Bernadette Pihusch (*2009) is among the most remarkable young violinists of her generation. She began playing the violin at the age of three and is currently a pre-college student and scholarship recipient in the gifted education programme at the University Mozarteum Salzburg, where she studies with Michaela Girardi and, since 2026, also with Professor Paul Roczek.

She has received important artistic inspiration through masterclasses with internationally renowned musicians, including Julia Fischer, Andreas Janke, Tanja Becker-Bender, Barbara Doll, and Bijan Khadem-Missagh.

A prizewinner of numerous national and international competitions, Bernadette Pihusch established herself at an early age as an exceptional young artist. Her distinctions include awards at the International Kocian Competition, the London Classical Music Competition, the Virtuoso International Music Awards, Germany’s national Jugend musiziert competition, the Carl Bechstein Competition, and the Cultural Promotion Award of the District of Rosenheim. Her artistic development is supported by scholarships from the Leopold Mozart Institute, the Rotary Club Salzburg, and the Hermann J. Abs Foundation.

As both a soloist and chamber musician, she has performed in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Belgium. She has appeared with ensembles including the Bach’s New Generation Orchestra Salzburg, the Salzburg Chamber Soloists, the vbw Festival Orchestra, the Nola Youth Chamber Orchestra, and OrchesterProjekt Salzburg. Broadcast recordings by Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) and Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) document her artistic development.

At the heart of Bernadette Pihusch’s artistry are stylistic versatility, interpretative maturity, and a commitment to making music an immediate and engaging experience for audiences. Her artistic profile is further shaped by close collaboration with conductors and contemporary composers, as well as by her openness to innovative concert formats and music outreach. A member of the chamber ensemble Bella Musica, she performs regularly in Italy. A particular highlight of her artistic career has been several performances on Mozart’s concert violin, crafted in 1764 by Pietro Antonio Dalla Costa, presented in cooperation with the International Mozarteum Foundation.

• 2025 Cultural Advancement Award of the District of Rosenheim
• 1st Prize & 2 Special Prices (Hindemith) — Carl Bechstein Competition together with Celina Höferlin 2025
• 1st Prize & 2 Special Prices (Beethoven) — Jugend musiziert (national competition, Germany) 2025
• 1st Prize — London Classical Music Competition 2024
• 1st Prize & Special Price „Best Little Star String Player“ — Virtuoso International Music Awards 2024
• 2nd Prize — International Kocian Competition 2021
• Scholarships: Gifted Education Program of the Leopold Mozart Institute · Rotary Club Salzburg · Hermann J. Abs Foundation · Swiss International Music Academy · Yehudi Menuhin Foundation Live Music Now