In My Blood – Shawn Mendes – Violinist Karolina Protsenko – Street Musician
Music is a language of emotion, a bridge that connects people across experiences, backgrounds, and even age. Few artists channel emotion with such raw vulnerability as Shawn Mendes in his hit song In My Blood. And few instrumentalists capture and translate that vulnerability as beautifully as Karolina Protsenko, the young street violinist whose expressive covers have captivated millions around the world. Her rendition of In My Blood is a powerful tribute to inner strength, emotional struggle, and the beauty of perseverance—told not through words, but through the soul-stirring voice of the violin.
The Original Song – Shawn Mendes and Emotional Truth
Released in 2018 as the lead single from his self-titled third studio album, In My Blood marked a turning point for Shawn Mendes. Known initially for romantic pop ballads, Mendes took a bold, honest step with this song, addressing mental health and anxiety head-on. The lyrics describe feelings of hopelessness, isolation, and fear—balanced by a fierce desire to keep going.
Lines like “Help me, it’s like the walls are caving in” and “It isn’t in my blood” resonate deeply with anyone who has faced personal struggles. Mendes’ vocals are raw, filled with pleading emotion, and supported by a gradually building instrumental arrangement that mirrors the emotional crescendo. The song became an anthem of courage—proof that acknowledging vulnerability is itself a form of strength.
Karolina Protsenko – A Young Violinist With a Powerful Voice
Karolina Protsenko is not your average violinist. Born in 2008 in Ukraine and raised in the U.S., she began playing the violin at age 6. By age 9, she was performing on the streets of Santa Monica, quickly capturing the hearts of passersby and online viewers with her passionate playing, radiant personality, and emotional depth.
What sets Karolina apart is her ability to take pop songs and reinterpret them in a way that feels entirely fresh and personal. Her violin becomes an emotional extension of herself. With no words, she conveys meaning, story, and soul. Her version of In My Blood is a testament to that ability.
The Street Performance – Music Meets Real Life
Many of Karolina’s performances take place in open-air locations—street corners, promenades, and public squares. It’s in these raw, unpredictable settings that her music shines most. The sounds of everyday life—footsteps, conversations, laughter—create a backdrop that makes the music feel all the more authentic.
When she plays In My Blood on the street, there’s a striking contrast between the bustling world around her and the emotional stillness she creates through her music. People stop. They listen. Some close their eyes, others record the moment on their phones, and many are visibly moved. Karolina’s violin doesn’t just echo Mendes’ message—it embodies it.
Capturing the Emotion of In My Blood
One of the most powerful aspects of In My Blood is its emotional journey—from despair to hope, from weakness to strength. Karolina masterfully reflects this in her performance. The piece starts quietly, with delicate phrasing that mimics Mendes’ vulnerable beginning. Her bow moves slowly, gently, as if each note is a breath taken through pain.
As the song progresses, she gradually increases intensity. Her movements become more energetic, the dynamics swell, and the violin “sings” louder, mirroring the original song’s defiant cry: “It isn’t in my blood!” The climactic moments are filled with a kind of triumph—as if she, too, is overcoming something as she plays.
Her control over phrasing, dynamics, and tempo allows her to tell this story purely through sound. It’s more than technique—it’s empathy in music.
Technical Brilliance and Musicality
From a technical perspective, Karolina demonstrates advanced control for a musician of any age, let alone someone so young. In In My Blood, she showcases:
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Emotive phrasing: Karolina understands when to hold back and when to push forward. Each musical phrase has an arc, a purpose.
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Vibrato and articulation: Her nuanced vibrato adds warmth and soul to sustained notes, while her articulation brings clarity to rhythmic passages.
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Dynamic range: She expertly moves between soft, introspective sections and passionate, louder climaxes—reflecting the song’s emotional highs and lows.
These elements aren’t just about showmanship. They serve the narrative, the emotion. She doesn’t just play the violin—she makes it speak.
The Violin as a Voice for Mental Health
The original version of In My Blood is a candid look into mental health struggles—topics often left unspoken. Karolina’s instrumental version opens the door for those who may not relate to lyrics but understand emotion. It becomes a safe space—a moment of shared vulnerability between performer and audience.
In this way, her music is more than entertainment. It’s healing. It encourages listeners to feel deeply, to recognize their own struggles, and to draw strength from the music. Karolina, unknowingly, becomes a messenger for hope.
Global Connection and Viral Reach
Karolina’s cover of In My Blood has reached millions online. Through YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, people from all walks of life discover her music and leave comments about how deeply they were touched.
Some share personal stories—of heartbreak, of grief, of overcoming depression. Others simply thank her for bringing light into their day. One of the most beautiful things about Karolina’s performances is how they foster connection. Her music creates community. It reminds people they’re not alone in what they’re feeling.
A Young Musician With a Timeless Impact
Though she’s still growing and evolving as an artist, Karolina Protsenko already embodies the best of what music can be: emotional, honest, and unifying. Her cover of In My Blood proves that you don’t need to be older or use words to understand pain or hope. Sometimes, the pure sound of a violin can say everything.
In a world often filled with noise, Karolina offers a moment of peace, of truth, of beauty. Her music reminds us that even when we feel like giving up, there is something within us that keeps us going. Something that tells us: It isn’t in my blood to give up.
Conclusion
Karolina Protsenko’s violin cover of In My Blood is not just a tribute to Shawn Mendes—it’s a deeply personal, soul-baring performance that captures the heart of the song and reimagines it through strings and silence. Performed as a street musician, surrounded by the rush of everyday life, she transforms a public space into a sanctuary of emotion.
Her music inspires. It consoles. It lifts. And in playing a song about fighting inner battles, Karolina gives strength to others—even without saying a word.
Don’t miss out on her latest stunning performance—watch the full video below and experience the magic for yourself! 👇👇