by Susan Chapman

Rokas Valuntonis is a young musician of extraordinary talent whose breathtaking performances are enhanced by his delightful personality which instantly captivates his audience. A laureate of more than 20 international competitions, Rokas won 1st Prize at the 2018 Campillos International Piano Competition (Spain) and previous victories include both the 2013 International Music Competition "Societa Umanitaria" (Italy) and the 2010 Nordic Piano Competition (Sweden). Daiva Tamosaityte of the Muzikos Barai Magazine has described him as "a young artist endowed with stage charisma."

When Rokas was 7 years old his mother signed him up for music school to study piano. He really had no idea what that meant or what he had to do, but he was certain that he was facing an immense challenge. By the time he was 14 he had made a conscious decision to become a professional musician, taken while he was on stage performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23. He said that he was so hypnotised by the harmonies and colours in the music that he forgot he was performing and was imbued by a strange and lasting addiction to music.

Growing up in Lithuania, Rokas studied at the Lithuanian Music and Theatre Academy under Aleksandra Zvirblyte, before attending the Sibelius Academy in Finland, followed by studies in Paris with Eugen Indjic and Artist Diploma studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London under Peter Bithell. Rokas joined the City Music Foundation Artist Programme in 2017. The City Music Foundation was founded by the former Lord Mayor of London, Sir Roger Gifford, who was an international banker and devoted cello player who created the CMF Artist Development Programme with the objective of turning talent into success. CMF develops, promotes and manages exceptionally talented emerging solo performers and ensembles early in their careers.

Rokas Valuntonis has performed all over Europe, including Denmark, Finland, France and Portugal, in venues such as the Barbican Centre, La Sala Verdi, The Wallace Collection, Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall and La Sala Casell Accademia Filarmonica Romana. He has also performed with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Lund Symphony Orchestra, St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra, Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra and Panevezys Chamber Orchestra.

On one occasion he was being interviewed Rokas was asked, "What is your definition of success"? He answered, "I think success for a musician is finding a way to evoke emotions in your listeners".

For his many achievements, Rokas Valuntonis has been honoured with the prestigious Queen Morta Award and acknowledgements by two Lithuanian Presidents.

At the end of this month, from the 22nd to the 30th October we will have the privilege of welcoming Rokas to his first tour in Mexico. Amongst his many engagements he will be performing Rachmaninov's 2° Piano Concerto with the Orchestra of the Americas in the Sala Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico City, participating in the Festival Internacional Cervantino, performing in the Sala Manuel M. Ponce in the Palacio de Bellas Artes and will be finishing his visit with a recital in El Sindicato, San Miguel de Allende on Monday 30th October.

www.rokasvaluntonis.com

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Susan Chapman, M.B.E, is the organizer of Rokas Valuntonis' tour in conjunction with the London City Music Foundation. Susan lived in Mexico for 45 years, and was Director of the Anglo Arts Foundation.

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