Born in Lugano, Chiara Banchini is one of the major interpreters of seventeenth and eighteenth century violin music. After completing her studies, earning the Virtuoso award from the Geneva Conservatoire, she specialized under Sandor Vegh and for several years dedicated herself to the creation of contemporary works as a member of the Contrechamps Ensemble. Her acquaintance with Nikolaus Harnoncourt and Sigiswald Kuijken led to her enthusiasm for performing music from the 17th and 18th centuries using the original instruments. She has cooperated with important orchestras including La Petite Bande, Hesperion XX, La Chapelle Royale, initiating her international career as a soloist. In 1981 she founded Ensemble 415, considered one of the reference and most prestigious European groups for the 17th-18th century repertoire.

Chiara Banchini taught Baroque violin at the Early Music Centre in Geneva before becoming Professor at the Schola Cantorum in Basel from 1992 to 2011. She has to its credit a large discography, over 50 award-winning recordings by international critics.