My Story

1995

After a successful entrance exam, I embarked on my professional musical education/training in Bartok Bela Conservatory. During my time at the Conservatory, I directly negotiated with the Director of the Hungarian State Opera House to obtain a position where I was responsible for displaying subtitles to the audience. The Director was my fathers' superior, and my father was completely unaware of my plan. When my father came home later that day, I told him about my new work. My father was shocked and surprised that his 13 year old son was able to successfully obtain a job contract from his superior.

 

2000

I had always identified more closely with the sound of the viola as I felt it matched my soul and personality closely. As a result, I made transferred to viola upon commencing my studies at the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music.

 

During my time at the at Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music, I met Janos Horvath, a violinist. He had studied at the Moscow Music Academy during the Golden Age where David Oistrakh were teaching. Janos taught me various techniques, musical interpretations and so much more that I had never heard of previously. Through the years, he had evolved into an irreplaceable existence - a mentor and a very good friend.

 

There, I also acquainted wonderful Japanese students, who I later formed a string quartet with. I was fascinated by their approach to music and how they value respect and harmony with each other. Soon after, I had the opportunity to perform with the orchestra at the Saga International Music Festival in Japan. This was my first time visiting the country. Japan and its people left a lasting impression on my imagination and thinking. My curiosity for Japan and its' culture started to grow from this point onwards.

 

 

2005

The most fortunate happening in my entire life to date - I met my future wife, Tomoko Iimura, who was studying at the same University in the Faculty of Piano. We married four years later, in Szentendre, Hunagry. We felt strangely alike from the first time we met. We would talk of music non-stop. Since then, she has grown into my biggest support and motivator who share an unbreakable bond.

 

Upon graduating the Academy in Budapest, I decided to pursue further studies and traveled to Neuchatel, Switzerland to study under Mr. Zoltan Toth, Ravel quartet's violist. Here, I spent three years, spending every day, from morning till late at night practicing non-stop.

 

2008

With the help of Tomoko, I reached out to world-renown violist, Nobuko Imai, who was teaching at Geneva Conservatory at the time. I was under tremendous pressure at her entrance exam as she has talented students from all over the globe. In my three years at Geneve, under the first-class musician, Nobuko Imai. I travelled to many countries to attend Master Classes and met many amazing performers along the way. To this day, I think that these three years were rich in experiences. I had the opportunity to meet many outstanding musicians such as Prof. Janos Starker, Tatiana Mazurenko, Paul Coker, Bela Siki.

 

Prof. Gábor Takács-Nagy was my Chamber Music Professor during my time at Geneve. He had a great influence on my development - as a musician, and as a person. He did not permit a single note to be played without emotion and meaning. I was very fortunate to have spent countless hours, indulging in private conversations with a special musician like Gábor. His every word and teachings are deeply ingrained in me to this day. I am thankful for our continued friendship and the deep bond we share to present.

 

2012-2014

I heard of an opportunity to teach at a new musical school that will be created in Sharjah, UAE. Thinking it would be a fantastic way to build Western Classical Music Culture in the Middle East, I stepped foot onto Sharjah excitedly. There, I immersed myself in a culture far from anything I had experienced, met many kind and passionate individuals and gained many new experiences. The children I met in the Middle East were strong and blessed with talent. Families who have gone through many hardships from the ongoing battles in their home country… Though it was only two years, my time in the Middle East was very valuable.

 

2014-2021

I began teaching violin and viola at a small music school in Calgary. One year later, I took up a teaching position at Mount Royal University where I was fortunate to have many talented students bursting with individuality. These students have become good friends of mine.

 

In Canada, we were blessed with two lovely children. It was a miraculous moment filled with happiness. Having children changed our lives drastically. A life centered in music was suddenly revolving around the children instead. The children allowed me to feel many emotions and experience many things I had never imagined. Even now, the children continue to enrich my life and open up my world. These experiences are what shaped me into who I am today, and have even affected the sound of my viola.

 

On my 40th birthday, my wife made my long-time dream of 'Living in Japan' come true. We have recently started a new chapter, here in Japan. I am constantly reminded of what an amazing country Japan is. I am eager to apply all my knowledge and experiences acquired to this day to teach violin and viola in Japan.