SOTA Tuesday Lunchtime Concert: Zoltan Kalman (Clarinet and Piano)

Zoltan Kalman was born in Hungary. He trained at the prestigious Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Clarinet Performance and Chamber Music in Budapest. After graduation, he spent a year as principal clarinet with the Hungarian State Orchestra under the baton of such luminaries as Sir George Solti and Leonard Bernstein. From 1983-1989, he served as principal clarinet with the Hungarian Opera House in Budapest, achieved second prize at the Prague International Clarinet Competition, and several awards with one of Hungary’s foremost woodwind quintets, Aquincum. He has had several solo and orchestra performances throughout Europe, including Austria, Belgium, France, England, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Since arriving in Canada in 1989, he has appeared as guest soloist with the Georgian Bay Symphony, Symphony Hamilton, Niagara Symphony, Cambridge Symphony, Etobicoke Symphony, Boris Brott Music Festival Orchestra, and the Gallery Players. Mr. Kalman is principal clarinettist with both the Niagara Symphony and Symphony on the Bay and maintains a busy schedule as a freelance clarinetist in Southern Ontario. In addition, he has taught Clarinet Performance Studies at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, is the current clarinet, saxophone and chamber music instructor at McMaster University in Hamilton, and is the conductor of the University Wind Ensemble at Brock University in St. Catharines, where he teaches the clarinet, saxophone and Woodwind Techniques Courses, as well.