jennifer tham
Jennifer is a Singapore-based choral conductor, composer, international juror and artistic director with over 30 years’ experience. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Art from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada, and has received numerous honors, including the Cultural Medallion – the country’s highest artistic award – presented by the President of the Republic of Singapore in person.
Jennifer is curious about the vision of sound and practices multimodal listening as a choral conductor and composer. Her work is inspired by her love of words, phenomenology, cartography, spatial practices, conceptual art, contemporary music and choral theater. As leader of the SYC Ensemble Singers – a mixed Singaporean chamber choir she has directed since 1986 – she explores the intersection of literary, musical and visual cultures, integrating staging, movement and lighting to reunite new music models on stage.
For her contribution to Singapore’s cultural landscape, she was awarded the Cultural Medallion, the country’s highest artistic distinction, by the President of the Republic.
Jennifer teaches choral conducting and pedagogy at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. She also teaches international courses and workshops on repertoire, conducting and rehearsal techniques, equipping young conductors with a playful toolbox for approaching contemporary music.
She has chaired panels on repertoire and programming at conferences in Argentina, Denmark, Estonia and Sweden, and was keynote speaker at the Lithuanian Conductors’ Summer Academy, organized by the Lithuanian Choirs Union and the Ministry of Culture.
Under the aegis of the Young Musicians’ Society, she was artistic director of the Asia-South Pacific Symposium of Choral Music (2001), as well as of its extensions: First Aid for Choirs (2002-2017) and Kodaly Seminar Asia (2009-2016), the latter in partnership with the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest.
Within the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM), Jennifer coordinates the Asia-Pacific Working Committee and the Asia-Pacific Youth Choir. She represents Singapore on the World Choir Council and has been on the jury of the World Choir Games and numerous festivals in Asia, Europe and America since 2003.
Jennifer is a Singapore-based choral conductor, composer, international juror and artistic director with over 30 years’ experience. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Art from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada, and has received numerous honors, including the Cultural Medallion – the country’s highest artistic award – presented by the President of the Republic of Singapore in person.
JAMES VARRICK ARMAAH
James Varrick Armaah, affectionately known as “Sir James”, is founder and executive director of Ghana’s Harmonious Choirs. A native of Winneba, in the central region of Ghana, he was born in 1984.
James is the composer of the timeless song “Asem Papa Bia Mati”, also known as “Oye”, considered one of the most popular and widely played pieces of Christian music in Africa and parts of the world.
James is an accomplished composer, with over two hundred songs to his credit. His compositions are performed with brio by numerous Choirs and appreciated by congregations and audiences throughout Africa and beyond.
He has won the prestigious Composer of the Year award on two consecutive occasions (2017 and 2018), as well as Song of the Year 2018 for his track “Nea wo de me abedru nie” at the Ghana Youth Choirs Awards.
He has also directed the Harmonious Choirs in over 50 concerts throughout the ensemble’s 14-year history. Under his direction, the Choirs have won numerous prestigious awards, including:
Four gold medals, including the coveted title of World Choir Games Champion in the Champions category at the 2018 World Choir Games in South Africa;
Second place for the first participation of a West African choir in the International Festival of Orthodox Liturgical Music in Poland, in the category of professional choirs, accompanied by a special diploma for the promotion of Orthodox music in Africa;
Choir of the Year in 2015, 2016 and 2017 at the Ghana Youth Choral Awards.
James has conducted and collaborated with numerous choirs both in Ghana and abroad, in concerts and various performances. These include the Liberian Premier Choral Singers, directed by Sir Wilmott Bobbroh; the Ghana Wesley United Methodist Choir in Brooklyn, New York; the United Ghana Christian Church Choir in Atlanta, Georgia; the New Jersey Ghana Adventist Choir; the Toronto Circuit Choir of the Methodist Church (Canada); the combined choirs of the Ghanaian Catholic Church Choirs (Virginia and Maryland); the First Ghana SDA Choir in New York; the Ghana Adventist Church Choir in Toronto; and many others.
