In 2023, the Leonard Bernstein Award, endowed with 10,000 euros, goes to the German percussionist Vivi Vassileva, who explores the sound possibilities of her instrument in her playing and pioneers the expansion of the percussion repertoire. In 2019 and 2021, she has already been a guest at SHMF’s Music Festivals in the Countryside, presenting the fascinating diversity of percussion.

“To be honoured with the Leonard Bernstein Award is a huge honour for me and reinforces my belief that we can reach and touch people on a very extraordinary level with percussion. The fact that the prize has been awarded to my instrument for the second time is a special incentive for me to continue to inspire our young audience with our exciting contemporary music with absolute dedication and passion. Because percussion definitely is the instrument of the 21^st century.”