On August 15th, 2026, a KHANA Netherlands Members’ Day was organized. Two attendees talk about this successful day.
“On the first rainy day after the heatwave, a diverse group of violinists, from young to old, beginner to advanced, gathered at the Klein Boeschoten estate near Garderen (the Netherlands). A good reason to pick up the violin again after a summer silence. Gerianne gave her try-out presentation for the ESTA conference in Helsinki on the Kato Havas approach.
Gerianne talks about her lessons with Kato Havas and the underlying principles and basic exercises, which we briefly covered together. Kato was far ahead of her time regarding the integration of hearing and musical insight, motor skills, mindset, body awareness, as well as her interest in learning methods in other music cultures. Such as the Romani musicians, from whom Kato learned about the natural connection with pulse, rhythm, and auditory imagination. Today, these are sources of inspiration for many violinists, all coming together in the ‘Kato Havas approach’.
Afterwards, there was ensemble playing and individual coaching. Standing in a circle and playing ‘whatever happens’. Having fun together while making and listening to music. Elio and Mindy, who also studied with Kato Havas, share anecdotes and quotes in between, ensuring ‘the spirit of Kato’ is present.
Playful, insightful, and challenging; not everything is realized or understood in one go. The listening audience is ‘with the players’ and enjoys the sound, the bumps, and the obstacles that were discussed.
The principles pass by in a lively flow. Such as: keeping the pulse alive as a source of energy, also in rests or slow tempos, memorizing by setting short phrases as goals, hearing inwardly and singing aloud, naming key, time signature, tempo, interval, and the experience thereof, there is no violin, there are no arms, linking the experience of intervals and key to knowledge, linking motor movement independent of sound to inner hearing.
‘Did you enjoy?’, Gerianne asks repeatedly. No, sometimes not; you can tell by a stiffening, a head turning upwards… It’s easy or impossible, turns out to be the magic formula: make it easy. Quickly and without hesitation, Gerianne jumps around in an agile, upright presence to let us experience, above all, the lightness of play and to take risks: come out of the closet!
It appeals to me particularly, for my own playing, to be freer and less ‘bound by the script’ or afraid of failure, wanting to ‘do it right’. At home, I notice that the session has boosted my enjoyment of playing. The principles can be applied at any level. My motivation to play and to pass on the joy of playing to my students has been kissed awake again.”
Imme Tonkes, August 19th, 2026
“On September 15, we gathered in a small-scale setting for the KHANA Members’ Day. The meeting took place at a beautiful, inspiring location in the middle of the forest in Garderen. A perfect setting, as the tranquility of nature aligned seamlessly with Kató Havas’s ‘New Approach,’ in which relaxation and the joy of playing take center stage.
Thanks to the personal setup, there was a warm and open atmosphere from the very first moment, and we felt very welcome. We kicked off the day with a short, clear explanation of the basic principles of the New Approach, after which it was time for a brief masterclass. Here, we received personal and immediately applicable tips for improving our violin playing by reducing physical tension and experiencing more enjoyment, although I still found it nerve-wracking to stand in front of a group alone.
Armed with the tips, we then headed into nature for a unique activity: a real ‘far-playing competition’ in the forest! In this, we tested how far the sound of our violins carried through the trees. It was a playful way to experience how the tones of the violin travel in the wild. To conclude, we enjoyed a delicious meal together. With a head full of inspiration and new insights, I look back with great enthusiasm on a very enjoyable day in the Veluwe! “
Liesbeth, August 19th, 2026
