Tanja Bechtler

Originally from Zurich, Switzerland, cellist Tanja Bechtler found her creative outlet during her elementary school years, where she fell in love with the cello through the Orff Method. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a Master of Music Degree from the Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Marion Feldman. 

 

Tanja served as an orchestral player for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra for 12 years and then continued to create and co-direct the Charlotte Composers Forum in North Carolina, where she worked in tandem with other regional composers from the Carolinas. 

 

Adding to her impressive contributions to both solo and chamber music, Tanja was honored with the prestigious Women of Achievement Award, 2015, from The General Federation of Women’s Clubs of North Carolina, an international volunteer service organization. The Women of Achievement Award recognizes outstanding women for their significant contributions to the state of North Carolina.

 

Currently, Tanja is the founder and director of the Bechtler Ensemble. Tanja is also on the faculty at Central Piedmont Community College as a cello instructor. She has recorded with her duo partner, guitarist Bob Teixeira, creating several CD’s titled “Shade Grown” and “Without Borders“, as well as recorded CD’s with the Bechtler Ensemble titled “Reflections on the Firebird” and “Imagine a World of Harmony”.  Film recordings include Elie Wiesel, Robert Shaw and Elizabeth King’s documentaries by film composer Fred Story. Additionally, she is an active participant of the Practice HORA, a science-based training program designed to develop physical and intellectual inner strength, endurance, and the ability to remain calm during any activity.

 

Tanja dedicates all of her music to the HORA™ Trance Sport Youth movement, an effective and safe method to increase resilience, strength and endurance.

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