He won the first prize at the German Jugend musiziert Competition with seventeen, which led to a scholarship enabling him to further his education at Interlochen (Michigan, USA).
He continued his studies in Munich with Manfred Clement and he attended master classes with Heinz Holliger.
Between 1980 and 2001 he has played under conductors such as Karajan, Leinsdorf, Giulini, Muti, Mehta and Abbado.
He has also been guest professor at the Chigiana Academy in Sienna, Italy and participated with his master classes in the Magister Musicae project.
From the 2021/22 season, Hansjörg Schellenberger will be chief conductor and artistic director of the Berliner Symphoniker.