Ai WU
Opera singer and choir conductor Ai WU was born in Chongqing (China). Trained at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where she earned a Master’s degree, she later taught there alongside the renowned pedagogue Zhou Xiao Yan. In France, she obtained the Concert Performer Diploma from the École Normale de Paris.
She then won several prizes in international competitions in the Opera and Baroque categories, and regularly performs in staged opera productions in China and France: Bizet’s Carmen, Cherubino (Figaro, Mozart), Angelina (La Cenerentola, Rossini) and Rosina (The Barber of Seville), then Dorabella (Così fan tutte, Mozart) and Suzuki (Madama Butterfly, Puccini), the Mother (Hänsel und Gretel, Humperdinck)…
Today, she is a passionate ambassador of French culture in China.
In 2007, Susanna founded the Young Choral Academy in Kuala Lumpur, a place where choral singing enthusiasts can learn more about vocal and choral education. She helped bring the Kodály teacher-training course to Malaysia in order to raise the standards of music teaching in local classrooms.
Brady R. Allred
Artistic Director and Conductor of the Salt Lake Choral Artists in Salt Lake City, Utah, Dr Brady R. Allred has earned “an international reputation for excellence.” Under his leadership, the Salt Lake Choral Artists, a non-profit arts organisation comprising seven choirs and more than 300 singers, have been critically acclaimed for their innovative concerts, their Summer Choral Institute programme, their international tours, and their presence on iTunes and YouTube. Dr Allred also serves on juries for the world’s leading international competitions and gives masterclasses on five continents.
Known worldwide for their “exquisite choral singing,” Dr Allred’s ensembles have been invited to major festivals and competitions around the globe. They have won the Grand Prix at the Florilège Vocal de Tours (France), the European Grand Prix, and First Prizes at the International Chamber Choir Competition in Marktoberdorf, the Tolosa International Choral Competition (Spain), and the Concorso Polifonico Internazionale in Arezzo (Italy).
Born in 1984, he graduated from a chemistry programme at Manado State University. He also became a choir conductor at the age of 17.
Since then, he has continued his musical activities, successfully taking part in various national and international competitions as choir conductor of Manado State University, Bitung, City Chorale, Master of Breakthrough, the North Sulawesi LPPD Choir and the North Sulawesi GMIM Male Choir.
He has also received the “Best Choir Conductor” award in several competitions, such as the Asian Choir Games, Jakarta, Indonesia 2007; the Bali International Choir Festival in 2012 and 2017; and the 5th Leonardo da Vinci International Choral Festival, Florence, Italy 2023.
Stephan Nicolay
Stephan is the Artistic Director of the 2024 International Choral Competition in Provence (he is not a jury member).
After an engineering degree in electronics, an organ prize, a degree in musicology and a state diploma in Vocal Ensemble Conducting, Stéphan is now a recognised professional. A composer, teacher, and conductor of professional and amateur choirs, Stephan has been collaborating with Choral Events for more than 6 years on a wide range of projects. Stephan is now the Artistic Director of Choral Events.
After dual scientific training (Polytech Nice engineer) and musical training (studies at the conservatoires of Cannes and Nice, organ prize, degree in musicology), Stéphan Nicolay began a career in aerospace (S/T Thales Alenia Space) before turning away from it to become a state-certified conductor of vocal ensembles (Cefedem Lyon) and a laureate of several international competitions (1st organ prize at the UFAM Competition in Paris, various composition prizes in France and abroad).
A few hours of teaching at the Mougins music school give him the freedom to respond to requests for classes or jury work in the various conservatoires on the French Riviera, as well as to give lectures, notably on the links between Music and Astronomy.
As a composer, his output focuses mainly on the voice, solo or choral, a cappella or accompanied. Whether his writing is inspired by the French masters of the early 20th century, for whom he has a particular affection, or more contemporary, his music is characterised by an undeniable poetic force. Awarded in various international competitions, his works are part of the repertoire of several European choirs such as Polski Chor Kameralny, The New Dublin Voices, Coro da Camera di Torino… His works have notably been recorded by the Chœur de Chambre 1732 (a monographic album devoted to his sacred music in 2019, and another album to be released in 2024 featuring secular works alongside pieces by Isabelle Aboulker).
A deeply committed humanist, he is also behind the Vivre Ensemble movement in Cannes, which organises interfaith meetings to promote peace, respect and understanding of other cultures.
Learn more: www.stephannicolay.com
After dual scientific training (Polytech Nice engineer) and musical training (studies at the conservatoires of Cannes and Nice, organ prize, degree in musicology), Stéphan Nicolay began a career in aerospace (S/T Thales Alenia Space) before turning away from it to become a state-certified conductor of vocal ensembles (Cefedem Lyon) and a laureate of several international competitions (1st organ prize at the UFAM Competition in Paris, various composition prizes in France and abroad).
