curriculum vitae

Karin Küstner was born in 1980 in Heilbronn (Germany). At the age of seven she began accordion education with Peter Pflüger. In the year 2000 she began to study at the famous „Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler“ in Berlin with Prof. Gudrun Wall and Birgit Erbe. In 2004 she graduated from the University with a first class honours degree in „Diplom – Accordionist/ Music – Educator”.

Afterwards she studied with Prof. Janne Rättyä at the University of Music and Dramatic Arts in Graz (Austria). In 2007 she graduated in "master of music". Since then postgraduate studies with Janne Rättyä.

Now she works as musician and as music-teacher in Upper-Austria and Salzburg.

In 2004 she recorded her first solo CD in the series „Les nouveaux musicians” published by Harmonia Mundi and received „Diapason d´or” CD-award.

She has played together with well-known ensembles such as „Echo- Ensemble“ Berlin, „Rias- Jugend- Orchester“ in cooperation with the Berlin Philharmonics, „Musikakzente 21. Jahrhundert“, „Ensemble für Neue Musik“ Graz, „Austrian Art Ensemble”, „Trio Eis”, "Philharmonisches Orchester Graz", "Junge Philharmonie Salzburg", "Ensemble TIMF" (Korea), "Loch Shiel Philharmonic Ensemble" (Scotland), "Mozarteumorchester" Salzburg, "oenm".

Karin Küstner plays at Festivals like Regionale 2004 Münsterland,  lange Nacht der blauen Rose, steirischer herbst, Les concerts en Valognais, die andere Saite, Harmo Novi, Aspekte Salzburg, Loch Shiel Festival, stART, Bayan en Morbihan.

As a soloist as well as a chamber musician Karin Küstner performs regularly in Germany and Austria. Concert tours have taken her to various countries such as French, UK, Italy, Sweden, Bosnia and Hercegovina, New-Zealand and USA.

Since 2005 she works together with the Soprano Cordula Stepp. MusikAS

Karin Küstner was promoted by the Yehudi Menuhin foundation „Live Music Now“ Berlin and Styria.

Karin Küstners big interest in contemporary music and creative collaboration with composers  led to some first releases.