Joshua Kovac
Joshua Kovác grew up in a musical family, surrounded by music, so it’s no surprise that he’s chosen to follow in their footsteps.
“My parents are both professional musicians, and they would often take my sister and me to concerts. Very early on, I started developing an interest in the low instruments. It wasn’t long before I asked my parents to let me play the double bass. I was only 4 years old at the time and playing such a big instrument was unrealistic. After months of begging, they decided to get me started on the cello,” he says.
Joshua’s first teacher was Jean Dexter. He is now a dual credit student at East Tennessee State University and is involved in the music program. He is the principal cellist of the ETSU Symphony Orchestra.
“I have performed for several ETSU events. I love having these opportunities, as it helps me to grow as a musician and provides time to be around students who are pursuing music careers,” he says.
Joshua also competes and wins the opportunity to perform with professional groups.
“I have participated in many competitions since a young age. A preparation for a competition always motivates me to work towards a certain goal. This year, I was honored to receive first prize at the Bristol Music Club Audition with the Paramount Chamber Players Award. I also won the Grand Prize at the Nashville Symphony Curb Concerto Competition in March. As the winner, I received a cash prize and performed the first movement of Dvorák’s cello concerto as a soloist with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra in May.
“To play in the beautiful Schemmerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville with such an incredible orchestra was an experience I will never forget,” Joshua says.
He also auditioned and was accepted into the Cello Masterclasses in Kronberg, Germany. He received a second prize at the MTNA National String Junior Competition. He performed in Boston, Massachusetts, on NPR’s “From the Top” and received their $10,000 Jack Kent Cooke music scholarship award. He won the Elizabeth Harper Vaughn Concerto Competition and will perform Dvorák’s Cello Concerto with the Symphony of the Mountains as a result.
“The excitement of performing a piece I love and have spent hours studying and practicing and then sharing it with the audience is the most interesting. There is a sort of surreal in the moment feeling, which I only get when I am on stage. It is thrilling and satisfying to let the beautiful music come out of my instrument and connect that way with the audience. Of course, there are always nerves from the pressure to perform well, but thankfully, I was lucky to have had numerous performance opportunities throughout the years and therefore I have gotten somewhat accustomed and comfortable once I am on stage.
“Music is such a gift and joy to the world. It has an enormous power to evoke different feelings and emotion in people, whether you are a performer or audience member. Music has always been a big part of my life, and it means so much to me. It is my passion and where I feel most comfortable being myself, connecting with people and making new friendships. I love music so much.
“When approaching a new work, I try to be as true to the score as possible. This includes making sure I’m limiting my interpretation within the constraints of what the composer would have wanted. I also listen to recordings to see what others have done and sometimes I’ll take some ideas that I like, but I also try to explore my own ideas and interpretation,” he says.
Joshua’s biggest influences are his parents and Daniel Veis, his teacher. He also looks up to young cellists, Zlatomir Fung and Brannon Cho. His father, David, is the violin and viola professor at ETSU and conducts the university’s Symphonic Orchestra and Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra. His mother, Michaela, teaches piano at ETSU and privately.
He plans to apply to college as a cello performance major. His dreams include entering major international cello competitions, performing recitals and having the chance to solo with orchestras. He would also love to play chamber music with other musicians. He may also someday pursue composing, conducting and teaching.
When he isn’t working on his music, he enjoys composing music, playing chess and competitive swimming.
He is the 16-year-old son of David Kovác and Michaela Kovácová. He is homeschooled and is in the 11th grade. He and his family live in Johnson City, Tennessee.
