Petra Sittig

Tobias Hoffmann is a multi-award-winning German saxophonist, composer, and arranger whose music bridges the worlds of contemporary big band, European jazz, and the freedom of improvisation. As the leader of his Jazz Orchestra and Nonet, he creates richly textured musical landscapes filled with dramatic storytelling, intricate harmonies, and emotional depth. In this conversation, Tobias reflects on...

When I first heard a recording of composer Nimrod Borenstein's Mandolin Concerto, I was captivated by the sound of an instrument I had always associated with fairytales and enchanting landscapes. Curious to discover the true voice of the mandolin, I invited Israeli-born, Vienna-based mandolinist, lutenist and conductor Alon Sariel to join me for a conversation about his remarkable musical journey....

I recently had the pleasure of doing an interview with pianist, composer, and cultural visionary Teodor Doré for what became a thought-provoking and inspiring conversation. Teodor Doré is an internationally acclaimed pianist and composer, as well as the founder of the cultural movement Renaissance-21. His remarkable career has taken him to audiences across six continents, with performances at some...

In this episode of The Artist's Voice, I had the pleasure of speaking with hammered dulcimer player Corinna Rogers, an accomplished musician currently based in Nashville, Tennessee, who originally comes from Upper Austria. Corinna shares her fascinating musical journey, which began in Austria where she was first introduced to the hammered dulcimer. She reflects on her early music education and exp...

This week on The Artist's Voice, I had the pleasure of speaking with the talented ballet dancer Hui Wen (Winnie) Peng, whose inspiring journey has taken her from Taichung, Taiwan, to some of the world's most respected ballet companies. Winnie began her artistic journey in gymnastics before discovering her passion for ballet. She also trained in Chinese dance, and in our conversation she reflects o...

Susannah B’s journey is one of discovering your voice in your own time. Growing up in New York as the daughter of celebrated composer and lyricist Carol Hall, Susannah was surrounded by the world of musical theatre from an early age. In this heartfelt interview, she reflects warmly on her upbringing and what it was like watching her mother’s creative career unfold firsthand. Although Susannah orig...

Matthew Rose is internationally celebrated as one of the world’s leading opera basses, having performed at some of the most prestigious opera houses including Royal Opera House, Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, La Scala and the Bavarian State Opera. In this insightful conversation, Matthew speaks openly about the realities of life as an opera singer — the dedication, sacrifice, uncertainty,...

Adam Williamson is an award-winning UK-based sculptor and calligrapher whose work bridges geometry, carving, pattern-making, and timeless design. Trained in calligraphy, geometric design, and stone and wood carving, Adam’s practice is rooted in the study of proportion, tessellation, and the universal patterns found in both nature and architecture. His sculptures and large-scale works have been exh...

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with producer, director, writer and former film marketing executive Christine La Monte, whose career has included working with major studios such as Universal, Disney and Orion before founding La Monte Productions. Christine shared beautiful memories of growing up in an Italian family in New York, where Sunday sauce at her grandmother’s home became a traditi...

Lilit Margaryan a recent graduate of the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz Austria, where she studied under Peter Tavernaro. In this inspiring interview, Lilit reflects on her journey from growing up in Armenia to pursuing her musical studies abroad, sharing the personal and artistic challenges that shaped her path. Interestingly, Lilit’s introduction to the oboe happened almost by acciden...

In this episode of The Artist’s Voice, I speak with Rachel Ashwell, designer, author, and founder of the iconic Shabby Chic. Rachel shares stories of her childhood in England, growing up surrounded by antiques through her father’s work as a dealer, and the gentle artistry of her mother, who restored antique dolls and bears. These early influences shaped her deep appreciation for beauty, history, a...

The Inspiration by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

In this interview, I speak with German banjo player Konstanze Wunderle, who shares the story of how she first fell in love with the unique and captivating sound of the banjo. Drawn to its character from the very beginning, Konstanze reflects on what inspired her to pick up the instrument and follow its musical path. She takes us on a journey through the rich and complex history of the banjo, traci...

