- Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance – University of North Texas – Denton, TX – 2014
- Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy (BA degree incorporated) – Franz Liszt Academy of Music – Budapest, Hungary – 1996
My musical journey began at the age of 6 when my parents enrolled me in our local music school. However, I started a few years earlier with singing songs and plunking out various tunes on the piano while inventing a second voice for my left hand.
My path led me through various institutions, including the Special Talents Class at the Preparatory School of the Franz Liszt Music Academy (Budapest), the Béla Bartók High School for Music, Tanglewood Music Center (Lenox, MA), the Franz Liszt Music Academy and later the University of North Texas.
Performing solo repertoire has always been complemented with extensive collaboration throughout my musical endeavors. This experience has not only exposed me to a wide variety of repertoire but also taught me about the team and ensemble aspect of music. Stage presence has become my second nature and my performing activities took me to various places across Europe and North America, and enabled me to meet and work with many wonderful musicians.
Highlights of my musical journey include the 2nd prize at the Hungarian State Orchestra Mozart Piano Competition, the Hungarian premier of Ch. V. Alkan's Grand Sonata (Op. 33), numerous solo and collaborative recitals that have been broadcast live through Hungarian Radio, performing piano concertos with numerous orchestras, as well as earning scholarships at Boston University Tanglewood Institute and the University of North Texas. Moments of this journey have given me the privilege and joy of performing on additional keyboard instruments including the harpsichord, fortepiano and the organ.
It is impossible to give a full account of people who have shaped me as a pianist and as a human being, but the following definitely stand out by the wisdom they have imparted into my life either through weekly lessons or their invaluable masterclasses:
Ms. Ilona Erdélyi, Dr. Zsuzsa Esztó, Dr. László Baranyay, Prof. Jenő Jandó, Dr. Pamela Mia Paul, Prof. György Sebők, Prof. Péter Frankl, Prof. Peter Serkin, Prof. Leon Fleisher, Dr. Alan L. Smith, Prof. Christoph Hammer, Dr. Pál Beharka and Dr. Albert L. Travis.
The greatest manner of showing my gratitude towards all who have guided my steps throughout my journey is to invest in the future of music by sharing with the new generation all that I have learned. Doing so, in fact, is a new level of learning for myself as well, as continuous exchange keeps knowledge fresh and alive. I am extremely appreciative that I have had the opportunity to do my work in various contexts and positions including the following:
- Faculty member at the Music Department of the ELTE University (Budapest)
- Staff pianist at the Franz Liszt Music Academy
- Teaching Fellowship at University of North Texas
- Staff pianist at the American Institute of Musical Studies (Graz, Austria)
I continue to enjoy my collaborative and solo recital work alongside my busy teaching schedule. My desire is to serve the community by spreading the joy of music and shaping the musical aspirations of today’s young people, guiding them through their journey to excellence.
In my spare time I love reading, my favorites are biographies and science books. I am a big fan of aviation and railroad transportation. Additionally, I enjoy the process of music creation through composition. At home, I enjoy cultivating our little garden and visiting nature's spectacular sights with my wife, Julia.