top of page
Meet the artists
James Rose
London, England
James Rose (PKA Brave James) is a prolific arranger, composer, performer, producer & educator, based in London.
BRF2025-Workshops:
· to be announced
Over the years, James has become a veteran performer of a cappella & vocal harmony, touring worldwide with acclaimed internet sensation group, ‘Accent’ (www.accentvocal.com).
James has an extensive portfolio of arrangements and originals for prominent groups, choirs and bands, including The Real Group, Voces8, Naturally 7, The Swingles, Rajaton, Perpetuum Jazzile, NBC’s ‘The Sing Off’ winners Committed, The Filharmonic, Arturo Sandoval, Black Voices, Peter Hollens, Women of the World, The Aeolians, Estonian Voices and the National Youth Choir of Great Britain - also working as a vocal group mentor and arranger for BBC1’s prime-time show, ‘Pitch Battle’, collaborating closely with Bebe Rexha. Additional TV vocal arranging and coaching work includes BBC’s ‘The One Show’ & CBBC.
Driven by a love of teaching, James works as the vocal arranging professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama & ICMP (London), Centro Científico da Voz (Brazil), and as a group director at A Cappella Academy (acappellacademy.org), alongside leading vocal courses internationally with students and choirs worldwide. Instead of sleeping, James also composes for videogames, creates musical apps (www.cync.app), and is a producer of original electronic music (www.terranemusic.com, www.imbravejames.com), currently gearing up to release a second solo record.
James Rose (PKA Brave James) is a prolific arranger, composer, performer, producer & educator, based in London.
BRF2025-Workshops:
· to be announced
Over the years, James has become a veteran performer of a cappella & vocal harmony, touring worldwide with acclaimed internet sensation group, ‘Accent’ (www.accentvocal.com).
James has an extensive portfolio of arrangements and originals for prominent groups, choirs and bands, including The Real Group, Voces8, Naturally 7, The Swingles, Rajaton, Perpetuum Jazzile, NBC’s ‘The Sing Off’ winners Committed, The Filharmonic, Arturo Sandoval, Black Voices, Peter Hollens, Women of the World, The Aeolians, Estonian Voices and the National Youth Choir of Great Britain - also working as a vocal group mentor and arranger for BBC1’s prime-time show, ‘Pitch Battle’, collaborating closely with Bebe Rexha. Additional TV vocal arranging and coaching work includes BBC’s ‘The One Show’ & CBBC.
Driven by a love of teaching, James works as the vocal arranging professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama & ICMP (London), Centro Científico da Voz (Brazil), and as a group director at A Cappella Academy (acappellacademy.org), alongside leading vocal courses internationally with students and choirs worldwide. Instead of sleeping, James also composes for videogames, creates musical apps (www.cync.app), and is a producer of original electronic music (www.terranemusic.com, www.imbravejames.com), currently gearing up to release a second solo record.
Sarah Lasaki
Hamburg, Germany
The Hamburg-based dancer toured the world for seven years with the percussion show STOMP.
BRF2025 workshops:
- to be announced
In her work, Sarah combines rhythm, dance and rousing energy.
Growing up in a family of artists, she underwent nine years of classical dance training at the John Neumeier Ballet Centre in Hamburg from the age of five.
From the age of 14, she studied modern dance, jazz and afro dance as well as hip-hop and flamenco in order to develop her dancing skills. Her training took her from Hamburg and Berlin via Paris, London, New York and Los Angeles to Nigeria. Her dance experience led her into the world of musicals. She performed in Elton John's ‘AIDA’ in Essen (Collosseum Theatre) and in the European premiere of ‘Dirty Dancing’ in Hamburg. She inspired children and young people with her dance lessons (On Stage Hamburg and Billie's Tanzstudio). After several dance jobs and choreographies for music videos (Dante Thomas, Seeed, Nena, Shaggy, Audrey Hannah, etc.), an engagement at the Schauspielhaus Hamburg (‘Suburbio Das Niemandsland’ by Johan Kresnik) and the flamenco dance theatre project ‘Andanza’ by Teresa Martin, she devoted herself to her passion: playing the drums.
