Entertainment

Founded in 1999, DDC is one of the most renowned breakdance crews in the German-speaking world. Combining breakdance with modern artistry, they have won numerous awards. The crew has toured worldwide, performed at major festivals, and produced over 300 shows, including "Breakin' Mozart." DDC is known for gala shows, TV appearances, and large live events. In 2013, they founded their own company and also provide talent development at the DDC Factory. Since 2023, their tour program "Breakin' Circus" has been on the road.

STORRY is a two-time JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter, visual artist, and advocate, renowned for her genre-blending sound and compelling lyrics. Drawing influences from R&B, hip-hop, and pop, she crafts emotionally powerful tracks that delve into themes of empowerment and resilience. 

Her captivating live performances have earned her a reputation as a rising star, transforming audiences with each show. STORRY has previously collaborated with notable artists such as Stormzy and Emmanuel Jal and is now set to release her highly anticipated album, Chapter 2: Run, in 2025.

This upcoming album tells the raw, emotional story of her realization that her 'boyfriend' was actually her trafficker, detailing the complex journey of reclaiming her life and healing from that experience. A 2024 finalist on The Voice UK, STORRY's live performances are visceral experiences that must be seen to be believed—her voice doesn’t just touch you; it hits you in the face.

Lauma Skrid is equally at home on the international podium as a soloist and chamber musician. The winner of the Beethoven Ring 2008 works with conductors such as Pedro Halffter, Andris Nelsons, Muhai Tang and John Storgärds and instrumentalists such as Anne-Sophie Mutter, Daniel Müller-Schott, Sol Gabetta, Julian Steckei, Jörg Widmann, Christian Tetzlaff and Tanja Tetzlaff. She has been performing internationally with great success in the Skride Quartet with her sister Baiba Skride, Harriet Krijgh and Lise Berthaud since 2016. She has released several CDs. Lauma Skride was born in Riga in 1982 and studied at the music academy in her home city (Anita Paze) and at the music academy in Hamburg (Volker Banfield). She has successfully participated in numerous international competitions since the age of eleven.

For thirty years, cellist Gregory Bennett Walmsley has traveled the world to perform in all the different genres that the glorious art of classical music offers: Opera, symphonies, ballet and chamber music. He has performed on five continents with such renowned musicians as Antal Dorati, George Solti, Colin Davis, Simon Rattle, Kurt Masur and Bernard Haitink. After 20 years as a member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Gregory moved to Berlin with his partner, the pianist Lauma Skride, and their daughter Beatrice Lulu. He began playing the cello at the age of 10 and was a junior student at the Royal Academy. After completing his studies with Derek Simpson and Lynn Harrell at the Academy of Music in London, he was awarded a scholarship to study with Bernard Greenhouse at Rutgers University (USA). Future projects include performing Bach's Cello Suites at the London Eye and at chamber music festivals in the Netherlands and Germany. Gregory plays an Italian cello from Trieste.

Born in Riga, Latvia (2006), Elza Siliņa ir a violinist with extensive training and performance experience. She began her violin studies at the age of six and is currently studying in Jāzeps Mediņš Riga 1st Music School with Antti Kortelainen. She has participated in masterclasses across Europe with world renowned professor Mihaela Martin. Elza has won multiple competitions, including the 1st prize at the Valdis Vikmanis’ Competition (2024), 2nd prize and special award for Beethoven sonata interpretation at the 10th International Louis Spohr Competition for Young Violinists (2022) and more. She has performed widely as a soloist and chamber musician. In 2024, she performed in New Year’s concerts with Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, Participated in the Liepāja “Star Festival” and has given chamber music concerts in Latvia, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Finland and Switzerland playing in different kinds of chamber music ensembles, including string quartet, string quintet, string octet and piano trio. She has performed in major venues such as the “Great Amber”, “Latvija”, and “Cēsis” concert hall in Latvia, National Coach Museum in Portugal, Music Conservatory of Geneva and more. Elza has collaborated with musicians like pianist Lauma Skride, accordionist Ksenija Sidorova and composer Raimonds Pauls. Her dedication and achievements reflect her continuous development as a musician through international performances and collaborations.