Afghanistan
Omid Noori
- Founder of the first polyphonic choir of Afghanistan, "Noor-e Omid"
- Founder of the first Afghanistan music news website nooreomidco.com
- Founder of the Noor-e Omid Charity
- Participating as the representative of Afghanistan for the first time in World Choir Games, Sochi, Russia, with "Noor-e Omid choir" as conductor
- Honored by former President of Afghanistan, Hamed Karzai as pioneer of opera singing in Afghanistan
- Receiving the NATO medal from General John Nicholson, commander of NATO
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Albanien
Suzana Turku
- Studied at the University of Arts in Tirana. Doctorate in Ethnomusicology.
- From 1976 to 1983 she worked as a pedagogue at the "Jordan Misja" Artistic Lyceum as well as a conductor for the Lyceum's girls' choir
- For 17 years Turku was the conductor of the Albanian National Theater of Opera and Ballet Choir.
- Head of the Conducting Department and conductor of the Students Choir at the University of Arts in Albania and was appointed as Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sports
- She founded several choral ensembles such as "Pax Dei" (1993), "Little Angels" (2000) and "Mother Teresa" (2003).
- She is a guest conductor, participates in festivals, conferences and seminars often regarding the Albanian music phenomena and issues.
- She has been awarded with the country's highest distinction, "Meritorious Artist", by the President of the Republic of Albania.
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Argentinien
Alejandro Daniel Garavano
- Berater des Vizepräsidenten des ALACC (Lateinamerikanischer Verband für Chorgesang), Gründer der OFADAC (Argentinischer Verband der Organisationen für Choraktivitäten) und ADICORA (Argentinischer Chorleiterverband)
- Präsident der CIC-Stiftung und Organisator des Trelew International Coral Contest (1993-2013), Mitglied des künstlerischen Komitees des POLYFOLLIA Festivals (Frankreich, 2003-2014)
- Dirigent des Kammerchors "ESTUDIO CORAL TRELEW" und vieler anderer Chöre in Patagonien, Argentinien
- Juror, Dozent und Seminarleiter bei vielen Festivals und Wettbewerben auf der ganzen Welt
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Armenien
Tigran Hekekyan
- Professor, Conductor at Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory
- Headmaster of Sayat-Nova School of Music
- Founder, Conductor and Artistic Director of the Little Singers of Armenia choir
- President of Armenian Little Singers International Association
- Founder and President of Komitas International Festival
- Artistic director and Conductor of the Armenian Radio Chamber Choir for over 20 years
- Awarded the Medal of Movses Khorenatsi by the President of the Republic of Armenia in 1996, for his contributions to the advancement of Armenian culture. Earned the honorary title of "Prominent Educator" by the President of the Republic of Armenia in 2010, for his outstanding contributions in the field of education. Awarded the Leonardo da Vinci silver medal by the European Academy of Natural Sciences.
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Australien
David Slater
- Former lecturer, Australian National University School of Music and 4 prestigious colleges
- Jury member of 10 international music festivals
- Founder/Artistic Director, North Coast Camerata, Coffs Youth Orchestra. Regular guest conductor in several countries.
- Winner of Symphony Australia Prize, National Orchestras of Australia Award and for conducting, composing and service to music in the community
- Associate Composer, Australian Music Centre and member of the National Choral Association
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Belarus
Inessa Bodyako
- Chairperson of the Belarusian Choral Directors Association and Head of the Choral Conducting Department of the Belarusian State Academy of Music
- Artistic Director of the awarding-winning Student Choir of the Belarusian Academy of music
- Author and initiator of a great number of choral projects in Belarus including the Open Conductor’s competition named after V. Rovdo, Choral pages of the XX-th century, Choral Legends
- Regularly invited specialist for lectures and master classes on Russian, Belarusian Orthodox and modern choral music in Europe, Russia and China
- Adjudicator, conductor and teacher of conducting, developer of such a phenomenon in Belarus as a "Choral Theater"
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Belgien
Luc Anthonis
- Leader of mixed youth choir "Cantilene" and founder of chamber choir "Cantando". The latter has won a great number of prizes in national and international competitions.
- Professor of choral conducting at the "Conservatoire of Antwerp"
- He conducts the Flemish Radio Choir on a regular basis and gave choral conducting master classes in several European countries.
- He is a well-known adjudicator in national and international choral festivals.
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Belgien
Jean-Pierre van Avermaet
- Secretary General of the European Federation for choirs of the Union (Paris-Brussels)
- Specialist in youth choirs and promoter of authentic baroque music
- Involved in several music films ("The gold of the Angels", "Higgi-Inspiring Voices")
- Organizer of over 5000 concerts in Europe, and organizer of many international youth choir music festivals in Basel, Nantes, Poznan and Riga
- Lecturer at masterclasses and juror in competitions all over the world
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Bosnien und Herzegowina
Mladen Matović
- Associate Professor at the Academy of Arts, University of Banja Luka
- Conductor of Female Chamber Choir "Banjalučanke" and president of the ART PULS Artists Association
- Vice President of the Composers Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Director of Banski Dvor – Cultural Center Banja Luka
- Director of International music festival "Jesenja Sonata" ("Autunmn Sonata") and director of jazz festival "Intime Jazz Fest"
- He has composed more than 300 works of artistic, applied and popular music, as well as the music for children. By now, he participated as a composer and conductor on more than 50 music festivals in Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad won many prizes and several society recognitions.
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Botsuana
David Slater
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Brasilien
Helma Haller
- Researcher about Brazilian concert music, spreading that music around the world, with lectures and interpreting it with her groups
- Singer, conductor, director of professional city Choir Camerata Antiqua Curitiba from 1980 to 2012
- Founder and artistic director of Collegium Cantorum - Women Choir. Participating in the "Grand Prix of Nations Berlin 2017" in concerts and in the Sing Along Workshop with the Rundfunkchor Berlin (Nicolas Fink)
- Artistic Director of 5 CDs: "Echoes of Faith" (2008), "Brazilian Christmas" (2010), "Rodrigo Herrmann" (2013), "Villa-Lobos Sacred" (2014) and "Acordes Poéticos" (2018)
- In May 2018 she participated in the German tour of the chamber choir Soli Deo Gloria from Stuttgart with the Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra conducted by Monica Meira Vasques, recording of Handel's "Der Messias" in Hebrew, for the celebrations of the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the State of Israel.
- Member of Crescendo International as Brazilian coordinator
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Bulgarien
Theodora Pavlovitch
- Professor in choral conducting and Head of Conducting Department at the Bulgarian National Academy of Music
- PhD with dissertation "Psychological grounds of conducting art"
- Since 2005 conductor of the Classic FM Radio Choir
- Conductor of the World Youth Choir in 2007/2008, honored by UNESCO with the title Artist for Peace, recognizing the WYC's success as a platform for intercultural dialogue through music
- She is frequently invited as a member of jury-panels at international choral competitions.
- She has been awarded the Golden Century Star - National Award bestowed by the Minister of Culture of Bulgaria, the Golden Lyre by the Union of Bulgarian Musicians, the Heart of Sofia Prize by Sofia Municipality and Ministry of Education and Science.
