, I’ve learned how important it is to really trust your instincts, because usually that first feeling — that inner voice — is the most true.
One of my biggest personal challenges was fully accepting that I wanted to pursue pop music and become a pop artist. Coming from a deeply classical background, where I lived and breathed that world for so many years, it was a huge and very radical shift. It took a lot of courage to completely change my path and to let go of what felt safe and familiar in order to follow something that was burning inside me so strongly.
Even though this journey can be unpredictable, I’ve found so much joy in it — writing new songs, collaborating with other artists, and just creating every day. That joy makes all the uncertainty worth it. I’ve come to really embrace the process and focus on the present moment instead of getting lost in doubts or insecurities. I believe everything unfolds at the right time and in the right way, as long as you stay true to yourself and keep going.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I’m a storyteller through music. I create pop songs that are deeply emotional and honest, blending my classical roots with modern sounds. Because I’ve spent over 20 years as a classical pianist, I bring a certain depth and musicality to pop music that’s very natural to me. I think that combination — the structure and precision of classical music mixed with the raw vulnerability of pop — really shapes my sound and sets me apart.
As a pop artist, I focus on writing songs that capture real human experiences — heartbreak, hope, growth, and self-discovery. I also write for other artists and love collaborating, bringing different stories to life. Over time, I’ve come to see my classical background not as something separate, but as a secret strength that gives my music its unique voice.
What I’m most proud of is that I took the leap to fully embrace pop music after being so deeply established in the classical world. It wasn’t an easy shift, but it was absolutely the right one. Now, I get to create music that feels 100% true to who I am.
At the end of the day, what drives me is connection. Whether it’s performing on stage, writing for myself, or creating with others, my goal is always to make people feel something real — to give them a song that becomes part of their own story.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I feel really blessed because I’ve had incredible mentors throughout my life. My very first mentors were my classical teachers and professors. They gave me not only knowledge and technique, but also this deep belief in myself that I still carry with me today — even though I’m now fully in the pop world. Their guidance wasn’t just about discipline or structure, although that was part of it. It was more about how to see music, how to feel it, and how to express what you truly want to say through it. Those lessons go beyond any one genre and have shaped everything I do.
Most recently, attending LAAMP — the school created by Stargate — gave me a completely new perspective. Tor and Mikkel taught us so much, but one of the most powerful lessons was this: you have to be unique. You can’t just try to recreate what someone else has already done — no one needs another version of what already exists. Every artist has something special, a kind of “superpower,” even if at first you don’t realize it’s valuable.
For me, they really encouraged me to embrace my classical side — my skills as a pianist, my deep knowledge of theory and harmony — and merge that with my love for pop music to create something truly my own. That advice has stayed with me and continues to guide me as I carve out my own path.
When it comes to networking or finding a mentor, my biggest advice would be to focus on building real connections, not just “contacts.” Be open, be curious, and be yourself. The right mentors and collaborators will recognize your uniqueness and help you grow into it — but you have to trust that what makes you different is your greatest strength.
Pricing:
- At the moment, I don’t have standard pricing to share, but I’m always open to collaborations, songwriting sessions, piano lessons and performances — people can reach out directly through my website or Instagram to discuss details.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nastiiamusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nastiiamusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nastiiamusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nastiiamusic
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@nastiiamusic?_t=ZP-8yfFkyfDDwt&_r=1
