Steffen Drabek began playing the violin at the age of 7. He completed his studies at the Detmold College of Music (Musikhochschule Detmold) under Prof. Nobuko Imai, majoring in the viola, and obtained the certificates of "Matriculation in Arts" and "State Examined Instrumental Teacher".
He took part several times in the world youth orchestra "Jeunesses Musicales" as a solo violist and worked with directors such as Jeffrey Tate, Vernon Handley and Charles Dutoit. A scholarship to the famous Tanglewood Music Festival/USA and cooperation with Jessye Norman, Simon Rattle, Seiji Ozawa and many others left a lasting impression on his artistic development. Since 1992 Steffen Drabek has been a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Bremen (formerly known as the Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Bremen).
As a violist, he is also a much sought after partner for chamber music. His concerts with clarinet, viola & piano as well as flute, viola & harp or even voice, viola & piano are much loved.
His interpretation of the sonata for viola & piano, op. 147 of Dimitri Schostakowitsch, held in great esteem, is documented on CD and has been broadcast by several radio stations (Radio Bremen 2, DLF Kultur).
