Violin student, 19, ‘ended her life tragically’

Violin student, 19, ‘ended her life tragically’

RIP

norman lebrecht

November 22, 2023

The Prague violinist Alexander Shonert has posted:

‘It is with great regret that I inform you that today, 21 November, at the age of 19, my beloved and talented student and friend Veronika Jugasová ended her life tragically. She was a pupil of Mr. (George) Fisher (at the Prague Conservatoire) and used to come to me for regular private lessons. She was supposed to come to violin class at 12 today, but I’ll never see her again. She was like a ray of sunshine . A smart and intelligent girl. She was happy to learn my methodology and I strongly hoped she would continue it, but fate decided otherwise.’

UPDATE: The soloist Pavel Šporcl writes: ‘Today I was struck by the sad news that Veronika Jugasová, who competed many times successfully at the Kocian Violin Competition, died. She was only 19 years old . I knew her as a beautiful and smiling sun, and so she will remain in my heart. I express my deep and sincere condolences (also for Kocianka) to her mother, but also to the teachers of the Prague Conservatory, Mrs. Prof. Dana Vlachová to the professor. To George Fisher.’

Comments

  • NYMike says:

    How tragic!

  • Helen says:

    So sad !!!

  • Sue Sonata Form says:

    Let’s give our children and young people hope instead of terrifying them with apocalyptic visions of death through climate change. Maybe then – just maybe – some of them will become optimistic and the more fragile ones like this unfortunate woman will be inspired with hope instead of despair. These things can often tip the vulnerable over the edge.

    Thoughts for this beautiful girl’s family and so many of the young people who have killed themselves in the recent past. And this is just those I know about.

    • John Schubert says:

      Not being concerned about climate change previously is why climate it now is a problem. Young people being informed may be the only way it may be solved. Instead of being the voice of doom the best way to approach it is to consider the positive solutions.

    • Anonymous says:

      Thank you

    • Eric Wright says:

      Do you really have to inject your odious politics into everything? Would saying nothing more than “my condolences” have been too much restraint for you?

    • Musician says:

      With all due respect, we have no idea what prompted this young teen to end her life. You’ve made a lot of assumptions. I imagine her family, friends and teachers don’t need to hear any of that.

      • Mark V. says:

        My Dad took his own life
        as well, we didn’t understand his pain. Our family was in shock! People who contemplate suicide don’t realize the impact on family, we now have
        to carry his pain for the rest of our lives, his pain
        Is over, ours is just beginning, since he didn’t leave a note, all of the family thought it was their fault that he did what he did, our family now has exploded, each of us feeling guilty.
        m.valley512@Gmail.com

    • Frank says:

      An ignorant, idiotic comment.

    • Dragonfly says:

      Not speaking out the truth does lead to even more .Linking mental health to the very real disasters of climate change is utterly ridiculous. But exactly what to expect from a cadet Bone Spurs fan.

    • ML says:

      That’s quite presumptuous to assume that you know exactly what caused the death of Miss Jugasová. You know nothing about her life, her health or her circumstances- I suspect if you’d walked past her in the street or heard her play in an orchestra uncredited as an extra violinist on a radio or TV broadcast you wouldn’t have known or cared. It’s bad taste making judgements like you’ve just done.

    • Nelson says:

      you will undoubtedly rot in hell for injecting your own personal bullshit agenda into this… Do you really have to make it about yourself all the damn time? Absolute narcissism…. why don’t you just shove your politics up where the sun doesn’t shine….

      • Mark Mortimer says:

        Quite right Nelson- as usual- a load of bullshit from ‘sonata form’- Norman should have the courage to ban him/her from this site for continued offensive comments. This talented young musician’s death is ‘tragic’ full stop.

      • Eve says:

        I couldn’t have said it better.

    • Rosie Herrera says:

      I can’t believe that your comment received 120 dislikes, I guess people don’t comprehend your message and/or are complete ignorants.
      I agree with you, young people are more impressionable nowadays than ever before. Thank you for your based comment.

      • Jean says:

        Good to know history for the past world’s conflicts people went through and their fight to survive. Assuming you have answers to this tragedy – you don’t.

    • Liberty says:

      Beauty and Talent sounds if someone was extremely jealous

  • Catherine says:

    Heartbreaking! Fantastic, moving playing, one must be utterly dedicated to play like this. My thoughts are with her family and friends.

  • Marioara Trifan says:

    Oh no, this is just too terribly sad!

  • Tom Sobieck says:

    What a strange comment. Even with the tragic death of someone so young, politics has to rear its ugly head!

  • Teresa says:

    Bless her precious soul. She will now play with the angels may the Lord grant her peace.

