A student's soul requires self-expression in art. After all, it is in art that a person finds new knowledge, answers to vital questions, calmness from everyday hustle and bustle, and spiritual pleasure. Even in our unpredictable wartime. And here is a vivid proof of this.
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The qualifying stage before the final of this year's gala concert, which took place as part of the KPI ART 2024 talent competition on November 13 this year, brought together almost three dozen participants on the stage of the Center for Culture and Arts. Vocalists, musicians, dancers, and young talents from the theater genre competed in the final. Among the unique and stylish performances, the jury selected the Grand Prix winner, first-year student of the Electric Power Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electromechanics specialty at the Educational and Research Institute of Energy Saving and Energy Management, Yevheniia Begicheva.
In a conversation with the winner of the university talent competition, we found out that, as Yevheniia joked, she has been practicing choreography for seven years as an energetic dancer (she studies at the Department of Electricity Supply). Before that, in her early childhood, the current resident of Brovary tried her hand at rhythmic and artistic gymnastics, and then attended rehearsals in a dance group for five years. Yevheniia considers herself lucky to have met a real choreographer, Ms. Sofia. It was she who helped her student to perform a solo composition on stage, with which Yevhenia won this year's competition and received the Grand Prix. And as the winner of the competition emphasizes, the choreographer “ignited in me a thirst for victory and improvement.”
- Evgenia, the choreographic perfection of your solo dance performance, combined with the music “Evil” (a composition by FreshmanSound), received a positive response from many of the gala's viewers. The jury appreciated your performance. Was there any excitement long before the talent show? How did you prepare yourself for the performance?
- No, there was no excitement. Except for the moment before going on stage. I've learned from my life in the arts that if you give your all during rehearsals, sparing no time and effort to train, then it's the emotional mood that improves during the performance. The excitement disappears. The musical accompaniment of each number certainly plays a significant role. When creating the stage image, Sofia and I went through many options for musical accompaniment. The musical composition “Evil” has nothing to do with the “pattern” of the dance. This music is interesting enough for the audience to react and dynamic in terms of the viewer's perception of the image of the lyrical heroine. Have you noted for yourself that the title of the number “Captive of Talent” contains the truth that creative potential is both a natural gift and an extraordinary burden?
- I wonder what you mean by that?
- If you want to reach the heights of creativity, you have to overcome many obstacles. My creative credo is: if you're afraid, don't do it, if you do it, don't be afraid. Recently, after a rehearsal, I made a personal discovery. It's about captivity and talent. A person may feel that their gift requires constant dedication and, strangely enough, this gift creates difficulties: sometimes limiting, as in my situation, the freedom to choose a particular musical composition (through a short performance during a concert, for example). A person may feel responsible for realizing his or her potential, especially when the audience has certain expectations of the person performing on stage. Sometimes, even an amateur artist can experience internal conflicts, for example, reflections on the fact that talent no longer brings ease of mind, but makes you work beyond your own desire. In such cases, you don't know whether you want to continue creating or whether you want to give up...
- Yevheniia, whatever the case, it seems to me that with thoughts like yours, the value of your recent victory in the competition is better perceived. I saw with my own eyes the large number of flowers that the audience gave you. This is not to mention the loud applause during the Grand Prix. After the performance, you obviously overcame physical fatigue. And emotional distress. After all, your smile was captured by video and photo cameras. Were your efforts not in vain?
- Yes, this is another pleasant stage in my career. However, despite the fatigue, I like the rehearsal process. By the way, this is not my first competition. Together with my dance group, we have participated in various championships: “Ukrainian Dance Front, Duki Tanci Fest, The Battle of the Stars, and others. My solo dance is relatively new, as I've been performing it for about six months, so I don't have many personal achievements yet.
- The next traditional question. Do rehearsals interfere with your studies at the university? Which academic disciplines do you like the most as a student?
- First of all, I'd like to say that I try to keep a balance between my studies and my art. I realize that if I fully immerse myself in the learning process and stop dancing, I will lose a part of myself as a person. I wouldn't want that. I will combine art and studying at the university. By the way, I also like to play basketball. Regarding the assimilation of knowledge in the first year. My successful school training helps me in this. After all, I was good at math and drawing at school, as they say. Now I get high marks in my coursework. So I can say that my adaptation as a freshman was successful. I plan to continue to move at this academic pace. Among the academic disciplines, I prioritize higher mathematics and engineering graphics. As for me, studying these sciences allows me to distract myself from any problems and relax my soul.
- Yevheniia, did you choose to study engineering by chance?
- From the time I was at school, I knew for sure that I would enter Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. It took me a long time to decide on my future specialty. In the end, I decided on energy. Time has proven that energy supply specialists are always needed.
- I know that you love Kyiv. What places are most attractive to you?
- It is clear that the park of the Polytechnic Institute, the Botanical Garden named after Academician A. Fomin, which is near the Taras Shevchenko National University, and Volodymyrska Hill. I believe that our capital will continue to preserve its beauty. Despite the enemy's plans.
- I wish you further success in your studies and art!
- Most likely, in the future I will be a dancing energy engineer. But in my heart I will remain a dancer first and foremost (laughs).