List of supported talents
Anna Oláhová, vocals
Anička comes from a socially disadvantaged family from Slovakia. Her grandmother has looked after her since she was a child. She has 5 siblings.
Ida Kelarová stated that she is a talent born once in a thousand years. She already became an experienced singer at the tender age of 8. She is also an outstanding dancer. Her dream is to study piano and sing.
Ida Kelarová has been consitently working with Anička and supports her talent.
Anička represents Romani culture not only here but also abroad. She has performed with the Hradec Králové Philharmonic orchestra, at big festivals such as the Menuhin festival in Gstaat, Switzerland, at the Tereza Maxová fashion show and even as an 8 year old performed demanding songs accepting this as a challenge that can support and develop her unique talent.
Anna Oláhová has been financially supported by MIRET since 2008, ensuring her education, piano practice and English language classes.
You can listen to and watch Anička on a live concert recording in Hradec Králové that took place on 12/5/2011 on DVD. Anička sang in the children's choir Čhavorenge accompanied by the Hradec Králové Philharmonic orchestra and also as a soloist.
Ivana Duždová, dance
Ivanka is a talented dancer and member of the famous Dužda family. She has been dancing since she was a child and has participated in several summer workshops at castle Svojanov.
She performs in various dance projects and has started teaching dancing in the UK, where she has been living since 2009. Her dream is to open her own school and with the support of MIRET, has been working on this project to make her dream come true.
Nikola Pechová, dance
Nikola was born on 20.3.1992. She started dancing with the dance group M dance club led by Michal Šaray when she was 7. This ensemble focuses mainly on modern dance andhas won several awards - 1st place in the regional championship Magický region and 1st place in the competition Emko dance life 2008. Last year out of interest for traditional Romani dance, she started dancing in the dance group Romano Verbuňk. She still enjoys improving her skills. Nikola participated in several creative wokrshops organized by MIRET and held at castle Svojanov.
She had the opportunity to learn from choreographer Oto Bunda and continues to develop her talent. Nikola Pechová has been performin and representing Romani culture in projects organized by MIRET since she was 8.
Zolo Horváth, photography
Zolo Horváth was born in 1993. He lived in a children's home in Liptovský Ján since he was two and since 2005 is living in a children's home in Horní Klečov, Slovakia.
Since 1999 he has been attending the annual summer Performing Arts camp where he improves his skills in photography.
These summer camps for talented Roma children and youth were a valuable asset to him. He found many new friens among his peers and also his second family - MIRET.
MIRET has organized a benefit exhibition of Zolo's photograps in Karlovy Vary and the profits were used to purchase Zolo a new camera.
MIRET continues to monitor his life and supports Zolo's talent.
Zolo appeared in several documentary films such as Kaľi Čercheň and Babylon.
Gypsy angels, music group
Lukáš Horváth and his friends Maroš, Patrik and Jaroslav founded the group Gypsy Angels. Together they perform and present Romani culture mainly in East Slovakia.
Tomáš Kačo, piano
Tomáš is a young and talented pianist. He comes from a large family and was born in Nový Jičín in south Moravia. It was his father who started teaching him the love for music at a young age, and it was his greatest wish for his son to become a musician. At first, Tomáš listened to Romani music, a vital part of his culture, and gradually started playing melodies on the piano by ear. Then came the harmonies and harmony structure. He remained a self-taught pianist up to the age of 11, performing at various school concerts a competitions. He continued his love for music at a music school in Nový Jičín, where he studied piano. Classic music became a valuable inspiration and motivation. His plan was to continue his studies at the Janáček Academy of Music in Ostrava. His planed worked out and thanks to MIRET he is now a graduate of this institution.
Due to the complicated financial situation in his family and his talent, Ida Kelarová offered him the opportunity to collaborate with her and become financially independant. He has been working with Ida Kelarová and Desideria Dužda since he was 17, working on various projects and travelling all around the world presenting the Romani culture through his art.
He is currently concentratin on his piano studies at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.
Lukáš Horváth, vocals, piano
Lukáš was born on 17.6.1995 in Bardějov. He lives with his father and 8 siblings in the Romani setttlement Petrová in east Slovakia. His mother paased away in 2010.
