Performers 2026

Petra Rennings

Petra had just turned 15 when she made her first appearances as a band singer and began writing her own songs. More bands soon followed, along with lead roles in rock musicals and her first CD productions. Music has taken her from pop, soul, and rock all the way to jazz. She still relishes this stylistic balancing act today, which is why she loves taking part in band and benefit projects of every genre. Nowadays she is mostly booked as a lead singer and soloist and has been passing on her experience as a vocal coach for many years.

Jean-Pierre Domaniwski

Jean-Pierre’s extraordinary voice decisively shapes the sound of our benefit concerts – his high-energy, tailor-made entertainment turns them into unforgettable, first-class live acts. Jean-Pierre is a vocal teacher as well as founder and owner of the Stuttgart music school Music Planet, a songwriter and producer in his own recording studio, and collaborates with renowned artists. He is the frontman and mastermind of the band Jake and the Convolution as well as frontman of the Stuttgart cover band Dropzone – die Eventband.

Dr. Yvi Szoncsò

Yvi is a multi-instrumentalist (main instruments: violin and piano), composer, songwriter, professional musician, and lecturer. Born in French-speaking Switzerland and raised in Austria, she studied music in Graz and earned a doctorate in musicology, appeared on The Voice of Germany in 2012, and lives out her passion in her bands. In 2020 she co-founded the mobile music school ABBY ROAD. Yvi is Musical Director of “Was uns am Herzen liegt” and responsible for the arrangements and musical dramaturgy.

Yahya Salman

Yahya is a singer-songwriter, producer, and stage performance coach with over 16 years of international stage experience across the EU. Since 2024 he has been coaching at renowned festivals for emerging artists – including the Newcomer Contest 2026 – supporting rising talents with valuable guidance for a strong stage presence and unforgettable performances. He is currently touring as lead singer of his cover band “Salman Soul” and coaches established bands as well as solo artists.

Find out more at www.highstages.com

Benjamin Calvo Cabet

Music was my first love. That certainly holds true for Benjamin Calvo Cabet. Classical music captivated him from an early age: he began taking classical singing lessons at the age of 13. While still at school, he was already performing at the opera and in musicals, but was also on the road with numerous pop and rock bands. In 2013 he joined the team of “Was uns am Herzen liegt”. Working full-time as an IT manager, he continues to support the WUAHL project with great passion.

Sonja Kufferath

Sonja Kufferath brings feeling and groove to the stage – whether with laid-back bossa nova or high-energy pop and soul sets. An experienced singer, she delivers the perfect soundtrack – stylish, versatile, live.

Jessie Rennings

We are delighted to welcome Jessie Rennings to the team – a very young soloist of just 22. Despite her age, she already has plenty of stage experience to show for herself. “My life is music,” she says. Thanks to her musical parents, she quickly found opportunities to perform professionally. For several years she has been on the road with various bands and genres and passionately supports musical projects for children. Jessie captivates with her soulful yet powerfully rock-infused vocals and her unmistakable charisma.

Heike Schwegmann

Music has always been an important part of Heike’s life. Recorder lessons and singing in the children’s church choir were her first musical experiences. Later she played the flugelhorn in the town band and took accordion lessons. Ten years ago she began professional singing lessons with Jean-Pierre at the Music Planet music school in Stuttgart-Wangen. Out of this grew the desire to start a band. Today she is the frontwoman of the Roxette tribute band THE BIG L.

Prof. Dr. Dirk Schieborn

Dirk is a pianist as well as co-founder and chairman of the board of the “Was uns am Herzen liegt” association. He pursues his passions as a university professor, management consultant, and keyboarder of the Stuttgart cover band Dropzone.

Find out more at www.pianoptikum.de

Gabriel Illert

Gabriel has been on the road as a drummer with various artists and bands for many years, including his metal band ANGA. He works as a live and studio musician and producer, and as a session musician has accompanied numerous well-known artists, among them James Blunt, Tim Bendzko, Eagle Eye Cherry, Nik P., Bernhard Brink, and Joel Brandenstein. TV credits: Schlag den Star, SWR New Pop Festival, ZDF Fernsehgarten, Luke Mockridge Show, ZDF Sportler des Jahres, Bayrischer Rundfunk.

Uwe Metzler

Uwe Metzler studied guitar at the conservatories of Graz and Munich from 1986 to 1988. Since then, countless national and international CD productions and tours have followed, including with Lou Bega, Randy Crawford, Duran Duran, Sarah Brightman (2004 world tour), Katja Ebstein, and Peter Kraus. From 2005 to 2011 he played in the live band of the TV show DSDS, since 2013 in Peter Schilling’s band; in 2017 he toured with Andrea Berg and since October 2023 with Nino de Angelo. He is also, among other things, guitarist with Anyones Daughter, a member of the Anne Wylie Band and of the Orchester der Kulturen. He has always passed on his knowledge at music schools and in private lessons.

Roland Hrastinski

Roland Hrastinski, born and raised in Stuttgart, has long been part of the Stuttgart music scene – among others with the band Gallery, which scored a chart hit in 2000 with “Blue” (TV appearances on MTV, Viva, Top of the Pops, ARD/ZDF). Today he works mainly as a guitar teacher and as a live and studio guitarist, including for Nena and Mungo Jerry. Since 2022 he has been the guitarist of Disney’s Hollywood-Sound-Orchester and accompanies musical stars such as Alexander Klaws, Willemijn Verkaik, and Mandy Capristo on their tours.

Michael Friedinger

Michael plays piano and keyboards with great passion, joy, creativity, and remarkable stylistic flexibility. Since his studies at the conservatories of Trossingen, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart, he has been in demand as a sideman in numerous bands across a wide range of styles. He has played with artists as diverse as Bob Mintzer, Roberto Blanco, Max Mutzke, Julia Neigel, Stefan Gwildis, Cassandra Steen, and Randy Brecker. In 2024 he released his debut album “Between Chairs”, featuring twelve original compositions.

Brigitte Kohler

Brigitte is a formally trained bassist, equally at home on electric bass and double bass. With her low notes and the right sound and pulse for every song, she provides a solid foundation for our programme – both musically and personally. We are delighted that she is on board with us again for the fourth time!

Bene Neuner

Anyone active in the German pop and electro music scene is bound to cross paths with Bene. The drummer and percussionist has been supplying artists with groove for over 20 years. Since 2011 he has been on stage and on TV with the electro-pop band “Glasperlenspiel”. He has played for Olly Murs, Michael Schulte, Tom Beck, and Yvonne Catterfeld, among others, and was part of the band for Joko Winterscheidt’s TV show “Win Your Song”.

Dr. Oliver Boese

This year Oliver supports the band as a saxophonist with his expressive sound. He has been on stage for over 30 years and plays in various musical formations. Stylistically, he moves between jazz, soul, and funk.