Dr. habil. János Klézli DLA

Photo: Gábor Fejér

János Klézli received his first diploma as an electrical engineer, after which he commenced his studies at the Department of Vocal & Opera Studies of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, Budapest, under Profs. József Simándy and Zsolt Bende. After graduating with distinction, he was immediately offered a position at the Department as a vocal coach in 1988, which then changed to the Conducting Department in 1998. He joined the Kodály Institute in 1992 to teach voice and work as a vocal coach.

He completed his doctoral studies in 2003, his thesis was about the „Solos for bass voice in J. S. Bach’s sacred cantatas”, which was published by the Hungarian Bach Society as well. He was habilited in 2018.

As a singer (bass) his main field of activity is the oratorio and songs from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras, but he loves performing folk songs and contemporary music as well. He has published two CDs (Folk tunes by Kodály, The organ works of Kodály), and contributed to many others.

His supportive teaching style attracts students from all over the world and he is regularly invited to deliver masterclasses and courses in Europe and Asia. Since 2008 he has been a guest professor at the Central Conservatory of Beijing, China and the British Kodály Academy. In 2004, as a recognition of his outstanding teaching activity, he was awarded the ”For the Kodály Institute” prize.