Sarah was the only German to make it through an audition for STOMP in 2007. She accompanied the hit show on its European and world tour for seven years. Here, Sarah was able to combine all her diverse interests and talents: rhythm, dance, energy and passion.
The Hamburg-based dancer toured the world for seven years with the percussion show STOMP.
BRF2025 workshops:
- to be announced
In her work, Sarah combines rhythm, dance and rousing energy.
Growing up in a family of artists, she underwent nine years of classical dance training at the John Neumeier Ballet Centre in Hamburg from the age of five.
From the age of 14, she studied modern dance, jazz and afro dance as well as hip-hop and flamenco in order to develop her dancing skills. Her training took her from Hamburg and Berlin via Paris, London, New York and Los Angeles to Nigeria. Her dance experience led her into the world of musicals. She performed in Elton John's ‘AIDA’ in Essen (Collosseum Theatre) and in the European premiere of ‘Dirty Dancing’ in Hamburg. She inspired children and young people with her dance lessons (On Stage Hamburg and Billie's Tanzstudio). After several dance jobs and choreographies for music videos (Dante Thomas, Seeed, Nena, Shaggy, Audrey Hannah, etc.), an engagement at the Schauspielhaus Hamburg (‘Suburbio Das Niemandsland’ by Johan Kresnik) and the flamenco dance theatre project ‘Andanza’ by Teresa Martin, she devoted herself to her passion: playing the drums.
Sarah was the only German to make it through an audition for STOMP in 2007. She accompanied the hit show on its European and world tour for seven years. Here, Sarah was able to combine all her diverse interests and talents: rhythm, dance, energy and passion.
Estêvão Marques
Barcelona, Spain
The Brazilian multi-talent combines dance and music with storytelling to create magical works of art and education.
BRF2025 workshops:
- to be announced
He studied music and researched Brazilian folklore in São Paulo. As a member of Grupo Triii and teacher at the San Francisco Orff Course, he inspires audiences worldwide with performances and workshops. Known for his spoon percussion and as the author of ‘Brasil for Children’, he inspires through creative forms of expression and is passionate about sharing his knowledge.
The Brazilian multi-talent combines dance and music with storytelling to create magical works of art and education.
BRF2025 workshops:
- to be announced
He studied music and researched Brazilian folklore in São Paulo. As a member of Grupo Triii and teacher at the San Francisco Orff Course, he inspires audiences worldwide with performances and workshops. Known for his spoon percussion and as the author of ‘Brasil for Children’, he inspires through creative forms of expression and is passionate about sharing his knowledge.
Anna Llombart
Barcelona, Spain
Anna Llombart shapes her various body music groups as artistic director, choreographer and (tap) dancer.
BRF2025 workshops:
- to be announced
Current and recent highlights:
Rhythm dance group WOODBEATS, with whom she premiered her first show La Gran Fuga in Vilafranca el Penedès in 2021 and performed throughout Catalonia. The show was performed at the Teatre Apolo in Barcelona in February 2022. Member of the conducting faculty at Coral Sant Medir. Since 2021, member of the Ritme i Compromís project, led by Laia Molins, which promotes social change through rhythm, movement and tap dance (classes in penal centres, nursing homes, hospitals, youth centres, etc.).
Member of the teaching staff of the Escola de música UT, which, together with Santi Serratosa, organises body percussion workshops for schools and high schools throughout Catalonia.
Choreographer and dancer at the Catalan television channel TV3 for the Tv3 Christmas campaign ‘Viu el Millor Nadal’ (2022 and 2023) and choreographer for the Fundació la Caixa #Yo Canto Adeste Fideles 2023 Christmas campaign.
Lecturer at the 1st New Balkan Rhythm Festival in Serbia in September 2022 and August 2023.
Tap dance coach for the children performing in Billy Eliot The Musical (Teatre Victòria in Barcelona) from 2019 to 2022. Co-director of the body percussion event RHYTMO 2018 together with Jep Meléndez and co-organised by Harmony Games in Barcelona.
She works as a teacher and choreographer for other dance companies and a variety of art schools: contemporary dance, music, circus arts, artistic skating teams, musical theatre and also for corporate events.
Anna Llombart shapes her various body music groups as artistic director, choreographer and (tap) dancer.
