| Szabolcs Joo was born in Mako, Hungary. At the age of 18, Szabolcs won First Prize in the Hungarian National Percussion Competition. Shortly after, he was admitted to the Academy of Music, Budapest, studying with Zoltan Racz. Joo received Third Prize in the IV International Solo-Percussion Competition, Czech Republic, and was Runner-up in the International Marimba Duo Competition, Belgium, with Lajos Toth. From 1998 to 2000, Joo was percussionist of the Budapest Festival Orchestra. In 2000 he won the percussion audition for the Hungarian National Philharmonic, a position held currently. Joo also plays regurarly in the Budapest Festival Orchestra and Hungarian Radio Symphony.
Szabolcs taught percussion at the Bela Bartok Conservatory, Budapest, receiving the "best teacher award". Since 2010, Joo has been percussion teacher at the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest.
Szabolcs's playing has been greatly influenced by Chris Lamb, who opened a wide horizon in percussion playing to him. Joo has written pieces for percussion, mostly snare drum, and performed Hungarian premieres of percussion music like: Schwantner, Masson, Tompkins, Giner, Donatoni, Wallin, Romig, and Vinao. Joo also enjoys cooking, tasting wines, riding bicycle and spending time with his wife and little daughter.
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