Klara Janu

Klara Janu was born in Czechia and began her musical journey at the age of seven, guided by the Suzuki Method. At a young age she was already making her mark, winning first prize in chamber music at the Concerto Bohemia competition in 1998 and performing in the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle with The Chamber Orchestra Jana Noska.

From 1999 to 2005, Klara studied at the Conservatoire P. J. Vejvanovský in Kroměříž under Prof. Jiří Bránka, graduating with first class honours for her research project “A Solid Foundation of Violin Playing”. During this period she performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia and Italy, and in 2003 won first prize in chamber music at the Neerpelt International Competition in Belgium. She also recorded at Český Rozhlas Studio in Prague in 2003, performing with the National Czech Symphony Orchestra. During this time she toured throughout Germany as part of the production “Carmina Burana”.

In 2005, Klara moved to Ireland and began to appear on the Irish music scene as a freelance violinist, performing in the National Concert Hall, Wexford Opera House and Theatre Royal Waterford alongside José Carreras, Katherine Jenkins and others.

Klara continued to expand her studies, completing the Kodály Method course in London in 2008 and later earning a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Performance (BAJP) at Newpark Music Centre, Dublin, in 2014. Her research there focused on “Harmony Concept of Jazz Unaccompanied Violin Solo”. In the same year she premiered her own compositions in concert at the National Concert Hall in Dublin. This work reflects her experience across multiple genres and her deep engagement with performance, improvisation and composition. Klara has participated in the Emily Remler Tribute since 2015 and has enjoyed performing alongside Larry Corryell, Sheryl Bailey and Grace Kelly.

In 2024, Klara joined the staff of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where she teaches violin. She has established a successful teaching practice and continues to refine her pedagogical approach through ongoing professional development, including collaborative class observation with Fionnuala Hunt. Many of her students have gone on to become professional musicians, winning awards at competitions such as Feis Ceoil and continuing their studies at renowned institutions including MUK Vienna and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

For Klara, music is a lifelong companion and a gift to be shared, one that teaches patience, empathy and connection.