He competed his elementary education at primary school Gaboltova and several years at a Performing Arts school in Bardějov, where he studied piano and singing. In 2010 he was accepted to the Academy of Drama and Music in Košice, where he currently studies piano.
Ida Kelarová and Desiderius Du6da took notice of Lukáš's exceptional talent during the Divé Maky project in Slovakia, where Ida Kelarová and her team were preparing the children for the recording of the CD Divé maky. The concert was held in November 2009 in the Slovakia radio in Bratislava.
Ida Kelarová and MIRET support Lukáš's talent and thanks to their activities, Lukáš is now recognized by the general public. He performs on stage with Ida Kelarová and you can hear his amazing voice on the CD Romská balada (Romani ballad) (Indies Scope Records).
Since Lukáš comes from a socially disadvantaged family, MIRET purchased him a piano so he could continue his studies.
In 2010, Lukáš and his group Gypsy Angels participated in the international Performing Arts camp ROMANI DROM.
Maroš Billý, drums, vocals
Maroš was born on 9.4.1996 in Bardějov, where he lives in the Romani settlement Petrová. He completed his elementary education in Gaboltov. He is a student of the private Academy of Performing Arts in Bardějov, where he studies drums and piano and is preparing for his entrance exams t the Academy of Music.
Maroš is also the lead singer in the group Gypsy Angels. Besides music, he displays exceptional talent for sports and is a football player for the team FC Gaboltov.
Maroš has participated in the ROMANO DROM workshops held by MIRET.
Patrik Billý, bass guitar, vocals
Patrik was born on 20.9.1993 in Bardějov and lives in the Romani settlement Petrová. He completed his elementary education in Gaboltov and was accepted to the Academy of Drama and Music in Košice. Ida Kelarová noticed Patrik when he was in the 9th grade aduring her visits the Gaboltov primary school and thank to her, Patrik was able to participate in severa projects held by MIRET, including the international Performing Arts project ROMANO DROM.
Jaroslav Kováč, vocals, guitar
Jaroslav was born on 20.5.1995 in Bardějov and lives in the Romani settlemtn Petrová. He completed his primary school education in Gaboltov and was accepted to a vocational school in Bardějov. He plays acoustic and electrical guitar and sings in the music group Gypsy Angels. He also acts as the group manager.
Jaroslav participated in the international project ROMANO DROM held by MIRET.
M dance club, dance group
Miret has been supporting the Romani dance group M dance club for several years. It was founded by dancer and choreographer Michal Šaray. Michal trains about 20 dancers from ages 14-25, and in the last few years children from the age of 4. Baby M dance club is the smallest and cutest part of this ensemble, featuring 15 children from ages 4-8. The largest group is the Mini dance club, featuring 40 dancers from ages 9-13.
M dance club has participated in the Czech Republic championship in the category Disco dance formation and Disco show formation, which they won. They won first place several times in the Magický region championship and were able to compete in the European Cup Dance Life 2005.
The group regularly performs at the festival Gypsy Celebration and participates in the summer workshops held by MIRET. They are also presented as guest performers in various projects and at Ida Kelarová's concerts.
Michal Šaray is an amazing teacher and choreographer. MIRET values his work greatly and supports him, because Michal inspires and motivates the young Roma generation. He selects street children, children from socially disadvantaged families and children's homes and acts as their role model - something wich the children sorely need in their lives.
Mersi, dance ensemble
The dance ensemble Mersi regularly performs at the Roma festival Gypsy Celebration. This ensemble is the product of one the extra-curricular activities of project PAVLAČ of civic association Ratolest. The responsible managers are Monika Balogová and Lenka Sládečková.
Today, the ensemble consist of 30 children from Romani families, boys and girls aged 3-18. The children learn traditional Romani dances and choreographies, their performances often have a notable dash of drama. Ida Kelarová offered the ensemble the opportunity for futre collaboration in vocal tuition and Oto Bunda is the professional dance coach. Some of these children are members of the Čhavorenge choir and perform with Ida Kelarová and her team at concerts and participate in projects.
