Claus Freudenstein, born in Altötting on April 25, 1972, completed his contrabass studies at the Richard-Strauss-Konservatorium in Munich as well as at the College of Music in Munich under Thomas Jauch and Matthias Weber.

He was further inspired by classes held by such renowned soloists and professors as Dorin Marc, Caius Oana, Frank Reineke and Klaus Trumpf. Furthermore, he studied e-bass at the Bass School of Munich (BSM).

After completing his studies, Claus Freudenstein began work as a contrabass and e-bass teacher at the public music schools in Mühldorf, Eggenfelden and at the Ruperti-Gymnasium in Mühldorf.

Claus Freudenstein also became a member of PAK PAK (Pädagogische Arbeitsgemeinschaft Kontrabass Contrabass Education Working Group)) to ensure that he remains up-to-date on the latest developments in contrabass education through the exchange of ideas with colleagues. He is also an instructor at the annual "Bavarian Bass Camp".

His experience as a teacher inspired Claus Freudenstein to develop the contrabass for children. The contrabass, which is called the "Freudenstein-Minibass", was first presented to the public in 2003 and enables children to learn how to play the contrabass from the age of five.

In order to properly design age-appropriate and effective lessons for children, in 2004 Claus Freudenstein enrolled in an additional training course "Rhythmic Education" at the educational institute "Rhythmik e.V.", which he successfully completed in 2006.

In addition to his job as a music teacher, Claus Freudenstein works as a freelance musician and plays in various ensembles and orchestras.
www.claus-freudenstein.de

He furthermore composes and arranges music for the minibass and the "large" contrabass.

Since Claus Freudenstein was teaching the largest contrabass class in Germany in 2009, he was asked to give a lecture on how to set up a contrabass class at the Congress of German Music Colleges (Deutscher Musikschulkongress) in Berlin.