Between Worlds: Mirna Lekic on Cultural Crossings, Sonic Identity, and the Art of Connection

In this episode, I sit down with pianist and educator Mirna Lekić for a conversation that spans continents, sound worlds, and the deeper layers of what music can mean in a human life.

Born and raised in Sarajevo during the Bosnian War and now based in New York City, Mirna brings a rare perspective to the piano — one shaped by resilience, migration, devotion, and an unshakable belief in music as a stabilizing, healing force.

We explore her acclaimed 2023 album MIRAGE, a breathtaking collection of sonic illusions and cultural crossings that reimagines the piano as a global storyteller — moving from Azerbaijan to Spain, Armenia to Java, and beyond.

This episode dives into:

• how early musical experiences during war shaped Mirna’s artistic identity
• the healing and stabilizing role music played during her family’s resettlement
• the depth of Bosnian and Balkan musical influences
• how cultural diversity becomes musical philosophy, not performance
• MIRAGE and its groundbreaking approach to sound, resonance, and identity
• collaborative work with living composers, shadow puppeteers, and multidisciplinary artists
• how educators can guide young musicians toward authenticity in a rapidly changing world

It’s a conversation about healing, devotion, heritage, and the power of sound to help us make sense of where we come from — and where we’re going.

🌟 SOUND BITES

“Music was a healing presence.” “Music study demands devotion.” “Music can be a lifeline.”

🎧 FEATURED LINKS FROM MIRNA'S WORK

From the album Masks:

• Debussy, The Toybox (opening)
• Villa-Lobos: Negrinha, No. 5 from Baby’s Family

From MIRAGE:

• Ali-Zadeh — Music for Piano
• Lachenmann — Guero
• Cowell — Aeolian Harp

From Eastern Currents: Ramin Heydarbeygi — Aramesh

Mirna’s Shadow Puppetry Collaborations:

• https://youtu.be/V5Tj2ZHDGS8?si=Aa05gwPs0R0evO8r
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duMJtVPVOIs&t=262s

Read my review on Mirna's Album, MIRAGE on Substack