Welcome to AAVF 2015!

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2 Welcome to AAVF 2015! A warm welcome to all of you to the 5th edition of Aarhus Vocal Festival! Once again, the festival team, all volunteers, has worked very hard to make the best possible experience for all of you, this time with vocal music more or less from Around the World. As some of you might know, the last festival in 2013 was an economic disaster for the festival team, but thanks to really hard work and generous support from many of you we have survived! We want to thank these True AAVF Supporters and of course all of you for coming all the way to make the next 4 to 5 days an unforgettable vocal experience! We sincerely hope that you will leave Aarhus with your hearts full of joy and music! Jens Johansen, Chairman, AAVF Aarhus Vocal Festival Forening, the organization behind Aarhus Vocal Festival, was founded in 2004 with the first festival in 2006 followed by festivals in 2009, 2011 and 2013 plus a smalller support festival in Everybody in AAVF are volunteers working to strengthen the environments and conditions for contemporary vocal music. The committee in 2015: Jens Johansen Chairman Jim Daus Hjernøe - Artistic Leader Thue Thesbjerg - Vice Chairman Henrik Birk Aaboe Line Groth Inger Kiørbye Bertelsen Alternate Member Tine Fris Alternate Member Additional names in the festival team: Diana Buck Kasper Fonnesbæk Andersen Kristoffer Fynbo Thorning

3 Content Welcome to AAVF The Artists The Competitions at AAVF Additional Performing Groups Programme (Workshops, Coachings, Concerts) Map The Festival Area The Instructors Practical Information Sponsors

4 ZAP Mama (BE) My first composition was only voices, this was the seed of my sound. I planted it, and the seed grew. ZAP Mama music was born. (Marie Daulne) Known to her fans as ZAP Mama a singer / author / composer but also acting / diva for corporate show / master class / workshop / flash mob event / producer for other artists. Swingle Singers (GB) For more than half a century The Swingles have pushed the boundaries of vocal music. The seven young singers that make up today s London-based group are driven by the same innovative spirit that has defined the five-time Grammy winners since they first made waves in the 1960s. With their forthcoming album Deep End (due early 2015), The Swingles celebrate that legacy by starting a whole new chapter. 4

5 Blue Planet Voice of the Globe (UN) Vocal music spontaneously composed and directed by Roger Treece and Jim Daus Hjernøe featuring Rhiannon, Bob Stoloff and RAMA Voices. Vocal Line (DK) A modern a cappella choir of 30 singers, conducted by Jens Johansen. The choir was formed in 1991 in Aarhus and has as their proclaimed goal to act as a front-runner of the development of rhythmic choir singing, nationally as well as internationally. Through the years Vocal Line has constantly worked towards expanding the limits of a cappella music, and the choir continues aiming towards musically higher levels. Mariagerfjord Pigekor (DK) One of the most talented and innovative youth choirs internationally. Known for a remarkable blend of both music, sound and light combined with a unique sense of knowing how to surprise its audience with new scenic ideas from show to show. Mariagerfjord Pigekor has released three albums since the foundation in Musical director: Signe Sørensen. 5

6 Touché (DK) Danish a cappella jazz ensemble known for big band like arrangements, awesome swing and tender ballads. Touché consists of 12 singers, who together with conductor/arranger Jesper Holm have adapted the traditional Count Basie sound into an energietic a cappella big band style. At a Touché concert you will enjoy arrangements inspired by the repertoires of The Singers Unlimited, The Real Group, and other major artists from the world of vocal jazz, alongside the refined jazz arrangements of jazz standards by Jesper Holm. Postyr (DK) The Danish vocal group POSTYR are changing the face of vocal music as we know it with 5 voices, a computer and their infectious melodies in a mix of original compositions and radical interpretations of well-known material. POSTYR are known around the world for their distinctive and evocative sound that combines 5 amazing vocals with sampled beats and heartfelt songwriting making POSTYR s live performances something truly special on the international music scene. Arora (US) Midtvest Pigekor (DK) LA band ARORA (previously SO- NOS) is a vocals+electronics group who has created a genre of their own, with unique avant garde harmonies paired with deep soul. This past July 2013, ARORA released their resonant and addictive new all-original album, BIOLUMINE- SCENCE. Is rooted in the classical tradition but the repertoire includes music from various genres. They challenge the dynamic between voice, body and concert space and often combine the classical sound with choreography and performance. The choir has been led and conducted by Dorte Bille since the foundation in