BRF2025 workshops:
- to be announced
Current and recent highlights:
Rhythm dance group WOODBEATS, with whom she premiered her first show La Gran Fuga in Vilafranca el Penedès in 2021 and performed throughout Catalonia. The show was performed at the Teatre Apolo in Barcelona in February 2022. Member of the conducting faculty at Coral Sant Medir. Since 2021, member of the Ritme i Compromís project, led by Laia Molins, which promotes social change through rhythm, movement and tap dance (classes in penal centres, nursing homes, hospitals, youth centres, etc.).
Member of the teaching staff of the Escola de música UT, which, together with Santi Serratosa, organises body percussion workshops for schools and high schools throughout Catalonia.
Choreographer and dancer at the Catalan television channel TV3 for the Tv3 Christmas campaign ‘Viu el Millor Nadal’ (2022 and 2023) and choreographer for the Fundació la Caixa #Yo Canto Adeste Fideles 2023 Christmas campaign.
Lecturer at the 1st New Balkan Rhythm Festival in Serbia in September 2022 and August 2023.
Tap dance coach for the children performing in Billy Eliot The Musical (Teatre Victòria in Barcelona) from 2019 to 2022. Co-director of the body percussion event RHYTMO 2018 together with Jep Meléndez and co-organised by Harmony Games in Barcelona.
She works as a teacher and choreographer for other dance companies and a variety of art schools: contemporary dance, music, circus arts, artistic skating teams, musical theatre and also for corporate events.
Merel Martens
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Merel directs the Vocal Leadership programme at Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam and leads her choir MAZE into new artistic spheres.
BRF2025 workshops:
- to be announced
After completing her bachelor's degree in music education at Codarts Conservatorium (2009) and a further degree in pop and jazz choir conducting (2011), she obtained her master's degree at the Royal Academy of Music in Denmark in 2015. Since then, she has taught at universities in Rotterdam and Tilburg and is active at international festivals, where she presents her innovative approaches to modern choral conducting.
Merel directs the Vocal Leadership programme at Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam and leads her choir MAZE into new artistic spheres.
BRF2025 workshops:
- to be announced
After completing her bachelor's degree in music education at Codarts Conservatorium (2009) and a further degree in pop and jazz choir conducting (2011), she obtained her master's degree at the Royal Academy of Music in Denmark in 2015. Since then, she has taught at universities in Rotterdam and Tilburg and is active at international festivals, where she presents her innovative approaches to modern choral conducting.
Rémi Leclerc
Toulouse, France
Rémi is the founder and artistic director of Humanophones - one of the most innovative body percussion and vocal groups in the world.
BRF2025 workshops:
- to be announced
His fascination for the spontaneous creation of sounds with the body led the pianist and singer to create a music that comes entirely from the human being - a universal language that is understood across borders. In his introspective search for a personal approach to body percussion, he builds bridges between dance and music.
Humanophones embodies a return to the essential and emphasises the human dimension that is omnipresent through the use of the body as an instrument.
Rémi is the founder and artistic director of Humanophones - one of the most innovative body percussion and vocal groups in the world.
BRF2025 workshops:
- to be announced
His fascination for the spontaneous creation of sounds with the body led the pianist and singer to create a music that comes entirely from the human being - a universal language that is understood across borders. In his introspective search for a personal approach to body percussion, he builds bridges between dance and music.
Humanophones embodies a return to the essential and emphasises the human dimension that is omnipresent through the use of the body as an instrument.
Esther Diethelm
Hamburg, Germany
The Swiss is a specialist in musical group processes with the TaKeTiNa method.
BRF2025-Workshops:
· to be announced
Since 1991 Esther has been offering workshops for a wide audience, leading rhythm classes at music colleges and working with orchestras and choirs.
Esther Diethelm's work is based on training in rhythm pedagogy and therapy with Reinhard Flatischler (Taketina rhythm process and percussion) and Dr. Wolf Büntig (potential-oriented psychotherapy) as well as further training in dance (among others. Heidrun Hoffmann), voice and improvisation (with Lisa Sokolov and Daniel Prieto), circle singing and choral conducting (with Thomas Reck and Fabio Jegher), frame drumming (Glen Velez) and body percussion (Michael Siefke, Keith Terry).
