Panak Hashemian

Which musician has influenced you the most?
Johann Sebasitan Bach. Whenever I need to collect my thoughts, find serenity or clarity in my playing, I return to Bach’s solo pieces, whether it is the cello suites, flute or violin partitas.

What can you teach me on your instrument better than any other teacher?
My teaching method is personalized for each student. As we are all at different levels and stages in our playing, it is important to tune into the needs of each person. I will guide you to the tools you need to teach yourself through awareness in listening, having clear intentions and bringing your musical interpretation into realization. These are key for progress. Together, we work holistically, meaning that the mental aspect of playing, such as concentration and dealing with stage fright, will be taken into consideration as a way to ensure a positive experience when performing. 

How did you learn to play your instrument?
I started playing the flute in the local music school in my home town in Sweden. As the years went by, I discovered classical recordings, and the deeper I dove into these recordings, the more fascinated I became with practicing. After I started attending live concerts with the Malmö Symphony Orchestra, experiencing the energy from the musicians on stage, I was blown away, thinking that one day I too would become a professional musician.

What equipment are you playing on today?
I play on a handmade Yamaha model 877. It has a very warm color that is special and that I enjoy a lot.

What personal characteristic has helped you the most in practicing?
Dedication to arts and music, and determination.

What does your instrument have that others don't?
Creating sound through airflow is special. It not only connects to the human breath but also to the sounds in nature, like the air and wind that is constantly around us. It allows versatility in the music and can easily shift between deeply intimate and stormy moments. Maybe that is why the flute, in all its shapes and materials, has been a part of human history for such a long time.

What do you pay special attention to when teaching? 
I try to pay attention to what each student needs at each stage of their development, constantly reflecting on the input that would best benefit their growth. It is important that the student is able to hear and reflect on their playing in order to develop. Some questions I work with in lessons include: are we guided by our instruments or by our creative imagination while making music? Are we able to produce what we imagine on our instruments?

How do you structure your music lessons?
The structure is flexible depending on your personal goals. Your music lessons will look different as you move between preparing concerts, competitions or auditions. We can also focus on improving your technique or diving into learning repertory. 

What's your approach with kids?
Learning through play. Playing is such an important way to learn, even for adults. We try to make it fun but also educational, by exploring the instrument in all its sounds and shapes.

What has been your greatest experience as a musician so far?
During my time in Helsinki, Finland, I was working one Christmas season for the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. We were performing Puccini’s La Boheme, an opera set in Paris during that magical time of year. I love opera and ballet music and this work in particular is one of my favorites from among the great Italian operas. Despite doing many performances, I never got tired of the music and I remember feeling very grateful after each show.

What was the biggest stage you played on?
KKL Luzern Concert Hall

Which musician would you like to play?
Janine Jansen. She has such a rich, colorful way of playing, and the energy she brings to the stage is very inspiring.

What one record would you take to the desert island?
That would have to be Gli Incogniti’s collection of Corelli’s Concerti Grossi. This album from 2013 is one that I have continuously come back to throughout the years. The introspective harmonies of Corelli together with the ensemble’s attentive playing makes a very touching performance. The fact that the album is a live recording makes it even more impressive.

What stage would you most like to play on?
I love playing in the orchestra pit of a theater (the lowered area in front of the stage). The focus somehow shifts from the musician to the music, and the story telling takes center stage.  

What else is important in your life besides music?
I love being in nature, hiking in the mountains, as well as sharing meals with friends and family.