Biography

Born in Russia, with Russian, Ukranian and Jewsih roots, Veronika Shoot moved to the UK at the age of five when her father Vladislav Shoot became the composer-in-residence at Dartington Hall.  At 7 years old she performed her first piano recital at the Dartington International Summer School music festival. Veronika studied with full scholarships at Yehudi Menuhin and Purcell Schools of Music, Royal Academy of Music and Royal Scottish conservatoire from which she graduated with distinction.

 

Veronika has broadcast on platforms such as BBC Spotlight News and BBC Radio 3.  With a wide-ranging repertoire of solo and chamber music, she has played in places including London´s Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, St John´s Smith Square, Purcell Room, Steinway Hall, BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts in Brussels, The Rachmaninov Hall in Moscow, Amsterdam Conservatoire, International Mozart Festival in Istanbul, Koblenz Gymnasium and L´Opera Gabriel at the Chateau de Versailles and others.

 

Veronika is dedicated to creating compelling and innovative programmes that enable a personal connection with the listener and the unique nature of a performance space. She highlights the connections between the music she chooses to play, particularly fascinated with the miniature forms, as illustrated by her solo album Journey Through Childhood; featuring an array of miniatures including famous masterpieces and unknown musical gems by Debussy, Schumann, Lyadov, Takemitsu, and Vladislav Shoot.

 

In 2019 she enjoyed putting together a compelling ‘Baroque to Rock’ programme integrating,  elements of classical, jazz and rock influences. 

 

Veronika grew up surrounded by nature, music and the arts is passionate about collaborating with instrumentalists, singers, writers, artists and actors. She has created a number of projects with visual artist and videographer Bobby Williams; exploring the landscape of light and darkness, through the music of some of today’s composers with commissions, live performances and visual storytelling. Veronika performs regularly with other musicians, and is co-formed the piano duet Duo Jardin Féerique.

 

Passionate about musical education and the importance of providing young people the opportunity to be exposed to music in a way that stimulates a personal connection, creativity, bold expression away from the accustomed classical concert stage, Veronika is dedicated teacher and has prepared her students for music college auditions, as well as harboured personal interest in improvising and developing ones unique skills and passions. She has devised a series of workshops combing art, music and storytelling which she delivers in a number of institutions. She has taught at Dartington International Summer School, London Russian Music Academy, and is currently Ambassador’ for SaMM music school, as well as her joint endeavour with her colleagues of the annual summer music course Philomel Music Academy, in which she is a faculty member.

 

Veronika was first introduced to Yoga by her father at the age of 5. Upon meeting Lord Yehudi Menuhin a year later, discovering his ethos and being invited to study at his school, she explored the practice further and integrated the practice and training in India. 

She is certified Yoga instructor, particularly enjoying sharing the benefits of her practice with musicians.