Curriculum Vitae

Petra Besa has been an accompanist at the Basel Academy of Music since 2005. The collaboration with violist Silvia Simionescu and the opportunity to accompany her students in their musical and personal development is a very fulfilling and important task for her.     

Petra Besa was born in Brno in 1976 and took piano lessons with Prof Irena Havlakova and Prof Pavel Stepan in Prague before starting her studies. Between 1983 and 1987, she won four prizes at the international "Virtuosi per musica di pianoforte" competition in Usti nad Labem and was also the youngest pianist to be awarded the Czech Radio Prize. In 1996, she completed her piano studies at the conservatory with Prof Milan Bialas, winning the prize for best pianist. She continued her studies at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno under Professor Jiri Skovajsa and graduated with a Master of Music degree in 2001. She then continued her studies for three more years in the soloist class of Prof. Bruno Canino at the Bern University of Music and Theatre. She took part in the masterclasses of the Weimar Piano Week CH.A.I.N. and worked with artists such as Eugen Indjic, James Tocco, Rudolf Buchbinder, Klaus Hellwig and Walter Levin. During her studies, she focussed intensively on chamber music, which ultimately led her to her current profession. She regularly supports young talents at competitions and various auditions. As a chamber musician, Petra Besa has played with Andrea Bischoff, Ivo Gass, Jana and Igor Karsko, Bohuslav Matousek, Alexander Besa, Anne - Christine Vandewalle, Anja Röhn, Lisa Schatzman, with the Merel Quartet, Norea Trio, Wallinger Quartet and at festivals such as Hukvaldy, Concentus Moraviae, Murten Classics and Olten Classique.
She regularly accompanies the Alberto Lysy masterclass in Château d'Oex.
A long-standing musical friendship with Jan Skrdlik enables her to continue performing in her home country. She lives in Lucerne with her husband Alexander Besa and their two daughters.