- Leyla, how did you come up with the idea to create the Bel Suono project? We don't know of any similar analogues.

The idea for the project appeared in my life logically and naturally. A long time ago, I received a very good musical education, to which I devoted 20 years. In the wild 90s, by fate, I ended up in show business, and my musical education opened up more opportunities for me. Then my experience was supplemented by my own PR agency. And when almost everything in the steps of show business had been tried, I got the chance to become a producer. Obviously, I couldn't get involved with violinists or drummers, because I myself am a pianist who loves piano and classical music very much. I wanted to create a group that wouldn't perform original classics but would delve into its own presentation of a wide variety of music. But, undoubtedly, classical music first and foremost. There really are no analogues to our project in the whole world. Only Bel Suono performs masterpieces of classical music in its own arrangement on three grand pianos.

- The project is still young... How popular is it with young people? And who is your audience for the most part?

I can't agree that the project is young. 9 years is a decent amount of time. However, in spirit and essence, we are truly young at heart: our team is young and wonderful, but nevertheless quite mature. Almost 10 years have passed since the guys graduated from the conservatory. They all do their job with passion and great enthusiasm. I am very pleased to note how diverse our audience is. But for the most part, it is indeed young. If our statistics are to be believed, the main demographic of Bel Suono is viewers aged 25-45; it prevails. Next comes the younger generation. A lot of parents come to our concerts with children. Many of those who wanted to leave music school in the 3rd or 4th grade (which often happens with kids at this stage), after our concerts said, "I will study music again!" and returned to their lessons with sparkling eyes. Gradually we realized that our mission is to promote classical music and advance it among young people. But there is also an older generation among our viewers who love us, and we are very pleased about that.

- How can parents not overlook musical talent in their children?

Children can have a mass of talents, and each manifests in its own way. Based on my own experience, I can say that you need to be attentive to your children's desires and needs. But even if you haven't noticed musical talents in them, I strongly advise regularly attending concerts — both classical music, instrumental, and contemporary. The choice is huge now. This way you will see and feel what your child's soul is drawn to. But the main thing is that musical education has never hurt anyone's overall development. Moreover, in childhood, you can try everything and in small doses. And even if, after finishing school, a child doesn't want to touch the instrument for about five years, believe me, in five, seven, ten years, they will say "thank you." It will definitely have the best effect on their development and formation as a person.

- Guys, how did you get into music?

My mother sent me into music. It seemed like a good idea to her. At that time, a new experimental music and aesthetic lyceum was opening in our city of Engels, which combined regular subjects and music — there was no need to go to school first and then run to clubs — everything was in one place. But, in general, there was no plan in the family to "raise" a musician; it was more for my general development.

My path was quite original — I came to music through ballet. In early childhood, my parents sent me to study dance professionally at a choreographic school; there we had a subject called "general piano," lessons that brought much more pleasure than dance lessons. And even at ballet performances, what was happening in the orchestra pit was always more interesting. And so, quite late, at the age of 12, after consulting with my parents, a decision was made to choose music as my main profession. Well, then everything was like for most musicians: college, conservatory, and a huge dose of luck in finding a job.

Honestly, it happened somehow naturally, in early childhood. At first, I liked listening to various music on the tape recorder, even dancing to it, which is common for many children, and then I wanted to make music myself. Moreover, many in the family circle could play instruments, and this, as practice shows, is "contagious."

- What qualities do you think a child needs to become a good musician? Does a child need to be musically gifted, or is perseverance and desire enough for this?

Since studying music is a long-term process with an unknown outcome, the most important thing is the ability to be diligent and achieve goals, and of course, the desire to study music. At the same time, talent will certainly help, but without all the above-mentioned character qualities, talent alone is worth almost nothing.

The fact that with desire and due perseverance anyone can become a professional is a fact! But, in my opinion, it would be more correct to develop your strengths than to "drill" your weaknesses. And if a child has good musical abilities, it will be much easier for them. But anything is possible! And the most important thing, I repeat, is desire and hard work!

I believe talent is in each of us, and everyone has their own. Unfortunately, not all parents are able to discern it and often insist on the path they expected from the child, or they "suppress" it in childhood, without even realizing it. Talent is not exactly necessary, it's desirable. What is really needed is desire and aspiration; then any goal is achievable! Many talented people, due to negligence and laziness, flared up quickly like stars and faded just as quickly. Without perseverance and hard work, you can't get anywhere!

- What has music given each of you?

Music gave me a profession and defines my path in life. Music allowed me to dream... From early childhood, I understood that if everything worked out, I would have concerts, tours — and I strived for that. Music also taught me useful qualities in life: perseverance, hard work, focus on prospective future success, introduced me to many interesting people, and allowed me to visit many interesting places.

Music gave me, first of all, a profession and the opportunity to earn a living doing what I love. It's an opportunity for self-expression, a chance to pour out my emotions into the instrument. Music is like a foreign language — what does it give you? Only music is such a universal language that is understandable to most people from birth.

