The barefoot cellist from the Alps who touches hearts around the world
Born on May 4, 1988, in the serene hills of Emmental, Switzerland, Jodok Vuille didn’t just grow up on an organic farm — he grew up surrounded by rhythm, nature, and silence. It was in this quiet simplicity that his passion for music was born. At the age of six, he picked up his first cello… and never put it down.
Encouraged by his family and mentors who quickly noticed his innate musicality, Jodok pursued formal training and earned his Bachelor’s degree at the Lucerne University of Music in 2011. Determined to deepen his artistry, he went on to complete two Master’s degrees, earning his coveted concert diploma. But long before graduation, he had already done something few classical musicians ever dared—he built his own cello by hand. That instrument, crafted in 2006/07, still sings under his fingertips today.
For years, Jodok toured across Europe as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral performer, and teacher. But a turning point came when he began sharing his musical soul with the world through social media. Performing barefoot in breathtaking natural landscapes, merging cinematic visuals with classical and modern cello covers, he tapped into something deeper—emotion beyond borders.
Under the name “JODOKCELLO”, his art exploded online. With over 13 million followers across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook, Jodok became one of Switzerland’s most celebrated content creators—a global musician who brought the cello to Gen Z and beyond.
His journey led him to collaborate with household names like Mercedes-Benz, Swatch Group, and FC Barcelona, and to share the stage—virtually and physically—with stars like Alan Walker, IL VOLO, Lindsey Stirling, Teddy Swims, Il Divo, Placido Domingo Jr. and many more. The Qatari royal family personally invited him to perform in Doha, and in 2024, he was honored with the World Influencer Award in Cannes.
But Jodok is more than a viral phenomenon. He’s a visionary — a modern-day bard who brings classical music to the people, without filters or pretension. Every day, his music is streamed millions of times by fans across the globe, each note carrying the message he lives by:
“Music is not just sound. It’s connection. It’s presence. It’s truth.”
And as he walks barefoot—sometimes across mountains, sometimes across world stages — he carries with him the spirit of the Alps, the honesty of the earth, and the soul of a cello that was never meant to be locked inside concert halls.