Where did your love of music come from and why did you choose to study it at Monash?

I started learning piano when I was three. My mum tells me that as soon as I could talk, I was singing. My mum went to the Moscow Conservatory, a music school in Russia. I grew up with music and I'm very lucky to have a role model like her, because from my own experience, I have found few musicians who are women.

From the ages of fifteen to nineteen, I was accepted into the Julliard Jazz Winter Music School run by the heads of music from the prestigious NYC Julliard School. The teachers from Julliard recommended Monash as one of the top schools to go to study music, and to study jazz in particular. I was also motivated by the high standards to which Monash University held its students. It was a combination of recommendations, wanting to go to the best school and wanting to get the best education!

What has your career looked like since leaving university?

My career began while I was still in university, so it is hard to separate being a student and being a musician. In my second year of university, I went on a study abroad program to New York University (NYU). My peers and I who were doing the jazz performance course were playing together in New York, and we decided to start a band. This is where we started The Mamas, and upon returning from our trip we booked in gigs. Before we knew it, we had gained prominence in the local music scene.

I am the manager for the band, and I’m proud to have been able to organise tours for us across Australia. Some of the most notable shows were our sold out shows in Canberra and Byron Bay. To play at Queenscliff Jazz Festival was also a huge achievement as an independent band.

I also run a solo project called Miss Emilia, and I have played many shows and festivals including the Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Stonnington Jazz Festival, Castlemaine Jazz Festival, Marysville Jazz Festival, Bello Winter Music Festival and FOJAM, among others.

Besides playing and producing my own music, I teach with my mother at the music school she started over 30 years ago called Soflege House. I have been teaching vocals, piano and composition for over five years.

Another part of my career is running an agency and PR company, which involves booking tours and gigs as well as running social media. I have been quite busy with all the different projects, but it’s very satisfying and I’m always interested in setting myself challenges.

You began one of your bands whilst on a Study Abroad trip. How did studying abroad opportunities helped your career?

In my second year I went to NYU and in my third year I went to Prato to study abroad during my music degree. In New York, we got to meet musicians that you could only dream of listening to live. Gretchen Parlato was a huge standout, and I remember listening to her perform and feeling very inspired.

The highlight of studying abroad in Prato was performing with Paul Grabowsky’s music ensemble. He is a highly experienced and ARIA award winning musician and director, and it was very eye opening to observe how he manages an ensemble. It was a wonderful experience that gave me necessary skills that have become very important as both a musician and a manager.

What were the most rewarding parts of doing a Bachelor of Music at Monash?

Music is a highly collaborative field, and most of the people that I play with now are the people that I met at university. I think one of the most valuable things that I got from my music degree is the connections that I made. If I reflect upon my career, I wouldn’t have the band that I toured across Australia with nor the support structures to run multiple businesses if I didn’t go to Monash.

What advice would you give to students who are studying music?

As a student who forged their career whilst studying, I would advise people to do the things that you dream of whilst you are at university. By the time I graduated, I had already established myself within the industry as I was performing during my degree with the help of my peers and teachers.

It was also great to use the resources that were available at the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music. The Mamas recorded our first single in the studio at Monash, which I was able to book for free as a student. Monash and the Sir Zelman Cowen School is a great place to practice and perform because all the equipment is there, as well as the academics who are musicians themselves and can offer support.

Written by Arts Journalism intern, Georgie Kibel, 2020

Image description: Top image: Emilia in Ubud; Bottom image: Emilia at Queenscliff Festival.