BARBARA MINDER

Barbara Minder

Some people defy easy description in just a few words. A classically trained flutist, Barbara Minder divides her musical life between performing, teaching, and fundamental research. Yet, this handful of factual labels falls far short of capturing the essence of the person; one needs to dig a little deeper.

On the performance front, she works with a veritable “Mikado” of flutes—ranging from the contrabass transverse flute to the Baroque traverso, and including the quarter-tone Kingma flute and the *Schwegel*. You might hear her play anything from Telemann to her own original compositions—whether in an acoustic setting or surrounded by an array of curious machines that clothe her instruments in a thousand unexpected colors.

As for teaching, you might find her leading a free improvisation workshop for people with aphasia, working on breathing techniques with a politician, or guiding a music conservatory student as they prepare for their master’s recital. It is never a matter of simply correcting a slightly imprecise note; her focus lies in exploring the “dark corners”—those minor flaws swept under the rug that have hardened into habits we would rather forget. With her deep understanding of human anatomy and a finely honed eye for observation, she is uniquely gifted at deciphering body language and translating it for musicians, fostering an awareness that sets them free and allows them to move forward.

On the research front, she plays a pivotal role in the development of “augmented” instrument making at *Les Chemins de Traverse*. She is also deeply interested in the dynamics of musical interaction—whether between musicians, with the audience, or otherwise—and constantly broadens her artistic horizons through collaborations with visual artists, dancers, writers, and architects. Not to mention her reflections on the role of music in spirituality.

Does that cover everything? Not quite. She also authored a book, *Lettres intimes* (published in 2026 by Éditions du Griffon), holds a qualification in cultural management, has served as editorial coordinator for the journal *Le Rapport des Chemins de Traverse* since 2014, and sat on the City of Neuchâtel’s Cultural Advisory Commission from 2013 to 2024. And when you meet her at a cocktail party attended by the “who’s who” of the French-Swiss real estate sector, you will realize that some people simply cannot be easily summed up in a few words.