Q&A with pianist improviser Sam Peña and soprano Rose Stachniewska

Q&A with Sam Peña & Rose Stachniewska

We caught up with two of the incredible musicians who will be joining us for DEBUT at Shoreditch Treehouse in November. First up, resident pianist improviser & composer Sam Peña and soprano Rose Stachniewska.

“The star performance came from Rose Stachniewska, the complete package in tone, articulation, musicianship, stage presence and brilliant top notes: her Act 2 showpiece duly brought the house down.”
— Andrew Clark for Opera Magazine

Rose Stachniewska, soprano

Sam Peña, pianist improviser & composer

“Sam Peña is an outstanding musician with a unique artistic voice. His style of playing cannot be easily defined by genre and nor it should be. He occupies a space where classical meets pop, folks and film music and it is through his extraordinary talent as an improviser that he is able to embrace and freely express all of these styles open-heartedly. A rare young talent.”
— Jonathan Vaughan, Guildhall School of Music and Drama’s Interim Principal & Director of Music

---

Ultimate Harry Potter Medley - Sam Peña, piano I DEBUT at Shoreditch Treehouse

“Bel canto repertoire - it’s all about the human voice and only really works when the singer brings their own heart and soul to it. ”

— Rose Stachniewska

As part of our DEBUT at Shoreditch Treehouse special DEBUT/Drag Concert, Sam’s improvisation around some of the greatest Gay Anthems.

“Sharing music, sharing experiences, connecting the way artists do on stage, and with an audience… there’s no better feeling.”

— Sam Peña

Rose singing Caro Nome, from Verdi’s Rigoletto with pianist Nico de Villiers

Q&A

 Most memorable performance

SP: God damnit October the 24th DEBUT at the Treehouse, the Return. That was something else. 

Favourite piece to perform

RS: Anything bel canto, but at the moment Verdi’s Caro Nome from Rigoletto. I find bel canto repertoire some of the most artistically liberating music to sing. It is all about the human voice and only really works when the singer brings their own heart and soul to it. There is no hiding! Which is daunting but also very freeing.

SP: I am not sure. I’ve never played the same thing twice!

Song everyone should listen to

SP: No way I can pick just one piece of music. Concierto de Aranjuez, Adagio. Cavalleria Rusticana, Intermezzo. Prelude from One Shoe of Each Colour, The Musical, to name a few. None of these have words, but they don’t need them to say it all.

RS: Nina Simone- how it feels to be free (check out the video). Best example of honest singing.

Any performance mishap? 

RS: I was recently dancing a little too close to the edge of the orchestra pit and threw a glass of wine on a trombonist’s head mid performance.

SP: How do you think I became an improviser? I literally forgot an entire piece because I was underprepared for that recital and my teacher wanted me to do it anyway, so I went out there and made up the whole thing on the spot. People loved it, they did not realise I had just created a brand new piece by Enrique Granados, and I discovered my biggest passion. Funny, innit?

If you weren’t a musician… 

SP: I would have not been born...

RS: Flamenco dancer

What’s tough about being a musician?

SP: That you are bloody extra sensitive and everything that happens to you will either hurt you so much or make you the happiest folk on Earth. 

Did you take up a hobby in lockdown?

SP: My hobby was to write a Musical - One Shoe of Each Colour… ha…

If you could play or sing another instrument…. 

RS: Cello!

SP: I love them all to be honest. I can already properly play the flute, I would learn percussion. Or saxophone. But I want to play all of themmmm.

Any performance tips?

SP: never wear matching socks.

Do you have a favourite book / series at the moment?

SP: I am reading Transgender History (second edition) and I am loving it so much. There’s still soooo much work to do and so much to learn.

RS: Back to life on BBC. Hilarious and very moving

Favourite quote: 

RS: Rumi- ‘When I run after what I think I want my days are a furnace of distress and anxiety; if I sit in my own place of patience what I need flows to me and without any pain. From this I understand that what I want also wants me, is looking for me and attracting me.’

Who/what inspires you?

RS: My cat Lupe. She’s wise, intuitive, beautiful and totally present.

SP: People that want to step out of their comfort zone all the time, that are passionate about things and are willing to learn from others. Also people that speak out loud and are not afraid of fighting. Too deep…? I mean it.

What would you change about the industry?

SP: Most of it. The way they educate us musicians is more harmful than beneficial. They teach us how to memorise stuff that has already been done 928374 million times. Then they want us to spit it out exactly the way they want. On top of it they expect us to enjoy it, and by the time we realise our mental health has already been damaged, it’s too late. Long story short.

RS: Lots of things but mainly at training level encouraging young singers to BE THEMSELVES not try to fit the opera singer mould. 

… and what makes you love it? 

RS: The amount of brilliant people you encounter from all over the world and being immersed in music with them.

SP: Most of it. Working with other musicians is one of the most rewarding experiences in the world. Sharing music, sharing experiences, connecting the way artists do on stage, and with an audience… there’s no better feeling. I swear.

Follow Rose on Instagram | Follow Sam on Instagram

Join Us