Victor Paukstelis was born in Vilnius, into a family of musicians. In 1989-2000 he studied at the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Art, and later at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, where he obtained the degree of the Licentiate of Arts. The artist also enriched his pianistic experience abroad: in 2007, he was a trainee at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, and in 2009-2013 studied at the École Normale de Musique de Paris Conservatoire. The pianist also won a scholarship to study at the
Cité Internationale des Arts, an international artists’ residence. Victor Paukstelis is seeking inspiration for his piano performances in different musical styles – whether it be vocal, antique, popular, contemporary, academic or jazz pieces. The chosen starting point also results in original interpretations of well-known works, each time illuminated with new colours. The French pianist, as well as former teacher of V. Paukstelis Jean-Marc Luisada, described him as a musician possessing delicate aristocratic perception and an adventurous spirit; such combination makes his music sound very intelligent, his technique – rich, but flexible, and his sound – expressive and multi-layered. Music critics in New York have also drawn attention to his unconventional approach to musical material: he treats it in a clear and transparent way, which is unusual in today’s world. In this way, the pianist turns into a direct messenger between composer and listener. The performer himself emphasizes the importance of naturalness, saying that while playing it is important to be here and now, without thinking about the consequences, concentrating and focusing on what you are doing: “The organic combination of all elements is important to me, as well as the ideas I want to reveal in my work”.