my background and approach
As a self-taught music writer and editor who grew up without extensive exposure to music writing or live shows in Ukraine, I managed to establish myself as a writer and editor through Borshch magazine and other publications when I moved to Berlin in my 20ies. While established music journalism centers on the UK and US where it's a recognized profession within a developed music industry, access remains limited for non-native English speakers and writers from other regions. Though many independent groups create valuable self-organized media, there's still crucial knowledge missing from these spaces.
My background in teaching (BA) and linguistics (MA) shapes how I approach teaching within niche fields like music writing and artist communication - through structured knowledge exchange and clear communication. Making complex experimental music accessible through non-academic writing and personal reflections on culture and human interactions became my focus. While English enables global conversation about music, the field needs perspectives from non-native speakers to capture cultural nuances that might otherwise go unnoticed.
workshops for writers
I develop workshops focused on demystifying music writing for those without traditional industry backgrounds. These have been held at Module Exchange (Kyiv), European Lab (Lyon, Brussels), Unsound Festival (Krakow), and NoShade and Diaci (Tbilisi). These workshops aimed to provide the opportunity for participants to publish their work on network media platforms. My educational work extends through cultural initiatives like SheSpace Tbilisi, TIES, and Standard Deviation label, where I organize workshops focused on knowledge exchange and real-time feedback.
Building on this work, I'm creating a comprehensive toolkit - including recorded masterclasses and interviews with established writers - designed specifically for those who, like me, found their way through intuition and persistence rather than early exposure to underground culture.
inclusive dj education with NoShade
Additionally, as part of NoShade collective, I collaborate with Carmel Köster to hold DJ workshops for young adults and teenagers with mental disabilities. Our work expanded to partner with Pastor Braune Haus in Berlin, where we provided DJ training and performed together at major events: the Special Olympics ceremonies (2022-2023), German Grundgesetz day at Bundestag, and the 35th anniversary of the Berlin Wall's fall in 2024. These performances took place at the Olympic Stadium, Brandenburger Tor, and Stadion An der Alten Försterei. Working with Body positivity advocate Andra Wöllert (So Extra Berlin), we created a hype crew and produced team outfits, bridging Berlin's club culture with communities who often have limited access to such spaces. This initiative won the Tag der Clubkultur 2024 prize and has deepened our understanding of meaningful inclusivity while creating engaging experiences for all participants.