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Chile
Ricardo Curihuinca Vergara
- Master in Cultural Management Universidad Academia Humanismo Cristiano, Postgraduate in Music Mention Choral Direction at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Professor of Music Education Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Bachelor of Education Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Diploma in Choral Direction at the Municipal Theater of Santiago
- He is currently President of ALACC-CHILE, Asociación Latinoamericana Canto Coral ALACC-Chile (2016-2018, 2019-2020)
- He is professor in Choral Direction in the Music Pedagogy Career at Universidad Academia Humanismo Cristiano
- He is conductor of the Choral Group " E ‘Boca" Vocal-Artistic Project
- He currently conducts the Choir Instituto Hebreo and San Ramón Polytechnic Choral Artistic Project
- He founded and conducted the Santo Tomas University Choir (2003-2009)
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China
Wu Lingfen
- Professorin und ehemalige Dekanin der Dirigierabteilung des Chinesischen Konservatoriums
- Direktorin der Chinesischen Chorvereinigung Arts Council
- Chordirigentin des Nationalen Zentrums für Darstellende Kunst
- Dekanin des Beijing Shaoguang Choir College
- Mitglied des Expertenteams im Kunstausschuss des chinesischen Bildungsministeriums
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China
Tian Xiaobao
- PhD Tutor of Choral Studies, Professor of Choral Conducting & Vocal Music, Central China Normal University
- Vice-President of the China Chorus Association
- Vice-President of the Chinese Choral Music Federation
- Founder & Artistic Director of Tiankong Choir
- Guest Conductor of Various Professional Music Groups, including China National Opera & Dance Drama Theatre, Shanghai Opera House, Men's Chorus of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, etc.
- Frequent jury member of international major choral event
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China
Dapeng Meng
- Vorsitzender des Komitees für Kinderchöre in China
- Stellvertretender Vorstandsvorsitzender der China Chorus Association
- Direktor des China Broadcasting Children's Chorus (China National Radio) ab 1983
- Internationaler Juror
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China
Li Yang
- Vice Professor in the Conducting Department at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing
- Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra
- Chief Conductor of the Children and Young Women's Chorus of the China National Symphony Orchestra
- Director and conductor of the "Beijing Philharmonic Choir"
- He conducted the new opera "The General She Leng" for which he received the "Wen Hua Prize" from the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China.
- Publisher of articles in the "Journal of the Central Conservatory of Music" and the "Journal of the Tianjin Conservatory of Music" and of the conducting textbook "Modern Conducting Techniques"
- Li Yang was invited to give performances at the International Bach Festival in Stuttgart, Germany; International Music Festival in Macao; International Artistic Festival in memory of Pushkin's 200th birthday in Moscow; and the First China Modern Music Works Festival in Shanghai.
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China
Guanghui Chen
- National First Class Conductor and Vice President of China Chorus Association
- Director of the Mass Chorus Committee of the Chinese Choral Association
- President of the Guangdong Choral Association and President of the Shenzhen Choral Society
- Founder and Director of the Guangdong international choral pedagogic education project
- Directed many choirs, which have won champion titles in numerous choral contests, both home and abroad
- Founder & Artistic Director of the Shenzhen Star Bright Choir
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China Hong Kong
Raymond Fu
- Founding Chairman and Music Director of The Opera Society of Hong Kong
- Conductor of the HK Seng Kung Hui Diocesan Choir
- Associate of The Royal School of Church Music, UK
- Assessor of the Arts Development Council, HK
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China Macau
Mingyan Liu
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Chinesisch Taipeh
Johnny Ku
- Music Director of Taipei Philharmonic Foundation, which consists of 15 musical groups
- Music Director of Taipei International Choral Competition and Festival and executive board member of the Taiwan Choral Association
- Assistant professor of the Chinese Culture University of Taiwan, a member of the Asia-Pacific working committee of the IFCM
- He has given concerts, masterclasses, workshops, and lectures around the world.
- Chorus Master of more than 40 operas and choral-symphonic productions, working alongside with Frieder Bernius, Charles Dutoit, Günther Herbig, Jahja Ling and Helmuth Rilling
- Adjudicator at international competitions
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Costa Rica
Beverlyn Mora Ramírez
- Bachelor of Music Pedagogy at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the National University. Graduated in Choral Direction and Singing from UNA. Master in Project Management at the University for International Cooperation. Master's Degree in Choral Management at the University of Los Angeles California, USA.
- Professor at the UCR School of Musical Arts teaching the Choral Conducting courses
- In charge of Cultural Activities of the UCR in the Western Office, San Ramón since 2004
- Conductor and founder of Coro Universitario de la Sede de Occidente de la Universidad de Costa Rica since 2004 and of the Camerata Coral UCR since 2009
- She has given conferences and workshops in countries such as Guatemala, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica, on among other topics of Choral Conduction, sonic pollution, the Mozart effect, the spoken voice of the educator, Music and pregnancy, Administration of Choral Projects.
- Founding member of FLADEM (Latin American Forum for Music Education) and its Costa Rican version FOCODEM (Costa Rican Forum on Music Education). Founding member of the "Coral Association of Costa Rica" ASCOR, since 1996. Founding member of the association "Costa Rican Women in Music".
- Vice President of the Coral Association of the Caribbean and Central America from 2009 to 2011 and currently representative of Costa Rica to the International Federation for Choral Music. (IFCM). Co-founder of ACDA chapter Costa Rica in 2018.
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Dänemark
Steen Lindholm
- Gibt Meisterkurse und Workshops in der ganzen Welt
- Gastdirigent mehrerer europäischer Rundfunkchöre und Festivals
- Künstlerischer Leiter der Kopenhagener Konzertgesellschaft
- Regelmäßiges Jurymitglied bei den World Choir Games
- Er war Dirigent des Dänischen Knabenchors und Leiter des Königlichen Opernchors.
- Er wurde mit dem Preis der Kopenhagener Musikkritiker und dem Orden des Isländischen Falken ausgezeichnet.
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Demokratische Republik Kongo
Ambroise Kua-Nzambi Toko
- Director of the African Academia of Choral Music in RDC, member of the A Coeur Joie International Council and the African Confederation of Choral Music, First President of the Congolese Federation of Choral Music and the first Conductor of the African Youth Choir
- Conductor of three Congolese choirs: Choeur La Grace de Kinshasa (278 international performances), Schola Cantorum AKTO, a Youth Pop Choir and Le Choeur d’Hommes du Centenaire, a male Choir
- He has conducted more than 110 international workshops, sessions and master class on African and Congolese choral music.
- Conductor awarded with many national and international prices
- Author of Mélopées sacrées, La voix décryptée and Musiques africaines – Généralités et singularités and others articles on choral music
- He is working on a new music notation system (MIMIN’SI - Aktonic System) presented for the first time in Lisbonne (World Choral Expo) and on a master researche on vocal disorders.
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Deutschland
Jürgen Faßbender
- First prize winner at numerous international choir competitions
- Repeated Prize Winner of the German Choir Competition
- Editor of "Reine Männersache", "Reine Frauensache" Edition Peters
- International juror, lecturer and guest conductor
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Deutschland
Jürgen Budday
- Founder and Artistic Director of the Maulbronn Chamber Choir and the Kantorei Maulbronn (until 2016) and from 1979 until 2013 Artistic Director of the Festival Klosterkonzerte Maulbronn Maulbronn (UNESCO world heritage)
- Recorded more than 20 CDs with the Maulbronn Chamber Choir, including 10 oratorios by G.F. Händel
- Appointed Professor by the Prime Minister of the state Baden-Württemberg in 2012 and receiver of the Georg-Friedrich-Händel-Ring in 2013
- Chair of the advisory board of the German Music Council and artistic leader and chairman of the jury of the German Choir Competition until 2020
- In 1998 he received the Cross of Merit of the BR Germany
- Since 2014 Artistic Director of the International Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf and honorary citizen of the town of Maulbronn
- Chair of the advisory board of the recently founded Bundesjugendchor of Germany by the German Music Council
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Dominikanische Republik
Farida Diná
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Ecuador
Manuel Eugenio Auz Sanchez
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Elfenbeinküste
Pascal Koua
- Honor Honorary of the Federation of Choral Music in Cote d'Ivoire-FMCCI
- President of festival juries in the world
- Human Resources Manager
- Former President of A Cœur Joie-Cote d'Ivoire
- Former President of the Federation of Choral Music of Cote d'Ivoire
- Former President of Arterial Network-Cote d'Ivoire
- Former President of the Festival International du Chant Choral d'Abidjan-Ivory Coast (Festicca) Edition 2012 and Edition 2014
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Estland
Aarne Saluveer
- Conductor, producer, educator, founder/Artistic Director of Estonian Television Girl’s and Children’s Choir
- Artistic Director of European Film Awards TV-live Gala, HM Elizabeth II and their Majesties Japanese Emperor and Empress State Visit Concerts
- Worked with Michael Jackson, world premieres and recordings of Arvo Pärt, Veljo Tormis, Urmas Sisask, Roxanna Panufnik /BBC, WDR, Danish Radio etc.
