Insights
They come to Zurich from all over the world – young talents with passion and visions for their future in the professional field of music. Why they chose ZHdK and what moves them in their studies, they tell here in their own words and give insight into their work.
Jazz and Pop
"I decided to start studies at the ZHdK because it offers great opportunities to focus on my own music, vision and goals. Teachers and the system are offering me a good environment to truly immerse myself in what I do. I am very inspired by masterclasses and international teachers that I have met here."
Nikola Bankov, Master Performance Jazz & Worldmusic, Saxophone, 2025
Website – Facebook – Instagram – YouTube
“I like the diversity that ZHdK has to offer with all the disciplines and was convinced that this environment could only positively influence my development.
In my studies, I am very motivated by my fellow students, who share my passion, and by the openness of the lecturers.”
Marie Poisson, Bachelor Music, Vocals Jazz, 2023
Instagram
Church Music
“I can describe my first impression of ZHdK in one word: Grandiose! The professional conditions under which all the arts can work here are simply amazing. This gives rise to a dynamic that you can hardly escape – and also don’t want to.”
Cyrille Nanchen, Master Music Performance, Choral Conducting, 2022
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Interpretation & Performance
“ZHdK is extremely well equipped, offers excellent facilities and a supportive environment. Creativity of the students is always met with an open ear and respect. The professors are both competent and caring, and I feel my artistic and personal needs are truly met here – making it the perfect place for my Soloist Master studies.”
Emilija Kortus, Master Specialized Music Performance, Solistin Violine, 2025
Website – Facebook – Instagram – Spotify
“Studying at ZHdK has been a fantastic experience. Working with so many professional orchestras during my studies and to be accompanied by Prof. Mueller has been a decisive factor in my growth as a conductor and the reason why I applied to the university, for which I am very grateful!”
Luis Castillo-Briceño, Master Specialized Performance, Conducting, 2025
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To apply for orchestral conducting studies, I was motivated by professors Johannes Schlaefli and Christoph-Mathias Mueller’s exceptional communication with the student, musical approach and acceptance of each personality. The study programme also allows us to work with professional orchestras in different countries, where we can gain valuable experience.
Izabele Jankauskaite, Master Music Performance, Orchestral Conducting, 2023
Agency – Facebook – Instagram – Youtube
“I wanted to study at ZHdK because of the reknowned ‘Conductors Studio ZHdK’ with Johannes Schlaefli and Christoph-Mathias Mueller. They both motivate and inspire me to constantly work on myself, but there are many other professors throughout the university that inspire us to do so every single day. It is a wonderful place to be!”
Jakub Przybycien, Master Specialized Performance, Orchestral Conducting, 2023
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Composition / Sound Design / Sound Engineering
“While I was still in high school, I happened to discover the FTM programme at ZHdK during an open house event. I was immediately fascinated. Writing music has been one of my earliest passions and the combination of composition for film and dance aligned perfectly with my interests. ZHdK was the only institution that offered such a specialized opportunity, and I knew right away that I had to apply.
What inspires me most is life itself, both the joyful and the painful experiences. I reflect on my emotions and store them like memories. When a project calls for a certain feeling or theme, I draw on these inner experiences to create music that feels honest and alive. I’m also greatly inspired by my fellow students and professors. The open exchange of ideas, mutual support, and collaborative spirit create a unique environment that constantly pushes me to grow as an artist.”
Dorotea Crameri, Master Composition and Theory, Film, Theatre and Media, 2025
Audiofile – Website – Instagram – Facebook – YouTube – Spotify
"I heard a lot about ZHdK and wanted to be part of it. I'm inspired by fellow students, professors, and the diversity of the arts here. Constantly discovering myself, seeking my own voice, and being surrounded by creativity is both a challenge and a joy."
Wojciech Chałupka, Master Composition, 2025
Website – Instagram – YouTube – Spotify
“Inspired by a dear friend of mine, I decided to embark a new quest and study Sound Design at ZHdK, as I felt the need for a new twist in my life.
The master’s degree is a wonderful platform to expand my artistical knowledge and open up to new creative applications and fields of musical and personal interests.
