Sydney International Piano Competition juror Mira Yevtich was born in Belgrade and started playing the piano when she was three years old. She holds Doctorates from the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, where she studied with Stanislav Neihaus and the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, where she studied with Boris Berlin. She has performed in France, Austria, England, Italy, Russia and Australia with internationally renowned conductors including Valery Gergiev, Evgeny Svetlanov, Alexander Anissimov and Yuri Bashmet. In addition to a prolific performance and recording schedule, Yevtich is passionately involved in the development and promotion of young musical talent. Yevtich is a co-founder of the Mariinsky International Piano Festival held in St Petersburg, Director of the Mariinsky Theatre, Valery Gergiev. The festival is held twice a year with performances from the world’s top pianists.

1. As a juror, what do you look for in a pianist taking part in a competition?
The spiritual development it is the most important for everyone – and I am looking forward to seeing in young performers the depth and constant spiritual development. But… every personality brings different ways both in life and in art.

2. Did you ever compete, yourself, and if so, what do you recall...