Anna Katrīna Paukšēna is a highly promising young Latvian cellist, born on May 6, 2001, in Riga, Latvia. She has participated in several international competitions, winning multiple awards. In 2014, at the International Young Musicians Competition “Renaissance” in Klaipeda, Lithuania, Anna earned 2nd place and the “Baltic Lyre” award for the best interpretation of a Baltic contemporary music composition. In 2016, she won 3rd place at the K. Davidov International Cello Competition in Kuldīga, Latvia, and in 2017, she placed 3rd at the Klaipeda International Cello Competition in Lithuania. In 2018, Anna won 1st place at the National Competition finals in Latvia. Anna has also performed in various festivals, both as a soloist and as part of chamber ensembles.

The young cellist has participated in numerous masterclasses across Europe, gaining experience from renowned cellists such as Tian Bonian (Germany), Wen-Sinn Yang (Germany), Franz Bartolomey (Austria), Andreas Brantelid (Sweden/Denmark), Marko Ylönen (Finland), and others.

From 2007 to 2020, Anna studied at Emīls Dārziņš Music School, where she was taught by Arvīds Tareila (2007-2009), Romāns Trautmans (2009-2017), and Professor Emerita Ellionora Testeļeca (2017-2020). Since 2020, Anna has been studying cello with Professor Martti Rousi at the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki, in Finland. In 2023, as part of the Erasmus program, she studied at the “Mozarteum” University in Salzburg with Professor Enrico Bronzi. Since 2024, Anna has started her master’s studies in chamber music at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian
Academy of Music.