Get to know what it’s like being a first year at ANAM with Ronan Apcar. Ronan is a pianist and composer who is joining ANAM this year under the tutelage of Timothy Young. Ronan chats with us about his first day at ANAM, finding the creative community and his trusty banh mi spot!
Ronan Apcar (ACT)
How did you find the first day of term?
It was a gentle day, which I think was just what I needed. The weather was beautiful so I really enjoyed walking around the spaces and orientating myself as well as meeting other ANAM musicians. My favourite thing about meeting the cohort (and anyone for that matter) is finding out where everyone is from and where they've lived.
What made you want to study at ANAM? When did you realise you wanted to join ANAM?
When I was in Canberra, I got to play and work with so many different musicians and artists- especially through the Canberra International Music Festival for the last couple of years. A lot of the people I talked with had spent time at ANAM, and it was usually these musicians who were doing the more interesting and adventurous projects, but at a really high level. This put ANAM on my radar.
I visited Melbourne for a gig last year and thought I would check out ANAM whilst I was here and met with Tim Young, who is now my piano teacher. I was interested enough to chuck in an audition and to my surprise, now I'm here writing my answers to your questions!
Did you enjoy the Meet the Artist activity? How important to you is connecting with a creative community?
My Meet the Artist was focused on improvisation in a kind of theatresports way. I was so into it because I'll take any opportunity to be silly and have a good time and it was actually a good way to break the ice with a fair few of the other musicians. Connecting with each other in that way is important when we're making music together because it can be a really emotionally vulnerable experience. But I always want to extend my connections beyond musicians to all types of creatives, whether they are an improviser, dancer, or painter. I think we can really learn a lot from other disciplines in their approach to expression. Plus, I wish I was also a dancer, so I'll take any opportunity to work with one and live vicariously through them.
Have you met your teacher yet. What has that been like?
I've had my first class and lesson with Tim Young and that's been both great and energising. Tim has a good energy about him and I feel pretty at ease in his classes/lessons so that's a great start. Plus, I used to be a gymnast and he has a very physiological (if that's the right word!) approach to technique and playing so we seem to find mutual interest there, and I really appreciate that. The main thing I'm trying to focus on this year is having the most sustainable technique and it seems like that's Tim's crux - so I'm feeling lucky at the moment.
Have you found any good food/ drink spots near ANAM yet? Any recommendations?
To be honest, Melbourne is overwhelming on that front. I haven't even processed my local shops let alone what's around ANAM, but last week I was told about a banh mi shop on Victoria St which was yum. But even walking towards Collingwood there's like a million places to eat or drink and I would love to try them all. But when it all gets too much and I can't decide, I now know the banh mi place on Victoria St will be there for me.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I'm kind of excited to just have anything and everything thrown at me. I have plenty of ideas for projects and repertoire I'd like to sink my teeth into but I'm hoping for ANAM to throw some curveballs at me- anything that I usually wouldn't do or experience. I'm keen to do some hard work this year but my number one priority, no matter where I am, is to always have a good time!
Photo by Pia Johnson