KARSTEN WINDT

Born in Berlin, Germany, Karsten Windt graduated in his hometown at the Hochschule der KŸnste, and in London at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (Prof. Yfrah Neaman, David Takeno). He also attended the masterclass of Nathan Milstein in Zurich. From 1992 until 2011 he was first violinist with the Deutsche Symphony Orchestra Berlin where he was responsible for building up and directing the DSO string academy department. Karsten also worked as a freelance player with many other major orchestras in Europe and Northern America.
 
Since forming his own chamber music group, the Akanthus Ensemble Berlin, his concern has been to create fresh ways to hear and understand classical music. Through musical introduction on stage he gives his audiences the inside perspective of an experienced musician on his programs. Based on this idea, Karsten has also developed concerts in cooperation with museums for special exhibitions and creates events with exclusive hotels and restaurants to a new kind of event that combines music, food and wine for very special culinary-musical experiences. Karsten has a big place in his heart for children. He moderated DSO concerts for children and youth because he understands that the future of classical music lies not only with our young musicians but also with our young audiences. 

In 2006, 2007 and 2009 he introduced a series of concerts at Forest Hill Musical Days, a chamber music festival in San Francisco under the direction of Mari Kodama and Kent Nagano. After acquiring his residency in the US in 2008 he moved from Europe to the West Coast in 2011 and created his own private chamber music series  Music at Home. He also gives private recitals and works as an independent musician, narrator, concert organizer and violin/ chamber music coach in the San Francisco Bay Area. 
In his free time Karsten is a passionate sailor.