Stjepan Hauser, known professionally as HAUSER, is one of the most charismatic and technically brilliant cellists of his generation: a Croatian musician whose career has defied every boundary between classical and popular music to create a wholly distinctive artistic identity that has captivated hundreds of millions of listeners worldwide.
Born on June 15, 1986, in Pula, Croatia, he first achieved international recognition as one half of 2Cellos, the duo he formed with fellow cellist Luka Sulić in 2011, and has since built an equally successful solo career that has placed him on the Billboard charts, on prestigious stages from the Royal Albert Hall to the Sydney Opera House, and in the company of musical legends including Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
His story is, at its core, about the liberation of a classical instrument from the confines of the concert hall. The cello, in Hauser’s hands, does not simply play Bach and Beethoven: it plays Nirvana and Michael Jackson and Ennio Morricone with equal conviction and equal technical mastery, finding in every genre the emotional core that great music shares regardless of its origin.
The viral YouTube cover of Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal that launched 2Cellos in January 2011, and the subsequent decade of performing to sell-out arena crowds across the world with one of classical music’s most unlikely and irresistible acts, is a story about what happens when extraordinary talent meets the freedom to follow genuine musical instinct.
Profile
| Full Name | Stjepan Hauser |
| Stage Name | HAUSER |
| Born | June 15, 1986 |
| Age | 39 years old |
| Birthplace | Pula, Croatia |
| Nationality | Croatian |
| Occupation | Cellist, Musician, Producer |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Parents | Mario Hauser (father), Marija Hauser (mother, percussionist) |
| Net Worth | $8–$12 million |
Early Life
Stjepan Hauser was born on June 15, 1986, in Pula, a coastal city on the Istrian peninsula in Croatia, into a musically inclined family. His mother, Marija Hauser, is a percussionist, and his father Mario Hauser is also musically engaged.
Raised in a household where music was not simply entertainment but a serious vocational pursuit, Stjepan began playing the cello at a very young age and displayed exceptional natural ability almost immediately.
By his teenage years he was already winning competitions and had identified the cello as the medium through which he would express everything he felt about music: a commitment that would reshape the classical music world’s understanding of what the instrument could be and do.
Education
Hauser completed his secondary education in Rijeka before studying music in Zagreb. He subsequently pursued advanced cello training at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London and at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, studying under leading mentors and developing his technical foundation at institutions that demanded the highest standards.
He also trained in the United States and has worked under world-class cellists including Bernard Greenhouse, Heinrich Schiff, Frans Helmerson, and Arto Noras.
His formal competition achievements are extraordinary: he collected 21 first prizes in national and international competitions, was one of the last cellists to perform for Mstislav Rostropovich, performed twice at Gala concerts for HRH Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace, won the Adam International Cello Festival and Competition in New Zealand in 2009, and received the VTB Capital Prize for Young Cellists.
Career
Hauser launched his YouTube channel in June 2009 and established himself in the classical crossover world through a series of recordings and performances. The decisive turning point came in January 2011 when he and fellow Croatian cellist Luka Sulić posted a cover of Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal performed entirely on cello.
The video became an internet phenomenon within days, accumulating millions of views and generating global media attention. The duo, named 2Cellos, was immediately signed to Sony Music Classical and released their self-titled debut album in 2011, which reached the Billboard Top 100 and saw Smooth Criminal chart at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Digital Songs chart. 2Cellos became the first instrumental act to perform on the television series Glee.
The success of 2Cellos opened extraordinary doors. Hauser and Sulić joined Elton John’s band in 2011 and toured with him extensively, including legendary performances at the Coliseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Subsequent 2Cellos albums included In2ition (2013), Celloverse (2015), Score (2017, with the London Symphony Orchestra), Let There Be Cello (2018), and their final album before the duo’s conclusion.
The duo performed at the 2018 UEFA Champions League Final and at Madison Square Garden, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Sydney Opera House, selling over one million live show tickets. They also performed for Pope Francis during the 2021 Christmas season.
Hauser launched his solo career in 2020 with HAUSER Classic, a debut album recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra and produced by Nick Patrick that reached number one on the Billboard chart. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he released the Alone Together concert series, filmed at Croatia’s Arena Pula and Krka National Park, which captured breathtaking performances in stunning natural settings and connected with global audiences during a period of cultural isolation.
His solo world tours, Rebel with a Cello (2022–2023) and The Rebel Is Back (2024–2025), confirmed his capacity to fill arenas as a solo act. His subsequent albums include Christmas (2023) and The Player. In 2026, he announced the cancellation of tour dates due to health issues requiring rest and recovery. He has established the HAUSER Music Foundation to support talented young musicians globally.
Awards & Honours
- 21 first prizes in national and international cello competitions.
- Number One on the Billboard Classical chart (HAUSER Classic).
- Adam International Cello Festival and Competition winner (New Zealand, 2009).
- VTB Capital Prize for Young Cellists (2009).
- Porin Awards (Croatia).
- Tunbridge Wells International Young Concert Artists Award.
- Performed for Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth, Pope Francis, and multiple US Presidents.
Social Media
Hauser maintains an active presence on Instagram at @hausercello with millions of followers, and on YouTube where his channel has surpassed 970 million views.
His social media content includes performance clips, personal posts, and behind-the-scenes content from recording and touring.
Personal Life
Stjepan Hauser is unmarried. He was previously engaged to Croatian singer Jelena Rozga before the relationship ended in late 2017. He has been linked to Italian singer Benedetta Caretta, with whom he has collaborated on musical duets.
He is deeply connected to his Croatian homeland and has used his profile to promote Croatian culture, heritage, and natural beauty through his concert performances and media content.
Net Worth
Stjepan Hauser’s net worth is estimated at between $8 million and $12 million, generated through his 2Cellos touring income, solo album sales, streaming royalties, concert tours, brand endorsements, and his YouTube channel.
His annual income has been estimated at approximately $1 million from touring alone.
Discography (Selected)
With 2Cellos: 2Cellos (2011), In2ition (2013), Celloverse (2015), Score (2017), Let There Be Cello (2018). Solo: HAUSER Classic (2020), Christmas (2023), The Player.
Conclusion
Stjepan Hauser has achieved something that seemed impossible a generation ago: he has made the cello cool without sacrificing any of its classical nobility.
His career as part of 2Cellos and as a solo artist has introduced the instrument to tens of millions of listeners who might never have discovered it through conventional classical music channels, and in doing so has expanded both the audience for serious instrumental performance and the possibilities of what that performance can look like on a modern concert stage.
As he continues to perform, record, and inspire through his foundation and his music, Hauser represents the best of what happens when classical training meets genuine creative freedom and the courage to follow instinct wherever it leads. He is, by any measure, one of the most important classical musicians of his generation.