Biography
I am a violinist and enthusiastic teacher, originally from the Czech Republic and now based in London. Much as I hated practising as a child, I loved playing the violin from an early age, and I grew to realise that practise is as much a part of being a violinist as performing!
Since then, I have been fortunate to enjoy a versatile and intensive musical education, studying at Brno Conservatoire, and later at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts with Miloš Vacek. I first came to London on the Erasmus exchange programme and studied at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with the leader of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Pieter Schoeman. I then continued at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) in London, where I completed a master’s degree, studying with Sophie Langdon. Here, I was awarded the RAM Margot MacGibbon Award and scholarship of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic. Both London and the Royal Academy have been wonderful homes to me.
As an emerging soloist and chamber musician, opportunities have come my way to take part in numerous masterclasses including with György Pauk at the Wigmore Hall, Tasmin Little, and Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay, leader of the Philharmonia Orchestra. I have performed in prestigious venues under the baton of world class conductors such as Sir Mark Elder, Semyon Bychkov, Yan Pascal Tortelier and Christian Thielemann, and I have attended many international courses led by prominent musicians in the UK, Austria and in the Czech Republic, which has been a real privilege.
Dedicated to the art of tuition, I am a teaching assistant at the Junior Royal Academy of Music in the First Strings Experience programme, teach privately and, currently, also for the Brent Music Service. Teaching is an enriching part of my musical life: it has given me great pleasure to pass on my experience and knowledge to students on the summer course Stringwise, in various workshops for schools, and for the BBC Proms and National Orchestra for All.
I love the challenges that playing throws at me, whether technically, musically or intellectually. I keep pushing on in order to respond to these challenges, and to test myself at the highest levels. So, while solid Czech repertoire keeps me connected to my roots and I am a passionate advocate for the music of my homeland, an enthusiasm to explore new musical horizons, both for myself and for my students, is very important to me.
EDUCATION
Royal Academy of Music
London, UK
Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts
Brno, Czech Republic
Conservatoire of Brno
Brno, Czech Republic
QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS
What do you do with your time when you’re not playing music?
When I am not playing or teaching, I love spending time with my family and friends. I do believe that personal contact and presence is sometimes the biggest gift you can give to people. I love visiting art galleries and museums, of which London has a lot to offer. My two favourites are the National Gallery and the Courtauld Gallery. I also love nature and strolls in parks and in forests. I enjoy cooking, which is something creative and spontaneous, as well as reading, travelling and swimming.
What’s on your playlist right now?
Being a classical musician, I of course love listening to classical music, but in its great richness I still have so many pieces to discover. Recently, I have explored an amazing work by Gerald Finzi called Dies Natalis. But there are times (especially after many hours of practise), when I want to listen to something completely different, to relax and to refresh my mind. I like various kinds of music: Norah Jones, Coldplay, U2, Phil Collins, Benny Goodman and Frank Sinatra among many others.