Meet Gulia Gurevich

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gulia Gurevich a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Gulia, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

When you’re the only one in the room who looks like you, it can feel harder to imagine your own path. When no one shares your background or experience, it’s easy to wonder where you fit or how to move forward. I’ve definitely felt that and there are times when it feels easier to just blend in—to change how you talk, dress, or carry yourself to fit the vibe of the room. I’ve thought a lot about that lately and it actually inspired me to create my Blindfolded Concerts—a project that removes visual bias so people can connect purely sound and other senses. It became my way of turning something personal into something creative and meaningful.

What helps me most is reminding myself why I’m there. I think about my purpose—what I bring, what I love, and why my voice matters. That usually grounds me and keeps me focused on the music and the people, not on whether I “fit” perfectly.

I’ve also been really lucky to have friends and colleagues who see me for who I am and value my work, even if our backgrounds are totally different. Having that support system makes all the difference—it reminds me that connection doesn’t always come from similarity, but from respect and shared passion.

And honestly, I’ve learned that being different can be a real strength. It gives me a fresh perspective and helps me connect with others in ways I might not have otherwise. Lately, I’ve been using that difference to bring more awareness to music from Uzbekistan—I’ve been performing, recording, and talking about it wherever I can. Sharing that part of my culture feels empowering, and it opens doors for others to experience something new.

At the end of the day, I really believe that you belong in every room you walk into—not because you look like everyone else, but because your presence changes and expands the space just by you being there. Every time I show up as authentically myself, it makes that room a little bigger for the next person who walks in.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I grew up in Uzbekistan, where music was everywhere, in the streets, in family gatherings, and in the rhythm of daily life. Growing up, I was surrounded by the sounds of traditional Uzbek melodies, yet most of my formal training was in Western classical music. For a long time, I didn’t fully realize how deeply those two worlds were connected inside me.

As I got older and began performing internationally, I started feeling a strong pull to bring the music of my roots to the stage. There’s something about Uzbek music, the raw emotion, the ornamented phrasing, the rhythmic drive that speaks directly to the heart. It tells stories of longing, celebration, and resilience in a language that doesn’t need translation.

When I perform Uzbek pieces now, I feel like I’m sharing part of my identity. It’s important to me to be a spokesperson for this repertoire, to make sure it’s heard and understood as an essential voice within the broader world of classical music. There are so many layers of culture, history, and emotion woven into these sounds, and I want audiences to feel that connection, to see how universal the language of music truly is.

For me, performing Uzbek music isn’t just about honoring where I come from; it’s about creating space for others to recognize themselves in it too.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I think the qualities and skills that have shaped my journey the most are curiosity, resilience, dedication to deep connection and to my roots. Curiosity pushed me to continue discovering within both Western classical music and the traditional music of Uzbekistan, even when it wasn’t obvious how they fit together. Resilience helped me navigate the challenges of studying and performing far from home, and later of sharing a repertoire that isn’t widely known on international stages. And above all, staying connected to my cultural roots gave me a unique voice — something that audiences could truly recognize as authentic.

If I could give advice to anyone starting out, I’d say: follow what genuinely moves you, and don’t be afraid to explore the spaces between what you’re taught and what you feel. Develop your technical skills, yes, but also develop your ears, your curiosity, and your emotional honesty. Take the time to understand where your music comes from, whether that’s your culture, your experiences, or your personal journey. That authenticity is what will make your playing resonate. And remember: it’s okay to take risks — the moments that scare you the most are often the ones that help you grow the most.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

When I was 16, my parents made the incredible decision to let me leave home and come to the United States to study music at Interlochen Arts Academy. It was a huge leap for me, for them, for all of us. I was excited, nervous, and hopeful, but I had no idea how much this life changing event would demand.

What I hadn’t anticipated were the unforeseen circumstances that kept us apart. For ten years, I couldn’t see my family. It was heartbreaking at times, and the distance taught me lessons I couldn’t have learned any other way , about resilience, independence, and the power of love that stretches across oceans.

Looking back, I’m deeply grateful for their courage and cannot imagine the sacrifice they had made. Their decision gave me the space to grow as a musician and as a person. And even though those ten years were long and challenging, they shaped me into someone who values connection, heritage, and the music that carries the stories…

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @guliagurevich

Image Credits

Photography: James DePietro
Makeup&Hair:Julia Vasilkovskaya
Hair Color: Alexandra Zortea