She was musically influenced by her intensive study of traditional Korean percussion (Samul Nori) and Balinese gamelan music, as well as by extensive musical study trips to Tanzania, northern Ghana and Southeast Asia.
Since 1991 Esther has been offering open Taketina workshops for a wide audience, conducting rhythm classes at various music academies in Germany and Switzerland, and working with orchestras (e.g. Dt. Kammerphilharmonie) and choirs. She also accompanies psychotherapeutic training groups with Taketina rhythm therapy.
The Swiss is a specialist in musical group processes with the TaKeTiNa method.
BRF2025-Workshops:
· to be announced
Since 1991 Esther has been offering workshops for a wide audience, leading rhythm classes at music colleges and working with orchestras and choirs.
Esther Diethelm's work is based on training in rhythm pedagogy and therapy with Reinhard Flatischler (Taketina rhythm process and percussion) and Dr. Wolf Büntig (potential-oriented psychotherapy) as well as further training in dance (among others. Heidrun Hoffmann), voice and improvisation (with Lisa Sokolov and Daniel Prieto), circle singing and choral conducting (with Thomas Reck and Fabio Jegher), frame drumming (Glen Velez) and body percussion (Michael Siefke, Keith Terry).
She was musically influenced by her intensive study of traditional Korean percussion (Samul Nori) and Balinese gamelan music, as well as by extensive musical study trips to Tanzania, northern Ghana and Southeast Asia.
Since 1991 Esther has been offering open Taketina workshops for a wide audience, conducting rhythm classes at various music academies in Germany and Switzerland, and working with orchestras (e.g. Dt. Kammerphilharmonie) and choirs. She also accompanies psychotherapeutic training groups with Taketina rhythm therapy.
Quelen Lamouroux
Toulouse, France
Quelen, a French dancer, singer and violinist, has been performing body percussion at the finest level for more than a decade.
BRF2025 workshops:
- to be announced
After 15 years of training in contemporary dance, violin and singing, she travelled to Brazil to further develop her skills in movement and rhythm. On her way back, she began a transdisciplinary exploration that closely links body, sound and music. She worked with Leela Petronios' Hip Tap Project for five years and has been performing with the company Arcosm and the Humanophones, among others, since 2013. In 2014, she founded her own company, Qalis, to break new ground in dance and music as an artistic director and performer. She also accompanies artistic processes and shares her insights in workshops.
Quelen, a French dancer, singer and violinist, has been performing body percussion at the finest level for more than a decade.
BRF2025 workshops:
- to be announced
After 15 years of training in contemporary dance, violin and singing, she travelled to Brazil to further develop her skills in movement and rhythm. On her way back, she began a transdisciplinary exploration that closely links body, sound and music. She worked with Leela Petronios' Hip Tap Project for five years and has been performing with the company Arcosm and the Humanophones, among others, since 2013. In 2014, she founded her own company, Qalis, to break new ground in dance and music as an artistic director and performer. She also accompanies artistic processes and shares her insights in workshops.
Charles Raszl
Perugia, Italy
Rhythm, capoeira elements and dance characterize Charles' own style.
BRF2025-Workshops:
· to be announced
He uses the movement sequences of typical dances of his home country Brazil (Capoeira, Samba, Frevo) to elicit sounds and rhythms from the body. Only with the help of voice, hands and feet imaginative grooves and melodies are created. A combination of dance and body percussion, which Charles developed himself. No wonder that he easily succeeds in arousing enthusiasm for his kind of Brazilian joie de vivre.
Charles is a long-time member of the Barbatuques, one of the most influential body percussion groups in the world. With them, Charles tours extensively internationally and has collaborated with artists such as Bobby McFerrin and Cirque du Soleil. He studied classical guitar and choral conducting in São Paulo. Since 1997, he has developed cultural research projects and musical performances with a variety of dance and theater groups. Charles scenically directed music shows for the Brazilian Cultural Institute SESC and the prestigious Instituto Brincante in São Paulo. He was musical director for several state street theaters. As a composer and arranger, he created original soundtracks for dance and theater performances. In addition, Charles is continuously active both independently and with the "Nùcleo Barbatuques" as a workshop lecturer in programs for children and youth and in adult education. In this, he also volunteered for disadvantaged children in São Paulo.
