Managing your career as a classical musician needs confidence and a special skillset, especially as a young musician. To help with a confident career path and making dream projects a reality, Sonus Foundation offers two mentoring programs in the FOCUS on You project: FOCUS on Your Next Career Move and FOCUS on Your Dream Project. We had the privilege of talking with some of the graduates of the last issue of the programs.
– How did your journeys with music start? Where have you studied so far?
Cseperke Donáczi: You could probably say that my connection with music started even before I was born through my parents, who were folk dancers, because I experienced their performances and the accompanying music from the womb. Music was constantly playing at home, ranging from folk to rock music, and my parents say that I used to sit on the stairs and listen to Kodály’s cello compositions on vinyl, played by Miklós Perényi. At the age of 5, I took up the cello, although I didn’t originally plan on becoming a musician. However, after a few years of music school, there was no question about where to go next; first I attended the Béla Bartók Secondary School of Music, then the Franz Liszt Academy of Music.
Hilma Wikström: I grew up in a musical home with a mother who is a voice teacher, and from a very young age I was fascinated by classical music – especially vocal music. At home we had a vinyl record with an operatic baritone singing both gospel and Swedish folk songs, and if I was fussy my mother used to put it on to calm me down. It usually would go on repeat because I wanted to listen again and again. I then started singing in a choir as a child, and later on, I began taking piano and singing lessons. When it was time for high school, I got into a school that specializes in classical music (one of the few in Sweden), and it sort of went on from there.
Dalma Sarnyai: I don’t remember a time when music didn’t surround me. I started ballet during my kindergarten years, began solfège at seven, and a year later, I started learning the flute. I began my studies at the music school in Sopron, my hometown. At 15, I went to Vienna, first to a private conservatory, then to a preparatory course at the University of music and performing arts Vienna, where I graduated in 2023 with a degree in concert flute performance. I also attended preparatory courses at the Mainz School of Music.
– How did you hear about the FOCUS on You mentoring programs? What made you decide to join the program?
HW: I saw a post about the program on social media (Facebook, if I remember correctly) and thought it seemed interesting. After reading a bit more, I signed up for an introductory meeting, during which we received some additional information, which convinced me to join. The topics offered in this program were things I wanted to (and definitely needed to) learn much more about. The business part of being a musician/singer is so important, but unfortunately, it is often overlooked in the curriculum at universities. I felt that there was a big gap in my knowledge that could be helped by this program.
CSD: I heard about the program several times during my university studies, but I didn’t really consider myself the “workshop type”. When Eszter Bodnár, the creator and mentor of the program approached me personally after my graduation, I started thinking about it, since within the framework of the classes, art management is only discussed in the last year at our university. I knew that I still had shortcomings in this field, so I was happy to join the program.
DS: I also heard about the program through social media. At this stage of my career, as a recent graduate and freelance artist, I felt it would be beneficial to receive feedback to ensure that the steps I envisioned were authentic to my artistry, and relevant in today’s international music market.
– What were you working on during the mentoring program?
CSD: During my studies, it has become clear that for me, chamber music is the way. I had the opportunity to work with a number of different people in different ensembles, which gave me a clear idea of what I am looking for when it comes to forming my own ensemble. About two years ago, I found the most excellent partners in Maryia Trepashka and Olivér Kepes, with whom we now have a piano trio called Trio Opus One. It is my dream project (hence my participation in the FOCUS on Your Dream Project program), because by working with them, I experience both the serious side of the work and the joy of making music. This creates a really nice balance for me within this profession. During the program, Eszter guided me in the next necessary steps to take in order to help me realize this project’s full potential.
HW: At the FOCUS on Your Next Career Move program, we covered several big topics during the program, which were all relevant and important. For me personally, the most important and beneficial was the topic of personal branding, as this idea was somewhat new to me. Another important part for me was the topic of sales and funding, where I was introduced to new ideas and knowledge that will be very useful in my future career.
DS: I was also part of the FOCUS on Your Next Career Move program, where I mostly focused on defining myself as an artist as precisely and in detail, as possible.
– What were your experiences with the mentoring programs?
CSD: We’ve talked about a lot of things that I’ve heard over the years and known that they are/will be important, but I just didn’t know how to approach them. There are also many things that I wouldn’t have even thought about as being important or being an option when it comes to classical music. After exploring and learning about these, I feel that I have a key in my hands, and if I use it correctly, I will be able to benefit from it.
HW: I found the program very helpful. It is well thought through, well executed and gives the participants many practical tools to use in addition to the information provided. We were in a small group, which made it easier to discuss everyone’s individual work, questions, and progress. I liked that we were all a little different: different ages, from different countries, with different styles and musical “preferences” – that contributed to the discussions with interesting new perspectives.
DS: It was also very interesting to realize that often the simplest questions are the hardest to answer. For example, who would have thought that the question “who are you as an artist?” would be so challenging?
– What are your plans for the future?
DS: I believe that throughout one’s life and at certain stages, it is good to rediscover oneself and ask, which direction to take next. At this point, I see myself as a creative artist for the coming years. I want to realize my own ideas, and I am very interested in artistic research: developing these ideas and establishing myself. This is currently what I am focusing on in my life.
CSD: I will start a one-year training program on stress management and burnout prevention in the performing arts at the Hungarian Dance University. As I see, it is, unfortunately, something that many people need, and in my experience, it is difficult to maintain one’s mental health without having some kind of awareness about these issues. I am also busy preparing for concerts – both with my trio and in other ensembles. I am also occupied with pursuing my options for further education.
HW: To continue singing as much as possible! I have some exciting projects coming up and am also preparing for auditions and competitions. I have received many new useful tools from the program, so I plan on using those in different areas, and I am confident it will help me in creating more opportunities and aid in realizing project ideas.
– Would you recommend the FOCUS on You programs to other musicians?
HW: Yes, definitely! It is very well-planned and covers essential topics. In addition, the one-on-one coaching sessions give you the opportunity to dive deeper into specific questions or thoughts that you may have.
CSD: I think it can definitely be a great help to get help regarding self-management in a program like this. Naturally, the FOCUS on Your Dream Project program is also the right place for people who simply want to realize a good project.
DS: I wholeheartedly recommend the program to all musicians. During the program, we not only gain structural knowledge related to the profession, but we also receive questions and tasks that help us reflect on ourselves.
Application for the next groups of the programs, starting in October, is open! Visit our website for more information about the topics and methods of the two mentoring programs, along with stories by previous participants. We also offer two free exciting mini-workshops in October: ‘Build Your Future in Classical Music: Career Strategies’ and ‘Make It Happen: Bringing Your Dream Project to Life’.