A few hours of teaching at the Mougins music school give him the freedom to respond to requests for classes or jury work in the various conservatoires on the French Riviera, as well as to give lectures, notably on the links between Music and Astronomy.
As a composer, his output focuses mainly on the voice, solo or choral, a cappella or accompanied. Whether his writing is inspired by the French masters of the early 20th century, for whom he has a particular affection, or more contemporary, his music is characterised by an undeniable poetic force. Awarded in various international competitions, his works are part of the repertoire of several European choirs such as Polski Chor Kameralny, The New Dublin Voices, Coro da Camera di Torino… His works have notably been recorded by the Chœur de Chambre 1732 (a monographic album devoted to his sacred music in 2019, and another album to be released in 2024 featuring secular works alongside pieces by Isabelle Aboulker).
A deeply committed humanist, he is also behind the Vivre Ensemble movement in Cannes, which organises interfaith meetings to promote peace, respect and understanding of other cultures.
Learn more: www.stephannicolay.com
Krista Audere
Krista Audere, a Latvian-born singer and choir conductor, leads several amateur and professional choirs in the Netherlands. Krista is the winner of the 2021 Eric Ericson Award.
Krista currently conducts VU-Kamerkoor and Kamerkoor Venus, and is regularly invited to conduct the Dutch Chamber Choir, the Dutch Radio Choir and Cappella Amsterdam.
During the 2023/24 season, she worked with the State Choir Latvia, the Hungarian Radio Choir, the Swedish Radio Choir, the Bavarian Radio Choir, the Danish National Vocal Ensemble, the WDR Rundfunkchor Köln, the Spanish National Choir, the SWR Vokalensemble, Chamber Choir Ireland and the BBC Singers.
Krista Audere (1989) graduated from the Riga Dom Choir School, where she obtained qualifications as a choir conductor and choral singer. She then earned a bachelor’s degree in choral conducting at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, while further developing her musical experience at the Stuttgart University of Music and Performing Arts.
As a singer, she has collaborated with the Latvian Radio Choir and Cappella Amsterdam.
Krista Audere frequently serves on juries for choral conducting competitions and gives masterclasses in choral conducting.
The last student of the renowned Professor Piotr Gorokhov of the Prokofiev State Conservatory of Donetsk in Ukraine, a graduate of the Slaviansk School of Music, the Dzerzinsk Music College and the Donetsk Conservatory, Igor Mykhailevsky taught music education, singing techniques, voice and choral conducting.
He founded the Crimean Choir in 1994, which under his direction—and thanks to his choral training method—became one of the most representative ensembles of the Slavic musical and vocal repertoire. This excellent level of the Crimean Choir, unanimously recognised, earned him the highest distinctions in his country: Merited Master of Arts of Ukraine, Honorary Citizen for the Arts of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea…
Having arrived in France in 2022, Igor Mykhailevsky’s tireless dynamism and great expertise have led him to develop new projects: creating a choral singing festival and organising music training courses throughout France, joined by passionate choristers.
Luc coadou
Luc Coadou is a French solo singer specialising in the Baroque bass repertoire of the 17thth and 18thth centuries. He is also active as a choir and orchestra conductor, leading the Ensemble Instrumental de Toulon et du Var as well as the professional vocal ensemble “Les Voix Animées”. Luc will serve as President of the Jury for the 3rd time.
Born under the mists of the North, like the Franco-Flemish masters of the Renaissance, Luc Coadou moves effortlessly from singer to choir and ensemble conductor, with a constant focus on pedagogy and musicological research. A particular fondness for early repertoires is also reflected in his academic work; he is the author of research on lyric theatre during the French Revolution.
He has sung with many ensembles such as La Chapelle Royale, Les Arts Florissants, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Les Talens Lyriques, Le Parlement de Musique, La Grande Écurie et la Chambre du Roy and Le Concert Spirituel. From medieval music to contemporary creation, his repertoire combines musical research and eclecticism. He performs as a singer in prestigious festivals and many opera houses.
In 2025, Luc will chair the Jury for the 4th time at the International Choral Competition in Provence.
Born under the mists of the North, like the Franco-Flemish masters of the Renaissance, Luc Coadou moves effortlessly from singer to choir and ensemble conductor, with a constant focus on pedagogy and musicological research. A particular fondness for early repertoires is also reflected in his academic work; he is the author of research on lyric theatre during the French Revolution.
He has sung with many ensembles such as La Chapelle Royale, Les Arts Florissants, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Les Talens Lyriques, Le Parlement de Musique, La Grande Écurie et la Chambre du Roy and Le Concert Spirituel. From medieval music to contemporary creation, his repertoire combines musical research and eclecticism. He performs as a singer in prestigious festivals and many opera houses.
