Biography
Sophie Bright, born in France in October 2004, is young trombone artist, often praised for her mature musicality and effortless versatility, bridging classical and jazz genres with natural fluency. In 2026 Sophie was invited as official artist of the International Trombone Festival (ITF). Sophie performed as soloist with different orchestras, including the St. Gallen Chamber Orchestra, Mittelsächsische Philharmonie, the Zürich Tonhalle Orchestra, and soon with the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Christian Lindberg.
Sophie grew up with jazz, playing trombone in the big band Dai Kimoto & Swing Kids, and enjoying performances at jazz festivals and jam sessions around the world. Thanks to her teacher Fredi Sonderegger she discovered passion for classical music, winning her first solo with an orchestra when she was 12. Sophie's musical awards include multiple first prizes at the Swiss Youth Music Competition (SJMW), the Beringer Jazz Award, the EMCY Prize 2021, and the first prize at the 2023 Lions European Music Competition Thomas Kuti. She was featured on Swiss radio SRF2 as both classical and jazz young talent. At the age of 18, Sophie was the youngest finalist at the at the Aeolus 2023, where she also received the best interpretation prize. In 2026 she became finalist in the Royal Over-Seas Leage (ROSL) Music Competition in the Wind, Brass and Percussion category, where she was also awarded the Phillip Jones Memorial Prize for Outstanding Brass Player.
Sophie studied with Ian Bousfield during her bachelor degree, which she achieved with disctinction in Hochschule für Künste Bern in 2025, and is now studying in London at the Royal Academy of Music with Peter Moore and Matt Gee. Sophie performs in various settings – often as soloist, and in classical or jazz duos, chamber, jazz and funk groups. See examples below.