The band Klárisok was founded in 2012 by Korzenszky Klára, singer and psychologist. The ensemble also includes Buzás Attila, who primarily plays plucked string instruments and double bass; Eredics Dávid, responsible for wind instruments and tamburas; and Porteleki Áron, the band’s drummer and viola player.

What makes this formation particularly unique is that their performances offer far more than a musical experience. By incorporating the tools of fairy tale therapy and psychodrama, they actively involve the audience. We had the opportunity to experience this personally in October 2022, on a Sunday morning, when they visited Murmo to reopen the season with their concert following the COVID lockdowns.

It was fascinating to observe how naturally Klári and her fellow musicians engaged both children and adults in playful participation throughout the performance. Allowing our imaginations to unfold freely, we could easily envision the seven-headed dragon appearing before us, or imagine ourselves wandering beneath the stars in the darkness of the night.

The children had the opportunity to try themselves in a variety of roles; they could become fairy maidens, brave heroes, or even spirited horses within the games and storytelling scenes.

Throughout the performance, the audience also became more familiar with the instruments used by the musicians, including the saz, clarinet, saxophone, and drums. Some participants even had the chance to try the triangle themselves. To conclude the concert, the children were invited to “jump over the fire,” and we all became part of a royal wedding celebration.

Personally, I found especially meaningful those moments when we identified and embodied the emotions connected to a particular part of the story. At times, we acted out crying; at others, we screamed together. I am convinced that these elements contribute greatly to ensuring that audiences leave the performance feeling joyful, emotionally released, and uplifted.

Following the concert, I had the opportunity to ask Klára a few questions.

How do music, storytelling, and the healing of children living with mental health difficulties connect within your work?

“I stand on two legs, so to speak; I work both as a psychologist at Bethesda Children’s Hospital and as a singer performing concerts. These two professional attitudes complement one another very naturally throughout my work. Music is part of everyday life in the hospital as well — we use music therapy tools regularly. Even at the bedside, we may combine sound relaxation and suggestion techniques, or facilitate music therapy groups, which are valuable both for nonverbal expression and for expressing emotions that are otherwise difficult to articulate.

Musical instruments can also become excellent tools for restoring parents’ sense of competence. Parents stand beside their child’s bed knowing very well how to care for them, yet in such situations they often feel that they have lost all their tools. However, if we place an instrument or a story into their hands, they regain a sense of capability. They can make music for their children using simple instruments, and everyone is capable of telling stories to their child. We try to reconnect them with capacities they already possess in everyday life.

In our complex art therapy groups, we also work with fairy tales — always selecting stories that correspond to the group’s particular difficulties. These stories are then expressed musically, while participants can speak symbolically about their feelings, as well as in direct and concrete ways.”

So, if I understand correctly, when parents also participate and are given an active role, they are able to connect more deeply with their child?

“Sometimes we use a specific fairy tale, or we ask what the child’s favorite story was at home and bring forward something familiar to them. Naturally, role play can also be used at the bedside, whether with puppets or through assigning roles to both the parent and the hospitalized child. These approaches combine very well together.”

How are you connected to Murmo’s work?

“I have known Erzsi Komáromi for a very long time because I used to perform with her husband for many years in the Makám ensemble, while as a psychologist I know Erika professionally. So my connection to the entire institution is both artistic and professional. I also had the privilege of being present from the very beginning, including at the opening ceremony.

Murmo is truly a wonderful community, in my opinion, and an incredibly valuable initiative that we are always happy to support in any way possible.

Additionally, the mental health department at Bethesda Hospital collaborates with Murmo. Children are sometimes referred here from the hospital ward, and if Erika and her colleagues require inpatient support for a child, they are able to refer families back to us as well.”

Why did you choose to support the Lotilko program through this charity performance?

“We deeply identify with Murmo’s work, including on a professional level for me personally. An interesting aspect of this concert is that we originally planned it for spring 2020. Erika and I had already discussed it and were close to finalizing a date when the lockdowns began.

As far as I know, there had not been another supporter concert here since then, so Erika invited us to reopen the new season following the COVID pandemic.”

One final question — if we turn things around: what does a performance like this give to you personally?

“I truly love these performances. Even though our concerts revolve around similar stories — we have three stories that we rotate — every performance is entirely different. Everything depends on the audience: which children arrive, what emotional state the families are in at that moment.

These concerts allow me to fully use my creativity and flexibility. I genuinely love every single one of them. It is wonderful to play together with the boys and to bring these fairy tale situations to life musically — situations into which we ourselves can completely immerse and imagine ourselves.”