7 Voco Novo (TW) Founded in 2009 in Taiwan, Voco Novo creates a variety of music genres with their skillful vocals. In addition to pop music and vocal jazz, the group digs deep into their own culture, performing world music and self-written songs, which have become the group s iconic style. SONO (DK) These 24 singers are the proof that vocal music is for all music lovers! Each and everyone contributes to the special and refined sound of SONO that has attracted attention both in Denmark and abroad. And besides this SONO knows the importance of giving the audience an unforgettable experience with a delicat mix of pop, rock and electronic music! The group is led by Tine Ohrt Højgaard. TTA - The Party Band (DK) Were you a teenager at concerts in the late 80 s? No matter what join the party of glam rock with this amazing Danish band and forget all about a cappella music for just one hour with rocking versions of Wind Of Change, Livin On A Prayer and many others glittering hits. DJ Static (DK) A shining star among Danish DJ s and producers. DJ Static released his first album just three years ago but has proved his musical abilities with asthonishing reviews. The music magazine GAFFA wrote that his album Rolig Under Pres should be mandatory curriculum in the teaching of hip hop! Party with DJ Static with something quite remote from the sound of vocal music. 7

8 Koret Zenit (DK) Shaken, not stirred! With a license to sing, Koret Zenit proudly presents some of the greatest Bond theme songs at the pre-festival. Koret Zenit is an Aarhus-based rhytmic amateur choir with 50 singers who all have a penchant for harmonies and hooklines.the choir is directed by Jesper Gade. Naura (DK) An Aarhus-based choir with 21 experienced singers singing arrangements ranging from pop and groovy hits to old folk songs with a twist of new sounds. The conductor, Christian Ronsfeld, guides the choir through a varied repertoire focusing on the clean Nordic sound, added the spice of our human beatboxer. In 2011 Naura was awarded the great recognition of winning 1st Prize in the AAVF Choir Competition. Local Vocal (DK) Known for great a cappella entertainment without compromising the fine-tuned Nordic sound of 25 experienced vocals. At the AAVF 2013 Local Vocal Received the runner-up prize at the choir competition. Local Vocal is also known for the biggest all time Youtube hit from a vocal group in Denmark. With more than 6 mio. views Local Vocal have amazed people all over the world with their 90's dance a cappella medley. Vox 11 (DK) Vox 11 is a danish vocal ensemble that counts 11 singers. The group has participated in song contests and other cultural arrangements since the start in 2002 and have been noticed both nationally and internationally. Vox 11's repertoire is modern a cappella music inspired by modern R'n'B, Hip Hop and Nordic soundscapes. 8

9 Kolorit (DK) The group celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2014 and was formed by conductor Niels Græsholm in 1989 with the purpose of exploring Latin American choral music and the Nordic sound in vocal jazz and folk music - and since the beginning the group has performed with a versatile program combining these two musical hemispheres. At the AAVF concert Kolorit will bring you colorful and challenging choral arrangements from most of Latin America: Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, The Dominican Republic and others. Maestra (DK) A girls choir with 25 singers from The Music School of Aarhus singing modern a cappella music. The vocal arrangements are often made especially for the choir and goes from ethnic folk to pop and country. The choir is directed by Malene Rigtrup. Syng Selected (DK) Syng Selected was initiated by the Youth Choirs Organization SYNG to give young and skilled choir singers an opportunity to develop their talent among other carefully selected singers. The choir consist of 25 singers and a beatboxer, and they all meet in weekends 4-5 times each year for intensive rehearsals. At the moment Syng Selected is led by Thue Thesbjerg. Single Singers (UN) After the first performance at the London A Cappella Festival in 2012, The Single Singers have quickly become a global phenomenon, with similar groups popping up in the USA (The Single Singers (DC & Chicago), The PickUps) and Asia (The Single Singers Asia). The Single Singers was originally created for the London A Cappella Festival in January Its inspired founders started the group as a way to give singers that were coming to the festival on their own the opportunity to actually perform in a group. Besides that, it is a wonderful way to meet interesting new people. And best of all, they all love a cappella singing! 9