Since 2019 Charles lives and works in Italy.
Rhythm, capoeira elements and dance characterize Charles' own style.
BRF2025-Workshops:
· to be announced
He uses the movement sequences of typical dances of his home country Brazil (Capoeira, Samba, Frevo) to elicit sounds and rhythms from the body. Only with the help of voice, hands and feet imaginative grooves and melodies are created. A combination of dance and body percussion, which Charles developed himself. No wonder that he easily succeeds in arousing enthusiasm for his kind of Brazilian joie de vivre.
Charles is a long-time member of the Barbatuques, one of the most influential body percussion groups in the world. With them, Charles tours extensively internationally and has collaborated with artists such as Bobby McFerrin and Cirque du Soleil. He studied classical guitar and choral conducting in São Paulo. Since 1997, he has developed cultural research projects and musical performances with a variety of dance and theater groups. Charles scenically directed music shows for the Brazilian Cultural Institute SESC and the prestigious Instituto Brincante in São Paulo. He was musical director for several state street theaters. As a composer and arranger, he created original soundtracks for dance and theater performances. In addition, Charles is continuously active both independently and with the "Nùcleo Barbatuques" as a workshop lecturer in programs for children and youth and in adult education. In this, he also volunteered for disadvantaged children in São Paulo.
Since 2019 Charles lives and works in Italy.
Ben Schütz
Hamburg, Germany
Ben founded the Body Rhythm Festival in 2015 and has been enthusiastically developing it ever since.
BRF2025-Workshops:
· Groove and Play our Festival Songs
· Introduction to Body Percussion/ Schnupperworkshop
In addition to regular courses in Hamburg, Ben gives workshops in Germany and abroad and appears on stage at events and musical theatre pieces.
He is a lecturer for body percussion at renowned institutions, including state music academies, Goethe Institutes, Youth plays Jazz and Musicians without Borders. Commissions have already taken him to Italy, France, Austria, Greece, Argentina and China.
Ben received his musical education at the Music College in Hannover, Germany, where he studied drums and percussion in jazz, rock, pop and music education.
As a studio musician, he has been involved in CD and film music recordings. Live he played percussion in musical performances, including "Aida" at the Staatstheater Darmstadt.
Stylistically versatile, he has drummed in big bands, jazz combos, Latin bands, rock and pop groups, and a classical orchestra.
For years he has been collecting and training body sounds and grooves from all over the world. Again and again he travels through South America, where he gets new inspiration for his holistic, gentle and at the same time vitalizing teaching style, especially by working with artists in São Paulo, Brazil.
Ben founded the Body Rhythm Festival in 2015 and has been enthusiastically developing it ever since.
BRF2025-Workshops:
· Groove and Play our Festival Songs
· Introduction to Body Percussion/ Schnupperworkshop
In addition to regular courses in Hamburg, Ben gives workshops in Germany and abroad and appears on stage at events and musical theatre pieces.
He is a lecturer for body percussion at renowned institutions, including state music academies, Goethe Institutes, Youth plays Jazz and Musicians without Borders. Commissions have already taken him to Italy, France, Austria, Greece, Argentina and China.
Ben received his musical education at the Music College in Hannover, Germany, where he studied drums and percussion in jazz, rock, pop and music education.
As a studio musician, he has been involved in CD and film music recordings. Live he played percussion in musical performances, including "Aida" at the Staatstheater Darmstadt.
Stylistically versatile, he has drummed in big bands, jazz combos, Latin bands, rock and pop groups, and a classical orchestra.
For years he has been collecting and training body sounds and grooves from all over the world. Again and again he travels through South America, where he gets new inspiration for his holistic, gentle and at the same time vitalizing teaching style, especially by working with artists in São Paulo, Brazil.
Guest Workshops
Look forward to more guest workshops, which will be announced here one by one.
Edgar Wendt
Beatbox
Edgar, beatboxer and vocal improviser from Somalia, guides you in exploring your voice Sunday afternoon.
Warm up, rediscover childhood sounds, and unlock new beatbox techniques, building confidence in your unique vocal expression.