In 2010, Ida Kelarová invited the ensemble Mersi to a workshop and concert in Gstaat, Switzerland, where the children were given an opportunity to present themselves at the international Menuhin festival and besides performing, they could introduce their Romani culture to the Swiss children who participate in the workshops.
MIRET has been supporting the Mersi dance ensemble, lead by Lenka Sládečková, an outstanding teacher and mentor, and plans to continue collaborating with the ensemble on other major projects. The Mersi ensemble si also an important element in the Romani choir Čhavorenge.
Irena Kačová, dance
Irena is young and talented dancer. She has been dancing since she was 4. She comes from a large family and is the sister of Tomáš Kača, a talented pianist. Irena collaborated with MIRET on various notable projects, such as the project in Dornbin (Austria), the Menuhin festival in Gstaat (Switzerland), and others. Together with her sisters she also leads the ensemble Cikne čhave which performs at Romani festivals and successfully presents traditional Romani dancing.
Milan Balog, dance, vocals
Milan Balogis the youngest member of the group Mersi. He is the son of Monika and Ladislav Balog who have been collaborating with MIRET for many years.
Milan has been performing at the festival Gypsy Celebration taking place at castle Svojanov and held by MIRET since he was 2.
He performed at Ida Kelarová's concerts in the Czech Republic and abroad.
He is a member of the project Čhavorenge and sang with the choir at a concert with the Hradec Králové Philharmonic orchestra. He delivered an excellent performance at the Menuhin festival in front of 4000 spectators.
MIRET has been supporting Milan's talent for several years.
Valika Duždová
Valika Duždováwas born in Rokycany and comes from a famous musical family, the Duždas. She is a regular participant of the workshops dedicated to young Roma talents, organized by Ida Kelarová and her team. MIRET has been supporting her since 2004. She worked on several projects with the civic association, and performs at concerts and festivals all around the world.
Aparts from music and dance projects, she also recieves offers for film, modelling and theatre.
Valka is exceptionally multi-talented.
Michal Mižigár, literature, translations
Michal is a graduate of the Business Academy in Pisek.
For his literary work published in Písecké postřehy (local journal), Romano Hangos (Brno Romani journal) he was awarded the Milena Hubschmanová literary award for his Roma prose in Romani. He organized an exhibition in the Prácheň Museum, Roma Piskotar (Roma in the Písek Region), and is currently working on a publication with the same title with The University of České Budějovice, namely David Urban, MA and the highly respected expert on the Romani culture, Eva Davidová. He is fluent in Romani and therefore has dedicated his life to literary work in the Romani language. Apart from Romani, Michal knows English and German and is a beginner in French, Greek and Hebrew. His dream is to become a translator and wishes to translate the Five books of Moses from Hebrew to Romani. In 207, he was selected as a unique talent in the area of literature and writing by the Artistic Director of MIRET, Ida Kelarová, to participate in the Performing Arts workshop held at castle Svojanov. Michal performed in and collaborated with the documentary film KAĽI ČERCHEŇ (2007, director Janek Růžička), depicting the aforementioned workshop. Thanks to MIRET, Michal acquired an internship in the USA (South Dakota, Washington, Denver).
He focuses on Romani studies and has decided to devote his life to it.
He is currently studying Romani studies at Charles University in Prague.
Michal is a strong candidate for the position of director in MIRET, founded by Ida Kelarová.
Jan Mirga (Beňo)
Known as Beňo, he was born on 9.12.1992. He is a student of the Secondary school of Social Law in Brno.
Jan started dancing in the dance ensemble Čercheňa when he was 7, and continued until 2001. He spent many years dancing with the ensemble Mersi, led by Monika Balagová until 2009. In 2006 and 2007 he participated in Performing Arts camp and workshops at castle Svojanov, led by Ida Kelarová. Here he got a taste of Oto Bunda and her partner Ivanka Oláhová's (dance ensemble Romathan) work. Her drew inspiration from both of them and in 2009, he left the group Mersi and founded his own group under the name Romano Verbuňk - Salut Roma.
Beňo hopes that his love for dance will never leave him and his intention is to inspire and motivate members of his group to do new things, mainly traditional Romanian czardas and Roma dances. His dance group is currently competing in the competition The Czech Republic's Got Talent and with the help of Oto Bunda, prepared a performance which led them to the finals.
