Arabic version: إيساتا كانيه-ماسون تدافع عن إتاحة التعليم الموسيقي

According to ABC News, pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason says access to free music education is central to making classical music more inclusive for young people and people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Ahead of an Australian tour, the British performer discussed her musical family, performance nerves and the place of classical music for younger audiences.

Kanneh-Mason, the eldest of seven siblings, began music school at six. She said her childhood was shaped by creativity, books and music rather than screens. Her brothers Braimah and Sheku began rising early to practise after she started learning, although she said her role as the family’s leader and “more bossy” sibling did not last beyond about age eight or nine.

She said the family group chat is active every day, combining insulting banter with news articles, discussions of current events and messages wishing one another luck before concerts. Kanneh-Mason performs most often with her cellist brother Sheku, while describing different bonds with each of her siblings.

The pianist recalled performing viola with Elton John’s band in Los Angeles when she was about 17, saying his charisma and ability to engage a crowd stood out. She later focused solely on piano. Kanneh-Mason identified her first appearance as a soloist at the BBC Proms as one of her most nerve-racking performances, and said she manages anxiety by controlling breathing, slowing her thoughts and remaining present during difficult passages.

Kanneh-Mason said female composers have increasingly appeared in recital and orchestral programming in recent years. She has performed music by Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn, Dobrinka Tabakova, Natalie Klouda and Sofia Gubaidulina, and said championing women composers should not be seen as work only women undertake. She also argued that affordable concerts, school outreach and access to instrument learning can help broaden who reaches professional stages.

She will co-host ABC Classic Drive on Thursday 8 October at 4pm and is scheduled to give solo piano recitals in Melbourne on October 9, Adelaide on October 11 and Sydney on October 12.