Jitka Kokšová

She started playing the violin at the age of four with Professor Magdalena Micková. She later studied at the Prague Conservatory with Professor Ondřej Lébr and Professor Jaroslav Foltýn. She graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, having studied with Professor Antonín Moravec. During her studies, she completed an internship in Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester led by conductor Claudio Abbado and took part in orchestral and chamber courses in Pommersfelden (Germany).

After graduation, she started her career in the Hradec Králové Philharmonic Orchestra. She then played in the first violin group of the State Opera Prague Orchestra for 13 years, later on also as the first deputy concertmaster. She also held this post in the Orchestra of the National Theatre in Prague and had many opportunities to play violin solos in operas and ballets. In 2006–2007, she was the concertmaster of the National Theatre Orchestra. She also performed as a soloist with the Prague Instrumental Soloists in 1997–2013.

She loves Antonín Dvořák’s music, saying he has the ability to take your heart and you can never grow weary of him. She also likes operas by Pucciny and won’t hear a word against Bizet’s Carmen, more so because she has played the arrangement for violin and orchestra by Sarasate for many years.