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Outstanding Young Artists

Since 2004 the German Forum has featured the following young artists from the German-speaking world in major New York events:

  • Marco Amherd
    Switzerland (Organist)
  • Kinga Augustyn
    (Violinist)
  • Isang David Enders
    Dresden (Cellist)
  • Sarah Ferede
    (Mezzo Soprano)
  • Clemens Gnad
    Bremen (Baritone)
  • Katharina Hagopian
    Mainz, now at Mannes (Soprano)
  • Babette Hierholzer
    Pianist
  • Judith Hoffmann
    Kassel (Flutist)
  • Äneas Humm
    Zurich, Switzerland (Baritone)
  • Rahel Indermaur
    Swiss-born/Berlin (Mezzo-soprano)
  • Magdalena Karolak
    Polish born/Luebeck (Oboist)
  • Karen Kohler
    Frankfurt, now NYC (Soprano)
  • Daniel Lang
    (Filmmaker)
  • Micaela Leon
    Stuttgart (Soprano)
  • Alissia von Mallinckrodt
    (Painter)
  • Sebastian Manz
    Luebeck (Clarinetist)
  • Uwe Mengel
    (Author, Director)
  • Toby Newman
    Mezzo-Soprano
  • Julia Obergfell
    Rostock (Oboe)
  • Johanna Pichlmair
    Austria (Violin)
  • Claudius Niessen & Thomas Pletzinger
    Leipzig (Book Authors)
  • Jan-Philipp Prass
    Hamburg (Percussionist)
  • Birger Radde
    Berlin/Yale U. (Tenor)
  • Christine Reberr
    Reutlingen (Soprano)
  • Heidi Sauser
    Mannes College of Music (Soprano)
  • Elisabeth Seitenbergerr
    Berlin (Clarinetist)
  • Christof Skupinn
    Cologne (Trumpeter)
  • Julian Steckel
    Vienna (Cellist)
  • Lisa Stepanova
    (Pianist)
  • Liza Stepanova
    Bellarus-born/Juilliard (Pianist)
  • Sebastian Stert
    Vocals
  • Eva Maria Summerer
    (Mezzo-Soprano)
  • Erika Switzer
    (Pianist)
  • Jana Thomas
    Luebeck (Soprano)
  • Martin Terens
    Hamburg (Jazz Pianist)
  • Mirjam Tschopp
    Zurich (Violinist & Violist)
  • Matthias Vieweg
    Berlin (Baritone)
  • Felix Weigtt
    Hamburg (Double Bass)
  • Hellen Weiss
    (Violinist)
  • Katharina Weiss
    (Violinist)
Artistic Advisor

Babette Hierholzer, acclaimed New York/Berlin pianist, advises the German Forum president on the selection of artists for the program. After reviewing applicants and selecting the performers, Ms. Hierholzer works with them to produce the final program and serves as the principal German Forum accompanist.

VIEW BIO +

The debut of pianist Babette Hierholzer with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra was followed by numerous performances lead by the renowned conductors Sir Colin Davis, Klaus Tennstedt, Leopold Hager and Semyon Bychkov.

Other engagements have included the Radio-Symphony-Orchestra Berlin, Philharmonia Hungarica, Orquesta Sinfonica de Chile, Orquesta Sinfonica de Venezuela, Staatskapelle Berlin, Hamburg Symphonic Orchestra, Krakow Philhamonic Orchestra.

In 1986 Ms. Hierholzer gave her American debut with the Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra playing Liszt Concerto No. 1 and her Canadian debut with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra playing Beethoven Concerto No. 2. Ms. Hierholzer made her first public appearance at the age of eleven in the Philharmonic Hall in Berlin, playing Mozart Concerto KV 488. She has performed extensively both in recital, chamber music and as soloist with orchestra in most of the countries of Europe, as well as in the United States, South America and Africa.

Babette Hierholzer was born in Freiburg, Germany and studied with Elisabeth Dounias-Sindermann, Wolfgang Saschowa in Berlin, with Herbert Stessin in New York, with Paul Badura-Skoda in Essen and Vienna, with Maria Tipo in Florence and with Bruno Leonardo Gelber in Buenos Aires. She won numerous first prizes, the “Viotti Concorso Internazionale de Musica” in Vercelli, Italy, the “Joanna Hodges” International Competition in Palm Springs and played her New York debut at Weill Carnegie Hall as winner of the “East & West Artists Prize For New York Debut”. She has recorded numerous recordings playing works by Schumann, Mozart, Schubert and Scarlatti Sonatas (Vol. 1, 2 & 3). She also performed the sound track and double/stand-in role for Clara Wieck (played by Nastassja Kinski) in Peter Schamoni’s movie “Spring Symphony” about the life of Robert and Clara Schumann.

Letters from the Artists

"I just wanted to take the opportunity to say thanks. What the German Forum did for me went far above and beyond what I expected. I am very grateful for the chance to come to New York City to read, because it has not only enriched my experience as a writer, but helped me so much in expanding my working opportunities."

CLAUDIUS NIESSEN, BOOK AUTHOR (LEIPZIG)

"The German Forum offers a wonderful chance for young artists like me to perform in this exciting and important city. It was a great honor to be invited to play with such a wonderful and highly talented group of musicians. Being part of the German Forum on November 7th, 2007 was an important and critical step in my professional career."

ISANG DAVID ENDERS, CELLIST (DARMSTADT)

"I am very grateful to the German Forum for its wonderful support during all the years I have lived in New York. Your organization provided me with a scholarship to pursue my studies at Mannes College of Music and offered me several opportunities to sing at its events. This gave me additional performing experience, which is critical for any young singer. All things considered, the connection and recognition I received from the German Forum has been and continues to be incredibly helpful in my career. Thank you very much."

CHRISTINE REBER, SOPRANO (REUTLINGEN)

"Invited by the German Forum, I participated together with two other young musicians in a classical concert at the Kosciusko Foundation Concert Hall in Manhattan. It was a wonderful and very important experience for me to celebrate my New York debut as a young flutist in such a wonderful place. Thank you for the opportunity to widen my artistic horizon. All young artists depend on encouragement and having an outstanding environment to perform. You provided these and I want you to know: We need you!"

JUDITH HOFFMAN, FLUTIST (KASSEL)

"The trip to New York, which the German Forum sponsored, gave me the opportunity to experience a totally new and different culture. I met many interesting people and even made some new friends. Professionally, it was a most rewarding experience and it gave me a taste of what I will face in my future competitive career. To sum it up, New York was very exciting and lots of fun."

JANA THOMAS, SOPRANO (LUEBECK)

"I really enjoyed being invited to New York by the German Forum and participating in a concert where I played the first movement of Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata and Opus 15 by Henryk Wieniawski accompanied by Babette Hierholzer, piano. Playing to a big audience in Manhattan was a wonderful experience for me and will be unforgettable and very helpful for my future career. I am very grateful to the German Forum to have given me this opportunity."

JOHANNA PICHLMAIR, VIOLIN (AUSTRIA)