Today we’d like to introduce you to Petra Persolja Platinum Pianist.
Hi Petra Persolja, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Sempeter pri Gorici, a small Slovenian town where my love for the piano started at age six after much begging- no, my parents actually didn’t start me or force me to. After two years my parents bought me a Petrof piano from Italy, and the rest was hours of practicing, music school, and a childhood shaped by Mozart and Chopin and my mom joking that she’d sell the piano if I slacked off.
While studying at the University of Ljubljana and working at the National Slovenian radio station, I joined the Northern Lights Music Festival in Minnesota, where Professor Veda Zuponcic offered me the opportunity to continue my studies in the U.S. That moment changed everything. I completed my degrees between Slovenia and New Jersey, earned a full scholarship to study in Hawaii (where I learned to surf between practicing Rachmaninoff and Busoni), and then moved to California to complete my Doctorate in Piano Performance at UCSB.
During my doctoral years, I discovered how much I loved performing for private events, intimate, elegant places where people connected to the music in real time. After getting married and welcoming my daughter, I transitioned from classical music to building The Platinum Pianist, a luxury event-based business that allows me to create personalized musical experiences for weddings, special occasions and corporate events.
Today, I perform at prestigious venues across California and beyond. From Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach and Fairmont Grand to the Bellagio in Las Vegas and most recently the Kennedy Center. It’s been a long journey, but every step has led me exactly where I am: blending artistry, elegance, and emotion into moments people never forget.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth? Not exactly! More like a scenic route with a few steep hills.
Moving from Slovenia to the U.S. was both exciting and overwhelming. As an international student, I couldn’t take out loans, so I survived almost entirely on scholarships, assistantships, and a very creative budget. At one point I lived on $11,000 a year assistantship, worked for the University all day, attended graduate classes, practiced late into the night, and attended every free campus event that offered food. It was grit, not glamour.
There were also the emotional challenges: being thousands of miles from home, missing family milestones, and navigating a new culture while trying to prove myself in highly competitive programs. Each relocation, East Coast, Hawaii, California, meant starting over from zero.
Professionally, the biggest challenge was realizing that classical performance alone wasn’t sustainable for the life I wanted once my husband and I welcomed our daughter. Shifting from academia to entrepreneurship felt like stepping off a cliff while building a parachute. I had to learn contracts, branding, pricing, and I am still learning how to run a business without losing the soul of my artistry.
But every struggle shaped me. The discipline from my classical training, the resilience from studying abroad, and the courage it took to rebuild multiple times all became the foundation for The Platinum Pianist. Looking back, the road wasn’t smooth, but it was absolutely worth every twist, turn, and unexpected detour.
We’ve been impressed with Platinum Pianist, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I run The Platinum Pianist, a luxury live-music experience for corporate events, private celebrations, and weddings. I’m known for taking a song, (pop, rock, EDM) and transforming it into an elegant, cinematic piano arrangement that feels tailored to the moment. I pride myself with a polished presentation, bringing a concert-quality setup (yes, including a piano shell that looks like a real grand).
What sets me apart is the combination of classical training and personalization. With a Doctorate in Piano Performance, I can curate a soundtrack that reflects each client’s style and story. I love transforming songs into a refined, cinematic piano arrangement that fits the elegance of the event. Couples often tell me, “I didn’t know that song could sound like this,” and to me, that’s the magic.
In short: I don’t just play background music. I create atmosphere. I help elevate an event into an experience people remember.
What’s next?
I think this year alone brought enough changes to last for a while! I’m in an exciting season where my business is growing, and I am looking for ways how to grow my artistry: memorize songs, make my own arrangements, and maybe bring my new Cyber G to the next event to gain mobility.
In the near future, I’m focusing on expanding The Platinum Pianist across more high-end corporate markets while continuing to serve luxury weddings and private events throughout California. I’m also working on building relationships with planners, venues, and brands that align with my style and vision.
On a personal level, I’m excited to find a better balance between motherhood, music, and entrepreneurship, and to continue shaping a business that allows me to create meaningful, memorable moments while still coming home to my family each night.
No dramatic “big changes,” just intentional growth, elevated experiences, and plenty of beautiful music ahead.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.platinumpianist.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/platinumpianist
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/platinum-pianist-carlsbad-4
- Other: https://share.google/eofTeD8rxwtMVYkpR
Image Credits
Maria Aleksander Media
Aria Ak
Sherr Weddings
