Dániel László Bolya

I was born in Budapest in 1979. Both sides of my family have musicians, and my parents loved folk music. I started studying folk music at the Óbuda Folk Music School under Sándor Balogh, with whom I've since collaborated on several projects. I joined the band Zurgó there, aiming to popularize Moldavian Csángó folk music.

Later, I worked with various folk ensembles, contributing to numerous CDs. One notable group is Kárpátia Folkműhely, focusing on Csángó and Balkan music as well as other Hungarian dialects. In 2002, the band received the Hungarian Radio’s eMeRTon award. I also joined Csürrentő, promoting Moldavian Csángó music in Hungary. Additionally, I explore Balkan and Hungarian lip whistle folk traditions through projects like Kárpátia Folkműhely, T’Rakija, and Somos. Since 2009, as a member of Heted7, I perform folk-based poetry adaptations. I regularly accompany the Debrecen Folk Ensemble in performances.

I graduated in 2009 from Nyíregyháza College, majoring in folk music education. In 2010, I received the prestigious “Young Master of Folk Art” award. Between 2011 and 2013, I completed my MA in folk wind instruments at the Liszt Academy of Music. Since 2006, I’ve taught in various music schools and currently teach at the Bartók-Pikéthy Secondary School and Music School in Vác. Together with my wife, I perform regularly at children’s programs, introducing Hungarian folk music to preschool and early school-age children. I also teach adult students through folk music courses, completing my pedagogical journey from early childhood to adulthood.

With my bands HORBA! and Bacsó és bandája, I experiment with orchestration of traditional Carpathian lip whistle instruments, aiming to present authentic sounds. I believe chamber music is essential in folk music education.

One of my main goals is to raise awareness and spread knowledge about this family of instruments. In 2017, I presented on this topic at the conference “Institution and Tradition – Challenges and Solutions in 21st Century Folk Music Education.” In 2018, I participated in an educational development EFOP project. Alongside performing, I work on creating effective teaching materials for folk lip whistle instruments, developing and crafting instruments as well.

Other professional activities

Publications:

  • FolkMagazin (2010), series on shepherd’s flute and teaching possibilities

  • “Promotion of the Shepherd’s Flute,” conference paper, 2017

Awards:

  • Hungarian Radio eMeRTon Award (2002, with Kárpátia Folkműhely)

  • Young Master of Folk Art (2010)

Discography (selected):

  • 2022 Ringató: Borsi Tales - Borsi the Healer

  • 2021 Ringató: Purple Book

  • 2021 HORBA! Band, including maxi release

  • 2016 Táncház - Folk Music 2016

  • 2016 Tárkányművek: Magyar konyha támad (collaborator)

  • 2011 Religious Film (music contributor)

  • 2011 Heted7: New Light

  • 2008 Csürrentő: DanceMusic

  • 2006 Csürrentő: Csángó Street

  • 2002 Mandache Aurél: Fiddle Dance Music from Moldavia (collaborator)

  • 1998 Kárpátia: Moldvahon I. Vásár

  • 1994 Zurgó: Moldavian Csángó Folk Music