- Guidoneum Award of Arezzo Foundation, Order of White Star of the Republic of Estonia, Prize of the UNICEF National Committee, Musician of the Year by Estonian National Broadcast
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Finnland
Kari Turunen
- Artistic director of the Vancouver Chamber Choir
- Teacher of choral conducting at the Tampere University of Applied Sciences, School from 2001 to 2011
- Chair of the Finnish Choral Directors' Association (1997-2018)
- Choral Conductor of the Year 2008 in Finland
- Artistic director of the Aurore Renaissance Festival (2014-2020), Nordklang Festival (2016), Nordic-Baltic Choral Festival (2012)
- Lecturer, adjudicator and clinician at various international festivals and competitions
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Frankreich
Jean-Baptiste Bertrand
- Artistic and pedagogic director of "Maîtrise de la Loire" (Public choir school)
- Teacher of choral-conducting at the National Conservatory of Saint-Etienne
- Past artistic director of the "In Terra Pax Singer's" (Poland) and the "Saint-Etienne University's Choir" (France)
- He is invited as choir expert at international choral festivals and competitions and collaborated as conductor with many international artistic ensembles.
- He is a member of the artistic board of the "London International Choir Festival" (UK)
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Gibraltar
Christian Santos
- Trained at Mountview Conservatoire for the Performing Arts in London
- Principal of the Gibraltar Academy of Music and the Performing Arts
- Founder of the Santos Productions Choir, The Gibraltar Youth Choir and Project Choir, Gibraltar
- Conducted the Choir for the London Philharmonic Concert Orchestra in 2017
- Choir Director for Andrea Bocelli during a concert in Gibraltar in September 2019
- Currently holds the post of Deputy Mayor of Gibraltar and will hold the post of Mayor of Gibraltar in 2021
- Awarded a Gibraltar Medallion of Distinction for services to popular Culture
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Griechenland
Maria Emma Meligopoulou
- Direktorin der Chöre der Macedonia University School of Music Art & Science und Leiterin des Programms für Chorleitung.
- Gründerin – Künstlerische Direktorin – Leiterin der Ss. Cyril & Methodios Chororganisation, Thessaloniki – Griechenland.
- Künstlerische Direktorin der Thessaloniki Konzerthalle und des Kinder- und Jugendchorfestivals.
- Autorin des Buches "Einführung in die Chorpraxis", Partiturausgaben und Methoden für Chöre, erhältlich bei Papagrigoriou - Nakas Publications, Athen.
- Jurorin, Dozentin und Kursleiterin bei zahlreichen Festivals und Wettbewerben auf der ganzen Welt.
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Guatemala
Carlos Fernando Archila Salguero
- Founder and ex-president of the Asociación Coral Centroamericana ACCA
- Advisor of the IFCM (International Federation of Choral Music)
- Founder (In 2001), General Director and Administrator "Ad Honorem" of the Choral Project CORODEMIA, organizing festivals, competitions and seminars and educational projects
- Choral and Orchestral Arranger, works published in the Antología Coral CORODEMIA
- Coordinador of the Music Department of the Colegio Alemán de Guatemala
- Founder and Musical director of Camerata Vocal CORODEMIA, and the choir of the Universidad Da Vinci
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Indien
Neil Herbert Nongkynrih
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Indonesien
Aris Sudibyo
- Choir conductor, vocal teacher, music minister, music and church music educator, choir coach for many choirs in Indonesia, national and international adjudicator
- Founder and director of "Wakhu Bhim Choir" of Papua, Indonesia
- Pioneer of choir movement in Papua, Indonesia
- Provincial Committee Member of the Foundation for the Development of Choral Music in Indonesia
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Indonesien
Aida Swenson
- Gründerin und Dirigentin des indonesischen Kinder- und Jugendchors Cordana, der internationale Anerkennungen und Auszeichnungen erhielt
- Vorsitzende der Stiftung für die Entwicklung der Chormusik in Indonesien
- Mitglied des Beratungsgremiums der Stiftung für Kirchenmusik "YAMUGER"
- Jurorin bei nationalen und internationalen Veranstaltungen
- Bereist seit vielen Jahren Indonesien, um Chöre zu gründen und zu leiten, Meisterklassen zu geben und Chorleiter*innen auszubilden
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Iran
Milad Omranloo
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Irland
Bernie Sherlock
- Has an international profile as a conductor, conducting teacher, adjudicator and workshop leader
- Winner of many international prizes for her conducting and interpretation, Bernie's adjudication and workshop engagements have taken her around Europe and to the US, Canada and China. She was appointed co-conductor of EuroChoir 2020.
- In 2005 she founded New Dublin Voices, her award-winning Irish chamber choir which has won numerous prizes at major competitions throughout Europe and which has given more than 63 world premieres.
- Artistic Director of Ireland's national youth choirs and conductor of the Irish Youth Choir
- Lecturer in Music at the TU Dublin Conservatoire, and for twelve years was the director of the annual International Conducting Summer School run by Ireland's national choral association, Sing Ireland
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Island
Thorgerdur Ingólfsdóttir
- Founder and conductor of Hamrahlid College Choir and The Hamrahlid Choir
- Director of multi-national choir, the Voices of Europe 2000
- Over 100 works have been composed for her and her choirs, among them Arvo Pärt who dedicated "which was the son of" to her.
- Her choirs have given concerts in 26 countries at many of the world's leading festivals.
- Lecturer, adjudicator at many festivals and competitions
- Honorary member Society of Icelandic Musicians, honorary citizen of Reykjavik, knighted by the President of Iceland and the King of Norway
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Israel
Aharon Harlap
- His compositions have been performed by all of the major orchestras and choruses in Israel including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.
- He is the recipient of the prestigious ACUM (Authors and Composers in Israel) award for "Life Achievement" in 2008 for his contribution to music in Israel as a composer, conductor and teacher.
- He was also awarded the "Prime Minister's Composition Prize" in 1999 and again in 2014.
- From 1976-2018, he was Associate Professor in choral and orchestral conducting at the Jerusalem Academy of Music.
- Since 1997, he is the Music Director of the Kefar Sava Chamber Choir in Israel.
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Italien
Giovanni Acciai
- Graduated in organ, composition and choir conducting at the Milan Conservatory "G. Verdi"
- Teaches performing practice of early music and early music paleography at the Milan Conservatory and publishes articles and reviews in this field
- Conductor of the vocal ensembles "I solisti del madrigal" and "Nova Ars Cantandi", jury member at national and international choir contests and at the World Choir Games
- Artistic director of the Academy of Ancient Music in Milan
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Jamaika
Gregory Simms
- Founder and conductor of the Jamaica Youth Chorale
- Serves as the Director of Productions at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission
- Adjunct lecturer at the School of Music of the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts
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Japan
Kenji Otani
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Japan
Ko Matsushita
- Matsushita is currently the conductor and artistic director of 12 choirs, winning awards in international competitions.
- Matsushita's works, ranging from works based on traditional Japanese music to masses, motets and etudes for choirs, are performed around the world. He was invited to the Bach Academy Stuttgart for a lecture and workshop about his works in 2016, and gave a keynote speech at the International Kodály Symposium in Malaysia.
- Workshop clinician, adjudicator and lecturer in Japan and internationally
- In 2005, he became the first Asian to receive the "Robert Edler Prize for Choral Music" in recognition of his outstanding achievements worldwide in conducting, composing, performance, and education within the field of choral music.
