Sonja Oberkofler
Sonja Oberkofler
Sonja Oberkofler is a pioneering saxophonist, entrepreneur, and educator from South Tyrol, Italy. She regularly performs as a soloist and with various chamber music ensembles, while also engaging in music education and innovative transdisciplinary projects. Beyond her performance career, Sonja is actively involved in cultural management, contributing her expertise to the broader artistic community.
A fierce advocate of contemporary music, Sonja has performed with world-renowned ensembles such as the All-star ensemble Bang on a Can, Asko|Schönberg and Temko. Her professional drive and attitude have resulted in collaborations with various composers including Michael Jarrell, Katharina Rosenberger, Manuela Kerer, Anthony Fiumara, Aart Strootmans among others. Sonja has premiered a variety of chamber, orchestral and opera works, including the dutch young talent opera „Het spel“, “Sekitei” by Ryo Noda and more. What captivates her most about contemporary music is the creative journey – collaborating with composers, interpreting their visions and using her saxophones to bring their ideas to life – as also making contemporary music more accessible for the audience.
As a chamber musician, Sonja played together with the Amsterdam Sinfonietta and Fontys Saxophone Ensemble for the Dutch royal family. Her infectious passion for chamber music and transdisciplinary performances has taken her to prestigious venues such as the Concertgebouw, National Opera Amsterdam, Brucknerhaus Linz, “Bunker H” Bolzano as well as to alternative performance spaces. Sonja has also appeared at renowned festivals including the Bosch Parade, Oranjewoud Festival, Festival Classique, Theaterboulevard, Opera Forward Festival, Grachtenfestival and Alpen Classica Festival. Being a versatile musician, she has collaborated with circus artists, actors and dancers, performing in diverse transdisciplinary performances that push the boundaries of traditional performances.
Sonja is a Newzik ambassador, winner of the Junior Grachtenfestival Pitch 2017 and nominee for the Jacques de Leuw Price 2020. She studied in the Netherlands at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts Tilburg under the direction of Ties Mellema, Niels Bijl and Juana Palop, in Switzerland at the Zurich University of the Arts in the class of Lars Mlekusch and in Vienna at the University of Music and Performing Arts with Alvaro Collao Leon. Further studies included the Bad Homburg Masterclass in Germany, the Barcelona Modern Festival in Spain and more, with world-renowned saxophonists such as Claude Delangle, Arno Bornkamp, Jean-Denis Michat, John Sampen, Christian Wirth, Pawel Gusnar, Ryo Noda, Russel Peterson, Joan Marti Frasquier and others.
In addition to her musical activities, she is actively engaged in cultural management and holds a master’s degree in Sports, Culture and Event management. Sonja is also dedicated to personal lifestyle development focusing on mindfulness, nutrition, exercise and mental training, which leads to her interest in holistic body & mind performance. She has furthered her expertise with a certificate in Performing Arts Medicine from the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA).