Madalina's Collaborative Journey

From Solo Artist to Musical Partnership

As a classical pianist, I've always been drawn to the power of musical collaboration. When I met Hugh Sung, a Korean-American pianist and techie (he invented the AirTurn page turning pedal), something magical happened at the piano bench. Our partnership as Mada & Hugh has become one of the most rewarding aspects of my musical career, allowing me to explore new dimensions of four-hand piano performance.

Madalina Danila and Hugh Sung share a smile at the piano. Madalina is playing the piano while Hugh is standing next to her, showing a piece of music.

My Role in the Partnership

Bringing Classical Foundation to Four-Hand Performance

My classical training and competition experience provides the technical foundation that anchors our duo performances. Years of studying historical performance practices and mastering complex solo repertoire have shaped how I approach our collaborative interpretations. When Hugh and I sit together at one piano, I bring:

Technical Precision: My competition background ensures flawless execution under pressure
Historical Insight: Research into period performance practices informs our programming choices
Romanian Musical Heritage: Folk influences from my homeland add unique color to our arrangements
Academic Rigor: My doctoral studies enhance our analytical approach to four-hand literature

Mada and Hugh Piano duo playing together at a grand piano. Mada is in a simple black dress, while Hugh is sitting next to hear wearing a tuxedo. They are playing at a grand piano with the lid open.

Romanian Influences in Our Music

Bringing My Heritage to Our Partnership

One of my favorite aspects of our collaboration is introducing Hugh and our audiences to Romanian musical traditions. I've arranged folk melodies for four hands, and we often program works by Romanian composers like George Enescu. This cultural sharing enriches both our musical understanding and our audience's experience.

Connect with Our Duo Work

Follow Our Complete Journey

While this page focuses on my perspective within our partnership, you can experience our full collaborative story:

Visit MadaHugh.com for tour dates, concert videos, and our complete performance schedule
Subscribe to The Mada & Hugh Podcast for behind-the-scenes insights into our musical process
Join our Patreon community for exclusive access to rehearsal footage, special performances, and new arrangements

Book Mada & Hugh for Your Venue

I'm available to discuss booking opportunities for Mada & Hugh Piano Duo. Our performances are perfect for:

Classical music festivals seeking unique programming
Venues wanting to offer audiences something beyond traditional solo recitals
Educational institutions interested in masterclasses on collaborative performance
Cultural organizations celebrating international musical exchange

Personal Reflections

Why Duo Performance Matters to Me

As a Romanian artist living in America, I understand the power of cultural bridge-building through music. When Hugh and I perform together, we're not just playing four-hand piano arrangements—we're demonstrating how different musical traditions can enhance rather than compete with each other.

This collaboration has taught me that musical excellence isn't diminished by sharing the spotlight; it's amplified. Every time we sit together at the piano, I'm reminded why I fell in love with music in the first place: its incredible power to connect people across all boundaries.

Discover more about my solo career and other musical collaborations throughout this website, or visit our dedicated duo site to experience the full scope of the Mada & Hugh Piano Duo.

Visit Mada & Hugh Piano Duo

Mada and Hugh piano duo playing together on a Bosendorfer piano. The view is over their shoulders, looking at Hugh's right hand next to Mada's left hand on the keys of a Bosendorfer grand piano.