Conrad Steinmann

Recorder, early music interpretation, and research into ancient Greek music
www.conradsteinmann.ch

Conrad Steinmann studied recorder at Schola Cantorum Basiliensis under the guidance of Hans Martin Linde. He is considered one of the most influential recorder players in the world and a leading researcher and performer of ancient Greek music.

Steinmann taught at Schola Cantorum Basiliensis from 1982 to 2019. He has received several prestigious awards, including the C. H. Ernst Stiftung Art Prize (1991) and the Swiss Music Prize (2021).

He is the founder of the ensemble diferencias and has performed in collaboration with Nikolaus Harnoncourt. He has also worked with renowned groups such as Ensemble 415 and London Baroque, among many others.

His discography includes recordings with labels such as Claves Records, Jecklin, Harmonia Mundi, and Divox.

Steinmann has given masterclasses across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Australia, and is highly respected both as a performer and as a teacher.

Helma Franssen

Recorder, special music projects, and staged formats for early and educational music

Helma Franssen was born in Eindhoven and studied recorder at Schola Cantorum Basiliensis with Kathrin Bopp. She has performed with renowned ensembles such as Concentus Musicus Wien, the Zurich Opera Orchestra, Ensemble 415, and London Baroque.

Franssen is a founding member of the ensemble diferencias and one of the organizers of the Internationale Tage für Neue Blockflötenmusik.

As a teacher, she is especially interested in connecting music with creative themes: recorder stories performed in the dark, projects for teenagers, and dance evenings for parents and children. Her work is known for its originality, playfulness, and deep musical sensitivity.

Reet Sukk

After early exposure to early music in Viljandi, Reet trained in traverso and recorder at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague. A founding member of ERTA-Estonia, she performs regularly with Cantores Vagantes and Estonian Baroque Orchestra (directed by Andrew Lawrence-King). Reet teaches at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and MUBA (Tallinn Music and Ballet School), and is one of the organizers of Tallinn feat. Reval, the largest early music festival in Estonia, which has been taking place since 2018.

Taavi-Mats Utt

Founder of Cantores Vagantes, Taavi-Mats is both a musician and a recorder maker. He studied in The Hague and has performed on and built historical instruments used throughout Europe. An active teacher (MUBA) and ERTA leader, he has shaped Estonia’s early music education landscape. He is a co-founder of Estonian Baroque Orchestra, and the founder and organizer of Tallinn feat. Reval.

Peeter Klaas

is an Estonian musician and active teacher specializing in early string instruments. He graduated in cello from the Tallinn State Conservatory in 1981 and has performed with the ensemble Hortus Musicus since 1976. A self-taught expert in viola da gamba, he has participated in masterclasses and international projects, and has taught early music in Estonia and Finland.

Kristine Esko

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A former European champion in 10-dance competition, Kristine has since focused on posture, movement, and historical dance. She integrates the Alexander Technique in her teaching and has trained in baroque dance in France. She leads Arte Movimento dance school and ensemble.