Choirs
Alegria Choir
(Türkiye)
The Alegria Choir was founded by amateur music lovers under the direction of conductor M. İnci Tığlı Ayağ in July 2000 in Ankara, Türkiye.
The Alegria Choir does not confine its repertoire to a specific era; instead, it performs a wide variety of pieces from madrigals to pop-jazz-rock pieces, folk songs, carols and symphonic works with orchestral accompaniment – this is the essential principle of the choir. In addition, the choir happily adds the works by young amateur composers and arrangers to its repertoire to contribute to the world of polyphonic music.
Since its foundation, the Alegria Choir has been involved in many social projects, has given concerts across Türkiye and Europe, has become the centre of attention at all the festivals it attended, and has won awards and prizes in contests.
M. İnci Tığlı Ayağ
M. İnci Tığlı Ayağ attended the Marmara University Music Education and Singing Department and İstanbul Conservatory; she acquired her master’s degree at Gazi University Music Department.
In “Austria Graz International Workshops” program she studied choral conducting with Prof. Dr. Rodney Eichenberger, voice training with Linz Bielfeldt and educational psychology with Robert Culver.
She served as the conductor of the Ankara University Polyphonic Choir and the Polyphonic Choir Association Adults Choir.
In 1988 she joined the Ministry of Culture State Polyphonic as an artist. She is still working as a member of the Ministry of Culture State Polyphonic Choir, conductor of “Alegria Choir” (2000) which she founded. She is also the conductor of the Ministry of Culture Youth Choir and works at Alegria Musical Theatre as General Artistic Coordinator.
Babīte Cultural Education Centre Mixed Choir Maska
(Latvia)
The mixed choir “MASKA” was founded in 2000 by its conductor and artistic director, Jānis Ozols. As one of the finest mixed choirs in Latvia, it plays an active role on the choral music stage both in Latvia and internationally. The choir’s repertoire covers a vast range of music—from sacred to folk, and classical to contemporary—always searching for new interpretations of choral music. The choir also cooperates with beloved and world-renowned composers who have dedicated their compositions to the ensemble, such as Laura Jēkabsone, Rihards Zaļupe, and Vytautas Miškinis.
Since its early days, the choir has shown itself to be an ambitious and creative collective, while actively performing in Latvia and abroad as well as taking part in international choir competitions. Its greatest achievements in choral competitions include Grand Prix prizes at the Busan Choral Festival & Competition in 2024 and the City of Derry International Choir Festival in 2023; the Grand Prix at the 35th Takarazuka International Choir Competition and the 2nd Tokyo International Choir Competition in 2019, as well as many other prizes.
Jānis Ozols
Jānis Ozols is a well-recognized conductor, the founder and the Artistic Director of the International Baltic Sea Choir Competition. He acquired both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music in choir conducting, and he studied symphony orchestra conducting at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm.
Jānis Ozols has attained international achievements with the mixed choirs “Maska” and “PaSaulei”, as well as the Mixed Choir of the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Music Academy Choir. He frequently serves as a jury member at international choir competitions.
Jānis Ozols is the head conductor of the Riga and Jūrmala Region choirs and debuted as a chief conductor of the XXVII Nationwide Latvian Song Festival in 2023. He is a member of the board of the Latvian Song Festival Foundation and the Latvian National Centre for Culture Council in the choir sector.
Béla Bartók Women's Choir
(Hungary)
The Bartók Béla Women’s Choir of Szeged has been led by many distinguished conductors, including Pál Kardos, Éva Rozgonyi, and Péter Ordasi. While the ensemble maintains a broad repertoire, particular emphasis is placed on classical Hungarian composers such as Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály, and Lajos Bárdos. Promoting contemporary Hungarian music is also a key mission, with numerous works dedicated specifically to the choir and its leaders.
The choir has performed at prestigious venues across Europe, including Barcelona, Rome, Salzburg, and Vienna, as well as several historic cities in Romania and Serbia.
The Bartók Béla Women’s Choir has achieved outstanding results at international competitions, with recent accolades including: the Ohrid Choir Competition in North Macedonia (2019), and the 9th Zoltán Kodály Hungarian Choir Competition in Budapest (2022).
Dávid Valkai
Dávid Valkai graduated from the Faculty of Music at the University of Debrecen with degrees in several subjects. In 2025, he obtained his DLA doctorate at the Liszt Academy. During his university studies, he participated and won prizes in several domestic choir conducting competitions.
