Talia Schwarzwald, an alumna of the Academy, is currently Deputy Principal Double Bass of the Münchner Symphoniker.
Talia’s musical journey began at the Academy’s High School, where she studied classical piano and performed with the school orchestra. In her senior year, when the orchestra needed a double bassist, she tried the instrument for the first time—and immediately fell in love with it.
Her double bass lessons with Prof. Michael Klinghoffer, together with the encouraging realization that she could produce a good sound from the very beginning, opened up an entirely new path for her.
During her military service, Talia came to understand that music was the field in which she wanted to grow and develop. After completing her service, she continued her studies at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, deepening her training in both piano and double bass while also performing with the Young Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
While still a student, she heard a great deal about Berlin’s vibrant musical community. This inspiration later led her to audition for the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. As a member of the orchestra, she performed around the world while completing her degree. Through the ensemble, she met conductor and double bassist Nabil Shehata, who encouraged her to study with his own teacher, Michinori Bunya, in Würzburg, Germany.
Under Bunya’s guidance, Talia prepared for her entrance examinations and went on to pursue a master’s degree. During her graduate studies in Würzburg, she joined an orchestral training program with the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, followed by the Accademia Teatro alla Scala in Milan. While still completing her degree, she successfully auditioned for a position with the Münchner Symphoniker, where she has performed ever since.
Today, Talia serves as Deputy Principal Double Bass of the Münchner Symphoniker and continues to represent the Academy’s alumni with pride on the international stage.
