Ildiko Magyar began playing classical violin at the age of seven. After three years of studying under the Suzuki method, she was accepted to the Manhattan School of Music's Preparatory Division where she studied with the world-renowned Stanley Bednar for nine years. She was awarded a performing scholarship with the Duquesne University Tamburitzans in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This presented her with the opportunity to perform Eastern and Central European dances and music while touring the United States and Canada for four years. Ildi received a B.S. in Pre-Med Biology from Duquesne University.

Parallel with her years of musical training, Ildi studied Hungarian folk music in Hungary and America, participating in scores of folk music and dance camps starting in her teenage years. She was a member of New York's Hungária Folk Dance Ensemble from the age of four.

Ildiko is presently an Assistant Director and Dance Instructor of the Csurdöngölo Folk Dance Ensemble. Rooted in New Brunswick, New Jersey, a 'hotbed' for Hungarian-Americans of the tri-state area, and primarily made up of sons and daughters of Hungarian immigrants, Csűrdöngölő has evolved into one of America's leading ethnic dance ensembles. Throughout its five-year existence, the Ensemble has performed in prestigious locations such as The State Theatre of New Brunswick and Manhattan's Town Hall.

Ildiko is also the Director of the Hungarian American Athletic Club (HAAC) Folk Dance Ensemble, consisting of 45 children ranging from 4 to 18 years of age. She is a lead violinist, singer and musical arranger of Eletfa Hungarian Folk Band, which is the North America’s leading Hungarian folk music band, enjoying past successes at various unique venues such as Town Hall, Epcot Center, Library of Congress, Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Knitting Factory.

Idli has performed at the Symphony Space (Manhattan), Budapest Spring Festival, and Heinz Hall (Pittsburgh), and appeared live on WQXR (96.3 FM) in New York City.