Jan has been collaborating with MIRET since he ws 7.
His dream is to open his own dance school.
Marie Duždová, vocals
Marie Duždová, or Maruška as some call her, has toured the wolrd performing at concerts with Ida and Desideria. She performed soprano in this vocal trio. You can hear her solo performances on the albums Dadoro (song Čon) and Staré slzy (Past Tears) (song Pharipen).
A young indistinctive Romani female evolved into a young and beautiful singer. She also displayed talent as a vocal coach and taught at international workshops with Ida Kelarová. After 6 years of hard work, she decided to focus on rasing her little daughter.
One of the goals of the project Supporting Roma talents is also to inspire young Roma talents to continue their journey and pursue their musical careers. Maruška is an inspiration to young Roma females and shows that is is possible to reach the top, just as she had.
After 4 years, Maruška took the stage again with Ida Kelarová as singer, vocalist, composer and excellent teacher. Thanks to prior experience she has become an assistant to the vocal workshops not only here, but also abroad. She is the dignified embodiment of the future generation.
You can hear Maruška singing on the new CD Šunen savore (Indies 2012. The song Calo Džives is her own work and solo performance.
Čercheň, Roma children's dance group
The dance group Čercheň has been performing for several years as one ot the extra-curricular activities of DROM in Brno. It focuses on traditional Olash dances. The group rehearsed with Dariny Čonková, and as many as 60 children participated n the group over the years. Renáta Čonková and Korádo were the main soloists.
The association MIRET invited the group to perform at benefit concerts, Ida Kelarová's conerts and the festival Gzpsz Celebration. They wer always able to add to the traditional Romani atmosphere with their dancing.
MIRET organized a tour for 6 dancers of the group in Zurich, Switzerland, where they performed at the festival Roma Sinti Gitanos, and continues to invite them to other major festivals and projects abroad.
Today, the group is managed by Darina Čonková, Renáta Čonková's daughter.
Roman Horváth, accordion
Everyone who is in some way interested in events regarding Ida Kelarová could notice that only one founding member of Romano Rat, Roman Horváth, remains on stage by her side. In 13 years he grew into one of the best young Romani accordionists and has won critical acclaim not only here, but also abroad. Roman has also founded his own group, Roman Horváth Band, and acts as manager. Together with Ida Kelarová and Desideria Dužda he performs and also teaches Romani songs, becoming a vital element in their work.
Roman has become a role model for all young talented Roma and a successfull representative for the first MIRET generation to become adults.
Le čhavendar, music group
This group has been supported by MIRET since 2002. With the financial aid of MIRET, they recorded and released their first CD, Le Čhavendar. At that time, they were the youngest Romani group. Their youngest member, guitarist Marek Miko, was 13 when they recorded their CD. The group features 7 musicians who write and produce their own material, their originality and identity. Their first album won the Zlín Talent 2004 competition.
The group has been performing since 2002 at various projects, festivals and is an important element in the festival Gypsy Celebration. They presented and taught their own songs and the teenager camp in Svojanov in 2006.
The association MIRET also provided the musical instruments and full sound equipment for their daily rehearsals. MIRET is preparing their second CD. The Czech Television has filmed a 20 minute documentary about them.
These young artists are interconnected with members of the group Kale, a source of inspiration for this young group. They managed to contribut to his style of music and take it to another level. Le čhavendar have been performing since 2002.
Jan Dužda junior, vocals
Jan Dužda Junior comes from a musical family. His father Jan Dužda, singer, guitarist and member of the famous Roma group Kale is the brother of Desiderius (Dežo) Dužda.Jan was raised in a musical environment, drawing inspiration for his further artistic growth.
He was the founder of the group Le čhavendar and besides singing, is responsible for composing the songs. Jan was given the opportunity te record his first CD with the Le čhavendar which is a source of inspiration for many young Roma. Jan has been specializing in singing and vocal performance since he was a child. He learnt the art of polyphnic harmony from his uncle Desideria (Dežo) Dužda, his father Jan Dužda and the group Kale.
He has become popular at Ida Kelarová's workshops working as an assistant.