- Member of the artistic committee of the 11th World Symposium on Choral Music in Barcelona
- Executive Director of the International Choral Organization of Tokyo, Artistic director of the Karuizawa International Choral Festival and Tokyo International Choir Competition, Vice President of the Tokyo Choral Association and special guest professor at Kobe College
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Jordanien
Shireen Abu Khader
- Ph.D in Music Education from University of Toronto, Master's degree in Choral Music from the University of Southern California and Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Oberlin College Conservatory
- She moved to Palestine where she taught music for several years. Shireen worked with The Edward Said
Conservatory in Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem from 1998 to 2000 as well as the choral coordinator for the Bethlehem 2000 celebrations.
- In 2002, she founded Dozan wa Awtar Music Establishment. The "Dozan wa Awtar Singers" have travelled and performed regionally in Syria, Lebanon and Palestine as well as internationally. Her cd Introducing Dozan was released showcasing some of her world.
- In 2008 and 2012 Shireen directed the "Aswatuna" choral festival in Petra, Jordan where choirs from Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Iraq and Sweden met for the first time. This initiated choir networks, collaborations and exchanges to occur.
- Currently resides in Toronto where she acts as a clinician and holds workshops in Arabic choral music.
- She is composing and arranging Arabic music under her new company Fertile Crescent publishing.
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Kanada
Zimfira Poloz
- Zimfira Poloz is an expert in choral artistry for children's and youth voices. Recipient of awards from Ontario, Canada, and Kazakhstan and with invitations to conduct from around the globe.
- Zimfira has been a guest conductor and jury member at National Choral Competition (Japan, Canada) Europa Cantat (France, Germany), 1st International Alberto Grau Composition Competition (Venezuela), America Cantat (Bahamas), Orebro and Corfu Universities, Chorus America, Côr Cymru televised Choral Competition (UK) the World Choir Games.
- Zimfira established her musical credentials in Kazakhstan as founder of their first choir school.
- Artistic Director of Hamilton Children’s Choir, Canada. HCC has become among the most acclaimed youth choral programs in the world, appearing as a guest choir at Hong Kong International Festival, ACDA National Conference, Polyfollia, IFCM Symposiums, America Cantat, 1stXinghai International Choral Competition, Euroradio "Let the People Sing", Tolosa Choral Competition, "Podium" Choral Canada Conferences.
- Zimfira teaches music at the University of Toronto. Her curated Canadian choral collection can be found with Cypress Choral Music: The Zimfira Collection.
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Kanada
Robert Cooper
- Artistic Director Orpheus Choir of Toronto, Chorus Niagara, Opera-in-Concert Chorus
- Recognized guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator
- Acknowledged as an innovative programmer; commissioned and premiered many works by both Canadian and International composers
- Prepared choruses for international conductors including Helmuth Rilling, Sir David Willcocks, John Rutter, Sir Andrew Davis, Charles Dutoit, and the late Robert Shaw and Elmer Iseler
- Involved with the presentation of more than 150 operas, with companies in Victoria, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Toronto Operetta Theatre and Opera in Concert as well as conducted orchestras in Halifax, Winnipeg, Edmonton and London (Ontario)
- Recipient of the Order of Canada, Honorary Doctorate (Brock University), Queen's Jubilee Medal, Distinguished Service Award (Choral Canada) for contribution to the Canadian choral community
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Kanada
Don James
- Founder & President Powell River Academy of Music Conductor
- Founder & Artistic Director Emeritus International Choral Kathaumixw
- Founder & Artistic Director Emeritus Symphony Orchestra & Opera Academy of the Pacific
- Member of the Order of Canada
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Kasachstan
Gulmira Kuttybadamova
- Honored Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Professor at the Kazakh National University of Arts (Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan)
- Art Director and the Chief Conductor of State Academic Philharmonic Chamber Choir
- Chairwoman of the Republican Public Association of Kazakhstan's Choral Conductors
- Conductor of the Youth International Choir of TURKSOY
- Organized the Choir Festival "Astana - On the Wings of Song" (2000, 2008, 2010), "Astana – the Voice of the World" (2018)
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Kolumbien
Edwin Orlando Carrillo
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Kosovo
Memli Kelmendi
- Postgraduate studies in conducting (vocal and instrumental) in Kosovo and for Composition and Music Production in North Macedonia. He is currently attending Doctoral Studies for Choir Conducting in Skopje.
- Known as a film composer, he composed for long feature film, short films, theater and documentaries he was Sound Designer of Samir Karahoda's film "In Between", with Kosovo appearing for the first time at the "Berlinale Film Festival" 2019
- His choral compositions appear on the CD of the EVOC Ensemble and the Sottovoce Ensemble, France
- He taught Composition, Musical Theory, Piano Tuning and Notation at the Conservatory "Jana Deyla" in Prague for blind children.
- He currently works as a professor at the High Music School "Halit Kasapolli" in Peja, and in the AAB University in Pristina where he is the lecturer of Film and Theater Music, Orchestration and Choral Conducting.
- He is founder and permanent conductor of Siparantum Choir, a well-known choir in Kosovo which has performed internationally.
- As a composer and conductor, Memli Kelmendi has been presented in many countries around the world.
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Kroatien
Branko Stark
- Lehrer an der Arts Academy (Universität Split-Kroatien) tätig, wo er Stimmtechniken, Gesang und Synchronsprechen unterrichtet. Er kreierte mehr als 300 Kompositionen, für die er mehrfach ausgezeichnet wurde.
- Seine Spezialität liegt im Bereich Stimmtheorie und die entsprechende Forschungsarbeit auf wissenschaftlichem und pädagogischen Gebiet und der entsprechenden Fachliteratur. Er gibt Seminare, Meisterklassen, Vorlesungen und Workshops für Chorleiter und Sänger auf der ganzen Welt.
- Er ist zudem gefragter Juror bei zahlreichen internationalen Chorwettbewerben.
- Präsident der Croatian Choral Directors Association, Leiter der Vocal Academy und Mitglied des Internationalen Rates der World Choir Games
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Kuba
María Felicia Pérez
- Conductor of Coro de Cámara "Exaudi"
- Phd in Musical Interpretation, Universidad de las Artes de Cuba
- Professor of Coral Conduction, Faculty of Music in Universidad de las Artes de Cuba
- Professor of Coral Conduction, Escuela Nacional de Música de Cuba
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Lettland
Romāns Vanags
- Professor of choral conducting study program at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music since 1987
- Chief conductor and Artistic Director of "Jāzeps Mediņš Rīga 1st Music School Boys' Choir" and principal conductor of the Latvian University female choir named "Minjona" since 1990
- One of the chief conductors of the Latvian Nationwide Song Celebration
- In 2008 received the highest civil decoration in Latvia – "The Order of the Three Stars"
- Artistic Director of INTERKULTUR
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Lettland
Mārtiņš Klišāns
- Teaches at the Rīga Cathedral Choir School and at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music
- Since 1998 art director of the Rīga Cathedral Boys' Choir and currently conductor of the mixed choir Vaidelote, the mixed choir Valmiera, and is chief conductor of the Cēsis district
- Chief conductor of the Great Song Festival 2008 and 2013 and among the chief conductors of the IX and X Latvian Youth Song and Dance Festivals
- International juror
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Litauen
Vytautas Miškinis
- Professor of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre
- Artistic director of Boys' and Male choir Ąžuoliukas
- Adjudicator, lecturer and clinician at many Festivals and Competitions around the world
- President of Lithuanian Choral Union (1996-2016)
- Artistic director of Lithuanian Song Festivals (1993-2014)
- Artistic committee member and advisor of many National and International Choral organizations
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Malaysia
Susanna Saw
- Director of Young Choral Academy, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Founder of the Malaysian Choral Eisteddfod
- Choir Conductor and Lecturer at the University of Malaya, University of Technology MARA and the Malaysian Institute of Art
- Vice-President of International Kodály Society and the Malaysian Association of Music Education. Working Committee at Asia Pacific Choral Summit.
