Born: 1982 ((near Zurich, Switzerland)

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Anita Leuzinger, was named a co-winner, along with David Requiro, in the 2008 Walter W. Naumburg Cello competition.

She began her cello studies at age 5. Her teachers included Thomas Grossenbacher in Zurich and Thomas Demenga in Basel, where she completed her master of music degree with distinction. During her studies she also worked with György Kurtág, Miklós Perényi and Steven Isserlis, among others. Another influence was the Hungarian pianist Ferenc Rados, who showed her a completely new approach to music.

At age 23, when she was still a student, Anita Leuzinger won the position of principal cellist with the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra. Her part-time position there enables her to get to know the symphonic repertoire with one of Switzerland’s top orchestras, while devoting herself intensely to her solo activities and her passion for chamber music. For several years now she has been performing regularly with pianist Anton Kernjak, giving concerts in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, USA and Switzerland. She also works frequently with Heinz Holliger, with whom she has played the Lutoslawski concerto at the Salzburg Festival and given a series of chamber music concerts in Japan.

Her concert activities have taken Anita Leuzinger to the Lucerne Music Festival, the Salzburg Festival, the Davos Music Festival, the Ittingen Festival, the Sommets Musicaux at Gstaad and the IMS Open Chamber Music Festival, England, to name but a few. Early on she gained experience as a soloist, playing with orchestras such as the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana the Basel Symphony Orchestra, the RSO Symphony Orchestra Vienna, the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Zagreb Soloists.

In 2008, Anita Leuzinger became assistant cello professor to Thomas Demenga at the Musikhochschule Basel.

She plays a cello made by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini in 1752.

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