For professor Cecilia Zilliacus creating an open and safe atmosphere is key
Zilliacus begun her post as professor of violin music at the SIbelius Academy in August 2023.
Having her roots in Finland, the new Sibelius Academy violin professor, Cecilia Zilliacus, found it quite natural to apply for a position at Uniarts Helsinki.
“The Finnish music education system has always been something that I admired. As a teacher in Sweden, I have had quite a few Finnish students, and they always seem to know a lot, and they have a special attitude – there’s something unique here. I also needed something new in my life,” she explains.
Changing the perspective on “perfection”
In musical professions, everyone often strives for perfection. Zilliacus has noticed that at least in Sweden, the concept of “perfect” is not always positive; it is often interpreted as something associated with pressure and harming one’s self-esteem.
“I want to change the meaning of the word. To me, perfection is something to strive for in the best sense of the word, and it can be used for our benefit. I think perfection can be achieved when music and technique come together; there is not one without the other. This is something we must remind ourselves of every day.”
Students need time to develop into the artists they are meant to be
As a teacher, Zilliacus aims to be constructive in a positive way.
“I want to be able to provide criticism in a way that builds the student’s confidence. I want them to be independent and understand that they are responsible for their own music. I’ll help them in any way I can, but the sooner they realise that it’s their job to do the work and discover the secrets themselves, the better they will become – and they will be the artists they are meant to be on their own.”
Music students need to be technically proficient, able to read music quickly, play in tune, and collaborate with other musicians. But Zilliacus emphasises that to succeed as a music professional, the first and most important thing is the urge, the will to make music.
“Chamber music, especially, teaches you a lot: you learn not only instrumental skills but also social skills, which I think are extremely important. You need to be able to navigate in different social environments. You should learn to both lead and follow – and combine these two.”
Other skills Zilliacus mentions are being able to market your skills, apply for funding for your own projects, and understand social media.
“To consider all of this in the curriculum is a delicate balance, because at the same time, you have to maintain artistic quality. The students need time to develop their skills as musicians. That’s what I expect to be better at the Sibelius Academy than in some other places.”
“I want to treat every student individually”
In her classes, Zilliacus follows a “master class-like” concept where everyone plays together, including a pianist. Combined with individual lessons, she has found this to be a constructive way of teaching. Creating an open and safe atmosphere is key.
“It’s very important to create an atmosphere where the students can feel at home, ready to take risks and try new things. I believe that they should also learn how to express their ideas and thoughts about themselves and their music. In our society, this seems to have become more important.”
Zilliacus has used the ideas of Liz Lermann’s Critical Response Process method in her classes to achieve this kind of ambiance. It involves giving each student their “star moment” in an explicit way. A coach talks to the student before they play, asking what they want to explore or achieve with their performance. Then they play, and afterwards, the listeners can provide positive feedback, focusing on what struck them as great. The student can also ask questions or discuss what they had shared with the coach before playing. If the method is fully implemented, the listeners can ask the student for their opinion on what they just did. The student also has the option to decline receiving these opinions.
“This has proven to be very fruitful! Maybe the students carry this atmosphere from the classroom onto the performance stage, as well. I hope they gain a sense of security and assurance that the audience is on their side and that they can keep that feeling with them when they perform: that it is their moment.”
Violinist Cecilia Zilliacus was appointed professor of violin music at the Sibelius Academy inSpring 2023. She begun in this post in August 2023.