Bence Major was appointed as solo percussionist with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in August 2014. Bence, born in Szombathely, Hungary, pursued his musical studies at the Debrecen Music Academy under the guidance of Dr. István Szabó. During his tenure there, he was awarded the prestigious Artisjus Prize, marking a significant early achievement in his career. Major continued his education at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, studying with Gustavo Gimeno, Peter Prommel, Ramon Lormans, Victor Oskam, Arnold Marinissen, Nick Woud, and Mark Braafhart. 

Prior to his appointment, Bence regularly performed as a substitute with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. His experience also includes performances with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. As a student, he was actively involved in various youth orchestras like the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra, the European Union Youth Orchestra, and the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra. In the 2013–14 season, he was appointed as assistant principal percussionist with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. 

In addition to his performance career, Bence Major has an extensive background in teaching, serving as a faculty member at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the development of mallets that embodies the traditions I have absorbed through my education in Hungary and The Netherlands. This endeavor not only aligns with my professional aspirations but also resonates deeply with my personal values.