10 The Competitions at AAVF 2015 This year we proudly present six choirs and five vocal groups representing six different countries! The Vocal Group Competition takes place Saturday and The Choir Competition Sunday both in Rytmisk Sal from 15:30-18:00. The jury Saturday: Bob Stoloff, Niels Græsholm and Morten Kjær. The jury Sunday: Bill Hare, Malene Rigtrup and Jesper Holm. Chief judge (both competitions): Jonathan Minkoff The prizes in each of the two categories are: 1st Prize: DKK nd Prize: DKK rd Prize: DKK The Vocal Groups Black Russian (DK) Black Russian is a vocal group based in Aalborg consisting of six singers. The group sings modern, contemporary a cappella music by renown songwriters such as Sting, Alberte, Tina Dickow and Tim Christensen, including vocal arrangements by Anna Vestergaard who is also a singing member and leader of the group. Black Russian creates stirring soundscapes, great grooves and beautiful ballads. Blend-in 4 (NL) Blend-in 4 is a vocal group consisting of four professional singers from the Conservatory in Tilburg, all sharing a passion for vocal jazz. Blend-in 4 mainly sings close harmony music from old style vocal jazz (e.g. repertoire of The New York Voices ) to more modern music including choral groups like The Idea of North. Besides singing existing arrangements, they also arrange their own music. 10

11 MIX (US) MIX is a co-ed collegiate group of 8 singers from the University of Colorado, Denver. All members are current or former students in the Music and Entertainment Industry Studies program, and major in Contemporary Vocal Performance, Music Business or Recording Arts. MIX is known for its diversity and theatricality, bringing a fresh, story-telling perspective to contemporary a cappella. MIX, in it s current format, was formed in 2012, and has steadily been winning awards and singing engagements ever since. The Junction (NL) The Junction is an a cappella vocal group from The Netherlands, formed by five devoted vocalists. They share a passion for vocal harmonies and tight rhythms, while translating modern songs and classics into their own compositions. Their voices are used as strong and expressive instruments, switching from modern jazz harmonies to crazy hip hop beats, and from dazzling solos to tight vocal percussion. Åkervinda (SE) Beautiful, vivid and engaging nordic folksong. The group s name, Åkervinda, is inspired by a Swedish wildflower whose roots spread far and wide like rivers under the ground. Like the flower, gracefully entwining melodies, rock solid groove, and ever intruiging harmonies will take root in your mind. Through improvisation, the group gives new life to traditional folk songs and stories of women throughout the ages. 11

12 The Choirs Dopplers (DK) Dopplers, founded by Astrid Vang-Pedersen in 2008, is an a cappella group of nine vocalists originating from Copenhagen, Denmark. They sing all of their music, which is in large part music based on grooves, pulses and beats, without microphones. They employ the unique approach of incorporating the feel of an underlying beat and percussion into all the vocal melody lines that make up the underlying accompaniment of a song. That being said you will also be able to find beautiful songs with next to no melodic percussion and of an almost classical nature within the Dopplers-repertoire, which exists within a field of many genres such as pop, Nordic folk music, classical, Middle-Eastern and afro-pop and recently also numerous original songs written by members of the group. Fontys Jazz Choir (NL) The Fontys Jazz Choir was founded in 2003 by it s conductor Hans van den Brand. Eleven young ambitious vocalists who all are student or alumnus at the Department of Fine Arts of Fontys University of Applied Sciences can be a member for a maximum of 5 years.the choir specialises itself in performing jazz, pop, gospel and fusion styles, a cappella or with band (piano-double bass-drums). LYT (DK) LYT is a mixed Danish a cappella choir of 35 singers based in Aarhus. The name of the choir is Danish and means listen, and this is exactly what it is all about. Singing together and making the stories stand out so everyone can listen and feel the music vibrate with every fiber of the body. The repertoire focus on new interpretations of modern Scandinavian pop songs and the tone is bright and warmhearted like a Danish summer night. Musical director: Tine Fris. 12

