Bernese musical creativity honored

Rico Baumann completed his drum studies at the jazz department of Bern University of the Arts in 2007. This was followed by representing Switzerland in the European Jazz Orchestra in 2012, the Marianne and Curt Dienemann Foundation Award in 2013 and a scholarship in New York two years later. As one half of the electro-pop duo True, he tours throughout Europe, America and Japan with Daniela Sarda.

The mezzo-soprano Claude Eichenberger has been a member of the Bühnen Bern ensemble since 2007. She studied with Elisabeth Glauser at the Bern University of the Arts. After graduating, she completed her training at the International Opera Studio Zurich. Since 2018, she has also been passing on her knowledge to the next generation at Bern University of the Arts.

Philippe Krüttli is not only known for his work as a trombonist and conductor, but also as the director of the Bernese Jura Music School based in St-Imier. Until 2011, he played the baroque trombone in various ensembles. He has put the trombone aside for a few years now and concentrates mainly on conducting ensembles. He conducted the vocal ensemble d'Erguël from 1992 to 2019 and still conducts the Grand Eustache, a Lausanne orchestra dedicated to contemporary music and the combination of different styles.

Steff la Cheffe began her career as a beatboxer and rapper. In 2009, she won the runner-up title in the "Female Category" at the Beatbox World Championships in Berlin. A year later, she released her first album and made a name for herself beyond the Bernese rap scene. The versatile musician made her comeback in 2018 after a long break, during which she continued to develop artistically, and has been performing regularly on stage ever since.

Leoni Leoni from Bern brings her enraptured pop songs from her bedroom to the stage. Over the past three years, the musician and producer has recorded and produced four albums on her own and released them on cassette.