- Adjudicator and Clinician at various festivals and competitions around the world
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Malta
John Galea
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Malta
Christopher Muscat
- Composer and conductor
- Director of Music of the Archdiocese and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Malta
- Music Director of the Jubilate Deo Choir
- Director of Pjazza Teatru Rjal (Valletta, Malta)
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Marokko
Adnane Matrone
- Conductor of the symphonic Orchestra Universalis in Casablanca
- President of the associations “El Sistema Maroc” and “Maroc en Choeur”
- President and artistic director of the international festival “SAWT”
- Director of the artistic center "Carrefour des Arts"
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Mexiko
Gerardo Rábago Palafox
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Mexiko
Marco Ugalde
- Choir conductor, teacher, international juror at choral competitions, guest conductor
- Professor of Choral Conducting at the Faculty of Music at the National University of Mexico
- Founder, conductor and Artistic Director of Staccato, choir of the National University of Mexico, which has received some prizes in international competitions
- Interested in the choral repertoire of this moment and specialist in Latin American choral repertoire
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Myanmar
Moe Naing
- Majored in Piano with full scholarship at Payap University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Worked as a private piano teacher and founded later the choir "Gitameit Voices" in December 2003
- Director of Yangon Music School
- Organized the very first choir festival in Myanmar in 2010
- Adjudicator at the World Choir Games, others festivals and competitions around the world
- Representative of INTERKULTUR in Myanmar
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Namibia
Fanie Dorfling
- Since 14 years conductor of the Cota Youth Choir Namibia. This choir under his leadership, gets regular invites to represent Namibia internationally on festival and competition stages all over the world. Champions during the 2018 World Choir Games in South Africa.
- In 2016, member of the international judging panel for the finals of the Animato International Choir Competition in South Africa. He also judge this competition on national level.
- He conducts the Namibian National Symphony Orchestra twice a year.
- He is currently also conductor of Femme Vocale Namibia, Windhoek Chamber Choir and the St George's College Choir
- Head of Department Classical Music at the College of the Arts in Windhoek.
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Neuseeland
Karen L. Grylls
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Nicaragua
Reyna Somarriba Molina
- Conductor of choir, orchestra and musical educator.
- Started as flute teacher at the age of 11 at the music school Música en los Barrios – MelB (music in the neighborhoods in English, a social program), place where she developed her passion as a musical educator.
- Director of two music schools belonging to the Casa de los Tres Mundos Foundation, Música en los Barrios & Casa de los Tres Mundos Music School.
- Has given workshops on choral conducting, flute and musical initiation in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Guatemala.
- Has also participated in workshops and festivals as a choir singer, conductor and music educator in the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Argentina, Germany and the Czech Republic.
- Founder of children’s choirs and orchestras of the Casa de los Tres Mundos Foundation. Actually, she conducts the choirs, strings’ orchestra and flutes in the foundation.
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Niederlande
Johan Rooze
- Teacher of Jazz Piano and Choir at the Yeongnam University in Daegu, South Korea
- Founder and conductor of the Daegu Jazz Singers in Daegu, South Korea
- Former conductor and artistic director of student Vocal Jazz Group "Dekoor" and the Student Symphonic Choir and Orchestra (USKO) of the University of Utrecht, Netherlands
- Former professor for Choral Conducting at the Conservatory of Alkmaar and Vocal Jazz at the Conservatory of Rotterdam (Netherlands)
- Artistic Director of INTERKULTUR
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Niederlande
Hans van den Brand
- Artistic Director and conductor of Fontys Jazz Choir, winner of the Jazz Category World Choir Games Sochi 2016
- Academic teacher and conductor Ensemble Conducting at the Conservatory of Amsterdam and Fontys School of Music and Performing Arts Tilburg
- Recognized adjudicator, clinician, coach and arranger in the choral world of pop and jazz
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Nigeria
Emeka Nwokedi
- Currently, Director Muson Choir & Muson Diploma School Choir and Deputy Director, Muson School of Music, Lagos
- Founder and Artistic Director, Lagos City Chorale
- Organist & Music Director at All Saints Anglican Church, Surulere, Lagos
- Master of Music, Diocese of Lagos Mainland (Anglican Communion)
- Member of the Nigerian Musicologists and a Trustee of the Nigerian Guild of Organists
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Nordmazedonien
Letka Dimovska Polizova
- Academic musician-conductor from North Macedonia. She received her music education in his hometown of Bitola, and studied at the Faculty of Music Arts (FMU-Skopje), at the University "St. Cyril and Methodius" -Skopje (Department of Music Theory and Department of Solo Singing.
- She formed several choirs, mixed, children's choirs, formed a professional church choir and in 1996 formed the women's chamber choir "St. Zlata Meglenska", with which she international awards.
- Supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Foreign affairs, as well as several embassies of the Republic of Macedonia abroad, the choir accomplished excellent international presentation and affirmation of Macedonian traditional music internationally.
- During the World Choir Games in Sochi, Russia, her choir won three Gold Medals and became World Champions in the Female Chamber Choir Category.
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Norwegen
Tove Ramlo-Ystad
- Educated as a singer and conductor with a Master Degree from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim
- One of Norway's most acknowledged choir conductors and very popular and inspiring guest conductor and she is frequently used as an adjudicator in international choir competitions
- Has conducted the female choir "Cantus" since their beginning in 1986, which is known by their Nordic sound, leading the choir to sing in Disney's animation movie "Frozen"
- Working for the Norwegian Choral Association as a music director, where developing education systems for conductors in Norway is one of the main issues
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Österreich
Karl-Gerhard Straßl
- President of the Austrian Choir Association, Initiator and Coordinator of the project "CHOR:sinfonie" celebrating the 70-year anniversary 2019
- Founder and President (till 2018) of the Austrian National Youth Choir
- Conductor "Wiener Saengerrunde" and "Chorus of Administration" at the mdw - University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
- Head of the Department for Organizational Law and Appointment Management for University Professors at the mdw - University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
- Organist at the Kalvarienbergkirche/Vienna since 1985
- International organist, conductor and jury member
- CD and radio productions in Austria, China, Germany and Italy
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Österreich
Heinz Ferlesch
- Choir director of the Wiener Singakademie and the Choir Ad Libitum
- Chief conductor of the period instrument orchestra Barucco
- Artistic director of the Vokalakademie Niederösterreich and the Vokalwoche Melk
- Guest lecturer of Berkshire Choral International
- Member of international Juries
- Lecturer at the University of Music and performing Arts Vienna
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Panama
Jorge Ledezma Bradley
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Paraguay
Maria Vanesa Utz
- Teacher of Music Education, specialized in choral conducting. Degree in Clinical Psychology. Postgraduate in higher education, management and didactics. Researcher.
- Since 2001 she has been a teacher in the field of childhood. Subsequently, she has been a tenured professor at the Escuela Superior de Música (Arg) Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, Campus Itapúa, Universidad Autónoma de Encarnación and Universidad Nacional de Itapúa (Py)
- She has coordinated different research centers and has been a collaborator and cultural manager of the government in multiple international cultural projects for children associated with UNICEF, UNESCO and the Ministry of Education and Culture of her country.
- Founder of EducArtenAcción, an intercultural child learning center, for early musical stimulation, research and teacher training in music education. Conductor of the community choral groups, Coro Infanto Municipal de Encarnación (Municipality of Encarnación) Da Capo Government Choir of Itapúa (Government of Itapúa) and the CORUNI Youth Choir (National University of Itapúa)
- She has developed an interesting conception of child choral work using playful, object and movement strategies, from active and systemic pedagogies to integrate music and group dynamics as a cross-cutting axis of her choral work and approach to therapeutic groups.
