“No more [being] nervous, I just have to play and enjoy this and forget about everybody,” sophomore Anastasia Grunina reminded herself before stepping onto the Carnegie Hall stage.
After years of competitions, performances, and achievements, Anastasia Grunina has reached an outstanding milestone in her career – in Nov. 2023, Anastasia Grunina played at Carnegie Hall in New York, considered one of the most prestigious concert venues in the world.
Inspired by the legacy of musicians that runs deep in her family, Anastasia Grunina said she has been playing piano since she was five, winning over 40 awards.
“It all started three generations back,” Anastasia Grunina said.
Her great-grandma was the first pianist in the family, establishing a tradition Anastasia Grunina hopes to continue. Her mother, Maya Grunina, has supported her from the start, describing Anastasia as “hardworking, reliable, and polite.”
“When her friends sometimes invite her to go out to hang out, she rarely can do this, because most of the time in her free time, she practices piano,” Maya Grunina said.
Anastasia Grunina’s dedication paid off in 2023 as she won first prize at the US New Star World Competition, an achievement that secured her place to play at the Carnegie Hall.
Anastasia Grunina said she was feeling nervous about having to play in front of what she said was the biggest audience she has ever performed for.
“[It was] probably one of the best days of her life,” Anastasia Grunina said.
With music being a central part of her life, Anastasia Grunina said she firmly believes everyone should have the opportunity to experience it.
“Music is such a big component in life,” Anastasia Grunina said. “I think that everyone should play at least one instrument.”
Though her parents saw her potential from an early age, Anastasia Grunina said her commitment to piano was her choice.
“[My parents] saw I had potential and I had a capable mind for [piano],” Anastasia Grunina said. “They always tell me that if they hadn’t seen this potential in me, then they wouldn’t have been pushing me to do my best.”
Similarly, Maya Grunina notes that music can shape people, an example being her daughter.
“With practicing music, that’s a discipline and that really shapes a person into a hard working boy, girl that has dreams,” Maya Grunina said. “You guys have to dream. If you guys are dreaming, then one of these days, one of your dreams, or all of your dreams, will come true.”
Anastasia Grunina continues to practice, and said she encourages others to think of the phrase “practice makes progress” rather than “practice makes perfect.”
“The advice I would say to anybody is to have patience with what you do,” Anastasia Grunina said. “You have to put hours into it. If you really want music, you should be practicing everyday. If that is not possible, find a way to do it. There is always a way, no matter what.”
