Biography
Born and raised in Latvia, in a family of 5 children, Mare Malvīne Īstenā began playing the violin at the age of 6, starting a lifelong passion for music. Currently a student of professor Pavel Berman in Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano, she has previously studied in Latvia, as well as in Conservatorio della musica Luigi Canepa Sassari in prof. Eva Bindere's class. Mare has enriched her artistry and technique in many masterclasses with great mentors such as David Fruhwirth, Kristīne Balanas, Dejan Bogdanovich, Massimo Quarta, Evgenia Epshtein and others. She has performed in youth orchestras including Parnu Music Festival Järvi academy Youth orchestra in Estonia and Orkester Norden youth orchestra in Finland. Mare has participated in many competitions in Latvia and abroad, earning top prizes.