13 Vivid Voices (DE) Since 2009 singer & conducter Claudia Burghard has led the Vivid Voices with about 45 university students. The students are all part of the University for Music, Theater, Media of Hannover. Drummer, Singers, pianists, guitarists, organists and anyinstrumentalists meet in the choir to follow their collectivpassion of singing jazz & pop music. The jazz & pop Choir Vivid Voices was founded by Prof. Anne Kohler, who conducted the choir for about 15 years. Vivid Voices won the AAVF Choir Competition in Vocalive (DE) Vocalive is a mix of young as well as experienced voices that bring a lot of commitment and enthusiasm for big sound and crisp groove on stage. To the question of what characterises Vocalive, there are as many answers as singers: sound, groove, feeling, fun, goosebump moments... The repertoire of Vocalive contains popular as well as lesser-known songs in up to eight-part arrangements, sometimes supplemented by vocal percussion. Vocalocity (IL) Vocalocity is a 40-voice modern a cappella ensemble founded in June, 2013 by Jeff Meshel and Ron Gang, centered in Hod HaSharon, Israel. Under the musical direction of Kevin Fox (UK) and the baton of house conductor Erez Tal, Vocalocity performs a wide range of cutting-edge rock/pop/jazz music. The singers, all of whom come from a background in modern a cappella, range in age but are mostly in their late 20s. The group s repertoire includes both English and Hebrew songs, mostly arrangements written or adapted specifically for Vocalocity. Vocalocity operates under the auspices of Mil a, the Israeli Center for Choral Groups. 13

14 Additional Performing Groups Alsobate (DK) Dansk Performancekor (DK) Eigenwijs (NL) Jazzchor der Uni Bonn (DE) 14

15 Kol-haMishpaha (IL) Nebensache (DE) VPS KeK (NL) Xperiment (FO) 15

16 Programme 16

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18 The Festival Area 18

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20 The Instructors Anne Rosing (AR) is a well-known Danish singing teacher and voice specialist. Since 1985, she has been Assistant Professor at The University of Copenhagen, Department of Arts and Cultural Studies, Musicology. Through many years, she has taught at The Royal Danish Academy of Music and at the Opera School in Copenhagen as well as at the Rhythmic Conservatory. In 2007, she established the VoiceEmbodiment Singing Institute, a private institute for professional singers and singing teachers. In 2009 she founded House of Voice together with Psychotherapist Marianne Miravet Sorribes and in 2014 The Anne Rosing Institute was founded. Bill Hare (BH) Bill Hare has been a full-time recording engineer/producer for over 30 years, and is recognized as a pioneer in bringing pop/rock production techniques to recorded contemporary a cappella. Over the decades, Bill has recorded and/or mixed acclaimed albums for some of the best-known Contemporary A Cappella groups around the globe - from The Swingle Singers to The King s Singers in the UK, Basix to Vocal Line in Denmark, Italy's Cluster, The Ghost Files, Alti & Bassi and Maybe6ix, German supergroups Wise Guys, Amarcord and Maybebop to name a few, as well as groups from dozens of other countries from Australia to Zambia. Of course, at the same time he also covered his home base from California, working with top American acts including Pentatonix, Street Corner Symphony, NoTa, +4dB, Duwende, The Backbeats, The House Jacks, m-pact, and many more. Bob Stoloff (BS) Bob Stoloff is one of the most sought-after teachers in the world of vocal improvisation. He has expanded the vocabulary of jazz singers around the globe, coining the 'instru-vocal' approach and freeing his students' musical potential with his relaxed, fun, insightful style. To quote Mark Murphy, There is hardly anyone in the whole world who knows more about scat singing than Bob Stoloff...he takes out the terror! 20

