Thomas Steinhöfel was born in Königsee, Thüringen, and took his first piano lessons at the age of five. He soon was off to Weimar where he obtained his high school diploma (Abitur) at Weimar’s Special School for Music. From 1982 to 1988, Thomas Steinhöfel attended the Franz Liszt Hochschule für Musik in Weimar, where he studied piano with Volkmar Lehmann, lieder accompanying with Ludwig Bätzel, and chamber music with Martin Högner. Steinhöfel then won a scholarship to study at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest. While there, he worked with the renowned Attila Nemethy, Ferenc Rados and Emilia Varasdy. Steinhöfel has also played in masterclasses led by Victor Merzhanov, Bernard Ringeissen, Peter Feuchtwanger, Jürgen Uhde and Peter Schreier.Since 1990, Thomas Steinhöfel has taught at the Franz Liszt Hochschule für Musik in Weimar, where, in 1993, he was appointed professor of piano, lieder accompanying, and repertoire studies. In addition to his teaching activities, he gives concerts in Germany and internationally. He is a sought-after chamber music partner, rehearsal pianist and lieder accompanist. As a guest professor, he also gives regular masterclasses in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Finland and Brazil. Steinhöfel also has a special interest in researching and performing the works of Johann Nepomuk Hummel. As part of the Rothstein Duo, together with pianist Sebastian Roth, Steinhöfel has participated in re-introducing various neglected works of Hummel, enabling audiences to hear them once again.