In 2008 he was invited to perform at the Jazz concert of Ida Kelarová and her sister Iva Bittová at Prague's Lucerna Hall. The concert footage is available on DVD. In 2010 Jan was invited once more to participate and became a guest artist for the album ROMSKÁ BALADA (Romani Ballad) which Ida prepares together with Desideria Dužda, Tomáš Kača and the Škampa Quartet.
Jan is studying Romani studies and at Charles University in Prague. He has been working with MIRET since 2002. In 2011 he became a responsible member and education projects coordinator.
Romano rat, music group
In 1998, Ida Kelarová and Desideria Dužda founded the project named Romano Rat. The main mission of this project was to introduce Romani culture, facilitated by the well known singer Ida Kelarová and artist, composer and guitarist Desideria Dužda. The projects intended to educate young talented artists in the area of music, improve their musical abilities and teach them how to present themselves and the Romani culture abroad professionally and responsibly.
In their first 5 years the young group members travelled around the world and had the opportunity to present themselves as a group, but also individually. They were allowed to wokr on their own material, perform and record their own CD. The experience gained led by Ida Kelarová is inspiration for their future careers.
In 2003, the project reached its peak and ended its existence with the founding members. A new chapter was opened. This project still offers opportunities to talented Romani musicians who occassionally perform with Ida Kelarová and Desideria Dužda and teach at the Performing Arts workshops.
Denisa Mirgová, dance
Denisa was born on 12.3.1994 and is a student of the Business Academy in Brno.
Denisa started dancing when she was 6. Her hobbies are music and dancing. As her older brother Jan, she has danced in modern dance ensembles and participated in the annual creative workshop for talented Roma children at castle Svojanov. For her, dancing is way to pass on happiness to other people. Denisa has been collaborating with MIRET since she was 6 and was given the opportunity to improve her dance technique and meet new people who share the same interests as her.
Denisa has performed at various dance performances and Ida Kelarová's projects and concerts. Her talent inspires other zoung dancers and singers.
Adrian Mata
Adrian is 13 years old and lives in the Romani settlement Moldava in east Slovakia.
He would like to become a car mechanic, but also dreams of becoming a professional dancer of traditional Romani dances. If he could change anything, he would wish to improve the living conditions in the Romani settlement so people would not have to live surrounded by mud and dirt.
Leonard Horváth
Leon is a 17 year-old young man who lives in a Romani settlement. Although he is still a teenager, he already has two children. He is training to be a car mechanic, but would like to study to become a social worker and help people. His dream is to become a professional football player.
If he could change anything, he would definately make poverty history.
Alexander Rybár
Alex is 15 years old and attends an elementary school in MOldava. He lives with his parents in a Romani settlement. He would like to study and become useful for people who need help. If he could, he would make poverty history.
Lukáš Hudák
Lukáš lives in a Romani settlement. He is 15 years old and has one child. He would like to train as a mason and in his free time help children in Africa. He dreams of a happy life with his wife and children. If he could change something, he would create better conditions for the Roma.
David Horváth Forgač
David is 18 years old and lives in a Romani settlement in Moldava. He would like to train himself as an interior painter and improve his drumming skills. His dream is to have hiw own band and to play. If he could, he would rid the world of illness and poverty.
Ján Koky
Jan lives in a Roman settlement in Moldava. He is 17 years old and would like to become a professional football player. After completing his primary education he completed his training in postal services. If he could, he would build the settlement inhabitants houses with a toilet and shower in place of the shanties they live in.
Adrian Diga
Born 30.3.2001. Pupil at Kunčičky Primary School in Ostrava. He would like to become a designer hairdresser. He wishes for a world without violence.
Barbora Miková
Born 8.7.2002. Pupil at primary school in Ostrava. She would like to continue her studies at a vocational school after completing her primary education. She likes to sing. She hopes the end of the world will never come.
Božena Ladičová
Born 12.7.2000. Pupil at Kunčičky Primary School in Ostrava. She enjoys singing because it makes her happy. She would like to become a masseuse, be useful. She enjoys helping people.
She wishes for people to behave in such a way, so that they won't have to spend their lives in prison.