Since 2018, he has been the conductor of the Bartók Béla Women’s Choir in Szeged and since 2019, he has been a teacher at the István Vántus Music High School, and assistant professor at the Béla Bartók Faculty of Arts of the University of Szeged.
He is the head of the National Council of Choirs of Szeged branch, a member of the Kardos Pál Foundation, and the head of the Szeged branch of the Hungarian Kodály Society.
Cape Town Camerata
(South Africa)
Founded in 1997 as the Pro Cantu Youth Choir, the ensemble became the Cape Town Camerata in 2023—reflecting the maturity and diversity of its singers. The Cape Town Camerata has grown into one of South Africa’s leading a cappella choirs, internationally recognised for its artistry, energy and heart.
Under the inspired direction of Leon Starker since 2003, CTC delivers emotionally powerful performances, builds cultural bridges, and provides a world-class platform for young South African voices.
The choir has performed in prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and St Paul’s Cathedral, toured across Europe, the USA, and China and triumphed in top international competitions—winning Grand Prix awards, most recently in Lloret de Mar, Spain (2025).
Highlights include stirring performances of Jenkins’ The Armed Man, Pärt’s St John Passion, Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil, and Händel’s Messiah. A 2025 highlight was winning the International Christian Choral Celebration William Byrd prize awarded by the Excelsia College in Australia.
Cape Town Camerata is not just a choir—it’s a community, a movement, and a proudly South African sound on the global stage with one aim: to spark joy!
Leon Starker
Leon Starker is a dynamic choral conductor and educator with over three decades of experience leading choirs to national and international acclaim. He holds a B.Sc. in Chemistry and Mathematics, a Higher Education Diploma from Stellenbosch University, and advanced qualifications in Choral Conducting—including an M.Mus.—from Nelson Mandela University, where he studied under renowned composer-conductor duo Péter-Louis and Junita van Dijk.
Since 2003, Leon has served as conductor of the Cape Town Camerata, guiding the ensemble through celebrated performances of a cappella works and large-scale masterpieces. Under his leadership, the choir has performed globally—from Carnegie Hall to Salzburg—and earned top prizes at elite competitions in Austria, China, and Germany.
Leon served as Artistic Director of the Mzansi Conductor’s Convention (2023–2025) and formerly lectured in choral conducting at the University of Cape Town College of Music. A sought-after adjudicator and clinician, he brings precision and passion to every podium. When he’s not conducting, Leon works as a database developer and programmer.
Coralia from the University of Puerto Rico
(Puerto Rico)
Founded in 1982 by its current conductor, Dr. Carmen Acevedo-Lucío, Coralia from the University of Puerto Rico – unites students and alumni with solid musical training and experience to perform choral repertoire of artistic, academic, and interpretive complexity. Its repertoire spans all historical periods and affirms its cultural heritage through folk, Latin American, and Puerto Rican works. With a legacy shaped by more than 150 former and current members, and a strong commitment to cultural advocacy and community engagement, Coralia preserves Puerto Rican choral tradition while offering audiences a refined, elevated choral experience.
Throughout its career, Coralia has represented Puerto Rican culture on major international stages as the Puerto Rican choral group with the greatest international presence. The choir has performed throughout Europe, North and South America, and the Caribbean. It has earned 15 first-place prizes and received special recognitions for best folk piece interpretation, Renaissance polyphony, and the Heinrich Schütz Perpetual Trophy.
Dr. Carmen Acevedo-Lucío
Dr. Carmen Acevedo-Lucío is a distinguished Puerto Rican choral conductor, educator, and cultural leader. Her work, spanning more than four decades, has been fundamental to the artistic excellence and international projection of Puerto Rico’s choral tradition. Acevedo-Lucío holds a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, completed doctoral studies at the University of Illinois, and has received honorary doctorates from Universidad Carlos Albizu and the University of Puerto Rico.
A member of the University of Puerto Rico’s Music Faculty since 1980, she serves as professor and conductor of the Coro de la Universidad de Puerto Rico and Coralia, where she has shaped generations of singers and conductors. In 1987, she founded the San Juan Philharmonic Chorale, preparing major choral-symphonic works for collaboration with leading orchestras and renowned conductors.
Jazzberry Tunes
(Türkiye)
Jazzberry Tunes was founded in 2014 by students and alumni of Middle East Technical University, led by Yiğit Deniz and Mustafa Çağlayan Durmaz. While Jazzberry Tunes initially focused on rhythmic jazz and pop pieces, the ensemble has gradually shifted its artistic direction toward newly composed and contemporary choral music. The choir is dedicated to innovation, performing in 14 languages while showcasing Türkiye’s polyphonic choral heritage. Their mission is to push musical boundaries and bring fresh perspectives to choral singing.
