Sandi
Toka Nova

Sandi Toka Nova was born in Almaty, Kazakhstan. She gave her first cello concert at the age of 13, followed at 15 by her solo debut with the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In 2000, she accepted an invitation from Maestro Tibor Varga to come to Switzerland. She studied with Marcio Carneiro at the Tibor Varga Academy in Sion, earned her soloist diploma with Patrick Demenga at the Lausanne Conservatory and an orchestral diploma from Zurich University of the Arts.

Her career has taken her to the Zurich Opera House Orchestra, Camerata Lausanne and the Jura Symphony Orchestra, where she served as principal cellist. As a cellist and composer, she combines interpretation, original musical ideas and the development of new artistic projects.

From 2011, Sandi worked for the renowned Verbier Festival as artistic assistant to the executive management and as coordinator of the summer music camp. This role brought together her stage experience, international arts administration and the support of young musicians.

For several years, Sandi shared her experience with the next generation of musicians, teaching cello at the renowned Zakhar Bron International Music School in Zurich and Zug.

Alongside her work as a soloist and chamber musician, she curated international concert projects, directed the classical programme of Expo 2017 in Astana and founded the Benefiz-Festival Zürich.