21 Christine Liu (CL) Born in Taiwan, received music education in the US and Austria, and now resides in Taiwan as a full-time a cappella musician. Soon after entering university in the US, she founded the first Chinese a cappella group on campus, and has been arranging since then. Back home in Taiwan she founded Voco Novo, which has become one of the most outstanding groups in the country. Her work has won multiple awards in many competitions, including Taiwan International Contemporary A Cappella Competition in 2008, 2010, and 2011, Vokal Total International A Cappella Competition in 2012, and a CARA award in With her multicultural background, she tries to make a bridge between the music of the West and her native culture, and to connect the Asian a cappella world to the West. Claes Wegener (CW) Claes Wegener is educated from the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus specializing in rhythmic singing and with a diploma in choir conducting. He has 15 years of experience working with choirs - conducting, arranging, composing, performing - and he is specialized in teaching the principles of how to implement Complete Vocal Technique to enhance the musical expression of the choir sound. Claes Wegener has taught at various conservatories but at the moment he mainly works as a censor at conservatories and he is furthermore teaching for Cathrine Sadolin (author of Complete Vocal Technique) at Complete Vocal Institute in Copenhagen. Claes Wegener performed at AAVF in 2011 with his high end gospel choir Conquerors (from Cph) and his latest musical CD-project Gospelsalmer. Henrik Birk Aaboe (HB) Graduated from music science at Aarhus University in 1991 and have since then been working as a pianist, vocalist, composer, arranger, musical director and sound technician and has produced 200+ albums. I feel like a fish in water when I'm doing what I love the most: recording and producing vocal music of all kinds. 21

22 Indra (IN) From 2008 to 2013 Indra Tedjasukmana has been activ as a foundation member of the vocal band sonic-suite as the vocal percoussionist of the group. Outstanding is the fact, that they have been on tour with the famous Dj Bobo. Moreover he was a part of Bobby McFerrin's vocal project "Bobble". Not least he was given the award "Best Vocal Percoussionist" in Taiwan in 2012 among others and got many other prices in the past. Furthermore he is a lecturer at universities all over Europe and has lots of experience in giving workshops and coachings in beatboxing at for example music-universities. Jens Johansen (JJ) Jens Johansen is educated from the department of Musicology at the University of Aarhus and at the Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus. Today he works as professor in musicology at the University of Aarhus. He formed Vocal Line in 1991 and today Vocal Line and Jens Johansen are very well known among choral music lovers all around the world. Jens Johansen has given courses and seminars to choir singers and conductors in many countries such as all the Nordic countries as well as Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Hungary, USA, Japan, Taiwan and Australia. He is a long-time member of the board of KOR 72 and he is the founder and chairman of the Aarhus Vocal Festival, the biggest festival for modern rhythmic a cappella music of the North. Jesper Falch (JF) Jesper Falch has graduated from The Royal Academy of Music with percussion as principal studies, which he complemented with a diploma from RMC in Copenhagen. Now working as a musician in Phønix (folk) and as a lecturer at the Royal Academy of Music in Aalborg. 22

