Yllka is a Kosovan-born classical pianist living in North London who lived through the war in Kosovo in 1999 and subsequently moved to England. She studied at the Royal College of Music and has performed world-wide. She has recently accepted to become one of only 1,600 recognised Steinway Artists. Yllka is also a keen runner and has run at a range of marathons globally, including the 2015 London marathon.

Having continued her piano practice unrelentingly throughout the Kosovo War, there is very little that could distract her from her goal to continually develop her skills. Yllka draws many parallels between her two pursuits, concluding that the mental state required whilst performing in a concert is very close to that of a long-distance run. Her level of concentration as well as her ability to play through her piano pieces in her mind as she runs, creates a meditative state that allows her to carry on even when her body is compelling her to stop.