In Ghana, James was organist of the Winneba Youth Choir for seven years, director of the Christ Temple Philharmonic Choir at ICGC (under the direction of Dr. Mensah Otabil), organist at St. John Methodist Church in Tantra Hills and choirmaster of the Methodist Church’s St. Paul’s Cathedral (Tema diocese). He then served as music director at Central University for several years, taught music theory and composition at Winneba University of Education (2018-2020), and directed Christ the King Methodist Church in East Legon. He is a member of the African Federation of Choirs Music (AFCM).
James holds an M. Phil. Phil. in Music Theory and Composition (University of Ghana), an MBA in Human Resource Management (Methodist University College), a BFA in Music and Theatre Arts (School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana) and a Diploma in General Music (University of Ghana).
James is an accomplished composer, with over two hundred songs to his credit. His compositions are performed with brio by numerous Choirs and appreciated by congregations and audiences throughout Africa and beyond.
He has won the prestigious Composer of the Year award on two consecutive occasions (2017 and 2018), as well as Song of the Year 2018 for his track “Nea wo de me abedru nie” at the Ghana Youth Choirs Awards.
He has also directed the Harmonious Choirs in over 50 concerts throughout the ensemble’s 14-year history. Under his direction, the Choirs have won numerous prestigious awards, including:
Four gold medals, including the coveted title of World Choir Games Champion in the Champions category at the 2018 World Choir Games in South Africa;
Second place for the first participation of a West African choir in the International Festival of Orthodox Liturgical Music in Poland, in the category of professional choirs, accompanied by a special diploma for the promotion of Orthodox music in Africa;
Choir of the Year in 2015, 2016 and 2017 at the Ghana Youth Choral Awards.
James has conducted and collaborated with numerous choirs both in Ghana and abroad, in concerts and various performances. These include the Liberian Premier Choral Singers, directed by Sir Wilmott Bobbroh; the Ghana Wesley United Methodist Choir in Brooklyn, New York; the United Ghana Christian Church Choir in Atlanta, Georgia; the New Jersey Ghana Adventist Choir; the Toronto Circuit Choir of the Methodist Church (Canada); the combined choirs of the Ghanaian Catholic Church Choirs (Virginia and Maryland); the First Ghana SDA Choir in New York; the Ghana Adventist Church Choir in Toronto; and many others.
In Ghana, James was organist of the Winneba Youth Choir for seven years, director of the Christ Temple Philharmonic Choir at ICGC (under the direction of Dr. Mensah Otabil), organist at St. John Methodist Church in Tantra Hills and choirmaster of the Methodist Church’s St. Paul’s Cathedral (Tema diocese). He then served as music director at Central University for several years, taught music theory and composition at Winneba University of Education (2018-2020), and directed Christ the King Methodist Church in East Legon. He is a member of the African Federation of Choirs Music (AFCM).
James holds an M. Phil. Phil. in Music Theory and Composition (University of Ghana), an MBA in Human Resource Management (Methodist University College), a BFA in Music and Theatre Arts (School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana) and a Diploma in General Music (University of Ghana).
Stephan Nicolay
Stephan is Artistic Director of the Competition International Choirs en Provence 2026.
After a degree in electronics engineering, an organ prize, a musicology degree and a state diploma in vocal ensemble conducting, Stéphan is now a recognized professional. Composer, teacher and conductor of professional and amateur choirs, Stephan has been working with Choral Events on a multitude of projects for over 7 years.
Stephan is currently the Artistic Director of Choral Events.
After dual scientific training (Polytech Nice engineer) and musical training (studies at the conservatories of Cannes and Nice, organ prize, musicology degree), Stephan 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 allow him the freedom to intervene upon request for lessons or juries in the various conservatories of the French Riviera, as well as to give lectures, particularly on the links between Music and Astronomy.
As a composer, his work essentially concerns the voice, whether solo or in chorus, a cappella or accompanied. Whether his writing is inspired by the French masters of the early 20th century, whom he is particularly fond of, or more contemporary, his music is characterized by an undeniable poetic force. His works have won prizes in a number of international competitions, and feature in the repertoire of several European Choirs, including Polski Chor Kameralny, The New Dublin Voices, Coro da Camera di Torino… His works have also been recorded by the Chœur de Chambre 1732 (monographic disc devoted to his sacred music in 2019, with another disc to be released in 2024 featuring secular works alongside pieces by Isabelle Aboulker).
