Vanessa Porter is recognized internationally as one of the most versatile percussionists, sought after for a wide range of projects, concert formats, and programs.

As a soloist, she combines contemporary works with improvisation, electronics, and performance art, captivating audiences with her focused approach to crafting diverse soundscapes.
In addition to engaging directly with her instruments, a significant part of her work involves developing new programs as a soloist and in collaboration with various artists. She places great emphasis on creating a holistic concert experience and strives to contextualize her work within broader societal frameworks.

She collaborates with renowned composers such as Georges Aperghis (world premiere at the Cologne Philharmonic, 2020), Jennifer Walshe (world premiere at Funkhaus Cologne, 2021), Elnaz Seyedi (world premiere at Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik, 2022), Adriana Hölszky (world premiere at ZKM Karlsruhe, 2016), Marta Gentilucci (ECLAT Festival, 2021), Simon Steen-Andersen (Festival Musica Strasbourg, 2022), Benjamin Scheuer (world premiere at the Academy of Sciences and Literature Mainz, 2021), Alva Noto (world premiere at LAB Frankfurt, 2020), Francesca Verunelli (world premiere at Donaueschinger Musiktage, 2024), Zeynep Gedizlioglu, Samir Odeh-Tamimi, and many others.

In addition to guest performances with renowned international ensembles, such as Ensemble Modern and Ascolta Ensemble, she has been a permanent member of Les Percussions de Strasbourg since 2021. As a soloist and chamber musician, she has performed at prestigious festivals and venues, including Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik, ECLAT Festival Stuttgart, Donaueschinger Musiktage, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, WDR Sinfonieorchester, as well as presenting her solo programs at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Cologne Philharmonic, Philharmonie de Paris, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Barbican Centre London, Megaron Athens, and many more.

Vanessa Porter is the first-prize winner of the August Everding Music Competition in Munich, the International Percussion Competition Luxembourg, the Music Creative Award Lindau, and the Percussive Art Contest Italy. She has been awarded the Deutschlandstipendium, as well as scholarships from the Baden-Württemberg Art Foundation and the German Music Competition.

After studying at the Royal College of Music in London (under David Hockings) and the Lübeck Academy of Music (under Johannes Fischer), Vanessa Porter completed her master’s degree at the Stuttgart Academy of Music (under Marta Klimasara, Klaus Dreher, and Jürgen Spitschka).

Since 2024, she has held the position of Professor of Percussion at the Karlsruhe University of Music.