Katalin Kokas

Katalin Kokas (born 22 November 1978 in Pécs) is a Hungarian violinist and violist. Kokas has performed with orchestras including the Israel Chamber Orchestra, Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra and Taiwan Philharmonic. She has studied at the Conservatory of Toronto and graduated with honors from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. She married the Hungarian violinist Barnabás Kelemen, and now has four children.

Early life Her father Ferenc Kokas, was the director of the Liszt Ferenc Music School of Kaposvár for several decades. Her mother Ágnes Farkas de Boldogfa, a cello teacher, hailed from the Hungarian noble family Farkas de Boldogfa from the Zala county. Her maternal grandparents were György Farkas de Boldogfa (1924–1988), was a physical education associate professor, president of the Baranya County Gymnastics Association, textbook writer, and Ágnes Dulánszky de Doliánszk.

Kokas began studying violin in Kaposvár with Béla Gyánó when she was five years old. She continued her studies with György Papp in Pécs and later at the Franz Liszt Music Academy in Budapest where, at the age of 11, she was taught by Ferenc Halász and Dénes Kovács. She received a full scholarship to study at the Conservatory of Toronto with Lóránd Fenyves when she was 16. She returned to Budapest, graduating with honours from the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest.

She also plays a 1863 Luigi Fabris viola.