Today’s spotlight shines on a uniquely talented singer-songwriter. Ada Pasternak joined us to chat about her musical upbringing, her current music, and how she interweaves all of her passion projects into the fabric of her life. Keep reading to learn more about her incredible story.

“I was born in Moscow. We immigrated to New York City when I was little, and my parents are both musicians, so they put my brother and I in music classes when we were little people,” began Pasternak. The songstress grew up as a classical violinist and a child prodigy. She spent most of her childhood surrounded by music, mostly classical music, and improving at her craft.

“I grew up a classical violinist. I was a child prodigy, and that was my whole life. That’s what I thought I would do forever, be a classical soloist,” she shared, reminiscing about her upbringing. “I played classical music so often as a kid that when I listened to music it was really just whatever was on the radio like Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, that kind of stuff. Other than that, I practiced four to six hours a day, and my whole childhood was in classical music. […] My parents would also be playing music at home.”

Unfortunately at the peak of her career, Pasternak became unable to play her instrument. “I developed severe tendonitis, and over use syndrome, so I couldn’t play violin anymore. That was really difficult physically and emotionally of course to have to give up what you worked so hard for.” However, her path would go to unfold in a different way.

The Turning Point:

Eventually Pasternak decided to apply to college at the Berklee College of Music in Boston to pursue a new dream. “I applied for a music therapy program at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and you needed to audition with an instrument and I hadn’t played the violin in three years. So I picked up the violin, prepared a piece, and my dad drove me to Boston, and accompanied me on the piano while I auditioned. I ended up getting a full scholarship, such a miracle because we were really poor.”

While at Berklee, Pasternak’s world opened up, as she was exposed to musicians from all over the world, playing all different genres of music.“Berklee completely opened by eyes and changed my life. It’s where I started playing Jazz and improvising, and playing country, and signing and writing songs,” she shared, adding, “Berklee is such a melting pot. There is so many types of musicians from all over the world. There is any musical genre you can think of.”

While attending school, the songstress would jam with bluegrass musicians and dabble in different genres, ultimately learning new languages through music. It was during this time in her life too that she unofficially became a songwriter. “I kind of just starting exploring these other genres without ever thinking I would become a songwriter or a singer, but it was after my first break-up with my first college boyfriend that I started writing songs,” shared Pasternak.

The singer made the move to Nashville to continue to hone her musical talent just. few months ago. Since then she has immersed herself into the country music fabric, and the songwriting that comes with it.  “Writing has just been my therapy and I hope it can provide some music therapy to others, and it’s funny because I originally applied to Berklee to be a music therapist and I became a songwriter, in a way is music therapy.”

Today:

Flash forward to today, Pasternak has her feet firmly planted in Nashville. She is a multi-faceted artist, author, songwriter, and advocate for mental health. Her music is healing and honest, something that fans are sure to gravitate towards. While all of the singer’s previous releases have merit, most recently her songs “One Way Ticket” and “Rosé” showcase her undeniable talent.

“One Way Ticket” is an autobiographical song that encapsulates Pasternak’s journey in Nashville. “I just had to release this one. I had to finish writing it when I came up with the chorus. It was too good and too honest not to. Basically I bought a one way ticket to Nashville from LA, just a few months ago. […] It was a really hot outside, and I thought it would be nice to get a trim, and at this point, my hair was really long, like it’s been my whole life, so I asked if they had an appointment. […] I sat down and I said you know what, chop it all off. I’m starting over,” she shared.

She ended up sans ten inches of hair and with a new found inspiration for life. “I felt like a different person after. I felt a lot lighter, I felt excited for the new chapter here in Nashville, I felt really sexy and alive. It was something I’ll never forget getting that hair cut. So I went back to my friend’s house where I was staying, picked up his guitar which was tuned in a really weird, unusual way, and came up with that chorus. It just came out of me, and I took it to my producer, and we finished the song.”

Songs like this are sure to be at the forefront of Pasternak’s upcoming project. She is currently working on a concept album that is sure to impress fans. “It’s going to be a lot of break-up songs. […] Then there are going to be songs about me getting stronger and becoming free again. I’m really excited to finish that album and share it with the world.”

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