JURORS

Romania

Anna is Principal Conductor of Romania’s National Chamber Choir ‘Madrigal – Marin Constantin', which she has conducted in hundreds of concerts all over the world, and Artistic Director of the National Cantus Mundi Programme. In 2022 she received the Music Excellence Award "Marin Constantin" and in 2023 was decorated by the President of Romania with the Cultural Merit order (officer rank) in performing arts as a sign of appreciation for her professionalism, dedication and talent throughout her work.

Philippines

An internationally awarded choral arranger, Anna has been artistic director of such choirs as the University of Visayas Chorale, University of the East Chorale, University of Asia and the Pacific Chorale and Koro Ilustrado. She has also conducted the Busan Metropolitan Chorus, Asian Youth Choir and Indonesian Youth Choir. Founder of two national festivals, “Musikalinangan” in Manila and “Musikaalam” in Cebu, Anna is a member and former artistic board member of the Philippine Choral Directors’ Association.

New Zealand

Following his tenure as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Westminster College in Pennsylvania, Andrew has relocated to New Zealand. With a PhD in Choral Pedagogy and a Masters in Choral Conducting Performance, he has taught conducting, choral literature, diction, vocal pedagogy, voice and teacher education at university level. Artistic Director of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir for ten years, Andrew now freelances as a conductor, choral consultant and teacher educator.

New Zealand

New Zealand composer Anthony Ritchie has been awarded several accolades for his compositions, such as Best Classical Album in the NZ Music Awards. His work is increasingly known overseas, with his oratorio ‘Gallipoli to the Somme’ having been performed in London in 2018. He was a founder member of the National Youth Choir, conducted the Southern Youth Choir and Southern Children Choir and is currently Professor of Music and Head of the School of Performing Arts at the University of Otago.

USA

Anthony is an acclaimed choral conductor, scholar, pedagogue and media personality with a career spanning over 20 years. Resident Conductor (chorus) with the Handel and Haydn Society, he has led ensembles integral in projects that have won a Pulitzer Prize (Madam White Snake, Zhou Long) and a Grammy (Fantastic Mr. Fox, Boston Modern Orchestra Project). He is host of the classical radio show ‘The Silent Canon’ and is on air and online on the Emmy-nominated television series ‘Sing That Thing’.

China

Baolin Yan is a conductor, doctoral director and professor of conducting at Zhejiang Conservatory of Music. Currently Vice Chairman of the China Music Association Chorus Union and Director of the Conducting Performance Committee, he has been guest conductor and Artistic Director of the Shanghai Opera House and his choirs have won more than 40 awards in competitions at home and abroad. Prof Yan is known as a "Conductor of the New Trend of Chinese Chorus", which integrates teaching, research, performance and training.

Australia

Carl is founder and Conductor Emeritus of the award-winning Adelaide Chamber Singers, co-conductor of Gondwana Chorale, and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Adelaide where he also teaches conducting and directs the University Chorale. A regular guest conductor, choral clinician and adjudicator throughout Australia and internationally, he was in 2007 awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to music and inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame in 2021.

Venezuela/USA

Cristian is professor of choral music at the Thornton School of Music (USC) and conducts the prestigious Thornton Concert Choir. Born in Venezuela, he earned degrees from the Simón Bolívar University (MM) in Caracas and the University of Miami (DMA). An award-winning conductor and composer, he has appeared at many international events as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator and lecturer. His series “The Choral Music of Latin America and the Caribbean” is an editorial outlet for Latin American choral repertoire.

Singapore

Founder and Artistic Director of the Voices of Singapore, Darius organises nationwide concerts and festivals while leading a vibrant choral community through the VOS Choral Society of 30 choirs and over 1200 singers. His extensive involvement in the music world extends globally through his roles as CEO of The Voice Company, Board Member of the International Federation for Choral Music and Board Chairman of the World Alliance of Children's Choirs.

New Zealand

Acclaimed New Zealand composer David Hamilton was formerly Head of Music at Epsom Girls Grammar School, where he conducted the award-winning Opus. A past Deputy Music Director of Auckland Choral, he has been Composer-in-Residence with Auckland Philharmonia, as well as for Sing Aotearoa and the NZ Singing School. David has been commissioned by choirs worldwide and published globally, while his works have won competitions in Italy, the USA, the UK and New Zealand.

New Zealand

David is a successful choral composer and arranger at Te Matatini, the world-renowned Māori indigenous cultural festival and pinnacle event for Māori performing arts. He co-tutors the group Hatea Kapa Haka from Whangārei and has helped develop the group’s distinctive performance style of their own original music. He has also had success arranging covers of popular songs in te reo Māori, notably Queen’s 'Bohemian Rhapsody’ and Billie Eilish’s ‘When the party’s over’.