In this conversation, I speak with Martin Lorenz—a passionate singer, vocal coach, and choir facilitator based in Germany—about his innovative One Day Choir project. Martin shares how these unique, one-off choir events invite people of all backgrounds to come together and experience the joy of singing without pressure or expectation. The focus is not on perfection, but on presence—on enjoying the...

In this fascinating and deeply insightful interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with composer and conductor Nimrod Borenstein about his latest recording, released at the end of March. Conducting the English Chamber Orchestra, Nimrod brings to life a beautiful and evocative program featuring Shakespeare Songs, a Mandolin Concerto, and an Oboe Concerto. The recording showcases an exceptional lin...

In this interview, I talk with Serbian-born jazz double bassist Miloš Čolović, whose dynamic presence spans both the Austrian and Serbian jazz scenes. Currently based in Vienna, Miloš is steadily building an international career while completing his master’s studies, following his education at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. Miloš reflects on his early musical beginnings, which s...

In this conversation, I speak with choir conductor Sinhaeng Lee, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Programs at Colgate University, as well as the founder and artistic director of Vox Amicis, a professional ensemble based in Seoul, South Korea. Sinhaeng shares his rich experience working with a wide range of choirs—from youth ensembles to professional singers—and reflects on a par...

In this inspiring conversation, I talk with Hanna Schaubmar, a dynamic young artist whose work beautifully bridges music, movement, and cultural expression. Currently studying Rhythmics at MDW – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna through the Erasmus program, Hanna shares insights into a discipline that merges music with body, movement, and dance. Rhythmics is more than a practice—it’s...

In this inspiring conversation, I talk with pencil artist Vincent Reid, who lives and works in Howick, a small town in the Midlands of South Africa known for its vibrant and ever-growing art and music scene. Vincent reflects on his creative journey, beginning with his art education in Zimbabwe and his early career as an interior designer, before courageously transitioning into life as a full-time...

In this inspiring episode of The Artist’s Voice, I speak with PJ – Peter-John Frans, a passionate jazz keyboard player currently based in Dubai. PJ takes us back to his childhood in Atlantis, South Africa, where music was not just something you listened to — it was something you lived. His mother played a profound role in shaping his musical journey. At home, she encouraged her children to sing to...

In this inspiring episode of The Artist’s Voice, I speak with Anna Katharina Jakobi, a multi-instrumentalist from Cologne, currently studying at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. Anna Katharina shares her journey as a young musician deeply committed to both performance and academia. Alongside her studies in Music Education, she is also pursuing Musicology, driven by a genuine cur...

In my recent conversation with Ballet Master Stéphane Dalle, I was reminded once again why art is not a luxury — it is a lifeline. Stéphane’s career has taken him to some of the world’s most respected ballet companies, including the English National Ballet, Boston Ballet, Béjart Ballet Lausanne, and Ballet Frankfurt. Today, he is internationally recognized for teaching the floor barre method devel...

In this episode of The Artist’s Voice, I had the great pleasure of speaking with John Yao, a 2025 Guggenheim Fellow in Music Composition and one of the premier trombonists, composers, and arrangers on the New York City jazz scene. John shares the story of how he first picked up the trombone and how his deep love for jazz began to take shape. From his early musical curiosity to immersing himself in...

How do you become a full-time jazz musician — and actually make a living from live music? In this inspiring interview, Austrian jazz pianist Walter Fischbacher shares his remarkable journey from classical piano training in Vienna to building a successful jazz career in New York and touring Europe. At just 14 years old, Walter knew he wanted to play live music. That early dream led him from studyin...

In this inspiring conversation, I speak with Laura Köönikkä, founder and CEO of Confidants, about her journey between the art world and the business world. Laura shares how discovering art through her childhood nanny shaped her early understanding that art could be a career. Although she explored music and theatre growing up, she always knew she would not become an artist herself. Instead, her pat...