Where were you born and (if different) where did you grow up?
I was born in Romania and spent there the first 22 years of my life before moving to the US to further pursue my musical studies.

Current residence and marital status/family (including pets):
I currently reside with my family in Boston, Massachusetts. My wife and I recently welcomed our daughter into the world, in addition to having a small guinea pig as a furry pet friend as well.

Education:
Bachelors in Violin performance from the National University of Music from Bucharest, Romania
Masters in Violin performance from Rice University, Shepherd School of Music in Houston, TX
Doctorate in Violin performance from Boston University, College of Fine Arts

When did you start playing with the VSO?
I officially joined the VSO in May 2019 after being selected as co-winner of the VSO Spring Violin Audition.

Other current jobs besides VSO: Together with my wife and fellow VSO member Aleksandra Labinska, we perform regularly with the Mirage Violin Duo. Other ensembles I perform in include the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, Boston Modern Orchestra Project,  Videogame Orchestra, Symphony New Hampshire and the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra.

Favorite composer: too many, but to sum them all up in one word: BACH!

Hobbies: Films, travel, writing blogs (about travels).

How did you get started in music?
Back when I was 7, I was enrolled by my parents into the music school in my hometown, where I immediately began taking violin lessons and ear training classes.  I played around first with the idea of becoming a pianist, then an electric guitar rock’n’roll hero, after which, finally, I settled on the path of becoming a classical violinist instead…

Describe a typical day: trying not to have too many of those but if it can’t be helped, then they should all begin with two consecutive cups of black coffee in the morning!

Dream job if not musician:  Astronaut bound for near-future Mars landing missions.

Secret ambition: to decode the Mayan language

Favorite vice: binge watching of English TV series

People would be surprised to know that: I cannot really read any of the Mayan language symbols

Favorite way to spend an evening:  chatting with my wife next to a pot of tea at the kitchen table

Pet peeve: people talking too soft, therefore my having to ask them to repeat what they’ve just said

I’m most proud of: the birth of my daughter!