The meteoric success of 2CELLOS started when former cello rivals Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser decided to join forces. In January 2011, they uploaded a unique duo cello version of “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson onto YouTube. Within just a few weeks, their video became a huge viral sensation, receiving over 5 million views from across the world.

A month later, 2CELLOS signed a record deal with SONY MASTERWORKS. They were invited by Sir Elton John to join him on his worldwide tour playing with and opening for him. Their self-titled debut album was released worldwide in the summer of 2011 achieving top 200 Billboard status in the US, #1 iTUNES Germany, and #1 on the Japan imported albums (ahead of such distinguished artists as Beyonce, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lady Gaga). They have appeared on national television shows including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Lopez Tonight and Fox & Friends in the U.S., as well as Stefan Raab’s TV total in Germany.

Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser are accomplished musicians, both having played the cello since childhood. They recently completed their studies, Luka at the acclaimed Royal Academy of Music in London, and Stjepan at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Luka has performed all over the world at renowned venues including London’s Wigmore Hall, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Vienna’s Musikverein and Konzerthaus. He has won a series of international prizes including first and special prize at the VII Lutoslawski International Cello Competition (Warsaw, 2009).

Stjepan has also performed around the world in most European countries, South Africa, New Zealand, Asia and the USA, with debuts in London’s Wigmore Hall, Royal Albert Hall, South Bank Centre and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. He was the last pupil of Mstislav Rostropovich. In his short career, Stjepan has already been awarded first prize in twenty-one national and international competitions, and he has performed twice for Prince Charles at Buckingham and St James‘s Palace.