By Natasha Barbieri
Arina Domski is a pioneer of classical crossover music in her native country of Ukraine.
“I started to practice music when I was 8. It was children’s choir and I was the soloist in it. Later there was even a short period when I was teacher in it,” Arina tells us of how she began her career. “Being a member of the children’s choir I was traveling all over the world and participating in different contests and festivals. I was singing varied music, starting with the church liturgy and ending with the folk and modern music.”
Arina’s education continued at Gliere were she graduated with a degree in voice. “At that time I started to take part in different song contests.” She performed different kinds of music and she searched to find the genre that felt like home. To earn an income she worked as a backup vocalist at recording studies and also performed pop music in nightclubs.
A defining moment in her career came when Arina received a CD of Sarah Brightman. “It was then that I realized that this genre is very close and interesting to me. It perfectly combines classical and pop music.” Unlike her colleagues, Arina had no desire to pursue the operatic stage. “I always dreamt of creating something my own but at the same time, I wanted it to be connected with classical music. I wanted to break stereotypes, go beyond the borders of the genre.”
Once Arina discovered her passion for classical crossover music it took time to build a team that understood her vision and could help take her to the next level. “Analyzing this genre, I have understood that there are not much singers in the world who make their music like Brightman. Most of them simply copy what their colleagues did and they actually become copies of them.” Being a mere copy never appealed Arina. “My aim is to become a true performer of this genre.”
One of the ways Arina seeks to make her own unique product is by creating a unique image. “The more me in the musical product… the better I feel it and share it with the audience. I design all my costumes by myself. Of course, I get help from designers who help me to bring my ideas to life. But I come to them with my own ideas, that’s why I am so harmonious with my looks. The same happens with musical material, photo sessions, and videos.”
She shares some of the behind-the-scenes secrets from her “Ti Amero” video.
“We shot this video in winter 2012 in Crimea (Ukraine) at – 15 C… It was very cold which made the shooting process more difficult. The whole shooting took 3 days. The first day our cameraman fell with the camera into the water, he was totally soaked but he didn’t let the camera out of his hands. Because of the severe cold, we also had problems with the technical equipment.” Unbelievably no one got sick from the experience. “All the team was so taken with the process that we all were working like one.”
Arina has reworked songs like “Un Bel Di” from Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. She describes her process: “Ideas come to my head, my inner state guides me to the right musical state. I am in a constant search for something new.”
Arina does not believe in separating her artistic self from her regular persona. “If I do not perform, I still do my job. My ordinary day starts with sports as physical training is very important for good mood and feeling. I believe that an artist must always be in good shape. Apart from the body, an artist also needs to train vocal cords.” She loves to read and has a collection of books about art. Arina also enjoys going to the theater and movies.
Charity is another important aspect of her career. “Every year on the 14th of June, at the World’s Donor Day, I conduct my social campaign ‘Give blood to the country’. I am proud to be a blood donor, there is a huge lack of donors blood in Ukraine, especially today, when thousands of people get injured because of the war in Ukraine, and I believe that every healthy person can help others by becoming a donor.”
Arina has recorded an album but rather than release it all at once we can expect to see singles. “The album is ready. However, it’s more interesting for me to release singles with the video instead. This spring I will present my fans a new single and a new video to it.”
Visit www.arinadomski.com to learn more about Arina Domski.