Jazzberry Tunes has performed across Türkiye and internationally, gaining recognition at major festivals and competitions, In 2023 they were selected by IFCM for the World Symposium on Choral Music in Istanbul, in 2024, they performed at the 59th International Choral Festival in Barcelona, in 2025, they won 3rd place in the Mixed Choirs category at the 43rd Georgi Dimitrov International Choir Competition in Varna.
Yiğit Deniz
Yiğit Deniz founded Jazzberry Tunes in 2014 with his classmates from the Performative Jazz class and has been conducting the choir since its inception. He has attended choral conducting workshops led by Dénes Szabó and Régis Harquel and received vocal training from Arda Doğan. Additionally, he has contributed to various projects of Lemur Sanat, Türkiye’s leading amateur musical theater group, as a music director, orchestra conductor, and performer.
Since 2020, he has served on the board of the Choral Culture Association, and as of 2024, he is also a board member of the European Choral Association. He actively works to promote choral culture and raise awareness of choral music in Türkiye.
Riverside City College Chamber Singers
(USA)
The Chamber Singers have competed nationally, and internationally earing first place at the California International Choral Competition 2011, at the Yeosu International Choral Competition in Korea 2013 and at the Choral Competition in Spittal, Austria 2015. They often have opportunities to perform with special guest artists such as Don Shelton, Grammy Award winner Jon Secada, collaborated with Eric Whitacre for a TED Talk, and served as the chorus for the Star Wars in Concert.
Jonathan Talberg
Dr. Jonathan Talberg is an American choral conductor and educator. He earned degrees in choral conducting from Chapman University and the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, where he completed both the MM and DMA. Talberg is known for building the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music’s choirs at California State University, Long Beach into internationally recognized ensembles. Under Talberg’s leadership, the CSULB Chamber Choir won the prestigious “Choir of the World” title and Pavarotti Trophy at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales and first prize at the Internationaler Chorwettbewerb in Spittal, Austria. His ensembles have collaborated with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Pacific Symphony, Kronos Quartet, and the Rolling Stones, and have performed at major venues including the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. His mentors include Roger Wagner, William Hall, Earl Rivers, and Jesús López Cobos. He is President-Elect of the American National Collegiate Choral Organization.
John Byun (†2026)
John Byun received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of California, Irvine, and his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from California State University, Long Beach. He was the Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Riverside City College, where he conducted the Chamber Singers and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He served as a guest conductor for several district honor choirs, including the Southern California Vocal Association Men’s Honor Choir and the Central California Women’s Honor Choir. Additionally, he served as an editor at Pavane Publishing, where he curated the works of several prominent American composers.
Santinig-Bonn
(Germany)
Founded in September 2012, Santinig is a group united in the love for music and the desire to help people in need in the Philippines. It is composed of around 30 enthusiastic singers, mostly Filipinos and complemented by African and German members, living in and around North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The choir is directed by Ruselo Kleensang-Pacto, a member of Imusicapella.
For over 13 years now, Santinig has participated in concerts and performances for charitable purposes to support youth activities. Beyond the desire to help others, Santinig members expanded their ability as a choir and participated in an international festival and choir competition. They participated in the Harmony Festival in Limburg in 2017 and won bronze in the folk songs category. In 2019, they competed in the first International Choir Competition in Maastricht and received the silver diploma (Level VII) in the sacred choral music category.
Ruselo Kleensang-Pacto
Ruselo Kleensang-Pacto is a former member of the Imusicapella Chamber Choir who joined the group on their European and U.S. tours. He was part of their great achievements in winning Grands Prix such as Neuchâtel, Sopot, Montreux, and Grand Prix de la Ville de Tours (2018). He also participated in the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing in Arezzo, Italy (2019).
The professional electrical engineer, Ruselo Pacto, co-founded the choir Santinig with a Catholic youth group in 2012 in preparation for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. He is also the conductor of the church choir Loved Flock Choir in Bonn. More recently, he has taken on the role of conductor of the Deutsche Welle choir and performs as a soloist.