23 Jesper Holm (JH) Conductor / arranger for the Touché-vocal jazz group. Passionate vocal jazz enthusiast. Lecturer at the Royal Academy of Music, Denmark, and is an instructor at many events and festivals in Denmark and abroad. E.g. the World Symposium on Choral Music and Vocal Jazz Summit, Mainz. Touché (12 singers), with its unique performance marks both nationally and internationally and has frequently shared the stage with groups like The Danish Radio Big Band, The Swingle Singers and The Real Group. Jim Daus Hjernøe (JD) Jim Daus Hjernøe works as professor at the Royal Academy of Music in Aalborg/Aarhus (RAMA). He is in charge of RAMA Vocal Center, which is the leading research center in Europe on the principal studies artistic leadership of contemporary vocal music, which includes students from around the world. Katarina Henryson (KH) Born and raised in Stockholm, Katarina attended the Adolf Fredrik s Music School in Stockholm and was early on inspired into the meaningful experience of choral singing through the Girls Choir conducted by Bo Johanssen. Katarina holds a Masters degree from The Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm as well as years of experience on the road and in the studio backing various Swedish pop and rock acts. Furthermore she is performing and recording in duo with her cello-playing husband, Svante. As one of the founding members of The Real Group Katarina has been a part of the group s development both artistically as well as pedagogically. The Real Groups constant curiosity to find new methods and knowledge combined with more than 2500 concerts, has given her a very nuanced view on singing together in a group. 23

24 Kristoffer Fynbo Thorning (KT) Is a bass singer and beatboxer wellknown through out the choir and vocal music scene for his groundbreaking approach to Ecappella (Electronic A Cappella) Music, his new tech-toys on stage and his songwriting for the electronic vocal group Postyr.Kristoffer Fynbo Thorning is a post-candidate soloist student at the The Royal Academy of Music in Denmark, specializing in contemporary vocal leadership.as a teacher, Kristoffer has more than 8 years of experience teaching choirs and vocal groups from amateur to professional level in singing, performance and icebreakers. Line Groth (LG) is singer, arranger and co-conductor in the world famous Danish choir, Vocal Line. She teaches arranging and choir leading at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen and she holds a MA in Singing and Choir Conducting from The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus. Line also sings in the award winning electronic vocal group, Postyr. She has been teaching numerous workshops and coached choirs, singers and conductors throughout Denmark, all over Europe, in the US and Taiwan. Malene Rigtrup (MG) Teaches choir-leading and vocal-arranging at The Royal Academy of Music, and is the leader of the youth vocal group Maestra at The Music School of Aarhus. Malene is a well-known instructor and vocal-arranger for choirs and vocal groups all over Europe, and has published several books of sheet-music with Morten Kier and Ørehænger. Malene was in 10 years a member/ co-leader of Vocal Line, and she has released the EP Not Later Love with her own songs. 24

25 Michael Deltchev (MD) Accomplished choir and orchestra conductor and arranger with more than 20 years of professional conducting experience and a unique musical and multicultural background. Born and educated in Bulgaria. Later studies with Eric Ericson, Frieder Bernius, dan/olof Stenlund, Peter Phillips. Artistic director and conductor of Collegium Vocale, Caecilia Mixed Choir and Sedjanka Female Choir.For many years Michael worked as the conductor of Tonica Concert Band, Usmifka Female Choir and Aarhus University Male Choir.Michael Deltchev is frequently guest conductor in Sweden, Germany and the US. Morten Kjær (MK) Morten Kjær is a platnum-award-winning Danish singer, songwriter, and music teacher. For more than a decade he has taught singers and choir leaders around the world often collaborating with Malene Rigtrup in Ørehænger.He has a background in the Danish vocal ensembles Basix and Vocal Line. But in 2010, he moved to Los Angeles where he joined the vocal group m-pact and founded his own choir, Top Shelf.Over the years, Morten has been involved in various theater projects and worked as a Musical Director on the It Gets Better show (currently touring in the US). He also writes and releases music under the artist name Kier' and does solo shows and home concerts with his Hollywood-based trio, Ebb & Flow. A brand-new Kier' electro-soul album will come out on May 28, Morten Vinther (MV) Growing up musically in a blooming Danish choral environment, Morten started to dig into contemporary a cappella singing at The Academy of Music in Aalborg. As one of the first graduates from the unique masters programme in Aalborg, he was involved with various Danish groups VOX11, Postyr, VoxNorth & Songs of the Moment before joining The Real Group in Combing the constantly evolving methods and curiosity from The Real Group with concepts like the intelligent choir, circle singing and physical rhythm training, Morten has a broad palette of pedagogical tools and topics that he includes in his teaching. 25