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Peru
Abel Gonzales Valenzuela
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Philippinen
Jonathan Velasco
- Member and first Asian conductor of the World Youth Choir 1996
- Clinician, workshop-leader and adjudicator at choral festivals in the Philippines and internationally
- His choirs won first prizes in choral competitions in Maribor (Slovenia), Cork (Ireland), Marktoberdorf (Germany), Tolosa and Torrevieja (Spain) and Riga (Latvia)
- Adviser to the board of IFCM and past member of the Artistic Committee of the Polyfollia Festival in Normandy, France
- In 2008, elected as the first President of the new Philippine Choral Directors Association
- He currently conducts the Ateneo Chamber Singers.
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Polen
Kinga Litowska
- Graduated from the department of Music Theory and Composition in Bydgoszcz (Poland)
- 2005 Doctor of Art degree in Music, Choral conducting
- Co-founder and conductor of the Astrolabium Chamber Choir, laureate and winner of national and international choral competitions
- Teacher at the Karol Szymanowski Music School in Toruń
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Polen
Benedykt Błoński
- Academic employee at the Art Department of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (since 2012 - dean of the Faculty of Arts)
- Since 1982 he has been running choirs winning the highest national awards and international choir competitions. He has conducted hundreds of concerts in Poland, Europe as well as in Mexico, the USA and twice in Argentina. His achievements include numerous premieres of works, as well as 13 CDs released with Polish and foreign music.
- Conductor of the CANTORES VARMIENSES Choir at the Warmian-Masurian Philharmonic in Olsztyn
- A member of artistic councils and jury of choir competitions and festivals of national and international range, and also the artistic director of the International Choir Festival by Feliks Nowowiejski in Barczewo (Poland)
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Portugal
Myguel Santos e Castro
- He has studied Choral Conducting at the Academia de Amadores de Música and attended many national workshops.
- During his musical studies Myguel Santos e Castro has also graduated in Management and Public Administration at ISCSP.
- Due to his work as an Artistic Director, he has developed an intensive and passionate work in different choral events and workshops.
- His choral activity has also taken him to many international events all over the world.
- He is involved in different national (with radio, TV and cinema) and international projects and he is the VOX LACI project founder.
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Portugal
Luis Cipriano
- Luis was conductor of SIM (Luxembourg) from 2002 to 2016 and in 2013, Musical Director of the European Community Wind Orchestra.
- In February 1997, Luis was awarded with the "Special Gold Medal" by the Union Grand-Duc Adolphe of Luxembourg, in recognition of his cultural merits.
- In 1999, he was the Composer chosen by Palestine to compose a Christmas Oratory, which premiered in Bethlehem, to mark the 2000th anniversary of Christ's birth.
- In 2017, he was honoured by the Covilhã City Council.
- In 2018, he was the first Portuguese to conduct the Pyongyang Orchestra in North Korea.
- He is Musical Director of the Beira Interior International Choir Festival & Competition, and Musical Director of Beira Interior International Percussion Competition. He is ACBI (Beira Interior Cultural Association) President and conductor of "Coro Misto da Beira Interior", the Beira Interior Children's Choir and the Beira Interior Classical Orchestra.
- He is a teacher at Serra da Gardunha's School, in Fundão
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Republik Korea
Shin-Hwa Park
- Professor of Ewha Womans University
- Conductor of Ansan City Choir
- Conductor of Ewha Chamber Choir
- Broadcasting host for FEBC-FM Christian
- President Emeritus of KFCM (Korean Federation for Choral Music)
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Rumänien
Voicu Popescu
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Russland
Pavel Pozhigailo
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Russland
Vladimir Zhivov
- Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor of the Vocal and Choral conducting Department of the Institute of Culture and Arts of Moscow Pedagogical University, Honored Art worker of Russian Federation
- He has more than 200 publications, musical-critical and scientific articles, books and manuals.
- Author of several song collections for children
- Chairman and jury member of many all-Russian and international contests and festivals, Chairman of the Academic choirs Commission of the Moscow Musical Society, member of the Board of the Presidium of the Moscow Musical Society and member of the Presidium of the all-Russian Choral Society
- Has been leading numerous choirs, is the founder and the only conductor of the chamber choir "Gaudeamus"
- Honored worker of Russian Musical Society, Honored worker of culture of Russia (1981), Honored Art worker of Russia (1989), was rewarded with the Honorary badge "For services to the University” (BMSTU, 2008) and with the Honorary badge "For services to the University (MSPU, 2015)
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Russland
Viktor Zakharchenko
- Doctor of arts, Professor, academician and social activist
- Since 1975 artistic director and chief conductor of the State Academic Kuban Cossack Choir
- People's artist of Russia
- Twice winner of the State Prize of Russia, Order "For Merit to the Fatherland"
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Russland
Lev Kontorovich
- Artistic director and chief conductor of the grand choir "Masters of Choral Singing"
- Head of the Choral Performing Art Department of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory
- Artistic director of the master class "The national Youth Chorus of Russia's Conservatories"
- Chief choirmaster of the "All Russians Children's Choir"
- Head of the jury panel of the "All Russians Choral Conductors Competition"
- Regularly holds master classes in Russia (Moscow, Astrakhan, Belgorod, Perm, Volgograd and other cities) as well as abroad
- Author of numerous arrangements and transcriptions of world musical masterpieces for mixed choir a cappella, among them Well-tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach
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Russland
Alexander Solovyev
- Artistic Director and chief conductor of The Chamber Choir of the Moscow Conservatory & Professor at the Choral Conducting Department & Dean of the Office for Foreign Students' Affairs of the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory
- Artistic Director of the International Festivals of Moscow Conservatory: Autumn Choral Festival named after Prof. Boris Tevlin, Dedicated to the Victory Day, The Sealed Angel, Born in Russia
- Artistic Director of the State Choir of Tula region & Professor at the Choral Conducting Department of Moscow State Institute of Music named after A.G. Schnittke
- President of Creative Initiatives Development Fund
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Schweden
Fred Sjöberg
- Past Music Director at Choral Centre at Rikskonserter, Stockholm, Sweden
- Past Boardmember at KÖRSAM, UNGiKÖR and SCDA in Sweden
- Past Music Director of (SWICCO) the Swedish International Choral Centre in Örebro, Sweden
- Past Vice President of Europa Cantat and past chair of Europa Cantat Music Commission
- Guest professor at the Ionian University, Greece
- Past Vice President IFCM
- Artistic Director of INTERKULTUR
- Since 2016 Dean at Music School, Vingåker, Sweden
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Schweiz
Hansruedi Kämpfen
- Studied singing, choir and orchestra conducting and Musicology at the University of Bern (Switzerland)
- Director of the "Oberwalliser Vokalen Ensemble", the Oberwalliser Lehrerchor and the Oberwalliser Singschule. With the "Oberwalliser Vokalen Ensemble" he won several national and international prizes.
- Musical advisor with the education department of the Kanton Wallis and teacher of singing and choir-conducting at the Allgemeinen Musikschule Oberwallis
- Leader of conducting courses and singing weeks and juror at international competitions
- President of Europa Cantat Switserland and the Music Commision of the "Schweizerischen Chorvereinigung"
- In 2011 he received the "Lily Waeckerlin-Preis" for Youth and Music from the "Stiftung Accentus" for his work with the "Singschule Oberwallis"
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Senegal
Lucien Mendy
- Conductor of two intercultural choirs: "Biayenda Choir" since 1996 and the "Panafricain Afrikiyo Choir" in Dakar since 2012, with participations in major events of the music scene in Senegal and at festivals abroad
- Secretary General and co-founder of the AFRIKIYO Pan-African Movement for Choral Music, affiliated to IFCM, he is Director of the 1st Choral Festival in Senegal "Les Chœurs à l'Unisson"
- He created the "A Coeur Joie Sénégal" choral federation, gathering more than 20 local choirs, which he has been directing since February 2012.