Australia

Debra has an active career as a choral conductor, educator, and scholar. Director of ChoirWork, she has conducted internationally acclaimed choirs, founded several ensembles – including Vox Pacifica Chamber Choir and Vintage Voices – and established Fusion, a semi-professional a cappella group. Debra holds degrees in Music Education and Choral Conducting (DM) from various institutions, including the Kodály Intézet (Hungary) and Indiana University, and has served as President of the Australian National Choral Association.

USA

Known as the “father of contemporary a cappella” for creating and popularising the modern pop choral sound with vocal percussion, Deke was music director, arranger and producer for all three Pitch Perfect films, local producer and music director of 'The Sing Off’, and judge and clinician for Eurovision Choir 2019. The producer of Gold albums “Straight No Chaser”, “Committed” and “DCappella”, he has made over 2,000 a cappella arrangements and is author of six books on vocal harmony.

China

A ‘National First-Class Conductor’ in China, Guanghui has directed many championship-winning choirs in both domestic and international competitions. Founder and Artistic Director of Shenzhen Star Bright Choir and Chinese representative on the World Choir Council, his expertise and leadership have contributed significantly to the vibrant choral scene in China.

The Netherlands

Hans has conducted choirs and vocal groups across the Netherlands, ranging from early music, classical music and opera to jazz and pop music. He gained international fame with the Fontys Jazz Choir, who won the TV competition Korenslag in 2010 and became Champion of the World Choir Games (Jazz) at WCG2016. He is currently a coach for vocal group Des Unique Tilburg, male vocal ensemble Dubbel Zes Den Bosch and male choir Daan Zomer Utrecht.

New Zealand/Samoa/Niue

Founder and Co-Director of the choir Pacific Connection, Henrietta was born and raised in Wellington and represents the villages of Faleula and Apia (Samoa), and Mutulau (Niue). With over 20 years’ experience in barbershop performance, she has won many national quartet and chorus championships and represented NZ on the international stage since 2005. A certified Singing Judge in the Australasian Guild of Barbershop Judges, Henrietta was awarded the annual Service to Young Women in Harmony award for her contribution to choral education in Aotearoa.

New Zealand / Samoa

Igelese is a distinguished figure from the vibrant village of Fatausi in Savai’i and holds the prestigious Samoan chief title of Tuilagi. Serving as Associate Professor and Associate Dean (Pacific) at Massey University’s College of Creative Arts in Wellington, he has also been recognised with Creative New Zealand’s Senior Pacific Artist Award for his work. Igelese has chaired the Fiji Arts Council Board and was a choirmaster for the iconic "The Lord of the Rings" and "Moana" films.

Belgium

With a career spanning both music education and directiing, Jeroen Keymeulen currently conducts the Mechelen-based Vokalis and Chamber Choir Flanders in Belgium, winning several prizes in recent international choral competitions. He has three master's degrees in music from the Lemmens Institute: for classical guitar, chamber music and orchestral conducting. In 2019 he became General Manager of Koor&Stem, the Flemish amateur arts organisation for vocal music.

New Zealand

Director of Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir and Artistic Director of the Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand Trust, Karen has been recognised at home and abroad for her choral conductor training, professional choral performance and long-standing relationships with Te Ao Māori and Pasifika musicians. Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, she was in 2023 made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to choral music.

Indonesia

Ken is a distinguished figure in choral composition, arrangement and conducting in Indonesia. Renowned for his adept fusion of traditional and contemporary Indonesian methodologies, he has significantly advanced the landscape of choral music in his homeland and shares this expertise internationally. Ken is Director of Studies at Charles Wesley Music Vocational School in North Sumatra and conductor of the Medan Community Choir.

China

Li Yang is Professor of Conducting at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra, and Chief Conductor of the Children and Young Women‘s Chorus of the China National Symphony Orchestra. A member of the World Choir Council, he is Vice-Chairman of China Chorus Association and resident conductor of Beijing Philharmonic Choir. His monograph “Modern Conducting Techniques Course” was published in 2016.

Australia

Known as one of Australia’s finest choral conductors, Lyn has for over 30 years harnessed the power of young voices through her world-renowned ensembles: Sydney Children’s Choir, Gondwana Voices, the Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir and Marliya. She fosters strong relationships with First Nations artists across Australia, encouraging the creation of new works that celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island languages and cultures.

Latvia

Mārtiņš is Artistic Director of the Rīga Cathedral Boys’ Choir, recipients of the Latvian Grand Music Award and Latvian Music Recording Award. A member of the World Choir Council, he teaches at the Cathedral Choir School and the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music. Mārtiņš was elected Chief Conductor of the Great Song Festival in 2008 and 2013 and was its Artistic Director in 2018. In 2015 he received the highest national award, The Order of Three Stars.

Great Britain

Founder and Artistic Director of the award-winning Barnsley Youth Choir, a 650-member community choir based in an area of significant deprivation, Mat has worked in education at primary, secondary, tertiary and university levels as an Advanced Skills Teacher, Advisory Teacher and Regional Director of for a large Educational Trust. Mat is also a composer and arranger, and in much demand internationally as a clinician, workshop leader, conductor and adjudicator.

