Hi! My name is Kurt, and I come from a beautiful little island in the Mediterranean called Malta. I am currently pursuing my master's studies at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam under the tutelage of Vera Beths.
My violin
Since April 2025, I have been fortunate to play on a beautiful Johannes Bernardus Cuypers violin from The Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation, built in The Hague in 1818. It has a powerful and soloistic sound, still enriched with a warm sense of depth across all registers. I am incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to pursue the next important phase of my life - starting my master's studies in Amsterdam - with this wonderful new companion. I am sure that we will have a beautiful journey together!
About me
I began playing the violin at the age of five in Malta, and continued my tuition with Marcelline Agius, leader of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), and later with Nadia Debono, former principal viola of the MPO. In May 2025, I completed my bachelor's degree at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, receiving the highest grade of 10 and being awarded a special distinction for 'Overarching Musical Personality'. Since September 2025, I have been pursuing my master's studies at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam under the tutelage of Vera Beths.
As a soloist, I have apparead with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra on several occasions, most recently during the televised 'Independence Day Concert'. I have also had the privilege of performing with the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra at the festival 'Klassiek Op Het Amstelveld' in Amsterdam, played Max Richter's 'The Four Seasons Recomposed' in Malta, and performed as a soloist with several youth orchestras in Malta and the Netherlands. I have also performed a number of recitals, including in the Concertgebouw Kleinezaal and several other venues across the Netherlands and Malta.
Being passionate about chamber music, I have performed in string quartets, piano trios, and larger ensemble formations, also sharing the stage with world-renowned artists such as Rosanne Philippens, Anna Fedorovoa, Benedict Kloeckner, Daniel Rowland and Quirine Viersen.
In professional orchestras, I have performed with the Residentie orkest, Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, recorded with the Folkwang Kammerorchester Essen and toured with the Stift Festival Orchestra. Most recently, I won an acaademy position with the Amsterdam Sinfonietta, allowing me to perform on a project as a fully-fledged member.
Over the years, I have had the pleasure of leading several youth orchestras. Since joining the Malta Youth Orchestra in 2018, I have served regulary as a concertmaster since 2022. In January 2026, I was concertmaster of the Nationaal Jeugdorkest Nederland, performing Richard Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathustra" and Gustav Holst's "The Planets" with conductor Antony Hermus during the winter tour. I have also been concertmaster of the Koninklijkconservatoriumoekst, led orchestral projects at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and have been a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra for three consevutive years (2024-present). Additional orchestral experience includes the Orchestre Français des Jeunes and Jong Metropole. These experiences have allowed me to perform in some ogf the most prestiigous halls worldwide, including Carnegie Hall (New York), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Konzerthaus (Berlin), Usher Hall (Edinburgh) and many other venues across Spain, Siwtzerland, Austria, Italy and Germany. Through these ventures, I have had the pleasure of working with distinguished conductors including Iván Fischer, Gianandrea Noseda, Vasily Petrenko and Jac van Steen.
I have participated in masterclasses with several acclaimed violinists, some of which include: Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Rosanne Philippens, Daniel Rowland, Mari Samuelsen and Tobias Feldmann. In chamber music settings, I also worked with musicians including all members of Cuarteto Casals, Frank van de Laar, Petr Prause, Peter Brunt, Ásdís Valdimarsdóttir and Patrick Jüdt. I regularly take part in masterclasses and projects held by the Davidsbündler Academy in The Hague.
Awards:
2023, Amsterdam: 1st Prize, 'Spotlight Concours' - Klassiek Op Het Amstelveld
2024, Netherlands: 2nd Prize, 'Rijnmond Muziekprijes'
2025, Malta: 1st Prize, 'Bice Mizzi Vassallo Competition'
