Loïc Zufferey is a Swiss cellist holding Master’s degrees in performance from the Haute école de musique de Genève and the Lucerne School of Music, alongside degrees in Law from the University of Geneva. He completed his musical training under the tutelage of François Guye, David Pia, and Joël Marosi. Guided by mentor Danja Lukan, his playing blends refined artistic rigor with deep consciousness.
An active soloist and chamber musician, Loïc performs in concerts, organizes musical projects, teaches, and provides live music for private events and weddings.
Loïc began playing music at the age of six with Tatjana Valleise, a teacher who immediately passed on to him her passion and fire for the cello. Shortly after, he had the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Studio Kodàly Orchestra and entered his first competitions, winning second prize in the finals of the Swiss Youth Music Competition. He joined the Conservatoire de Genève in the class of Daniel Haefliger, who guided him to the threshold of higher education. In 2017, he launched his professional journey at the Haute école de musique de Genève under the tutelage of his idols, François Guye and David Pia.
He began organizing his first recitals in Geneva and was invited to perform as a soloist with several ensembles, including the Orchestre Juventutti and the Orchestre du Festival de Puplinge. He also developed a strong passion for the role of principal cellist, serving in that position with the Swiss Youth Symphony Orchestra (SJSO), the Haute École Orchestra under the direction of Gábor Takács-Nagy, as well as several university orchestras in Switzerland and the UK. His studies in Geneva also led him to co-found the SAN Trio, with whom he performed numerous concerts. He was awarded the Schäuble Award during his Master of Arts in Concert Performance, which he completed in 2023.
Parallel to his musical path, Loïc also earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Law from the University of Geneva out of deep interest in the rules governing human society.
In 2022, Loïc met master teacher Danja Lukan in Vienna, who remains his mentor to this day. She revealed to him the power of music to connect to the heart, imparting the art of harnessing this energy with mindfulness and musical excellence. More determined than ever to fulfill his calling as a musician, Loïc joined the Biel Solothurn Symphony Orchestra as an academy fellow, before seizing the opportunity to refine his craft with Joël Marosi, principal cellist of the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne (OCL). He then pursued a Master’s degree at the Lucerne School of Music, which enabled him to compete in international interpretation competitions, including the prestigious Schoenfeld Competition in China in 2025 and the Brahms International Online Competition, where he won a gold medal. He successfully completed his studies in June 2026 and obtained a second Prize at the Dieman Competition at the same time.
Throughout his studies, Loïc has been supported by the Inspir’ Foundation, the Engelberts Foundation, the Caris Foundation, the Bory Foundation, and the Lalive Foundation. He plays on a cello made by Alfred Fallet, generously on loan from a private owner.
Solitary explorations and intimate duos: from Bach’s complete preludes and sarabandes to masterworks for cello and piano.
Guided by mentors Joël Marosi in Lucerne and Danja Lukan in Vienna, and trained in Geneva by masters including David Pia and François Guye, Loïc approaches the solo cello and piano repertoire with mindfulness and a constant search for authenticity.
He crafts unique solo recitals centered around the Bach Suites, presenting an original selection of all the Preludes and Sarabandes to create an immersive, continuous 1-hour listening experience.
Recitals with piano remain his favorite formation. He collaborates regularly with a dedicated group of piano partners, including Saya Hashino, Hu Jung, and Marie Gramont.
Second prize winner at the Dienemann Competition, Gold Medalist at the Brahms International Online Competition, and recipient of the Schäuble Award, he has performed as a soloist with ensembles such as the Puplinge Festival Orchestra and the Orchestre Juventutti.
He performs on an Alfred Fallet cello, generously on loan from a private benefactor.
Whether in a quintet, a quartet, or with the SAN Trio, listening and sharing are at the heart of the performance.
Chamber music is the ultimate exercise in musical synergy—a living conversation where listening, sharing, and an intricate balance of voices define every performance.