Denisa Balogová
Born 18.2.1998. Pupil at Kunčičky Primary School in Ostrava. She dreams of becoming a singer. She enjoys singing and would like to improve. She wishes for a world without racism and discrimination.
Irena Balogová
Born 4.1.2000. She dreams of becoming a professional dancer. She cannot imagine doing anything else but dancing. She likes to sing. She wishes for a world without poverty.
Marie Gažiová
Born 20.10.2001. She dreams of becoming a professional dancer. She also enjoys singing. She wishes to become famous.
Marie Horváthová
Born 20.10.1998. She would like to train as a hairdresser, singing is her hobby. In the choir, she is improving her singing and experiencing new things. She wishes for children's homes to be closed down so children could live in foster families.
Miroslav Sivák
Born 8.9.2000. Pupil at Kunčičky Primary School in Ostrava. He would like to become a police officer. He wishes for everybody to enjoy school like he does. He sings in the choir, because he is interested in this type of work.
Natálie Horváthová
Born 7.4.1995. Pupil at Kunčičky Primary School in Ostrava. She would like to continue at a vocational school. She likes to sing and wishes wars wouldn't exists, people would behave nicely to each other, and for world peace.
Nela Balážová
Born 30.4.1999. She likes to sing and is happy that she can sing in the Čhavorenge choir which gives her the opportunity to improve. She wishes people would have more respect for the elderly.
Patrik Terkel
Born 14.6.2002. Pupil at primary school in Ostrava. He likes sports and dreams of becoming a football player. He wishes for a better world and for no presidents and politics.
Roman Bogylaj
Born 21.8.1997. Pupil at Kunčičky Primary School in Ostrava. He would like to become a teacher and teach traditional Romani dances. He likes to sing and would like to improve.
He wishes people wouldn't judge the Roma by their race, but by their qualities.
Sandra Kurejová
Born 25.8.199. Pupil at Kunčičky Primary School in Ostrava. She dreams of becoming a singer. She improves her singing in the Čhavorenge choir. She wishes for prices to stop rising and the people to stop wasting money.
Sára Ladičová
Born 26.5.1997. Pupil at primary school in Ostrava. She dreams of becoming a stylist. She loves to sing and improve her singing in the Čhavorenge choir where she also experiences new things. She wishes people would change themselves and create a better world.
Vladimír Vrena
Born 21.8.1998. Pupil at Kunčičky Primary School in Ostrava. He dreams of becoming a professional musician and study piano. He would also like to have his own band. He loves singing and the opportunity to sing at concerts is his new experience. He wishes people wouldn't abuse drugs.
Ivana Kandráčová
The 13 year old Ivana is in 8th grade. She does quite well in school, her weakest subject is maths. Most of all she loves singing and dreams of becoming a professional jazz singer.
She is really happy that she got the opportunity to sing with the Hradec Králové Philharmonic orchestra in project "Čhavorenge". According to her own words, she is grateful to "aunt Ida" who is really nice to her and everybody loves her.
If she could change something, she would rid the world of hatred and racism and bring world peace.
Jan Kandráč
Jan is 14 years old and is in 6th grade. He doesn't do very well in school, but he is trying and currently is improving. He plays the saxophone, but singing is his most favourite. He started singing when he was 10 with his uncle, Ivan Kandráč. He teaches him and since then, singing has become Jan's mot favourite hobby.
He is very happy that he can sing in Ida Kelarová's choir which gave him the opportunity to be seen and experience new things.
Dušan Pecha
Dušan is 13 years old and is in 6th grade. He's not doing very well in school, but is trying to improve his grades so he can continue singing in the Čhavorenge choir, a project of civic association MIRET.
He likes sports, but loves singing the most. He started singing 2 years ago and enjoys it very much.
His most treasured experience is the concert with the philharmonic orchestra held in Hradec Králové. He would like to experience this once more.
Kevin Kandráč
9 year old Kevin is in 3rd grade. He is an A student and does very well in school. He attends a music school where he learns piano. Most of all he loves to sing.
He would also like to play drums in a band. If he could, he would change the whole world, because people don't love each other a do bad things.
Igor Horváth
Igor is 9 years old and is a pupil at Masarykova Primary School. He doesn't do very well in school and would like to improve his grades.