Finland

A renowned choral composer and arranger, Mia has had her music sung by many well-known, international vocal groups such as Rajaton, the King’s Singers and Cantus. As a lecturer and composition teacher, she has a special interest in children’s singing, rhythm and creativity in choirs. She is also an experienced choral conductor, founding both the Vivace and Ocarina Choirs and creating a nationwide network in Finland for unauditioned children’s and youth choirs.

South Africa

Director of Choral Activities at the University of Pretoria, Michael is a Senior Lecturer in Choral Conducting in the Department of Music and conductor of the renowned Tuks Camerata. His compositions and arrangements, particularly of traditional South African songs, have been performed throughout the world. Michael is also Executive Director and Co-Producer of ‘Capital Singers’, South Africa’s largest community choir project, and a member of INTERKULTUR’s World Choir Council.

China

Deputy Director of the Children's Choir Committee of the China Choral Association and of the Steering Committee for Art Education in Guangdong Province, Mingjing Xie is also Vice President of Guangdong Chorus Association and Vice Chairman of Guangzhou Musicians’ Association. He holds the honorary titles of national 'Model Music Teacher’ and ‘Special-Grade Music Teacher’ and is Artistic Director of Guangdong Radio Children’s Choir, as well as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Guangdong Experimental Middle School Choir.

New Zealand

A choral conductor, singer and music educator, Megan is on the board of Music Education New Zealand Aotearoa and is currently undertaking her doctorate in music education at the University of Auckland. Megan is passionate about children’s singing and her work as a conducting and singing mentor has her visiting schools throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, working with teachers and inspiring students.

New Zealand

Rachael Griffiths-Hughes is Director of Music at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Hamilton and Senior Lecturer at the University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music where she teaches music history, ear training and directs the University choir. She performs as a harpsichordist and organist with many ensembles across New Zealand, including the early music groups Affetto and NZBarok, and directs the Vox Baroque ensemble.

Japan

Saeko Hasegawa is President of the Japan Choral Association and a former Vice-President of the International Federation for Choral Music. Conductor Laureate and Honorary Artistic Director of the Little Singers of Tokyo, she chaired the Artistic Committee of the 7th World Symposium on Choral Music in Kyoto and conducted the first and third Asia Pacific Youth Choirs. Saeko was awarded the Medal with Blue Ribbon by the Japanese government in 2023 for her contribution to the development of choral music in Japan and around the world.

Italy

Sara is a choral conductor, musicologist and professor of choral singing at the Luigi Boccherini Conservatory in Italy. She has worked in Italian theatres and abroad, conducts the children's choir of the Accademia del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, and is Educational Director of the institution’s School of Choral Singing for Children in Florence. Sara is often invited to be a juror in national and international choral competitions, presents frequently at conferences and conventions, and is the author of numerous publications.

Republic of Korea

Professor Emeritus of Music at Ewha Woman’s University and conductor of the Ansan City Choir for 25 years, Shin-Hwa also directs the distinguished Ewha Chamber Choir, which was selected to perform in WSCM2020 in Auckland. He is also President of the Korean Church Music Association and broadcast host of FEBC FM. Shin-Wa received the 2021 University of Colorado Distinguished Choral Alumnus Award and was Artistic Director of the 2023 World Choir Games.

Denmark

Steen has conducted at festivals across the globe and held masterclasses and seminars for choir conductors in the USA, Canada, South Korea, China, and Argentina. Previously choirmaster of The Royal Danish Opera and former Artistic Director of the Copenhagen Concert Society and the Danish Boys Choir, Steen is also an international adjudicator and guest lecturer and has served on the jury at ten editions of the World Choir Games. He has been awarded the Copenhagen Music Critics prize and the Order of the Icelandic Falcon.

Malaysia

An active music educator, promoting music and choral education in Malaysia, Susanna is currently lecturer and choir director at the Faculty of Music at the University of Malaysia and the Malaysian Institute of Art. She established the Young Choral Academy in Kuala Lumpur in 2007 and is also an active Working Committee member of the Asia-Pacific Choral Council, under the auspices of the International Federation for Choral Music.

Great Britain/ New Zealand

A countertenor in The King’s Singers for 10 years, Tim toured the world with the group and sang over 1500 concerts in some of the world’s greatest venues. He has taught in over 500 masterclasses, workshops and summer schools, imparting ensemble skills and techniques to vocal ensembles across the globe. Recognition for The King’s Singers during his tenure included two Grammy Awards, a further Grammy nomination and induction into the inaugural Gramophone Hall of Fame.

Canada / Kazakhstan

Zimfira is Artistic Director of the renowned Toronto Children’s Chorus, which comprises over 300 singers and eight levels of ensembles, aged 4 to 18. She also teaches Vocal Pedagogy for Choirs at the University of Toronto and is a founding Board Member for the World Alliance of Children’s Choirs, Honorary Artistic Director of the Hamilton Children’s Choir, founder of Choir School in Kazakhstan and curator/editor of the publisher Cypress Choral Music.