Biography

Laura Varga was born in Szeged, Hungary. She started her musical education in Szeged and received her performing artist and teacher degree at the Liszt Music Academy location at the University of Debrecen, as a student of István Matuz in 2000. During her studies, Ms. Varga earned numerous national awards and prizes and also received First Prize at the International Flute Competition at Timisoara, Romania in 1998.

Laura Varga began her professional musical career with the Salieri Chamber Orchestra and then with the Orchestra of the Szeged National Theater under the guidance of conductor Tamás Pál. While with The Szeged National Theater orchestra, she played in many of Europe's famous Theatres and venues as well as performing on numerous commercial CD recordings.

In 2000, Ms. Varga became the Principal Flutist of the China Philharmonic Orchestra. During her years with this orchestra, she played not only throughout China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shengzhen) but internationally, in concert halls from the United States to Taiwan. While with the China Philharmonic she performed with well-known artists like Placido Domingo, Klaus Weise, Yu Long, Donald Portnoy, and Krisztof Pendereczky to name a few, giving her valuable experience on the international stage. The Orchestra has also made a CD with Deutsche Grammophone and numerous Television performances.

In 2002, Ms. Varga was invited to return to her hometown in Hungary to teach at the University of Szeged - Faculty of Music (Now Béla Bartók Faculty of Arts). She was appointed professor in 2020 and since 2016 is Head of the woodwind department.

She earned her Doctorate degree in 2007 and gained hability in 2019 at The Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest.

As a frequent solo performer, Ms. Varga also plays with different chamber music groups. Her repertoire ranges from baroque to contemporary music. Amongst the numerous events, she attends every year she plays at the Spring Festival and Autumn Cultural Festival of the University of Szeged, the István Vántus Contemporary Music Festival, the Summer Music Academy, and the Alma Mater Classic Concerts. Her performances are often broadcast on Hungarian television.

In 2014, together with Lívia Vizsolyi (bassoonist) and György Klebniczki (pianist) she formed the Trio called Szeged Classic Trio and recorded their first album as the result of their wide repertoire and long list of live performances. Since then, they have also participated in the recording of the album of composer György Klebniczki (Lavender, 2016). Her solo albums were released in 2016 and 2017. Following these the second cd of the Trio came out in 2018 and the 3rd one in 2023.

Her chamber music partner is Zsuzsanna Csaszar pianist with whom they gave concerts not only in Hungary but in Norway, Spain, and Italy.

As well as a frequent international performer, Dr. Laura Varga is a dedicated teacher. All her students who have graduated from the University of Szeged - Béla Bartók Faculty of Arts have continued on with their musical careers. Her master courses were held in Italy (Bolzano, Palermo, Roma, Naples), Romania (Timisoara), Spain (Malaga), Norway (Oslo), USA (Albany, New York), China (Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou), and several times in Hungary.

In 2008 and in 2023, Laura Varga received Artisjus Prize for the high-level interpretation of contemporary music. In 2014 she earned the Town of Szeged Prize as a Performing Artist and the Acknowledgement of the Rector of the University of Szeged. In 2017 she received Kölcsey Prize on the Day of Hungarian Culture.