- He recently created in 2018 the "Grand Choeur À Coeur Joie Sénégal & Friends" (500 singers)
- Member of the A Coeur Joie International Board, co-opted as Communication Officer
- He is a founding member of the African Youth Choir (AYC) created in 2012 in Libreville, of the African Confederation of Choral Music (ACCM) created in 2013 in Cotonou where he sits as Secretary General, and Editor-in-Chief of the first magazine devoted to African choral life, "Tuimbe".
- Member of International Editor Board of IFCM monthly bulletin ICB, He is member of International Advisory Committee of 1st Africa Cantat Festival planned in August 2020 in Nairobi, Kenya
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Serbien
Vladimir Opačić
- Teacher, choral conductor [conducting department] – Academy of Arts, Novi Sad, Serbia
- Founder and conductor – Serbian choral arts ensemble "Serbica"
- International guest conductor and lecturer (workshops on Serbian choral music mostly)
- Production manager - "Vox Luminis" early music ensemble, Belgium
- World Youth Choir project manager (2004 – 2015) World Youth Choir singer (1999-2004), World Chamber Choir singer (2004-2009)
- 4 highest state/province/municipal awards for achievements in pedagogy, arts and culture in Serbia and abroad
- Teacher and vice principal – music school "Petar Krančević", Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia (1999-2015)
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Singapur
Jennifer Tham
- Artistic Director and Conductor of the SYC Ensemble Singers, Singapore; awarded the Cultural Medallion (Music) by the President of the Republic of Singapore
- Atistic Director of the Singapore International Choral Festival
- Co-Coordinator of the Working Committee for the IFCM Asia Pacific Choral Council, organiser of the Asia Pacific Youth Choir and the Asia Pacific Choral Summit
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Slowakei
Milan Kolena
- Vice-President, World Youth and Children Choral Artists' Association
- Conductor, Mixed Choir Apollo & Schola Gregoriana Bratislavensis
- Professor of Choral Conducting, Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava
- Artistic Director of Bratislava Music Agency
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Slowenien
Karmina Šilec
- Conductor and stage director of projects with various companies, opera houses, choruses, and ensembles worldwide
- Composer and author-director
- Artistic director of Carmina Slovenica and Choregie – new music theatre
- University professor, lecturer, international adjudicator
- Recepient of Robert Edler Prize for her exceptional contribution to the world choir movement and more than 20 other highest international awards at choir competitions
- 2018-2019 fellow at Harvard University/Radcliffe institute for advanced study
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Spanien
Òscar Boada
- Founder director of Cor Vivaldi, an internationally acclaimed children's choir, now in its 30th anniversary
- Director of music at IPSI school in Barcelona
- Author of different pedagogical methods including "Cor Vivaldi's secret", a book on choral music, pedagogy and thoughts
- Adjudicator at international festivals and artistic director of Canta al Mar, an Interkultur festival in Calella, Barcelona
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Sri Lanka
Soundarie David
- Associate of the Royal College of Music, London
- Founder and Director of Soul Sounds, Sri Lanka's premiere female ensemble, and the Soul Sounds Academy based in Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Recognized adjudicator and lecturer
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Südafrika
Michael Barrett
- Dirigent der University of Pretoria (Tuks) Camerata und Dozent für Chorleitung am Fachbereich für Musik
- Er erhielt die Abschlüsse BMus (Bachelor of Music) in Performing Arts (cum laude) im Jahr 2005 und MMus (Master of Music) (Performing Arts) im Jahr 2008 mit dem Schwerpunkt Chorleitung, beide von der University of Pretoria. Von der UNISA erlangte er ein Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCE) und ein Performance Licentiate in Gesang, beides im Jahr 2008.
- Im Jahr 2017 schloss er seinen Doktortitel für Musik (Darstellende Künste) in Chorperformance an der Universität von Pretoria ab.
- Seine Chöre haben zahlreiche nationale und internationale Preise sowie Chorwettbewerbe auf der ganzen Welt gewonnen.
- Im Jahr 2017 wurde die Tuks Camerata eingeladen, beim World Choral Symposium in Barcelona, Spanien, aufzutreten. Der Chor veröffentlichte drei CDs, die alle für den South African Music Award für das beste klassische Album nominiert wurden.
- Er ist ein aktiver Komponist und Arrangeur und wird regelmäßig eingeladen, Workshops zu leiten und Chorwettbewerbe im In- und Ausland zu bewerten.
- Michael ist außerdem Geschäftsführer und Co-Produzent von "Capital Singers", Südafrikas größtem Gemeinschaftschorprojekt.
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Südafrika
Ludumo Magangane
- Studierte Musik an der University of Zululand mit den Hauptfächern Chorleitung und Musikgeschichte
- Gründer und Leiter des "Kwa Thema Youth Choir" (seit 1979) und Mitbegründer und Leiter der "Bonisudumo Choristers" (seit 1985)
- Direktor des "Kwa Thema Central Methodist Church Choir"
- Musikalischer Leiter des "Sowetan Massed Choir Festival" (2002-2009)
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Südafrika
André van der Merwe
- He is often invited to perform as guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician nationally and internationally.
- He has been invited to work with universities and companies in the USA, Sweden, Germany, China, and Portugal amongst others.
- André van der Merwe was invited as adjudicator and clinician for the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Wales (July 2013) and guest conductor and lecturer for the Taipei International Choral Festival and the Taipei Philharmonic (August 2013).
- His arrangements of African music are published by Earthsongs in the USA.
- Currently he conducts the Stellenbosch University Choir (number one choir on the INTERKULTUR World Ranking List) and the the Stellenberg Girls Choir. From 2005 – 2012 he has established and conducted the South African Youth Choir.
- In 2012 André van der Merwe received a ministerial cultural award (Western Cape Government) for his work with choirs and the youth and a civic honorary award from the City of Cape Town.
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Thailand
Khunying Malaival Boonyaratavej
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Togo
Felix Adessondji Olufade
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Tschechische Republik
Jan Mišek
- Founder and director of the Bonifantes Boys Choir
- Director of the Czech Soloist Consort Ensemble
- Interpreter of contemporary music and specialist on Baroque and Renaissance music
- Leader of the Czech Choir Movement
- Winner of the the 2nd Prize at Joseph Dorman Int. Composer’s Competition and the "Junior Choirmaster" prize of the Union of Czech Choirs in 2003
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Türkei
Ilker Ersil
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Uganda
Michael Eduard Mukisa
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Ukraine
Anzhela Maslennikova
- Honored Cultural Worker of Ukraine (2009)
- Chief Choirmaster of the Kyiv Municipal Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre for Children and Youth
- Member of the Mykola Leontovych All-Ukrainian Choir Society of the National Music Union
- Member of the National Union of Theatre Artists of the Ukraine
- Choirmaster-Director of multiple International Projects
- Recipient of the Theatre Award "Kyiv Pectoral"
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Ungarn
Levente Gyöngyösi
- Studied at Ferenc Liszt Music Academy with György Orbán
- Composed a large number of choral works for renowned Hungarian and international choirs, like the Pro Musica Girls’ Choir (Hungary), Stellenbosch University Choir (South Africa) and Iowa State University Choir (USA)
- International adjudicator at choral festivals
- In addition to his choir works he composed 4 symphonies (the 3. was commissioned and performed by Budapest Festival Orchestra), a Piano concerto, a St. Luke Passion and a Christmas Oratorio. His most important work, the opera-musical "The Master and Margarita", was performed for the first time 2017.
- In 2005, he was honored with the Erkel Ferenc-Prize through the Hungarian State – and in 2009 with the Bartók-Pásztory Prize, given by the Music Academy Budapest.
