Biography
The world of percussion knows no boundaries. In the 21st century, each percussionist has emerged as a driving force behind the remarkable evolution of this art form
Rostislav Balciunas, through his diverse artistic endeavors, embodies and spearheads the transformation of modern percussion through interdisciplinary and intercultural exchange. As a soloist, orchestral drummer, jazz and fusion artist, and a dedicated educator, he seamlessly combines what were once considered distinct disciplines.
At the age of 10, he captured the Nutcracker Prize in Russia and showcased his talent on national television. By the age of 15, he held his inaugural solo concert at the renowned Carnegie Hall. At 22, he secured prizes at prestigious competitions such as the Marimba World Competition, the Universal Marimba Competition in Belgium, and the 5th International Percussion Competition in Moscow. Additionally, at 24, he reached the semi-finals of the esteemed ARD competition.
Balciunas owes his formative education to well-known teachers, including Dmitry Lucyanov, Marta Klimasara, Klaus Sebastian Dreher, and Jürgen Spitschka, from the Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow and the Stuttgart State University of Music and Performing Arts, where he graduated with distinction, earning his Master of Arts degree.
His artistic growth was nurtured by exceptional percussionists such as Nebojsa Jovan, Klaus Tresselt, Robert Van Sice, Peter Sadlo, Gean Geffroy, and Keiko Abe, through numerous master classes.
At the age of 10, he captured the Nutcracker Prize in Russia and showcased his talent on national television. By the age of 15, he held his inaugural solo concert at the renowned Carnegie Hall. At 22, he secured prizes at prestigious competitions such as the Marimba World Competition, the Universal Marimba Competition in Belgium, and the 5th International Percussion Competition in Moscow. Additionally, at 24, he reached the semi-finals of the esteemed ARD competition.
Balciunas owes his formative education to well-known teachers, including Dmitry Lucyanov, Marta Klimasara, Klaus Sebastian Dreher, and Jürgen Spitschka, from the Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow and the Stuttgart State University of Music and Performing Arts, where he graduated with distinction, earning his Master of Arts degree.
His artistic growth was nurtured by exceptional percussionists such as Nebojsa Jovan, Klaus Tresselt, Robert Van Sice, Peter Sadlo, Gean Geffroy, and Keiko Abe, through numerous master classes.
Balciunas has graced the stages of the world's most prestigious concert halls on multiple occasions, including Carnegie Hall (New York), the Royal Albert Hall (London), the Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris), the Concertgebouw Bruges, and the Classic Open Air Festival (Berlin). He has collaborated with renowned ensembles such as the New York Pop Orchestra, the Poznań Philharmonic Orchestra, the State Symphony Orchestra Novaya Rossiya, the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, and the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia.
A significant milestone in his career was the recording of a CD featuring the works of composer Eduard Artemov, accompanied by the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, under the baton of seven-time Grammy Award winner Vladimir Ashkenazy.
In his orchestral pursuits, Balciunas spent over nine years as a member of the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he has made regular appearances with esteemed ensembles such as the Stuttgart Philharmonic, Theater Ulm, the Russian National Orchestra, and the Bolshoi Theater.
A significant milestone in his career was the recording of a CD featuring the works of composer Eduard Artemov, accompanied by the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, under the baton of seven-time Grammy Award winner Vladimir Ashkenazy.
In his orchestral pursuits, Balciunas spent over nine years as a member of the Moscow Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he has made regular appearances with esteemed ensembles such as the Stuttgart Philharmonic, Theater Ulm, the Russian National Orchestra, and the Bolshoi Theater.
Under the visionary guidance of Robert Wilson, renowned for his avant-garde productions, the captivating "Pushkin Fairy Tales" came to life, with Balciunas actively contributing. His involvement extended for over eight years in the production of "The Prisoner of Sechuan" at the State Theatre of Nations in Moscow, where he showcased his talent on drumset and percussion.
Furthermore, Balciunas has carved a niche for himself as a jazz and fusion drummer, notably with the esteemed project 'The Tenors of the 21st Century,' which led him to captivate audiences in Serbia, Israel, Cyprus, and many others.
"Individuality is a precious marvel that must be nurtured, independent of established norms."
Hence, for several years, Balciunas has dedicated his work to shaping the next generation through training and education. Recognized as the "Best Teacher of Children's Art School" in Moscow in 2017 (holding the teaching position from 2012 to 2021), he has guided numerous students to victory in international competitions. Since 2021, Rostislav Balciunas has taken the helm as the head of the Percussion Department at the Municipal Music School in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany.
Simultaneously, as an artistic director, he orchestrates various educational projects and facilitates master classes featuring renowned artists such as Keiko Abe, Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic, and Klaus Treßelt. Through his own creative initiatives, such as the "Balciunas Summer Percussion Laboratory," he fosters cultural exchange and introduces the diverse facets of percussion art to the wider audience. He embraces online platforms to transcend geographical boundaries in pedagogy, and has conducted his own masterclasses at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest and alongside Keiko Abe at the Moscow Conservatory.
Rostislav Balciunas proudly represents Yamaha Russia and Yamaha Europe as an endorser.
For many years, Rostislav has been captivated by the traditional tea culture of China and has been conducting tea ceremonies for people, recently and successfully intertwining his hobby with music.
Furthermore, Balciunas has carved a niche for himself as a jazz and fusion drummer, notably with the esteemed project 'The Tenors of the 21st Century,' which led him to captivate audiences in Serbia, Israel, Cyprus, and many others.
"Individuality is a precious marvel that must be nurtured, independent of established norms."
Hence, for several years, Balciunas has dedicated his work to shaping the next generation through training and education. Recognized as the "Best Teacher of Children's Art School" in Moscow in 2017 (holding the teaching position from 2012 to 2021), he has guided numerous students to victory in international competitions. Since 2021, Rostislav Balciunas has taken the helm as the head of the Percussion Department at the Municipal Music School in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany.
Simultaneously, as an artistic director, he orchestrates various educational projects and facilitates master classes featuring renowned artists such as Keiko Abe, Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic, and Klaus Treßelt. Through his own creative initiatives, such as the "Balciunas Summer Percussion Laboratory," he fosters cultural exchange and introduces the diverse facets of percussion art to the wider audience. He embraces online platforms to transcend geographical boundaries in pedagogy, and has conducted his own masterclasses at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest and alongside Keiko Abe at the Moscow Conservatory.
Rostislav Balciunas proudly represents Yamaha Russia and Yamaha Europe as an endorser.
For many years, Rostislav has been captivated by the traditional tea culture of China and has been conducting tea ceremonies for people, recently and successfully intertwining his hobby with music.
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