Tempo: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Fatima Al Hashemi: I am 24 years old and was born in Abu Dhabi. I have one sister and two brothers and I am the eldest.
T: At what age did you discover your talent in music? Where your parents supportive of your decision to learn music?
F: I was enrolled in music school very early on in my life so that I would explore my talent. Initially, I began playing the accordion and I often took it home to practice. Eventually my parents and other family members noticed my flare for performance and my grasp of musical notes. They have since tried to support me in all that I do.
T: Tell us a little about the discipline involved in excelling as a professional pianist. What is your daily schedule like?
F: At the beginning, I was studying with a private teacher, Mr. Sultan Al Khateeb. He mentored me during those initial years. After that I decided to take it to the next level and enrolled in the International Music Institute for two years and currently I am nearing the completion of the last level (grade 8), hoping to get a diploma from UK. I also take musical training lessons from Mr. Martin Hrsel through the music center in Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development. My participation in the first UAE International Chopin Competition 2010 bagged me the second prize and a plane ticket along with a 2-day hotel accommodation enabling me to take part in the competition in Kuwait (First Gulf International Chopin Competition) where I got the best Emirati pianist prize and distinction award. I must say, with these awards and all the accolade, I feel that my practicing has really paid off.
T: How do you cope up with the pressure of studies and training lessons?
F: I am studying in the UAE University. My major is Architectural Engineering. Trust me, it takes a lot of work to keep on top my game in both these areas of my life. The whole week, I stay in my hostel in Al Ain, keep practicing both music and try and maintain good grades. While on weekends, I return back to Abu Dhabi, so I am never out of touch with my music. Infact, in the break time between my classes, I often practice my training lesson pieces.
T: What do you like to do in your free time? Do you have other music related hobbies?
F: Playing piano is at the top of my list, always! (Laughs) I also enjoy drawing and painting. My sister and my brother love playing the piano too!
T: Do you wish to play any other musical instruments?
F: I want to play the violin masterfully and I even took some violin courses in the university but I prefer to play piano.
T: Who is your favorite pianist of our time and why?
F: Well, there are many excellent pianists in our time and each of them has a special mannerism which influences their performance and adds that special magic to it.
T: If you could play with them one day, which symphony would you chose and why?
F: I would like to play Chopin’s piano concerto no.1 with a professional orchestra one day, but my dream is to be a conductor of such an orchestra.
T: How was it like performing for the Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 in front of all those dignitaries?
F: It was my pleasure to play in the Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 but it was not my first performance in front of large audiences. I have performed in many concerts in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.
T: Many youngsters today find it hard to juggle studies and musical training. What would be your advice to them?
F: If you love something enough, you always find time for it. It should never become too difficult to maintain a love for music.
