Caroline Busser, cellist of French and German origin, was born in Munich. As a five year old, she received her first music lessons, learned the flute, violin and piano before she fell in love with the cello, which would fascinate and accompany her through her musical career. With the sonorous sound of the cello that is most similar to the human voice, you could “tell” stories to the public. In youth orchestra and chamber music ensembles she discovered to communicate with others through music, “carrying” the sound with the bass voice, being part of an accomplished piece of art.
She made this “first love” her profession, practicing and soon winning awards such as the National Cello Award Germany. Her studies led her to the Music Conservatories Strasbourg, Detmold and Munich where she played her final degree concert with great success. Prof. Bernard Greenhouse, one of the most renowned chamber music professors, invited her for a private scholarship to the United States. Under scholarship of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, Caroline performed in the most prestigious concert halls under some of the most prominent conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Lorin Maazel and Christian Thielemann. 2013 she became the Principal Cellist of Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern.
The most fulfilling thing thus far in Caroline’s eventful career has been chamber music, and she wants to spread the joy it has given her playing concerts with her duo “ICstrings” and the project MusicConnectsEurope.
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Ivan Knezevic, was born in Belgrade and found his love for music early in life. As a four year old, he joined the Belgrade Choir "Kolibri". At the age of six, he decided all of his own accord that he was going to learn to play the violin. At a special school for music in Belgrade he received, in addition to advanced violin lessons, his first taste of chamber music and orchestral playing. Since then he has played with great fervor in numerous established ensembles, nurturing his endless willingness to share musical ideas and interpretations with others.
First prizes at national and international competitions have enabled him to continue his career abroad. At just 20 years old, he was invited to Chile as principal 1st violin of the Teatro Municipal. In Germany, he has also taken up the position of principal 1st violin in Hagen and Essen. Additionally, he played first violin for three years in the "Evenos String Quartet", working with internationally known musicians whilst touring all over Europe.
Ivan loves sharing his musical experiences with others and passing on his knowledge to the younger generation. He has taught at the Cuprjia Musical School for especially gifted children in Serbia, as well as been a lecturer for chamber music at the college of music in Belgrade. His masterclasses both in Serbia and Greece are famous for their vibrant and spirited style.
Ivans numerous arrangements have enabled ICstring's repertoire to overcome musical boundaries, providing a seemingly unendless range of possibilities.
Together, Ivan and Caroline, create ICstrings combining the eight strings of their instruments to form a duo that performs on the highest level. Thanks to their various styles, dynamic education, and artistic creativity the two soloists are able to unite classical and crossover music. Ivan Knezevic arranged the variety of pieces for ICstrings. Playing on their 250 year old master instruments, as well as their cutting-edge carbon instruments, ICstrings is bridging the gap between past and future. The goal of ICstrings is to make everyone realize the joy and passion music can bring to their lives.