The Resonanz Children’s Choir
(Indonesia)
The Resonanz Children’s Choir (TRCC) from Jakarta is an award-winning ensemble founded in 2007 by Avip Priatna Mag. Art. as a key part of the Resonanz Music Studio. The choir has achieved extraordinary recent success, being named a finalist for the 2025 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing after winning first prize in the children’s category at the 2024 Tolosa Choral Contest in Spain. Among other awards, they also won first prize in competitions in Vienna (2024), Florence (2023) and Bali (2022), building upon their historic 2018 win of the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing. As a proud cultural ambassador for Indonesia, TRCC is widely recognised for blending high-level singing with dynamic traditional choreography and movement. Whether performing internationally or at home, TRCC continues to showcase the incredible potential of young Indonesian voices to the world.
Avip Priatna
Avip Priatna is one of Indonesia’s finest and most professionally trained conductors. He obtained a Magister Artium degree from the prestigious University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. For over 20 years, he has been the only Indonesian conductor to consistently showcase an extensive range of repertoire. Avip Priatna is not just a conductor of national acclaim but a global figure in the world of music. He is also one of only two conductors in the world to win the highly prestigious European Grand Prix for Choral Singing more than once.
Because of his exceptional work and contribution to the arts in Indonesia, Avip has received national honours, and the Republic of Austria has also awarded him the ‘Decoration of Honour’, a prestigious international recognition.
Vántus Boys' Choir
(Hungary)
The Boys’ Choir of the Vántus István Catholic Music High School and Elementary Art School in Szeged was founded in 2019 under the leadership of Dávid Valkai.
Its members are male vocalists and instrumental students. In 2022, they officially adopted the name Vántus Boys’ Choir, with the kind permission of the composer’s widow. The ensemble received the “Choir of the Year” award with a gold diploma at the “Singing Youth” qualifying concerts in 2023 and 2024, followed by a national certificate of merit in 2025. The choir is a regular performer in the musical life of the city of Szeged. Their repertoire includes numerous works from the Renaissance to contemporary music. In 2025, they won the chamber choir category of the national choir competition and earned a gold diploma at the Budapest International Choir Competition. In 2026, at the request of the city of Szeged, they will perform a world premiere dedicated to the Vántus Boys’ Choir and their conductor.
Dávid Valkai
Dávid Valkai graduated from the Faculty of Music at the University of Debrecen with degrees in multiple disciplines. In 2025, he obtained his Doctor of Liberal Arts degree at the Liszt Academy. During his university studies, he was a prize-winner at several domestic choir conducting competitions.
Since 2018, he has been the conductor of the Bartók Béla Women’s Choir, and in 2019, he founded the Vántus Boys’ Choir in Szeged. He is a teacher at the István Vántus Music High School, and an Assistant Professor at the Béla Bartók Faculty of Arts of the University of Szeged.
He is the head of the Szeged branch of the National Council of Choirs, a member of the Kardos Pál Foundation, and the head of the Szeged branch of the Hungarian Kodály Society.
Zoltán Kodály Youth Mixed Choir
(Hungary)
The members of the ensemble are students at the Zoltán Kodály Secondary School of Music and Primary School of Arts in Debrecen. Since 1954, the choir has been led by numerous prominent professionals. The current ensemble was revived by Adrienne Vasné Katona following the pandemic. In recent years, they have performed at municipal and national events and concerts and served as the demonstration choir for the national choir conducting competition. They have competed in four national competitions, winning first place and special awards in each. In 2024, they won second place and a special prize in their category at the 29th Béla Bartók International Choir Competition, and in 2025, they achieved first place and a special prize at the 10th Zoltán Kodály Hungarian Choir Competition.
For the past four years, they have also maintained an online presence by releasing annual music videos. In addition to sharing the joy of singing, the choir’s goal is to foster and sustain a sense of community and close, supportive, and collaborative human relationships. Their artistic philosophy is inspired by Zoltán Kodály’s words: “Singing makes life beautiful, and those who sing make others’ lives more beautiful.”
Adrienne Vasné Katona
She earned her university degree in 1995 from the Debrecen Conservatory of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music. She has been teaching for 36 years and, during that time, has been involved in educating students of all ages, from music preschool to university. She has been teaching solfège, music theory, music history, and vocal music at the Secondary School of Music for 30 years; in addition, she leads the work group of the non-instrumental department and serves as a master teacher and subject advisor. She has been leading the choir since its revival following the pandemic. Over the past few years, in addition to the vocational high school choir and her teaching duties, she has had the opportunity to work with numerous choirs. She is a regular member of the jury for the Singing Youth concerts and folk song competitions. The ensemble she leads has twice received the Debrecen School District Excellence Award.