About The Band
Holdvilág was started in 2017 by Gábor Balázsi and Melinda McCarthy. Playing Traditional Csángó folk music from East of the Carpathian mountains. Full of hear and soul, they often play at different events and “Tanc Haz” (traditional dance parties where traditional dances are taught and shared) for the Hungarian community. They were later joined by Péter Horváth in 2020 and then by Jacquelyn Duran in 2022. and have since also played at the Hungarian Artisan Market in New Brunswick as well as the annual Hungarian Festival there.
We continue to grow and strive to bring this beautiful music to the greater community.
Gábor Balázsi – Furulya, Kaval, Voice
Gábor plays the furulya (Shepherd’s Flute) and the Kaval and is an experienced folk dancer. Gábor has honed his skills by learning from greats such as András Hódorog from Moldva and has visited Moldva on multiple occasions. Gábor is originally a native of Transylvania, Romania.
Languages: English, Hungarian, Romanian
Melinda McCarthy – Koboz
Melinda is an accomplished musician in her own right, having played the upright bass since 2003 and the koboz since 2008. Over the years, she has played with bands such as Vardos, Palinka, Fényes, Szikra and Életfa. She has also played in Australia, Europe and the USA and studied with various master musicians in Hungary and Romania.
Languages: English, Hungarian
Peter Horvath – Violin and Kaval
Péter started playing the accordion at ten and the violin at nineteen. He has played with bands such as Vadkelet (Toronto) and Csángó Unchained and joined in events with Feketeföld and the Gyanta Ensemble. He also has several years of classical music experience with the Resa’s Pieces Orchestra. Over the years, Peter has performed in Canada and the United States.
Languages: English, Hungarian, French, Spanish
Jacquelyn Duran – Accordion
Jacquelyn started playing accordion as a child but switched to piano. Then a few years ago, after meeting her wonderful husband her love of the accordion was re-kindled and she now brings this to the band. She is also a singer and lover of Broadway musicals.
Languages: English, Spanish
Bence Kalan – Tapan, Violin, Viola
New York born, Bence is a first generation American-Hungarian and initially started playing the violin and viola at early ages with his father (György Kalán), who is also a viola player. Recently moving to New Jersey after discovering the beauty and richness of actively playing Hungarian folk music, he has now expanded his musical endeavors, joining the Holdvilág ensemble, on Tapan drum. Bence is an active part of the Hungarian community in New York City and New Jersey.
Languages: English, Hungarian
Holdvilag, are available to throughout the North East region of the United States as well as Central and Eastern Canada.
If you would like to learn more about the band, its members or to book a gig, please contact us by filling out the form below.