A profound humanist, he is also the founder of the Vivre Ensemble à Cannes movement, which organizes 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 conservatories of Cannes and Nice, organ prize, musicology degree), Stephan 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 allow him the freedom to intervene upon request for lessons or juries in the various conservatories of the French Riviera, as well as to give lectures, particularly on the links between Music and Astronomy.
As a composer, his work essentially concerns the voice, whether solo or in chorus, a cappella or accompanied. Whether his writing is inspired by the French masters of the early 20th century, whom he is particularly fond of, or more contemporary, his music is characterized by an undeniable poetic force. His works have won prizes in a number of international competitions, and feature in the repertoire of several European Choirs, including Polski Chor Kameralny, The New Dublin Voices, Coro da Camera di Torino… His works have also been recorded by the Chœur de Chambre 1732 (monographic disc devoted to his sacred music in 2019, with another disc to be released in 2024 featuring secular works alongside pieces by Isabelle Aboulker).
A profound humanist, he is also the founder of the Vivre Ensemble à Cannes movement, which organizes interfaith meetings to promote peace, respect, and understanding of other cultures.
Learn more: www.stephannicolay.com
AI WU
Lyric artist and choral conductor Ai Wu was born in Chongqing, China. Trained at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where she obtained a Master’s degree, she went on to teach alongside the renowned professor Zhou Xiao Yan. In France, she obtained a Concert Diploma from the École Normale de Paris.
She has won several prizes in international competitions in the Opera and Baroque categories. She regularly appears on stage in China and France in such leading roles as Carmen (Bizet), Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart), Angelina in La Cenerentola and Rosina in The Barber of Seville (Rossini), Dorabella in Così fan tutte (Mozart), Suzuki in Madame Butterfly (Puccini) and the mother in Hänsel und Gretel (Humperdinck), among others.
Since 2014, she has led a Franco-Chinese career and is regularly invited to China for galas conducted by the great Sino-European conductor Muhai Tang in prestigious halls: Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, Tianjin Opera, Zhengzhou Grand Theatre and Nanning Grand Theatre, with Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Bizet and Saint-Saëns programs.
Since 2015, she has collaborated with Ensemble Matheus in Baroque and Romantic opera, while continuing her activity as a chamber musician in the French, Spanish and Baroque repertoires.
In November 2018, she completed a tour of concerts and masterclasses in China on the French Impressionist repertoire. In December, she was a soloist at the concert celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Guangxi region with the Guangxi Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Muhai Tang.
In January 2019, the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra invited her to perform at its New Year’s Gala (program Vivaldi, Saint-Saëns, Mozart). Since then, she has performed in Paris (Grand Palais, Salle Wagram), Monaco, the Czech Republic and China, in ensembles ranging from chamber music to philharmonic orchestra.
Committed to promoting the arts, in 2018 she created the first Franco-Chinese Festival in L’Isle-Adam, combining music and painting. In 2023, she took on the organization of the 26th Brest International Piano Competition.
At the same time, she teaches opera singing and choral conducting at the Conservatoire de Brest, where she directs two mixed choirs on a variety of programs.
Now a passionate ambassador of French culture in China, Ai Wu’s repertoire ranges from Baroque music to Richard Strauss, Mozart and Rossini.
She has won several prizes in international competitions in the Opera and Baroque categories. She regularly appears on stage in China and France in such leading roles as Carmen (Bizet), Cherubino in The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart), Angelina in La Cenerentola and Rosina in The Barber of Seville (Rossini), Dorabella in Così fan tutte (Mozart), Suzuki in Madame Butterfly (Puccini) and the mother in Hänsel und Gretel (Humperdinck), among others.
Since 2014, she has led a Franco-Chinese career and is regularly invited to China for galas conducted by the great Sino-European conductor Muhai Tang in prestigious halls: Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, Tianjin Opera, Zhengzhou Grand Theatre and Nanning Grand Theatre, with Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Bizet and Saint-Saëns programs.
