Newspaper Articles

Local pianist judged by prestigious musician

May 25, 2021

Ibolya Kovács recently served as the adjudicator for the National Piano Playing Auditions sponsored by the National Guild of Piano Teachers for the students from he Piano Studio of Betty Jordan.

Kovács began music classes in the first grade in her native Hungary where she graduated from the Franz Liszt Conservatory of Music. She received her dual degrees in classical piano and music theory under the distinguished professors Zita Szalay, Jozsef Gabor, Marianna Spiegel and Miklos Szabo.

From there Ms. Kovács emigrated to the United States and settled in Los Angeles, California, where she continued her studies in piano performance with her mentor, Judit Neszleny, a highly esteemed Hungarian concert pianist.

Upon her relocation to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, Kovács spearheaded the Classical Piano Academy alongside Alejandro Guzman in 2004. Dedicated to teaching her students the European classical piano performance, in 2017, Kovács was inducted into the Piano Guild USA Hall of Fame and in 2020 into the Who’s Who in America and Marquis Who’s Who Top Artists.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Kovács judged three of Jordan’s piano students, Giorgio Chen, Olivia Chen, and Ryan Xu using the online platforms Zoom and Face Time.

Jordan’s high school diploma music candidate, Gigi Cheng, recorded her entire two-hour program and submitted it through URL links.

“There students were very fortunate to have had Ms. Kovács as a most recognized and distinguished judge for various piano competitions,” said Jordan.


Ibolya Kovács (Iby Kovács) Celebrated for Dedication to the Field of Music

November 20, 2020

MISSION, TX, November 20, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ — Ibolya Kovács (Iby Kovács) has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Born, raised and classically-trained in Hungary, Ms. Kovács began her musical journey at Franz Liszt Conservatory of Music through a full scholarship. Under the tutelage of distinguished professors such as Zita Szalay, Mariann Spiegel, Miklós Szabó, and József Gábor, she completed a degree in classical piano and solfeggio, or music theory. Upon graduating, she immigrated to the United States and settled in Los Angeles, where she continued her studies under the direction of her mentor, Judit Pfeiffer Neszleny, a highly-respected Hungarian concert pianist. Over the years, Ms. Kovács parlayed her own love of music to others as an educator.

After the turn of the century, Ms. Kovács relocated to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and established her Classical Piano Academy in 2004 alongside Alejandro Gonzalez Guzman, with whom she frequently performs. Additionally, she utilizes her expertise as a judge for the National Piano Guild in Austin, Texas, as well as for various piano festivals and competitions. Due to her unique wealth of experience in her field, Ms. Kovács’ students have won competitions at the state, national and international levels.

Driven to remain aware of changes in the field of music, Ms. Kovács is affiliated with the California Musical Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers. In recognition of her outstanding body of work, she was inducted into the Piano Guild USA Hall of Fame in 2017. Within the next five years, Ms. Kovács intends to record more of her music while continuing to teach, participate in competitions and take pride in the successes of her students.

About Marquis Who’s Who®
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who’s Who titles, including Who’s Who in America®, Who’s Who in the World®, Who’s Who in American Law®, Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who’s Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who’s Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.