Kirsten Schötteldreier
NL
Voice performance coach Kirsten Schötteldreier brings a powerful and playful awareness to vocal health with her holistic method of singing. “Sing with your heart” - increase your heart energy and physical condition for more authentic and joyful singing, opening the window into singing without restrictions and fear. Kirsten Schötteldreier not only is a vocal technique, energy and stage performance coach for young talents, but also works intensively with opera stars from Vienna, Amsterdam, Berlin, Milan and Bonn.
Thomas Hampson
USA
Thomas Hampson, America’s foremost baritone, hails from Spokane, Washington. He has received many honors and awards for his probing artistry and cultural leadership. He enjoys a singular international career as an opera singer, recording artist, and “ambassador of song,” maintaining an active interest in research, education, musical outreach, and technology. Comprising more than 150 albums, his discography includes winners of a Grammy Award, five Edison Awards, and the Grand Prix du Disque. Through the Hampsong Foundation which he founded in 2003 he employs the art of song to promote intercultural dialogue and understanding.
Julia Lagahuzere
France
Julia Lagahuzère, works as General Director for Opera for Peace. She is also artistic consultant to the Queen Sonja International Music Competition in Oslo, Norway. Julia has a passion for finding and helping to nurture young talent, and established a concert series in order to strengthen relations between the QSMIC and the top international young artist programs; notably in collaboration with the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. She has previously worked at the San Francisco Opera, Scottish Opera and Opéra de Limoges, and most recently as the highest international level as Deputy Casting Director for Opéra National de Paris in the two theatres of Opéra de Bastille and Palais Garnier. She is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, a musicology scholarship recipient at the University of California, Berkeley, and holds a Master’s degree in Opera and Visual Performing Arts from King’s College London in collaboration with the BBC Proms.
Jennifer John
UK
Jennifer John is based Liverpool in the UK has been at the forefront of choir development and working with voices from diverse communities for over 30 years. She is committed to providing accessible vocal training for all people and believes in singing for social change. Jennifer has recently won 2 awards for her recent virtual choir project, Love Sings which was created during Lockdown. • Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards 2020 • Association of Independent Musicians “Local Hero” awards 2021 https://www.jenniferjohnmusic.com/
Simone Plechinger
Germany
Simone is a qualified music therapist and alternative practitioner for psychotherapy. She is also an author and coach in the field of palliative medicine with a focus on music therapy. For over 20 years she has focused her work in areas of dementia and palliative care. As a user of Dementia Care Mapping, multiplier for the dementia balance model © and specialist book author, she currently works as a guest speaker and coach. She guides in the development of interdisciplinary teams in care at home and abroad and advises employees on how to deal with their singing and speaking voice. She is the 2nd chairwoman of the Singing Hospitals network. In her specialist books and seminars, the effect of singing on body, soul and spirit is of particular importance.
Johanna Seiler
Germany
Qualified music teacher, qualified pianist, composer, vocal artist and coach for voice development and improvisation with 25 years of teaching experience (courses and circle song events throughout Europe – including at music colleges and theatres, psychological and medical institutes, as management training and at congresses). Many years of experience in teaching psychology, mediation, systemic therapy & sound healing. www.johannaseiler.com
Vera Kimmling
Germany
Freelance singer, 3rd board member of Singing Hospitals network. Singing teacher, choir coach, choir leader of senior singing groups, patient singing groups in the psychotherapeutic context, as well as evening class lecturer, and further training seminars for educators and educators and in companies.
Angelica Goers
Germany
Certified jazz singer, singing teacher, vocal coach for choirs, speaker, certified Conflict counsellor based on the approach of positive psychotherapy by Prof. Dr. medical N. Peseschkian, cert. Facilitator of Virtues-Project e.V., certif. Singing director in hospice work and in facilities for psych. sick people. www.angelika-goers.de
Prof. Thomas Caplin
Norway
Mr Caplin received his education as a singer, conductor and choral pedagogue at the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen and at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm. He is frequently engaged as guest conductor and clinician, and as adjudicator in competitions. Mr Caplin specializes within the psychological/pedagogical aspects of choral leadership, coupled with the traditional perspectives of choral conducting and the overall running of a choir including all aspects. This focus is fundamental in his book on choral leadership that was globally published in 2017 – ”The Learning Conductor”. Another speciality is the cross field between classical and rhythmical singing and conducting. His publications include a number of compositions, arrangements and CD recordings (Cantando Music Publisher, Stavanger and at Musikk-Husets forlag, Oslo.) He has received international recognitions for his leadership of the following choirs : The Lund University Male Choir (prominent male choir from University of Lund, Sweden, World Choir Champions, Shaoxing 2010), Chamber Choir Collegium Vocale (Norway), Oslo University Male Choir (World Choir Champion, Xiamen, China 2006). He presently conducts the internationally renowned Defrost Youth Choir, and is artistic leader of and singing member of the vocal group Nordic Blue.