Cellist Ilona Kindt studied with Zara Nelsova and Harvey Shapiro in the United States and at the Menuhin Academy in Gstaad, where working with Yehudi Menuhin and Alberto Lysy had a profound influence on her artistic development. Her most important mentors also include Ferenc Rados, Hatto Beyerle, and Alfred Brendel.
In 2006, she founded the Boulanger Trio together with Karla Haltenwanger and Birgit Erz. The ensemble has established itself as one of the most versatile piano trios of its generation and performs on concert stages around the world. The trio is a regular guest at venues including the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Brucknerhaus Linz, Wigmore Hall London, and Musikverein Vienna, and collaborates with chamber music partners such as Andrè Schuen, Omar Massa and Sebastian Manz.
The ensemble’s discography now comprises 13 albums, many of which have received awards including the Excellentia Award, Supersonic Award and the German Record Critics’ Award.
Ilona's passion for sharing her experience with the next generation led her to found Young Chamber Music (YCM) in 2025. She also teaches chamber music at the Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin.