ZHdK is a great place to connect and interact with new people: it doesn’t matter if fellow students or teachers, I’ve found a new family, everybody supporting and inspiring each other, regardless of the background or the study department.
The campus is offering me so many new possibilities for projects and collaborations: I’m very grateful for every amazing day spent here!”
Joel Gilardini, Master Sound Design, 2024
Website – Youtube – Instagram – Bandcamp
“My studies at ZHdK were surprising – in the very best sense. I went there with the firm conviction that I wanted to develop my craft in particular. Even before my studies, for example through my training, I always had the goal of improving my skills – be it in orchestration, composition or other areas.
What then completely surprised me was that what I learned at ZHdK went far beyond mere technical skills.”
Leo Brennauer, Bachelor Composition for Film, Theatre and Medien, 2023
Website – Patreon – Instagram – YouTube
“Of course I could have guessed – it’s in the name: ZHdK is a university of the arts, not just of the applied arts. But naive as I was at the time, I didn’t initially think about the artistic component that would await me. My lecturers repeatedly challenged me in individual and group lessons and pushed me in directions that I would never have taken on my own initiative. Once we had to compose exclusively with sounds, another time we were restricted to a single genre or had to limit ourselves in other creative ways. These experiments helped me to discover myself as an artist and to break new ground. This not only refined my craft, but also changed my perspective on my own work. Through ZHdK, I found aspects of myself that I might not have discovered otherwise. On the one hand, the course provided me with solid knowledge and basic skills, but at the same time it helped me to get to know myself – as an artist and as a person.
Something I would particularly like to highlight about my studies were the studio sessions in film composition. We worked intensively on these over several weeks during the semester – from developing the compositions and creating the sheet music to scouting the musicians. On the day of the recording itself, the aim was to lead the sessions independently. The structure over the semesters was great: we started with small one-person sessions, for example with a pianist, and worked our way up to large orchestral recordings in the concert hall. This step-by-step approach prepared me extremely well for my future career, not only in terms of my technical skills but also in terms of organization. In particular, the confidence that I gained from this experience stood me in good stead for the big recording session with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra in my final year. After more than 15 studio sessions, I had gained so much experience that I felt really comfortable and well prepared on the day.
Another aspect that I found incredibly enriching about ZHdK was its interdisciplinary approach. Through my work in the student association VERSO, I had contact with people from many different fields: design, art, dance, film, theatre and more. We had inspiring discussions, got involved in university politics and built bridges between disciplines. This environment made my studies a holistic experience.
When I look back, I see a time full of inspiration, in which I was able to develop enormously artistically, technically and, above all, personally. ZHdK gave me a side to myself that I hadn’t expected.”
Music Pedagogy
Students Master Elementary Music Education, 2023
- “One is richly gifted in this study and leaves it with a bulging suitcase full of wonderful, musical tools of the trade. An enrichment that you can share with others, pass on but also enjoy entirely for yourself.”
Katharina Busch Website – Instagram – Facebook - “I experience the combination of music and pedagogy as a great enrichment. What inspired me the most was that we were allowed to experience and live the content ourselves. The dancing, drumming, improvising, moving, making music and singing have inspired me – off to new horizons!”
Claudia Fäh - “During the children’s singing week in our village, I was allowed to lead the choir as a layperson and realized that I enjoyed it enormously. I wanted to know how to ‘do it right’ and so I ended up at ZHdK. The practical subjects and the lecturers, who exemplify what they teach us with their enormous know-how, motivate and inspire me very much.”
Irene Bucher - “The contact with all the people from different fields of study is enriching; you network throughout Switzerland and beyond. In addition, you can benefit from a very rich range of subjects and a very well-developed infrastructure at ZHdK.”
Konrad Germann Bandprojekt - “I started studying Elementary Music Education because I was looking for a new way of looking at music that leaves aside the rules of classical music. Studying Elementary Music Education was one of the most beautiful things I have done in my musical life. Elementary Music Education is everything we should be learning and unfortunately we don’t encourage enough: Creativity, group work, musicality in many aspects, imagination, movement, improvisation, singing ... After studying Elementary Music Education, you see music in a different light. Every subject of the study was an inspiration to discover a new Carla, who is not only a cellist, but now a more holistic musician.”
Carla Rovirosa Guals