  • Greg says:

    So sad, what a beautiful, talented lady.
    I guess No one saw any signs of her inner soul.
    Such a lose!
    God bless her in heaven.

  • Anonymous says:

    Jesus have mercy on
    Veronika Jugasová
    ❤️

  • Irene Nealon says:

    It is so sad and tragic that Veronika has died – a moment when finally she could take no more of the turmoil of life…sincere condolences to her dear mother, teachers, friends & those who had the pleasure of hearing her magnificent musical ability. May her soul be at peace.

  • Laura Winters says:

    My nineteen year old grandson ended his life at university on October the 13. He was a talented much loved boy ( hundreds of young people at his funeral) but made this terrible choice in spite of the care and devotion the entire family heaped upon him.
    Mental illness is a very serious plight and leaves devastation in its wake.
    We will never be the same again .

  • Musician says:

    So very sad. Condolences to all who loved her and will miss her.

  • Natalene Newman says:

    So so so , it’s a shame people don’t see their heart and ask if there is anything troubling them,their faceal expression can sometimes tell a person, People need Jesus in their lives, he is the only way,to keep us on the way to eternal life, Read the Word of God it is life to your mind,it delivers us from wrong thoughts that try to control one’s mind, God’s word brings life not death My heart goes out to her loved ones,I they find rest for their soul by searching out God’s love he whants to give us and to get the Peace of God through all things,only by crying out for his Holy Spirit to comfort us, through all life’s hardships.. Blessings to this Saddest days for her family,I grieve with you even though I don’t know you all, she is a beautiful hearted woman just looking at her,little Darlin ❤️, Sorry Sorry for loosing this precious woman,she looks so young her face Is Radiant..love you Family I will be praying for you Blessings Natalene..xx

  • Timothy Richard Bennion says:

    We will never know why Veronika couldn’t reveal her deepest anxiety and feelings of hopelessness to a close friend or a family member. If only she could have talked about her depression to someone close to her, she might be alive today. It’s such as devastating loss to all her friends and family and my heart goes out to them. All that beauty and talent lost in a sudden act of despair. Another young life has ended when it should never have happened.

    • John Thomas says:

      Is there any reason to think no one knows why she took her life? The article doesn’t go into it or suggest that she was depressed or had any history at all of mental illness.

  • ML says:

    Tragic loss – so young. My condolences to her loved ones. May Veronika rest in peace.

  • Edmund says:

    Incredible talented and sweet girl died… heartfelt sympathy to the mother and rest of the family…

    Thanks to everyone humble human, who are still living!
    And no need to praise “help” of touches from psychiatry, it’s could be the case.

  • Guest says:

    Why? Why do these terrible things happen to such a beautiful soul who had her entire life in front of her and also a very successful career as a professional violinist? Something needs to happen in our pedagogical practices and methodologies that helps our young artists deal with the competition and the backstabbing that always seems to come from those that envy other’s talents and abilities. As a community of professional musicians, many, too many of us have endured this type of behavior at the hands of others-sometimes teachers, sometimes friends and sometimes abusive conductors. Some will be cynical and say that as long as there are people on the earth, you’re going to have to deal with these things. While that is true, there are healthy ways and not so healthy ways of handling these situations. We seriously must focus more time and energy on helping our young artists learn how to handle these situations and come out with their self esteem intact. We all put in many thousands of hours learning and perfecting our art and our “voice” whatever we have chosen that to be. To give another human being the power to take that “voice” away from us, simply because we do not have the skill set of healthy responses to counteract such an act(s) is not acceptable. While all the particulars of this young artist’s sad situation have not been made known, could it or would it have been averted if she had been able to respond in a healthy, self-affirming way? We will never know for sure, but let’s not let her departure have been in vain. Let us do more to help our upcoming young musicians understand their own personal value and worth as they make their way in the professional community of musicians.

  • Robert M. Burns says:

    Such a loss.

  • Janet says:

    I can understand the enormous pressure this lovely and talented young violinist lived with. It is relentless – pleasing teachers, coaches, preparing for competitions and concerts while having few breaks for fun. It is especially difficult for women who must also maintain a beautiful appearance. Too many of these young people have no one to turn to for emotional support and make the tragic decision to end their lives. It is sad that too early in life they are seen as a marketable commodity and treated accordingly. I can only imagine the pain this young woman felt.

  • John hood says:

    I’m so sorry for your loss, so tragic at a very young age

  • Frieda says:

    Prayers and Condolences to the family, friends, and teachers. May she rest in peace. I only read the article from her teacher. Just wondering if there has been a investigation into her death. Has the coroner
    assigned a cause and manner of death. Usually there is an
    investigation. Sorry, I watch a lot of crime shows. May she forever live in your heart.

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