Author of Playing (Less) Hurt and Associate Principal Cello of the Minnesota Orchestra

Janet Horvath joined the Minnesota Orchestra as associate principal cello in 1980 after two seasons in the same position with the Indianapolis Symphony. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto and a master's degree from Indiana University where she studied with Janos Starker.

Horvath’s extensive performing career and highlights of recent seasons

Ms Horvath made her International debut in London in 1986 at Wigmore Hall. She has performed recitals in London, Paris, Rome, Hong Kong and major cities across the United States and Canada. An active chamber musician, she has appeared at the Marlboro and Blossom Festivals, toured with Music from Marlboro and has been a regular artist at the Mainly Mozart Festival in San Diego. Her performances have been broadcast Internationally.

In January 1987 Horvath was the soloist in the American premiere of Paul Hindemith’s Cello Concerto, op. 3, with the Minnesota Orchestra led by Edo de Waart. The performance drew International attention and was broadcast twice throughout the United States. She has also been a soloist under Sir Neville Marriner, Leonard Slatkin, Nicholas McGegan and Osmo Vanska.

She is known for her Salon concerts, in intimate home settings, complete with innovative programming and witty and informative commentary.  Ms Horvath has performed for many benefit concerts. She performs chamber music regularly and has appeared with esteemed artists Andre Watts, Osmo Vanska, Andrew Litton, William Preucil and James Dunham.

Recent chamber music performances include appearences at MacPhail Center for Music in the Ravel Trio and the Bloch Piano Quintett #1, a recital in Toronto, Canada on the PAYR series, performances at the Mainly Mozart Festival, chamber music performances with William Preucil, concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra, a trio performance with Maestros Osmo Vanska clarinet and Andrew Litton, piano; and a trio performance with pianist Andre Watts.

In 2008 she appearanced with the Metropolitan Symphony in the Twin Cities as well as with the Minnesota Orchestra in November of 2005 and 2007. In March 2003 she was the soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra in the local premier of the Stephen Paulus Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra entitled Three Places of Enlightenment.

Horvath is a nationally recognized authority and pioneer;

Ms Horvath has become known as the "go to" person in the area of the medical problems of performing artists. She founded the Playing (Less) Hurt™ Injury Prevention conference series. She has published numerous articles in professional journals, has appeared on radio and television programs, has spoken at festivals, schools, conservatories and conferences, for professional and amateur orchestras and has presented numerous master classes and seminars on the subject.

The first printing of her book on the subject, Playing (less) Hurt- An Injury Prevention Guide for Musicians was released in June 2002 and sold out in four months. In 2009 she won the gold medal from the Independent Publishers 2009 Awards in the health category, for the newly revised and updated version of her book. This attracted the attention of Hal leonard Performing Arts Publishing Group. Playing (Less) Hurt in a 2010 edition is now being distributed world-wide by Hal Leonard. She has been in demand for her seminars on injury prevention and she has worked privately with countless musicians seeking her help.