Today we’d like to introduce you to Marek Eneti.
Hi Marek, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I fell in love with music at a very early age. My father was a professional orchestra trumpet player. He would take me with him to the concerts and rehearsals. The first instrument I learned to play at the age of six was the accordion. My grandfather gave it to me and I started discovering music.
Over a decade later I graduated from Warsaw Academy of Music with a master’s degree in viola performance and music education. While I was still a student in my native country, Poland, I was hired by Polygram as a musician. In my early twenties I became a studio session musician recording parts of violin and viola for top Polish pop artists. Also, I had a chance to perform with them at major music festivals and TV shows. It was a very exciting experience. Working in the entertainment industry eventually led me to writing music for radio and TV commercials. I always dreamed of writing music for motion pictures, and starting with TV commercials was the right way to do it.
When my music career started taking off I received an opportunity to continue my music education in the United States. I was invited to study at LSU with the famous viola teacher Prof. Jerzy Kosmala. I always admired the American music scene, so I decided to experience it on my own. I moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to become a student of viola performance and music composition. I was completely unprepared for a change in my life. Baton Rouge was very different from my home city, Warsaw. I faced a lot of challenges, but eventually managed to get used to the life in Southern Louisiana. I remember driving to New Orleans at least once a month for good food and music. I continued my music production in Baton Rouge, writing jingles for clients. I also performed in local orchestras, Baton Rouge Symphony and Acadiana Symphony while being a full-time graduate student. I learned English in school in Poland, but the English I heard spoken on the streets of Baton Rouge was very different from what I had learned in school. I was learning about America through experience, and I liked it. I graduated from LSU in two years and moved to Texas to pursue my doctoral degree at UNT.
There, I met my future mentor, Prof. Alan Oldfield. He was a former Hollywood film music composer. I took composition and orchestration classes with him and learned a lot. We became friends and worked together on music for films and TV shows for the next twenty years. As a performer, I continued playing viola for local DFW orchestras and also taught viola and music classes privately and for the Collin County College. Over the years I composed a lot of music, so I opened my own online music library, where people could purchase music for their projects. In my spare time I would arrange and record my own versions of classical music for violin and post them on YouTube. Gradually, I started playing more solo gigs and eventually got noticed by local bands and got hired to perform with them. At some point I played in seven bands. It was too much, but it was a good learning experience, from playing Western swing to jazz/rock style for a Dave Matthews Band tribute.
I got hired by Light Crust Doughboys, the legendary Western swing band that helped shape the genre in 1931. I heard about Bob Wills while still in Poland, when I was learning to play violin. I was really impressed by the fiddling style and wanted to play like those fiddlers, but never knew how to approach it. Suddenly, I became part of a band associated with some of the greatest fiddlers in Western swing music. I had another challenge in front of me. I quit playing orchestras and decided to pursue my career in country and rock music, performing both in bands and as a solo artist. I had to learn a fiddle technique, which is different from classical violin. It took me about five years to be able to play in that style comfortably. It was worth it. Right now I do what I love: performing solo violin programs ranging from classical to fiddle music, often in different places, so it never gets boring.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The music life has been quite bumpy for me, although looking back now I understand that those challenges shaped the place where I am today.
One of the biggest challenges was the language barrier. Since I was in a university environment, I was expected to know English on an academic level. I spent many hours trying to catch up with academic English while also learning everyday spoken language, slang, and local expressions. I remember hearing phrases like “fixing a sandwich,” “pop” instead of “soda,” or “off the hook,” and not understanding what people meant. In 1999 there was no fast way to look up meanings or expressions on a smartphone, so I often had to ask people directly. It led to many funny situations.
After moving to the United States, I also had to rebuild my music career from the beginning. All the connections and achievements I had in Poland did not mean much over here. I brought my music demo reel with me and started sending it to studios. Fortunately, it worked. One studio called me back, and I was able to start writing commercial music again.
Switching from classical violin to fiddle music was another challenge. The bow technique is different, and there are many special fiddle techniques and stylistic details that I had to learn. It took me almost five years to feel comfortable performing fiddle music on stage. Looking back now, I think every challenge taught me something valuable and helped shape the musician I am today.
Another challenge was learning how to balance the artistic and business sides of music. As a freelance musician, you are not only an artist, but also your own manager, promoter, accountant, and booking agent. Over the years I learned that being successful in music requires creativity, discipline, and persistence.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I perform on violin and viola, and I also compose and arrange music. Depending on the event, I may be hired one day to perform elegant classical music as a European violinist, and the next day play “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” with a country band. Being able to play both classical violin and fiddle has made my career very diverse, and audiences often enjoy hearing both styles in the same performance.
During my solo performances I often perform well-known classical violin pieces and then switch to fiddle music by spinning the violin 360 degrees for fun before launching into energetic fiddle tunes. In bands, I perform as a fiddler and get to play exciting pieces like “Orange Blossom Special,” which is also one of my favorite songs to perform at festivals and public events.
Recently I performed at several Italian festivals, where I played Italian music such as Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” themes from The Godfather, and “Arrivederci Roma.” I also perform at corporate events, where clients often want high-energy upbeat music combined with an interactive stage presence.
I still compose and produce music for my own projects and for other artists. I enjoy writing electronic instrumental music and performing on electric violin.
What I am most proud of is being able to build a career that combines classical music, American roots music, composition, and live entertainment into one artistic identity. It took a lot of time and effort, but I am truly proud of it.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I enjoy reading biographies, especially about other musicians. I recently read two books: a biography of Duke Ellington and a book about the history of Wham!.
Another topic I enjoy is history and geopolitics. Having Polish heritage, that is understandable. Poland has witnessed many important historical events, and it is interesting for me to see how the world is shaped by political forces.
I also really like and use FiddleVideo.com. I learned a lot from its lessons and instructors. It has been an excellent resource for learning fiddle music and technique.
Pricing:
- Pricing depends on the type of event, performance length, travel, and ensemble size. I offer solo violin performances as well as duo, trio, and larger ensemble options for weddings, corporate events, festivals, and private parties.
- Solo violin performances starting around $300–$600
- String ensemble performances available upon request
- Custom music arrangements and production projects priced individually depending on scope
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marekeneti.com
- Instagram: @marekeneti
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnetiMusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marekeneti
