Meet Can Sarac | Pianist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Can Sarac and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Can, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
For me the balance is a key aspect to success. When people talk about work life balance, it is mostly for regular jobs that more often than not people don’t like, and the balance is a valid excuse to get away from it. When it is about art, it is not considered to be an issue because you are an artist and you love what you do, so if you spend 18 hours a day on your art it is ok or even lauded. I think it is not ok. You need the balance even more so in art because your art is being nurtured by the social interactions, environment, observations, etc., and if it’s being nurtured only by your inner self because you are at it almost constantly and don’t have time for all the engagements above, then the chances are you will burn yourself up or deliver a lesser version of your best. I realized this to be the case only a couple of years back, and I adopted a more fluid work schedule to fully benefit from what is basically “life” rather than being detached from it. Maybe it works better for others the other way around but not for me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a classical pianist and it is not easy to describe what sets me apart from others when everyone plays basically the same pieces. I guess it must be how one person makes the audience feel differently than the other performer with the same piece, same notes, same instrument. It is difficult to explain because I am the performer and not the audience but I can feel the engagement with the audience when I play. I tell them my version of a story within a musical piece, we all enter the story and live it together, and I hope they like it. What I am most proud about are the best performances I gave where the audience was fully in the story and they loved it; and what I am most excited about is the prospect of being a concert pianist and performing in the best venues. I am 15 years old and have been playing piano for almost 10 years. It’s been that many years of constant practice, lessons, masterclasses, etc. and it will go on for many more years. So, no, it wasn’t easy but then it never is, is it? I guess starting at an early age sort of help me adopt to the regimen because I didn’t know any other way. As I grew up, my music grew with me and I started to understand better which turned all the lessons and practices into more fun and excitement rather than chores.
I am quite young to have learned many life lessons but I can say that the work pays off, and it is never for nothing. I don’t just mean about practice. It is everything from how you present yourself, your social interactions, your manners, your cultural growth,the discipline, learning new languages, studying, reading a book, etc. It builds up and you set yourself up to succeed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly, I couldn’t say. I spent my time mostly in the SMU campus while attending the Cliburn Junior, and didn’t have the opportunity to visit the rest of the city. I’ve been to the Six Flags which was a lot of fun, and also attended a party at the Nasher Sculpture Center which was really impressive. I’ve also visited the North Park Center, the Bachman Lake Library, and of course, the beautiful Meyerson Symphony Center for the final concert of Cliburn Junior. I hope I can come to Dallas again and someone can tell me all the best places to visit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Definitely my parents; they go above and beyond to provide me with the best possible life.

Website: can-sarac.com

Instagram: cansarac__

Twitter: @CanSaracPianist

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