Most of all he loves to sing. He dreams of becoming a solo singer when he grow up. He wishes people would love each other.
Robin Kandráč
Robin is a pupil at Masarykova Primary School and he is 11 years old. He has been playing the trumpet since he was 7. He attends a music school where he started playing the piano a year ago.
Musi and singing mean a lot to him. He would like to study a Music Academy and teach other children to sing and play musical instruments. He would really like this because he knows how important your primary school grades are for being accepted to a Music Academy. That is why he is trying his best.
Denis Kandráč
Denis is a 9 year old pupil at Masarykova Primary School. He does fairly well in school, apart from reading, which is his weakest subject.
He started playing the guitar at a Music School. He loves music, especially singing. He likes to perform in public. He knows that this way he makes people around him happy, which means a lot to him.
David Kandráč
11 year old David is 5th grade pupil at Masarykova Primary School. He does very well in school. His most favourite subjects are PE and Music class.
He has been learning the saxophone for 4 years at a Music school. He loves singing in the "Čhavorenge" choir. He wishes people wouldn't judge him by the fact that he's Roma, but accept him for who he is.
Vanesa Kandráčová
Vanesa a 10 year old 4th grade pupil at Masarykova Primary school. She does quite well in school, apart from Czech, which is her weakest subject. She plays the violin, sings and dances. She enjoys concerts because she loves to perform in public.
Thanks to the project "Čhavorenge" she met many new people and has a wide circle of friends from Brno, Ostrava and Slovakia. She says she owes it all to "aunt Ida".
Natálie Pechová
Natalie is 15 years old and is a student at a vocational school in Valašské Meziříčí, training to be a confectioner. She does fairly well in school. She loves dancing and singing, and sings everywhere. She is happy that she can be a part of the "Čhavorenge" choir.
Igor Berko
Igor lived in a children's home in east Slovakia from the age of 2. He grew up in a non-Roma environment and even though he felt the strong Roma blood flowing in his veins he never got the opportunity to become more acquainted with this culture. In 2006 he was chosen to participate in the summer Performing Arts camp at castle Svojanov. For Igor, this was a moment when he confronted himself and his own identity. For the first time, he sang in Romani and was given the opportunity to get acquainted with the Romani culture and language.
After Igor left the children's home, MIRET provided him with an opportunity of further education in singing and drama. Igor now performs at the Mahen Theatre and is standing on his own two feet.
In 2006 we asked him about his dream and he answered: "I have been dreaming of becoming a singer since I was little."
Jolana Oláhová
Jolana would like to achieve her goals, and that is singing.
This brilliant and talenetd singer comes from Slovakia. She is currentlz located in Brno where she has her won group, composes and sings. She is also interested in the choir and teaching children Romani songs.
She has been invited by Ida Kelarová not only to Performing Arts camps where she had the opportunity to improve her skills, but also to present Romani culture in music show Metro broadcast by Slovak TV, where she performed as a solo artist.
Nikoleta Balogová
Nikoleta comes from the Slovak city of Lučenec. She participated in the summer Performing Arts camp in 2006, to which she was invited by Ida Kelarová. Her dream at that tome was to become a flamenco dancer. Later she entered the competition Czech-Slovakian SuperStar, where she made it to the finals.
Alexander Berki
Alexandr is a young and very talented singer, pianist and composer. In 2006 and 2007 he participated in the creative workshops and since then he has been perfoming with Ida Kelarová at concerts and on TV.
He dreamt of being accepted to a Music Academy in Bánská Bystrica and become a pianist, and his dream came true.
Elemér Görči
When Emo was at the Performing Arts camp in 2006 and 2007, his dream was to become a professional singer and musician. His dream came true. Emo comes from a musical family. He grew up i Lučenice, Slovakia. Today he performs with the band Bohemiens as percussionist, but is also a brilliant singer.
Adriana Gáborová
Adriana has been supported by MIRET since 2006, shen she participated in the Performing Arts camp. With their help, she managed to successfully complete her primary school education and continue her studies at a Music Academy in Prague where she studies singing. Her dream of studying singing at a Music Academy came true.
Adriana is a young and talented singer and is vocally well equipped.