Sonya Belaya is a pianist and a singer bred by the traditions of the Russian school. Her roots are planted in these memories-playing piano during overflowing dinners, and singing Soviet bard songs around family campfires. Her love of song is audible in her patterns of speech. You’ll hear her voice carry in its distinct presence. She speaks through art based in vulnerability and emotional transparency. She finds this vulnerability in free improvisation, writing songs, and in creating unapologetic experiences that say, “I feel with you.” Her focus as an artist is to use vulnerability and personal emotional inventory for social change. By openly exploring trauma, depression, loss and grief in a vulnerable way, she creates space for others to be comfortable with self-reflection and deep empathy. Building community and connectivity in this way allows for more personal emotional inventory that leads to a greater understanding of happiness and suffering. Empathy and vulnerability are where we solve social issues, and create a sense of understanding across boundaries.
