Profile of Iveta Hlavenkova
Playing the violin has been part of Iveta Hlavenkova's life since she was 6 years old. Although Iveta now lives in Leeds, she spent her early years in the Czech Republic, where her violin teachers inspired her to an ever-increasing love of playing the violin and of listening to violin music - and ultimately to becoming a violin teacher herself.
The memory of her early violin teachers and the legacy they have left inspires Iveta in her own teaching, where she aims to inspire her violin pupils in the same way.
Iveta's musical activities
Iveta's roots in the Czech Republic -the land of Dvorak, Smetana, Janacek, Martinu - have given her a love not only of classical music but also of national folk music. Initially centred on the traditional music of her homeland, Iveta's travels to the USA broadened her repertoire to encompass American country music.
Having now made her home as a violin teacher in Leeds, Iveta Hlavenkova has added English folk music and Celtic fiddle music to her musical activities. Many of her students also enjoy playing folk and fiddle music, and are enthusiastic members of Iveta's Leeds Folk Fiddle Group.
In 2011 Iveta formed a folk band, Czechmates, who play at ceilidhs and other folk events. The wide variety of instruments played includes fiddle/violin.
In 2018, Iveta formed a new instrumental duo called The FolkStrings where she plays the lead fiddle alongside of her musical partner, a guitarist Frank Jones. The duo performs at local charity events, festivals, folk clubs and supports local farmers markets. They are also available for private functions. Their repertoire is a unique blend of folk, Klezmer, Eastern European and traditional Irish melodies with some energetic upbeat tunes that will make everyone tap their foot. For more information about The FolkStrings follow https://www.facebook.com/TheFolkStrings
Iveta also teaches playing the violin at the Leeds Violin School, which she founded in 2018. From beginners to advanced, she nurtues all levels of ability. Helping pupils to pass their exams with a high degree of success.