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Ungarn
Katalin Kiss
- Professor of choral conducting and musicianship at the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy of Music, and guest professor of the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing
- Artistic director and founding conductor of the Ars Nova Vocal Ensemble and Kecskemét Festival Choir
- Founder director of the Ars Nova Editio Publishing House for contemporary Hungarian choral music
- International adjudicator, conductor and guest lecturer
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Uruguay
Ana Laura Rey
- Graduated in Choral Conducting from the University School of Music of the University of the Republic (EUM - UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay).
- Professor of Choral Conducting and Gregorian Chant at the University School of Music (EUM - UDELAR).
- Conductor and founder of the University School of Music Choir since 2000, with which she was awarded several prizes in international competitions.
- Her arrangements have been awarded in national and international contests. She was distinguished for her artistic career (“Uruguay le canta a la Virgen de los 33” 2015), and was awarded as best director in international competitions (AAMCANT 2019, San Juan Canta 2016, Argentina).
- In 2017 she participated in the ACDA International Exchange Program at Castleton University (Vermont, USA) and attended the ACDA Congress.
- Vice-President of the Uruguayan Choral Association (ACORDELUR) from 2017 to 2019.
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Venezuela
María Guinand
- Teacher and leader of national and international choral projects, specialized in Latin American Choral Music of the 20th and 21st centuries
- She was awarded the "Kulturpreis" (1998) by the Inter Nationes Foundation (1998), the "Robert Edler Preis für Chormusik" (2000), the Helmuth Rilling Prize (2009) and the Life Achievement Award by the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) in 2019.
- With the Cantoría Alberto Grau (1976-2009) she has received six awards in the competitions of Neuchatel and Arezzo (1989) and three gold medals with the Orfeón Universitario Simón Bolívar (1976-2008) at the Choir Olympics held in Linz (2000).
- She was Professor of Music and Choral Conducting at the University Simón Bolívar (Caracas, Venezuela 1976-2018), Associate Conductor of Choral Symphonic Performances of El Sistema (Caracas, Venezuela 1976-2012), Artistic Director of the program "Música para Crecer" of the Andean Bank of Development (LatinAmerica 2003-2017), Vice-President and Advisor of the International Federation for Choral Music (1996-2014) and Member of the International Music Council (UNESCO 2002-2004).
- She is frequently invited as guest conductor, adjudicator, jury member, lecturer and professor of choral, specializing in Latin American Choral Music and has premiered many new works.
- She is currently the Artistic Director of the Fundación Schola Cantorum de Venezuela, directs the Schola Cantorum de Venezuela and Coral Fundación Empresas Polar.
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Vereinigte Arabische Emirate
Philipp Maier
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Vereinigtes Königreich
Rachel Walker Mason
- Multi award-winning songwriter, musical director, arranger and vocal coach
- Renowned show choir and a cappella specialist and has judged competitions including The Voice Festival, The UK Choir Festival, The Canadian Show Choir Championships, Masters of Show Choir and the National Show Choir Championships of Ireland
- In 2019 she joined the prestigious judging panel for the UK Songwriting Contest, has become the director of an Artist Management company and became the first musician in history to win Freelancer of the Year.
- Composes songs for winners of pop stars Olly Murs and Dua Lipa, winners of The Voice UK and many others
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Vereinigtes Königreich
Mat Wright
- Mat was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen in 2019 for his work with young people and music.
- Mat Wright has worked in a number of roles in education including as an Advanced Skills Teacher, Vice-Principal, Consultant and Advisor and currently works as the Deputy Director for Education for the Astrea Academy Trust.
- He founded Barnsley Youth Choir in 2009 which now has 6 separate choirs involving over 420 children aged 4-24 years old and is situated in an area of deprivation where 1 in 4 children live in poverty. The choir has won 8 first prizes in INTERKULTUR International Competitions and is currently ranked 3rd in the World Rankings in its category. BYC has also been awarded the Queens Award for voluntary service.
- Mat has acted as a guest conductor for choirs from his country and abroad. He has worked closely with choirs from the Kodaly School in Kecskemet, Hungary and uses this system to develop singers and choirs.
- He is an adjudicator in competitions in the UK and internationally and is also in demand as a clinician and workshop leader in the UK and internationally. He has a reputation for arranging and performing high quality popular, gospel and spiritual music and is in demand as composer and arranger.
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Vereinigtes Königreich
Joy Hill
- Choral conductor at the Royal College of Music Junior Department
- Founder and conductor RCMJD alumni chamber choir Vigala Singers
- Awarded a Sir Winston Churchill Fellowship for choral conducting
- Adjudicator, lecturer and clinician at choral festivals and competitions around the world
- Formerly Senior Lecturer in Music and Music Education at University College London (IOE) and member of the Centre for Performance Science at the Royal College of Music London
- Published author, writing about youth choirs: The Oxford Handbook of Singing (2019)
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Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika
John Haberlen
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Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika
Tim Sharp
- Tim Sharp (BM, MCM, DMA) ist Geschäftsführer der American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), er vertritt die Chortätigkeit in den Vereinigten Staaten bei der International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM).
- Er ist aktiver Chorleiter, Wissenschaftler und Autor und hatte in seiner Laufbahn verschiedene Führungspositionen im Hochschulbereich sowie in der Tonträger- und Verlagsbranche inne. Vor seiner Leitung der ACDA war Sharp Dekan der schönen Künste am Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, und zuvor Leiter der chorischen Aktivitäten an der Belmont University, Nashville, TN.
- Er leitete Universitäts-, Gemeinde-, Kirchen- und Kinderchöre und ist weiterhin als Chorleiter und Kursleiter in den Vereinigten Staaten und im Ausland tätig. Seit zehn Jahren ist er künstlerischer Leiter/Chorleiter des Tulsa Oratorio Chorus, Tulsa, OK.
- Er ist Life Fellow von Clare Hall, Cambridge University, und erwarb Abschlüsse in Musik und Chorleitung der School of Church Music of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, der Belmont University und des Bluefield College.
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Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika
T. J. Harper
- T. J. Harper is the Chair of the Providence College Department of Music, Associate Professor of Music, and Director of Choral Activities at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. He conducts the college's three choral ensembles: I Cantori, Concert Chorale and the Oriana Women's Choir.
- He has an active schedule as a guest conductor, clinician and jury member and further contributes publications and research results.
- Dr. Harper is the Chair of the ACDA Standing Committee on International Activities and the Director of the ACDA International Conductors Exchange Program (ICEP).
- He is the Past-President of the Rhode Island Music Educators Association (RIMEA) and the immediate President of the Rhode Island chapter of the ACDA.
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Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika
Elena Sharkova
- Music Director of the Symphony Silicon Valley Chorus
- Artistic Director of the Cantabile Youth Singers of Silicon Valley
- International guest conductor and adjudicator
- Editor of the Elena Sharkova Choral Series at Carl Fischer Music Publishing
- Former professor of Conducting and Director of Choral Studies at the San Jose State University
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Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika
Andre de Quadros
- Professor of Music at Boston University
- Directs Manado State University Choir (Indonesia), Muslim Choral Ensemble (Sri Lanka), VOICES 21C (Boston-based)
- Conductor, human rights activist, writer, ethnomusicologist
- Directs projects: Common Ground Voices (Israel-Palestine-international), Common Ground Voices / La Frontera (Mexico-US), prison music
- Has conducted and undertaken research in more than 40 countries
- Editor of The Cambridge Companion to Choral Music (Cambridge University Press), author of Focus: Choral Music in Global Perspective (Routledge) and several articles, book chapters, and choral editions
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Vietnam
Chau Anh Dang
- Head of Conducting Department at Vietnam National Academy of Music
- Founder and Artistic Director at Vietnam SolArt Choir and Education
- Known as a pioneer in the field of choir and music education in Vietnam
- Well known in Vietnam as host, music expert, juror of music TV programs and competitions
- Artistic director of the Vietnam International Choir Competition
- Adjudicator at many festivals and competitions around the world
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