TSEPO KOLITSOE POOE
 CELLIST l CONDUCTOR l SOUND ARTIST

Tsepo Kolitsoe Pooe is a cellist and conductor from Johannesburg, South Africa, whose work spans classical performance and contemporary sound practices. His approach to the cello incorporates both traditional techniques and electronic manipulation, creating a dialogue between acoustic resonance and processed sound. This exploration has led him to develop a distinctive practice that intersects with broader themes of migration, displacement, and sonic experimentation.

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Pooe’s career includes performances with notable ensembles such as the Zurich Chamber Orchestra under Sir Roger Norrington, as well as participation in An Unfinished Symphony, a documentary commissioned by the Nobel Peace Prize through the South African orchestra MIAGI (Music is a Great Investment), reflecting his engagement with music as a tool for reconciliation. He was also part of William Kentridge’s inaugural season of The Centre for the Less Good Idea and has participated in a sonic response to Monia Ben Hamouda’s installation About Telepathy and Other Violences. Additionally, Tsepo has engaged in collaborative projects with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung.

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His work as a conductor includes conducting the Mandolin Orchestra ‘Da Capo’ in Berlin and serving as assistant conductor for the Kammerorchester Charlottenburg (Musikschule City West). He has performed at significant venues such as the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Berlin Philharmonie, Künstlerhaus Mousonturm, and Merseburg Cathedral. His practice is grounded in collaboration across disciplines, engaging with artists such as DAAD Resident Robert Machiri, composer Philipp Hülsenbeck, Adelle Nqeto and various Berlin-based musicians.

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Currently studying conducting with Maestro Symeon Ioannidis, Pooe’s practice is continually evolving, situated at the intersection of classical music, sound art, and electronic experimentation, contributing to a broader discourse on contemporary sound practices.