Born August 16, 1969, in Dorog, Hungary

I began my musical journey at the age of seven, starting with piano lessons alongside solfège, music literature, and theory. In my teens, I expanded my focus to jazz piano while continuing classical training. During high school, I discovered instrumental Hungarian folk music, initially learning the hurdy-gurdy and later the viola. I graduated from Árpád Gymnasium in Óbuda in 1987.

I pursued higher education in classical music at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) Teacher Training College, specializing in singing, music, and conducting from 1988 to 1992. Later, I completed a complementary music teaching degree at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music between 2001 and 2003 with distinction. In 2018, I earned a summa cum laude PhD from the Liszt Academy Doctoral School with a dissertation titled “The Double Bass as an Accompanying Instrument in 20th Century Transylvanian String Folk Music.” Since then, I have served as a doctoral committee member and opponent in folk music doctoral procedures and have led the Doctoral Folk Music Program since February 2022. I also have an intermediate proficiency in English.

Teaching Experience

  • 1992–1998: Music and singing teacher at Novus Gymnasium, Ferencváros

  • 1997–2007: Lecturer in music theory, music history, and folk music for postgraduate children’s dance instructor training at ELTE Teacher Training College

  • 1997–2000: Folk music theory instructor at the Bratislava campus of the Hungarian Dance Academy

  • Since 2007: Faculty member of the Folk Music Department at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, teaching folk viola as a primary instrument, string chamber music, and pedagogy subjects. I am the head of the string specialization, appointed adjunct professor in 2010 and associate professor since 2019. I also organize and oversee most department concerts.

Beyond formal education, I have taught at numerous folk music workshops for over 30 years, including masterclasses and courses in Hungary, Transylvania, Slovakia, Vojvodina, Australia, and the United States.

I am a jury member of the FolkBeats Hungarian folk and world music talent competition since 2010, and served as a mentor for finalist bands on the televised Fölszállott a Páva talent show in 2012 and 2014. Over the past 15 years, I have given nearly 80 lectures on folk music theory, showcasing traditional folk heritage from regional collections.

Ensemble Activity

In 1986, I co-founded the Tükrös folk music ensemble with Attila Halmos. Over 33 years, we released seven albums, toured extensively across Europe, Australia, and North America, and collaborated with multiple folk dance groups. Our 2008 album A mi Mezőségünk won the Fonogram Award for Best Authentic Folk Album. We have performed in prestigious venues including the Liszt Academy, the Palace of Arts, and the House of Music in Budapest.

From 1993 to 2012, I was a musician and later music director of the Budapest Dance Ensemble and its successor, the Honvéd Dance Theatre, touring Europe, Japan, China, North America, and Mexico. I contributed to numerous choreographies and full-length productions.

In 1993, together with István Papp "Gázsa" and others, we formed the Gázsa band, releasing six albums. I worked both as a musician and musical director. The band provides accompaniment for various folk dance ensembles and contributes to stage and film music.

For 25 years, I have played in a trio with tárogató player László Kiss and bassist András Lelkes, performing Hungarian folk and contemporary folk-based compositions, producing seven albums to date.

Creative Work & Stage Productions

I have contributed to numerous dance productions, concerts, and gala events with ensembles such as the Budapest Dance Ensemble, Honvéd Dance Theatre, Gázsa Band, and Tükrös, including major folk festivals and commemorations.

Professional Activities, Research & Organization

Since 1986, I have conducted extensive folk music fieldwork, primarily in Transylvania and Szabolcs-Szatmár, Hungary. I was a key contributor to the “Last Hour” folk music collecting project at Fonó Music House (1997–2001), cataloging and archiving over 1200 recordings. I co-edit the Új Pátria folk music series and publish articles in Folkmagazin.

I regularly host folk music programs on Bartók Radio and Dankó Radio and have been involved in organizing the folk music program of the National Folk Dance Festival since 1998. I have also curated numerous concert series and gala events celebrating traditional music and dance.

Since the founding of the House of Traditions (Hagyományok Háza), I have participated as an external instructor, editor, and jury member. From 2013 to 2022, I served in leadership roles in the Folklore Documentation Library and Archive, working to increase and make accessible the collection of audio and visual folk heritage materials. Since January 2023, I lead the Folk Music Department at the House of Traditions.

Selected Discography (Partial)

  • Tükrös Zenekar – Hungarian Folk Music (1997, Fonó Records)

  • Gázsa – Transylvanian Folk Music (1998)

  • Kiss Gy. László – Listen to the Tárogató (1999)

  • Tükrös Zenekar – Folk Music from Szatmár, early 1900s (2000)

  • Gázsa Band – Music and Dances from the Carpathians (2005)

  • Tükrös Zenekar – Our Mezőség (2008, Fonó Records)

  • Gázsa Band – Rhythm Addiction (2008)