In 2025, Luc will chair the Jury for the 4th time at the International Choral Competition in Provence.
Michał Brożek
Michał Brożek is a conductor, organist, composer and music teacher. He graduated from the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice.
In 2009, he earned a bachelor’s degree with two specialisations: Music Education and conducting vocal and vocal-instrumental ensembles, as well as church music.
In 2011, he obtained his master’s degree with honours in the following specialisations: Choral Conducting with theoretical and musical courses in the conducting class of Professor Iwona Melson, and Music Education with theoretical and musical courses.
During his studies, in 2008, he founded the “Cantate Deo” choir at the Holy Cross Parish in Tychy and, in 2013, he became the conductor of the choir of the University of Economics in Katowice.
He has performed in concerts in Poland and abroad, including in Italy, Spain, France, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Macedonia and China.
– 1st Prize in the mixed choirs category and the Grand Prix at the 10th International Choral Competition “Music & Sea” in Paralia, Greece (2022),
– Gold Medal in the academic choirs category and a special prize for the best performance of a sacred piece at the 17th International Choral Festival “Gaude Cantem” in Bielsko-Biała (2022),
– Gold Medal and 1st Prize at the national choral tournament Legnica Cantat 53 in Legnica, and a prize for the best performance of a contemporary Polish composer (2023),
– 1st Prize in the mixed choir category and 3rd in the Grand Prix competition at the International Choral Competition in Provence (2023). In addition, he was awarded Best Conductor of the 2023 International Choral Competition in Provence, and was therefore invited to serve as a jury member for the 2024 edition.
He has also repeatedly received a special prize for Best Choir Conductor at other choral festivals and competitions.
He has successfully conducted many vocal and instrumental concerts, such as J. Rutter’s Magnificat, G. Fauré’s Requiem, J.S. Bach’s Mass in B minor, W. Kilar’s Missa pro Pace and K. Jenkins’s Stabat Mater. He has recorded 4 CDs: Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem; albums of songs recorded with the “Cantate Deo” choir and the choir of the University of Economics in Katowice; and the CD Caelesti lumine, which contains sacred songs performed by the choir of the University of Economics in Katowice.
Camilo Santostefano holds a bachelor’s degree in choral conducting from the National University of the Arts in Buenos Aires. He is also qualified as a music teacher and guitar teacher from the Morón Conservatory in Argentina. At UNCUYO University in Argentina, he pursued postgraduate studies in “Performance of 20th-century Latin American music”.
He received the 2019 Konex Award, Merit Mention in choral conducting, as one of the 100 most influential Argentine musicians of the period 2009–2018.
He currently conducts the Coro Polifónico de Córdoba, the professional choir of the Teatro del Libertador San Martin in Córdoba, Argentina.
Camilo is the founder and conductor of MusicaQuantica Voces de Cámara, which has won numerous awards worldwide: Grand Prix Ave Verum (Austria 2012), Grand Prix Florilège Vocal de Tours (France 2012), finalist for the European Grand Prix (Italy 2013), IFCM Ambassador (South Korea 2014), as well as many awards in his home country of Argentina. He also received the First Prize in Orchestral Conducting in 2014 at the University Maimonides Competition, as well as the FNA Award for Best Conductor at Ansilta 2010, San Juan, Argentina.
He founded and conducted the Carlos López Buchardo Choir of the National University of the Arts (FAUNA Award 2017) between 2013 and 2022.
In addition, Camilo was director of the choir of the National School of Buenos Aires as well as its Amadeo Jacques Chamber Choir.
He lived in Austria between 2019 and 2022, where he was conductor of the Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen, Cantilena Kammer Frauenchor, Ensemble KammerAT, Melange Vocal Wien, and guest conductor of the Wiener Tonkunstvereinigung Chor und Orchester.
Camilo is also a guest conductor of the National Youth Choir of Wales (United Kingdom), Red Coral of Medellín (Colombia), Fullerton College in Los Angeles (United States) and the Coro Polifónico Nacional (Argentina).
He taught conducting at the Astor Piazzolla Conservatory in Buenos Aires. French.
He has also given masterclasses and lectures in Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay, the United States and Wales.
As a composer, he won first prize for the 80th anniversary of the National Conservatory of Buenos Aires and second prize in the “OperaVista” chamber opera composition competition in Houston, United States.
As a jury member, he took part in 2022 in the International Choral Competition with Choral Events, Provence, France, as well as the Victoria Adriatic Choral Competition and We Are Singing, Opatija, Croatia;
In 2016: Artistic Council of the 8th America Cantat Festival, América Cantat, Nassau, Bahamas;
In 2015: 8th South American Choral Music Performance Competition, AAMCANT, La Plata, Argentina;
In 2013: Choral Arrangements Competition, AAMCANT, La Plata, Argentina.