Since 2015, she has collaborated with Ensemble Matheus in Baroque and Romantic opera, while continuing her activity as a chamber musician in the French, Spanish and Baroque repertoires.
In November 2018, she completed a tour of concerts and masterclasses in China on the French Impressionist repertoire. In December, she was a soloist at the concert celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Guangxi region with the Guangxi Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Muhai Tang.
In January 2019, the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra invited her to perform at its New Year’s Gala (program Vivaldi, Saint-Saëns, Mozart). Since then, she has performed in Paris (Grand Palais, Salle Wagram), Monaco, the Czech Republic and China, in ensembles ranging from chamber music to philharmonic orchestra.
Committed to promoting the arts, in 2018 she created the first Franco-Chinese Festival in L’Isle-Adam, combining music and painting. In 2023, she took on the organization of the 26th Brest International Piano Competition.
At the same time, she teaches opera singing and choral conducting at the Conservatoire de Brest, where she directs two mixed choirs on a variety of programs.
Now a passionate ambassador of French culture in China, Ai Wu’s repertoire ranges from Baroque music to Richard Strauss, Mozart and Rossini.
Luc Coadou
Luc Coadou is a French solo singer specializing in the Baroque repertoire for bass voices of the 17th and 18th centuries. He is also an active choral and orchestral conductor, directing the Ensemble Instrumental de Toulon et du Var and the professional vocal ensemble Les Voix Animées.
Born under the mists of the North, like the Franco-Flemish masters of the Renaissance, Luc Coadou effortlessly transitions from singer to choir and ensemble conductor with a constant concern for pedagogy and musicological research. A certain predilection for early repertoires is reflected in his academic work; he is the author of research on lyrical theater during the French Revolution.
He sings with numerous 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 in prestigious festivals and many opera houses as a singer.
Born under the mists of the North, like the Franco-Flemish masters of the Renaissance, Luc Coadou effortlessly transitions from singer to choir and ensemble conductor with a constant concern for pedagogy and musicological research. A certain predilection for early repertoires is reflected in his academic work; he is the author of research on lyrical theater during the French Revolution.
He sings with numerous 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 in prestigious festivals and many opera houses as a singer.
In 2025, Luc will chair the Jury for the 4th time at the International Choral Competition in Provence.
STEVE DE VEIRMAN
Belgian choral conductor Steve De Veirman began his musical training in 1982 at the Muziekacademie Emiel Hullebroeck in Gentbrugge. He then pursued post-graduate studies at the Lemmensinstituut in Leuven, where he combined instrumental training (piano, cello, baroque flutes and singing) with theoretical and pedagogical skills.
To perfect his choral conducting skills, he studied with Florian Heyerick, Rudy Tas, Johan Van Bouwelen and Erik Van Nevel, before specializing with conductor and composer Kurt Bikkembergs. His choral and vocal experience has been enriched by participation in the projects of several professional ensembles, including Ex Tempore, Collegium Brugense, Capella di Voce, Goeyvaerts Consort, Musa Horti and Psallentes.
Steve De Veirman directed the Papageno children’s choir and the St.-Camilluskoor, before spending three years as musical director of the Arenberg Kamerorkest in Leuven and the Gentse Schola Cantorum in Ghent. For five years, he also directed the Volwassenenkoor Vokamando. He was also principal conductor of the renowned Cantabile-Gent choir from September 2011 until his last concert in April 2017.
Today, he remains director of Jeugdorkest Forza Muzica, Kamerkoor Furiant, Jongerenkoor Furiakanti, Dameskoor Furiosa and Jeugdkoor Furiale.
To perfect his choral conducting skills, he studied with Florian Heyerick, Rudy Tas, Johan Van Bouwelen and Erik Van Nevel, before specializing with conductor and composer Kurt Bikkembergs. His choral and vocal experience has been enriched by participation in the projects of several professional ensembles, including Ex Tempore, Collegium Brugense, Capella di Voce, Goeyvaerts Consort, Musa Horti and Psallentes.
