Istvan's works range from solo instrumental to large orchestral writing. He enjoys creating music in the "acoustic" chamber-music traditions of classical music, creating purely electronic music, electronica, as well as music in the pop traditions. As a performer, he is interested in performing new works for the keyboard and various electronic elements mixing styles, traditions and influences. Istvan studied composition, electronic music, and conducting at the Hartt School of Music, piano at the Yale School of Music, Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest Hungary (where he was awarded a Fulbright Grant), composition and piano at the Oberlin Conservatory, Neighborhood Music School (NMS), and the Educational Center for the Arts (ECA). He has taught at CCSU, SCSU, NMS, and ECA, co-runs the Fisher Composer Awards, is often a juror at competitions, records live concerts and demo CDs, maintains a project studio called "The Dungeon".