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

Hi Petra, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I expressed the desire to play piano when I was only 6 years old. At the time finding or affording a piano was extremely hard due to the independence war that Yugoslavia was going through. But my parents made my dream possible. After being invited to study in US on a scholarship I continued my studies all the way until the Doctor of Musical Arts title in 2021. That is also the year I became a mom. After a short break to enjoy the time with my new family I decided to change the general path of becoming a full-time piano teacher. i was eager to showcase everything I have learned throughout my life-long dedication to performance! I finally had the chance to pursue my love for bringing happiness to people between the weddings, private parties and corporate events. The performances keep growing in numbers, level and audiences. Nowadays I am the owner of my own business Platinum Pianist, where I take care of all the aspects of a small business; some less exciting, and the most exciting- performing curated and customized music for my clients.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m a wedding and private event pianist based in Southern California, performing under the name Platinum Pianist. I specialize in creating unforgettable atmospheres for my clients’ most meaningful moments, with a process that’s smooth, personal, and stress-free. My training allows me to sight-read almost anything. Rather than offering a limited playlist of standard songs, I collaborate closely with each client to craft a customized musical experience that reflects their unique style, memories, and vision.

2025 has been an amazing year so far! Besides fulfilling our family’s dream to move to SoCal, I was nominated as the finalist for California Wedding Day best Live Music, Top 10 Event Specialist by City & Beach Lifestyle, I was the Winner of Tokyo Golden Classical Music Award and now I get to share my story of passion and perseverance with your readers!

My advice to anyone who is starting on their journey to fulfill their calling is: “Be true to yourself!” It takes lot of courage and grit to find your own path and to stick out from the crowd. But instead of searching for excuses why you can’t, start to solve problems one at a time. Some days you win and some days you learn hard lessons; on the latter ones rely on consistency and standards, and surround yourself with people who believe in you.

As I build my brand, Platinum Pianist, I’m reminded of the importance of enjoying the process over the outcome. As Alan Watts said: “The journey matters more than the destination.” He urged us to see life not as a race to the end, but as music — something to be enjoyed while it’s being played. Too often, we chase the next milestone: school, career, marriage, success — always waiting for the moment. But Watts warned that many people reach the end of their lives only to realize they missed the point. Life isn’t about arriving somewhere. It’s about being fully present. No one goes to a concert just to hear the final note. The beauty is in the performance itself. And that’s how I view both music and life — as something to be experienced, not completed.

So wherever you are on your journey, don’t rush. Don’t wait. Dance while the music plays!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am immensely thankful to my parents who started me in piano lessons when I first asked at a very young age. They supported my decision thought my entire life, even when it was hard for them to understand why I would leave the comfort of my home country Slovenia and move to another continent to fulfill this dream. I could not be pursuing this dream if it was not with the love, trust and support of my husband. And I would also like to thank everyone in this wonderful new community ( we just moved from the Bay Area) who welcomed me with opened arms, introduced me to others in the event and wedding industry and to everyone who is cheering for me on each successful step on this path!

Website: https://www.platinumpianist.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/platinumpianist

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@platinumpianist

Image Credits
Photo credit by Jack Ma at OverPower Production
The Vanity Portrait Studio
JCO Artistry Photography

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