Co-founding the SAN Trio stands as a cornerstone of this journey, as welle as performing Mendelssohn’s Octet with the co-founded Octopus Octet, and exploring Brahms and Tchaikovsky sextets alongside Natanael Ferreira and François Guye through Alma Brasileira.
Loïc also delights in exploring vibrant, rhythmically rich repertoire for cello and accordion, highlighting works by Astor Piazzolla and Manuel de Falla.
Enriched by masterclasses with artists such as Gábor Takács-Nagy, Natalia Gutman, Wolfgang-Emmanuel Schmidt, Peter Bruns, and the AVIV Quartet, he approaches every formation—from duos and quartets to larger ensembles—with shared energy and spontaneous musical dialogue.
A rich experience of the cello section and the unique synergy offered by the great symphonic repertoire.
Holding a Master’s degree in Orchestral Performance from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU) under Joël Marosi, Loïc trained within leading musical institutions.
He served as principal cellist of the Swiss Youth Symphony Orchestra (SJSO), the Orchestre of the HEM under the baton of Gábor Takács-Nagy, the Juventutti Orchestra in Geneva, the Southampton University Orchestra, among others.
An intern and substitute with the Sinfonieorchester Biel Solothurn, he regularly collaborates with Camerata Schweiz and performs as co-principal in various festivals, including Puplinge, Sion, and Crans-Montana.
Concert in Vienna
Verein im Neuen Klang
📍Alberthall | Vienna
⏰19h30
Orchestra with
City Light Concerts
📍KKL | Luzern
⏰19h30
Bringing a spiritual connection to ceremonies, weddings, and exclusive gatherings.
From major classical masterworks to custom arrangements of modern pieces or film scores (acoustic or looper), Loïc delivers heart performances tailored to each venue's atmosphere.
Available in solo, in duo, or as part of custom ensembles upon request for ceremonies, receptions, and corporate galas.
Reimagining the acoustic cello through live sound layering, improvisation, and original creation.
The traditional boundaries of the cello are expanded through the integration of modern technology. By utilizing multi-track looping, a single instrument transforms into a full ensemble in real-time. This creative laboratory allows for the layering of textures, rhythmic patterns, and complex harmonies, offering audiences a mesmerizing listening experience that bridges classical technique with contemporary innovation.
Vibrant and without borders, contemporary collaborations that push the limits of the classical format.
Engaging with contemporary music is vital to keeping the classical tradition alive and evolving. Participating in modern festivals and collaborating with living creators like DJ Kygo brings a fresh perspective to the cello. It is a space for bold experimentation, unconventional techniques, and cross-disciplinary performances that challenge the performer to explore uncharted musical territories and new ways to rehearse with others.
Centered on motivation and an inner approach, guiding students toward natural playing from the heart.
Teaching since 2013 and regularly substituting at the Geneva Conservatoire of Music (CMG) in Daniel Haefliger's class, Loïc works with private students and young musicians.
Teaching is a deeply rewarding process of guiding the next generation of musicians. Greatly inspired by the transformative mentorship of master teachers like Danja Lukan, my pedagogical philosophy centers on connecting technical excellence with the soul's expression. By fostering a mindful approach to the cello, students are encouraged to develop their unique voice, build a healthy physiological relationship with the instrument, and discover the profound joy of making music.
A passionate commitment as an administrator and musician for this cultural association.
https://www.almabrasileira.ch/
Co-founded in Geneva in 2024 alongside three fellow musicians, Alma Brasileira blends creative passion with rigorous organizational expertise.
Serving as Treasurer and Secretary, Loïc leverages his Master of Laws from the University of Geneva and his background as a cellist to oversee administrative management, financial stewardship, and project development.
Driven by a commitment to enrich the broader cultural landscape, the association organizes impactful initiatives and musical exchanges that highlight the diversity of Brazilian repertoire.
An essential platform for turning artistic concepts into sustainable realities, ensuring high-level cultural projects flourish and reach broad audiences.