26 Niels Græsholm (NG) Niels Græsholm is a renowned choral instructor and arranger who has been exploring Latin American choral music throughout his career. Mostly with Kolorit with whom he has won a number of international prizes and presented this music around the world. Niels is associate professor at the University of Copenhagen and Senior Consultant for The Danish Arts Foundation. Rhiannon (RH) is a vocal artist with a vision of music as a vehicle for innovation, healing, transformation, and social change. From her stellar collaborations with the all-women s jazz ensemble Alive! to a cappella ensemble SoVoSo to Bobby McFerrin and Voicestra, Rhiannon has paved a unique path as an independent artist. In recent years she has continued to refine her improvisation work by performing in the a cappella trio WeBe3 with Joey Blake and David Worm, both 25-year members of Voicestra. Rhiannon also is working with renowned instrumentalists Abraham Laboriel, Alex Acuna, Otmaro Ruiz and Jetro Da Silva in an ensemble known as Spontaneous. Both groups tour internationally, giving completely improvised performances. Rhiannon s new book about her life and teaching methods, Vocal River, The Skill and Spirit of Improvisation was published in The powerful body-based vocal improvisation and sound healing process that Rhiannon teaches internationally includes a yearlong training called All The Way In. Roger Treece (RT) Five-time Grammy nominee Roger Treece is the mastermind creator of Bobby Mc- Ferrin s groundbreaking release VOCAbuLarieS, a collection of seven extended world-classical choral works, hailed as a masterpiece, a glimpse into the future of choral music, a new standard for choral recording, and nominated for three Grammy Awards. An accomplished singer, composer, arranger, Mr. Treece has produced and written for a wide range of artists, including The Manhattan Transfer, Josh Groban, The Danish Radio Symphony and Choir, SMASH s Katherine McPhee, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the King s Singers, Barry Manilow, the Los Angeles Master Chorale and rapper Z-Trip. An impassioned educator and clinician, Roger has taught extensively in both the US and Europe. 26

27 RoxorLoops (RX) Born in Asse (Belgium) on 28 april 1984 as Senjka Danhieux. Started beatboxing at the age of 17. He became Belgian Champion at 20 and Vice World Champion a year after. He is a regular member of international beatbox contest juries. To date Roxorloops is considered by many as the best beatboxer in the world alltough he cleary states there is no best. He has worked with some top a-capella groups such as The Swingle Singers, The Real Group, Witloof Bay, Voces8 and VoxNorth. Style: His style is famous for its technical and ultra realistic flavor. Being able to create complex rhythm patterns he is perfect for both live and in recording studios. Signe Sørensen (SI) Signe Sørensen is the conductor of Europe s perhaps most innovative creative and talented contemporary youth choir: The Girls Choir of Mariagerfjord. The choir has received two Danish prices for their extraordinary work with the genre of contemporary Girls Choir music. Signe teaches youth choir workshops all over Denmark and Northern Europe, and has developed innovative ways of teaching and communicating with the young singers, with a combined focus on individual, social and musical learning, responsibility, joy and group-identity. The musical standard is high, and the playful joy of singing fills the rooms, when Signe takes the lead. The Single Singers (SN) After the first performance at the London A Cappella Festival in 2012, The Single Singers have quickly become a global phenomenon, with similar groups popping up in the USA (The Single Singers (DC & Chicago), The Pick- Ups) and Asia (The Single Singers Asia). Since 2012 there have been seven Single Singers encounters in Europe: LACF2012-LACF2015, The Real Group Festival 2012, AAVF2013, Acappellica AAVF2015 will be number 8! The Single Singers was originally created for the London A Cappella Festival in January Its inspired founders started the group as a way to give singers that were coming to the festival on their own the opportunity to actually perform in a group. Besides that, it is a wonderful way to meet interesting new people. And best of all, they all love a cappella singing! 27