Hermann-Lietz School - Haubinda
Westville Girl's High School, Durban, South Africa
Phorms Süd
Further Musical Studies
Overview
From the age of 16, I participated in the International Summer Academy of the Mozarteum University Salzburg. Coming from a small provincial town like Illertissen, it was an eye-opening experience to suddenly be surrounded by international students, many of them from Japan and other parts of the world. This exposure to diverse musical perspectives and high-level training gave me the motivation and drive I needed. Already in my second year, I was honored to perform in the Academy’s final concert — a milestone that marked the beginning of my journey toward professional music studies.
Xaver Plersch
My musical journey began with Xaver Plersch, my first piano teacher and the parish organist in my hometown of Illertissen. He introduced me to the piano at seven and, a few years later, gave me my first lessons on the organ. When he retired, I was suddenly entrusted with his role — “thrown into the deep end” at the age of twelve — accompanying up to six church services each weekend.
To build on this experience, I completed the C-Kurs of the Diocese of Augsburg in organ and conducting, which opened the door to my Konzertfach (Concert Performance) Organ studies at the Mozarteum in Salzburg.
Hans Rettenbacher
While studying in Salzburg, I became curious about jazz and often went to jam sessions at the music bar Podium. One evening, I was amazed by the piano playing of Hans Rettenbacher, who I later learned was a renowned jazz bassist and cellist who had performed with many leading musicians worldwide.
By chance, I discovered he lived in Kirchanschöring — the same town where I was teaching piano at the local primary school to support my studies. I called him, and he warmly invited me into his home. There I also met his wife Elke, who always welcomed me with a warm meal after long teaching days.
From that point, a deep friendship grew. Hans became one of my most important jazz mentors, guiding and encouraging me on my journey into improvisation and jazz.
Although he passed away too early, his influence lives on in my music, and I remain in touch with Elke to this day.
Alan Praskin
Another important mentor I met at the Podium in Salzburg was the American saxophonist Alan Praskin. Born in Los Angeles, Alan had already played in New York’s free jazz scene and toured widely in Europe before settling here.
When I first joined him at a jam session, I lost track of the form, and he stopped me mid-piece with the blunt advice to “come back when you know your stuff.” It was a tough moment, but it motivated me to practice scales, chord progressions, and improvisation — skills I hadn’t yet developed in my classical studies.
When I returned, I was ready. From then on, I played with Alan regularly, sometimes several nights a week, and we became friends who often laughed about that first encounter.
He remained a mentor who pushed me to grow beyond my comfort zone, and without him my musical path would have looked very different.
