Letter in support of the Global Talent visa application

of Alexandra Chernousova

2/6/2023

My name is Maria Semushkina, I am a leading cultural entrepreneur, promoter and owner of CultLab based
in London. Our company was founded in 2021, it is an arts laboratory, where talented young vocalists, musi-
cians, poets can improve their skills. We also hold music and poetry evenings in London and other places
around the world. We worked with such musicians as Black Eyes Peas, Azealia Banks, The Cinematic Or-
chestra, Michael Kiwanuka, Jamie Cullum, Robert Glasper, Nino Katamadze, Branford Marsalis, Deschanel
Gordon and many more.
Back when I used to live in Russia, in the early 2000s, I worked with the French Embassy, curated the Center
of French journalism in Moscow, managed the French film festival. In 2004, I launched Usadba Jazz, which
quickly became the biggest Russian jazz open air festival.

On the 27th August 2021, I had the pleasure of seeing Alexandra Chernousova live at Kozlov Jazz Club in
Moscow. She performed some of her original songs, which sounded like something I had never heard before
in Russia. Alexandra truly has a unique voice, and the amount of control she has over it is breathtaking. I
know a talent when I see one, as I have been in the music industry for a while now. Since then, I have been
listening to her music, and I can say I am really impressed with her lyrics in English and also her pronuncia-
tion. I am willing to help her achieve her dreams here in London, connect her with new talented musicians. I
have also been informed that Alexandra is working with McNasty, who is a well-known music producer and
drummer from London. They recorded an album with talented musicians who played with Amy Whine-
house, Chaka Khan, Ledisi, George Michael, Robert Glasper and Phil Collins and many more. Communicat-
ing with musicians of such magnitude can help evolve Alexandra’s music and perfect her sound.

Our company is ready to help her organise concerts, promote her music, and hopefully get Alexandra a
record deal. We are hoping to start as soon as possible in order to not lose time and let the world hear her
original pieces.

We have so much faith in Alexandra, as her music will be a great fit for UK listeners. She will have many
more resources and opportunities to develop her music here. We believe she is going to a sensation if we
help her be heard. I can guarantee her talent will attract a lot of people here in the UK.

If you need more information on Alexandra, feel free to contact me anytime.

Yours truly,
Maria Semushkina

2/6/2023