Studied classical philology, philosophy and German studies (state examinations and doctorate) in Freiburg, Vienna and Rome, vocal studies in Freiburg (concert examination with distinction). Doctoral scholarship of the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes.

Beginning of stage career at the Stadttheater Heidelberg. Engagements in Augsburg, Hanover, Lübeck, Hamburg, among others. Numerous prizes (including 2nd prize at the German Music Competition).

Sang in many European countries, China, USA, Turkey and is a frequent guest at international music festivals (including Flanders Music Festival (Belgium), Festival of Stresa (Italy), Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, Rheingau Music Festival, Styriarte (Austria), Ludwigsburger Schlossfestspiele, Herrenchiemsee Festival, Kunstfest Weimar. Collaboration with conductors such as Donald Runnicles, Christof Prick, Bernhard Klee, Jesús López Cobos, Helmuth Rilling, Martin Haselböck, Marcello Viotti, Bruno Weil, Jos van Immerseel, Frieder Bernius, Muhai Tang, Alexander Soddy. Recitals with Charles Spencer, Michael Gees, James Tocco, Julius Drake, Axel Bauni, Detlef Kraus, Stacey Bartsch, Sascha El Mouissi and Hedayet Jonas Djeddikar. Increasingly active as a reciter as well.

Many CD recordings: including Heine, Goethe, Storm, Hebbel, Voß, Trakl, Leitner and Geibel settings. Songs by Gustav Jenner, songs by Anselm Hüttenbrenner, ballads by Martin Plüddemann, Winterreise, Dichterliebe, Weinlieder. Participation in oratorio and opera recordings for Sony Classical, CPO, Orfeo, Hänssler, NAXOS, among others. Among them numerous world premiere recordings.

Vocal professorships at the Musikhochschule Lübeck and Folkwang University Essen; since 2001 at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. From 2009 to 2018 director of the artistic-scientific doctoral school at the University of Music in Graz.

Gives regular masterclasses in China, Russia, Turkey and Italy 

Since 2000 director of the "Liedkunst" in Husum (Schleswig-Holstein, in collaboration with the pianist Charles Spencer). Within the framework of this song festival: promotion of young talent at a high level ('Master Class' and "Competition with Award Ceremonies"), internationally perceived concerts.

Editor of the songs of Anselm Hüttenbrenner and author of publications, among others, on the German Lied in the early 19th century and on artistic-scientific research.

Development of new concert formats: literary-historical-musical-historical panel discussions, recitation and song recital in interaction.