As of 1 September 2015, Iñaki Sandoval has been working as Director of the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy. He met the Academy people for the first time some years ago at a conference in Italy. Later, Iñaki came to visit Viljandi and teach Estonian students. When he was invited to join the Academy’s music department, the director’s position also became vacant. Burning with enthusiasm and abundant ideas, he applied. The rest is history.
Before joining the Academy in Viljandi, Iñaki Sandoval worked at the Liceu Conservatory in Barcelona as head of the jazz department and dean of master’s studies. And last but not least in this brief introduction: Sandoval is one of the leading jazz pianists of the Spanish music scene, as witnessed by his numerous concerts and albums. On 14 January he will perform at the Tartu Jazz Club.
What follows is a sharp and visionary Twitter interview with Iñaki Sandoval on the present and future of the Viljandi Culture Academy, its students, studies, arts, and management. Enjoy!
@TartuUniversity Very exiting time! Lots of learning and adapting
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity People has welcomed me very warmly, I feel already like home
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity And I love Viljandi! 🙂
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity No regrets at all, I am very happy and positive about the upcoming future for the academy
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity Viljandi is a very special place, unique. You can feel the energy. I love people in here and Tartu
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@inakisandoval And what has been the most challenging during these 100+ days for you so far?
— University of Tartu (@TartuUniversity) December 16, 2015
University of Tartu Twitter interview right now! @TartuUniversity @inakisandoval
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity Making changes is always a very delicate matter, specially when dealing with people
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity But we need these changes in order to accommodate to the new challenges and to position Viljandi as a leader
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity You need to gain people trust gradually, by doing things
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity Well, we are re-organizing to be internally strong in administration, so we can support academics better
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity We must give to our students the best support. Students are always in the center of all decisions
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity We are also working to open the academy internationally
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity To improve our communication tasks
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity We want our students to get real training while they are still at university. When you graduate it is to late…
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity They will create and run their own companies, and deal with real education/cultural/business situations
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity Teachers will lead the process as mentors
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity We will integrate this practices in the development of the region, and Estonia, to be active members of our community
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity I want to involve all public and private sectors to collaborate with the academy
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity Yes! This is just an example. I have my own company (@bebynerecords) and I can use this experience with the students
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity But every department will develop their own projects
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@inakisandoval Your great idea about students – musicians, dancers, actors – doing common, real projects – any steps in this direction?
— University of Tartu (@TartuUniversity) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity One example, and this is a secret: our students are preparing the musical “Fame”. I will perform a small role in the play:)
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity It integrates dancers, actors, musicians, managers… Energy multiplies plus xxxxxx!
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity Our students are fantastic! Very creative. They have always this attitude to learn and develop projects. I love them!
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity Of course! We do all the time. Yesterday I performed with my student jazz ensemble
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity Music, and arts in general, is about sharing emotions and energy, and the best way is to interact with all
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity There are very different cultures and environments, but in essence, it is the same, very similar goals
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity I think we have the right elements to develop Viljandi as a reference in the educational and culture sector in Europe
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity But we are still not. Academy has been mainly locally oriented, but now there is a new situation facing new challenges
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity Absolutely. Creative research is developing and soon should match scientific standards, same quality and influence
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity I like to do both, they give me a nice balance and perspective. I like to keep active. Inspiration comes from both 🙂
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity A nice melody
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity In progress… 🙂
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity Getting used to it, trying my best
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity I perform regularly, and practice when I can T.aching also keeps you in good shape
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
@inakisandoval We’ll be waiting for your & your students’ performances in Tartu! Dear Inaki, thank you so much for this inspiring interview!
— University of Tartu (@TartuUniversity) December 16, 2015
@TartuUniversity Everybody is invited to join us at the Jazzklubi! Jan 14
— Iñaki Sandoval (@inakisandoval) December 16, 2015
Read also the interview with Iñaki Sandoval by UT Magazine in Estonian.
Inga Külmoja is an author and the editor of the UT Blog.
“Our BASQUE Director”, says the headline. Surprising the decision from
Inga Külmoja, to call Basque somebody who was born in Navarra, whose
mother tongue is Spanish and who has a family name of Spanish origin.
Hi Anno Nimus – thanks for your comment. This was not my decision in any way. Mr. Sandoval has called himself Basque in another interview; he grew up in Pamplona.