My name is Bálint Varga. I was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary. I’ve been living in NY for the past 10 years and have been working as a composer, writer, interdisciplinary artist, and immigration advocate. 

My artistic vision focuses on exploring human relationships and nature, observing the intricate complexity and inherent vulnerability of the individual. I revel in exploring themes in a vast array of forms and musical styles. Throughout my travels and work experiences around the world, I have encountered countless cultural influences, sounds, celebrations, and fascinating individuals that have inspired and enriched my creativity. My music reflects a diverse array of influences, from world ethnic music to romanticism, Gypsy music to great American film scores, NY underground brass ensemble to Afro-Cuban and traditional Japanese music. The foundation of my art is built upon strong melodies, complex harmonic structures, vocal sound effects, and soundscapes.

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I started playing piano at age 4. When I turned 17 I moved to Paris where I started my first professional work at the Bastille Opera House. First, I graduated from Béla Bartók Conservatory, later I moved to America and studied composition and conducting at Berklee College of Music. After graduation, I settled in NYC (interesting fact: I also hold a BA degree in business communication and studied psychology). 

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I received my US Green Card for extraordinary abilities based on his achievements in my field. I am a proud member of the Dramatists Guild and the Lehman Engel BMI Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop. 

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My work has been performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Jazz At Lincoln Center, Symphony Hall, Birdland, Joe's Pub, Bastille Opera House, and 54 Below.​ I collaborated on Broadway workshops such as Elton John’s Tammy Faye or Jim Steinman’s Bat Out Of Hell, and on Mariah Carey’s Christmas show, Josh Groban's Impossible Dream, and Forest Whitaker’s Benefit Concert.

Commissions: Wells Fargo, American Pops Orchestra, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Young People's Chorus of NYC, Gia Forakis Company, Peculiar Project Works, Tobe Art Productions to name a few. 

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Ongoing projects: Yasuke - The Legend of the Black Samurai, d'ILLUSION - The Houdini Musical, Reflections, Where We Rush To Disappear, Gailley and the Tale of the Fate Keeper, Hypatia and the Heathens. 

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A LITTLE MORE

As a true traveling gypsy, I've had the privilege of collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds and exploring different cultures. Though New York has been my abode for the past decade, my wanderlust has taken me to many places where I've worked on exciting projects. Growing up in Hungary and studying classical music has deeply influenced my emotional connection to music and my compositional style. Moving to Paris at a young age and being alone allowed me to reflect on my identity and aspirations, which greatly impacted my art and matured me as an adult.

Moving to the United States to study composition and orchestral conducting at Berklee was a daunting task, especially without knowing English. However, music was our common language, and collaborating with talented musicians from around the world was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Theater as a composition form captivated me at a young age, as music has the power to convey a compelling narrative. While lyrics are important, I am personally drawn to intricate and sophisticated compositions that convey a range of emotions and ideas.

Throughout my travels, I've had the opportunity to engage with local musicians and performers, learning about different cultures and their unique musical styles. I believe that a great composer must be an excellent arranger, orchestrator, and master of their instrument. By studying various ethnic music and instruments, I've discovered countless new universes and have been inspired by billions of new ideas, perpetually fueling my thirst for knowledge.

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MY YEARS IN PARIS

No doubt, my art has been profoundly shaped by the years I spent in Paris, where I met my mentor and friend, Scott Alan Prouty. A brilliant musician and inspiring educator, Scott taught me everything I know about music today. I was just a teenager who had moved to Paris alone, and he immediately believed in me. I will never forget how he would set before me hundreds of piano vocal scores from various musical theater shows and have me sight-read them one after another, without allowing me to stop or overthink. My fingers felt disconnected from my body. Then we would analyze the scores, improvise on them in various styles, and conduct them along with the original cast recordings. And then, we would repeat the process, again and again. It was exhilarating and transformative. We were living on music instead of food and fresh air.

Those two years were the most exciting, intensive, and productive education of my life. Our friendship, forged through endless hours of musical exploration, became a cornerstone of my artistic journey. Scott's infectious passion for music showed me the path to becoming a true composer and artist. He and ma mère d’accueil, the loving Eliane Grisoni, to whom I’m enormously grateful as well,  helped me build stamina, persistence, dedication, and humility toward the life I chose, all while providing a safe and nurturing environment. I would not be the musician I am today without them.

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DEDICATION

I could not have achieved my dreams and goals without my amazing parents who've always believed in me even in the most challenging times, the coolest sister I could ever wish for, my beautiful wife, who is the most fun person I've ever met, and my children, whom I love for eternity.​

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