Edgar, beatboxer and vocal improviser from Somalia, guides you in exploring your voice Sunday afternoon.
Warm up, rediscover childhood sounds, and unlock new beatbox techniques, building confidence in your unique vocal expression.
Briana Ashley Stuart
Stepping: Physicality in Body Percussion
Briana, a percussive dancer and choreographer from the USA, invites you to dive into the physicality of body percussion through Stepping, a highly energetic African-American percussive dance tradition. We will explore the relationship between movement and sound and how it heightens our connection to one another.
Briana, a percussive dancer and choreographer from the USA, invites you to dive into the physicality of body percussion through Stepping, a highly energetic African-American percussive dance tradition. We will explore the relationship between movement and sound and how it heightens our connection to one another.
Will Lopes
Layers of Movement
Meet Will, Brazilian Butoh dancer, actor, performer, body trainer, and theatre director. Explore movement's origin, resonance, clap textures, beat sensations, and dive into presence, time and space – through games and celebration.
Meet Will, Brazilian Butoh dancer, actor, performer, body trainer, and theatre director. Explore movement's origin, resonance, clap textures, beat sensations, and dive into presence, time and space – through games and celebration.
Anita Gritsch
Warm-up: Tuning the Body
Anita, body percussionist and yoga teacher from Austria, guides you in warming up your body for the day ahead. Stretch, yawn, and arrive in your body, preparing your mind and soul to embrace the festival this morning.
Anita, body percussionist and yoga teacher from Austria, guides you in warming up your body for the day ahead. Stretch, yawn, and arrive in your body, preparing your mind and soul to embrace the festival this morning.
Bel Gordillo
Flamenco Rhythms
Join Bel, a multidisciplinary artist from Andalusia, in a workshop that explores the power of "duende flamenco". Feel the pulse in the present moment and discover new connections between body and voice. Let various "palos flamencos" enrich your own creative journey!
Join Bel, a multidisciplinary artist from Andalusia, in a workshop that explores the power of "duende flamenco". Feel the pulse in the present moment and discover new connections between body and voice. Let various "palos flamencos" enrich your own creative journey!
Jaka Skapin
Odd Meter Vocal Improv
Jaka, Slovenian composer and vocal improvisation artist takes you on an embodied exploration of odd and poly meter, mixing collaborative vocal improvisation and circlesinging in the spirit of geeky challenge and play.
Jaka, Slovenian composer and vocal improvisation artist takes you on an embodied exploration of odd and poly meter, mixing collaborative vocal improvisation and circlesinging in the spirit of geeky challenge and play.
Kate Smith
The Embodied Voice
Kate is a vocal acrobat, composer, and creator of The Embodied Voice, a practice combining voice, movement, and improvisation. She will guide us on a creative journey traversing meditative somatic states into freewheeling voice and body play.
Kate is a vocal acrobat, composer, and creator of The Embodied Voice, a practice combining voice, movement, and improvisation. She will guide us on a creative journey traversing meditative somatic states into freewheeling voice and body play.
Artists 2015-2025
Alex Ostapenko
Goa, India
Anita Gritsch
Vienna, Austria
Anna Llombart
Barcelona, Spain
Anna Trish
Moscow, Russia
Ben Schütz
Hamburg, Germany
Carla Fonseca
Buenos Aires, Arentina
"Çeçe" Gürcay
Istanbul, Turkey
Charles Raszl
Perugia, Italy
Claudio Spieler
Utrecht, Netherlands
Estêvão Marques
Barcelona, Spain
Esther Diethelm
Hamburg, Germany
Federica Loredan
Genoa, Italy
Fidel Minda
Quito, Ecuador
Gabriel Hahn
Berlin, Germany
Gaël Aubrit
Lyon, France
Gitte Wolffson
Dusseldorf, Germany
Guillermo Rozenthuler
London, United Kingdom
Hilde Kappes
Berlin, Germany
James Rose
London, England
Jep Meléndes
Tenerife, Spain
Johannes Bohun
Vienna, Austria
Julian Knörzer
Freiburg, Germany
Kees Kool
Arnhem, Netherlands
Keith Terry
San Francisco, United States
La Cris
Gandía, Spain
bottom of page