Steve De Veirman directed the Papageno children’s choir and the St.-Camilluskoor, before spending three years as musical director of the Arenberg Kamerorkest in Leuven and the Gentse Schola Cantorum in Ghent. For five years, he also directed the Volwassenenkoor Vokamando. He was also principal conductor of the renowned Cantabile-Gent choir from September 2011 until his last concert in April 2017.
Today, he remains director of Jeugdorkest Forza Muzica, Kamerkoor Furiant, Jongerenkoor Furiakanti, Dameskoor Furiosa and Jeugdkoor Furiale.
ŽIGA KERT
Žiga Kert studied music pedagogy at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana, where he completed his studies under Prof. Marko Vatovec. Marko Vatovec. He studied conducting at the Carinthian State Conservatory in Klagenfurt, Austria, under prof. Aleksej Kornienko, and later under the mentorship of prof. Martin A. Fuchsberger.
He studied classical singing under mag. prof. Francka Senk. Žiga began playing the piano at the age of six at the Piano Forte music school. Growing up, he sang in countless children’s and youth Choirs. Shortly after enrolling at the Academy in 2011, Žiga founded the Crescendo Symphony Orchestra, which gives two thematic concerts a year.
In 2015, he then founded the Crescendo Mixed Choir, which he chose to perform at his master’s concert at the academy in 2016; the choir focuses primarily on interpreting challenging choral compositions. Žiga regularly participates in conducting seminars (Georg Grün, Tomaž Faganel, Gary Graden, Stojan Kuret etc.), choral competitions (Slovakia – Bratislava, Czech Republic – Prague, Latvia – Grand Prix competition, Greece – Preveza, Slovenia) and festivals/symposia ( France – Choralies, Spain – Word Symposium on Choral Music 2017, USA – ACDA).
He also participated twice in a conducting workshop with world-renowned composer Brady Allred, PhD, in Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Žiga currently teaches music at Predoslje elementary school in Kranj, where he also directs two children’s choirs and a youth choir. In addition, he conducts the mixed youth choir of the Škofja Loka high school (Gimnazija Škofja Loka), the Crescendo mixed choir, the Crescendo symphony orchestra, the Upanje church choir in Stražišče, Kranj and the Rož women’s choir at St. Jakob in Rosental, Austria.
Camilo Santostefano holds a bachelor’s degree in choral conducting from the National University of the Arts in Buenos Aires. He also holds qualifications as a music teacher and guitar teacher from the Morón Conservatory in Argentina. At UNCUYO University in Argentina, he pursued post-graduate studies in “Interpretation of twentieth-century Latin American music”.
He received the 2019 Konex Award of Merit in Choral Conducting, as one of Argentina’s 100 most influential musicians over the period 2009-2018.
Currently, he conducts the Coro Polifónico de Córdoba, the professional choir of the Teatro del Libertador San Martin in Córdoba, Argentina.
Camilo is the founder and choir director of MusicaQuantica Voces de Cámara, which has received numerous awards worldwide: Grand Prix Ave Verum (Austria 2012), Grand Prix Florilège Vocal de Tours (France 2012), European Grand Prix Finalist (Italy 2013), IFCM Ambassador (South Korea 2014), as well as many awards in his home country of Argentina. He also received the First Prize for Orchestra Conducting in 2014 at the Maimonides University Competition, as well as the FNA Award for Best Conductor at Ansilta 2010, San Juan, Argentina.
He founded and directed the Carlos López Buchardo Choir of the National University of Arts (FAUNA Award 2017) between 2013 and 2022.
Additionally, Camilo served as director of the National School of Buenos Aires Choir 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 for the National Youth Choir of Wales (UK), Red Coral de Medellín (Colombia), Fullerton College in Los Angeles (USA), and 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 at 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 participated 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 VIII America Cantat Festival, América Cantat, Nassau, Bahamas;
In 2015: VIII Competition for the Interpretation of South American Choral Music, AAMCANT, La Plata, Argentina;
In 2013: Choral Arrangements Competition, AAMCANT, La Plata, Argentina.