Music allowed me to realize myself in the field I wanted to pursue, gave me a more subtle and sensitive perception of the world, expanded the boundaries of emotions and empathy, as well as strong mathematical thinking, and, undoubtedly, a wonderful language through which you can express any feelings to charge the listener with them.

- What toys did you like as a child?

Like all boys, I really loved small cars of different models, and with no less pleasure I took them apart, though after that I immediately lost interest in them. I loved LEGO sets; I also liked making different scenes out of plasticine: musketeer castles for games, dinosaur figurines, and much more. At 7-8 years old, I was crazy about computer games and consoles. When I got to them, I forgot about everything in the world!

As a child, I adored LEGO, especially when I had accumulated many different sets; you could build anything from them: cars, submarines — it all depended only on imagination. I was interested in technology, I loved taking everything apart because I was always curious about what was inside and how it all worked. And by the way, I still love technology... Though now I've also learned to put it back together!

From what I remember, my favorites were LEGO sets, and later logic and strategy games. I built entire cities with infrastructure from LEGO, which I would animate and come up with different stories for.

-  Kirill, what toys does your child like now?

My son Andrey, who is now 2 years old, likes trains, locomotives, and everything connected with them most of all. He's also started showing interest in LEGO DUPLO; we already have several sets for little ones. He likes playing with cars — dump trucks and other vehicles — and he really loves to read.

-  In our past issues, we touched on the topic of early career choice, where in childhood, through role-playing games, children have the opportunity to try themselves in one role or another. How important do you think this is, or, on the contrary, useless?

It seems to me this is very good. I would have liked to try myself as a child in the role of a car mechanic, an international flight pilot, an athlete, or an air traffic controller — why not. But you shouldn't, based on a child's interest in a particular game at a given moment, steer them towards one profession or another. What is interesting today might lose all interest in a couple of years.

I'm sure there are much better specialists in this field than me, and I can only theorize here. Children are very flexible, in my opinion, and you can interest them in anything; the main thing is to know how to do it! You can also go the opposite way — understand what the child is definitely not interested in. In my case, it was chemistry. It didn't work anywhere: neither at home with a "young chemist" set, nor later at school.

Of course, it's important. Through them, you can see those very prerequisites and predispositions I mentioned earlier. But it's even more valuable and useful if these games also instill in the child independence, responsibility, and autonomy, ideally with at least minimal socialization. Then problems with choosing a profession and accepting responsibility for that choice will be much fewer.

- What core qualities did your parents instill in you? And what qualities would you like to see in your children?

The main thing my parents instilled in me is a sense of responsibility for what I do and for what others do for me, hard work, the ability to move forward, believe in the best, and the ability to enjoy what you already have while you are still on your way to your goal. They also taught me that it's important to work with your hands, even if you have a good humanities profession. From childhood, I held tools, repaired my bike myself, they let me experiment, so now I can do a lot around the house and understand cars quite well.

I would like my child to be happy, live in harmony, and do what he likes, to understand that with effort he can achieve whatever he wants, to dream and believe that he can make those dreams come true.

It's hard to talk about myself. Probably kindness, responsiveness, and optimism are the main principles I still follow. I would like my children to be healthy, and that's the main thing! For the rest, it's good to be honest, internally free, with creative thinking, and also to be able to enjoy the moment, appreciate what you have, and strive for more.

My parents helped develop my strengths. The main quality is, precisely, the ability to see, accept, and develop oneself — in other words, to work on oneself. Also fundamental are persistence, perseverance, integrity, gratitude, generosity, acceptance of oneself with all pluses and minuses, the ability to see beyond clichés and stereotypes, and to develop without comparing oneself to anyone, but becoming the best version of oneself.

In my children, I would like to see strong individuals and harmonious personalities who will follow their own path, will not deceive or betray themselves, and at the same time be happy and purposeful, with a desire for knowledge, development, and ambition.

-  In your opinion, what is generally important in raising children?

Maybe it's worth listening to them more? Not trying to realize your own ambitions through them and make them like you. They should become better! That's what evolution is all about.

The main thing is love! But it's also important to be fair, strict, and unwavering, without betraying your word or your principles. Feelings and emotions are important, personal boundaries and personal space are important, a feeling of security and support is important. And, despite all words, the main example is the parent themselves!

-  What would you wish our readers?

I want to wish everyone health, optimism, and never give up! Don't take life too seriously; leave a little inner feeling that it's a big game, don't try to be perfect, but spend more time relaxing and playing with your children.

First of all, I wish you health, happiness, understanding, to keep the child within you, so that you speak the same language with your children. Parental love is unconditional and wonderful! When I write these wishes to you, I imagine my parents, to whom I am immensely grateful for everything!

Be happy, don't forget about yourselves, constantly develop and become better, be proud of your victories and don't despair over defeats. I wish you to love and be loved, and also to be an example in all the above for others!