Pre-selection Jury of the Jāzeps Vītols 7th International Choral Conductors Competition
Krista Audere | Latvia / Netherlands (1989)
Vaclovas Augustinas | Lithuania (1959)
Basilio Astulez Duque | Spain, Basque Country (1975)
Krista Audere | Latvia / Netherlands (1989)
Krista Audere is a conductor of Latvian origin, now based in the Netherlands. She is currently the conductor of the VU-Kamerkoor, Kamerkoor Venus, and is regularly engaged as a guest conductor of the Dutch Chamber Choir, the Dutch Radio Choir and Cappella Amsterdam. As from 2024 Krista is appointed as main subject teacher Choral Conducting at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague. Starting in 2025 she is named as first ever Principal Guest Conductor of the Swedish Radio Choir.
In 2028 Krista Audere will be following Daniel Reuss as the artistic leader and chief conductor of Cappella Amsterdam.
Krista Audere is the winner of the Eric Ericson award 2021.
In the 2026/27 season she has engagements with the Swedish Radio Choir, the Bavarian Radio Choir, the Danish National Vocal Ensemble, the Berlin Radio Choir, NDR Vokalensemble, Coro Casa da Musica and the BBC Singers.
Krista Audere (1989) graduated from Riga Dom choir school where she gained qualifications as a choir master and choral singer. She then attained the Bachelor’s degree in choral conducting at Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music while enriching her musical experience at the University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart. In 2016 Krista obtained the Masters diploma and graduated cum laude at the Amsterdam University of the Arts. As a singer she has collaborated with the Latvian Radio Choir and Cappella Amsterdam.
Krista Audere is a frequent jury member in conducting and choir competitions, as well as giving masterclasses on choral conducting.
Vaclovas Augustinas | Lithuania (1959)
Vaclovas Augustinas graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music in two disciplines – in 1981, he received a diploma in choral conducting in the class of Professor Hermanas Perelšteinas, and in 1992, a diploma in composition in the class of Professor Julius Juzeliūnas.
He was a vocalist and keyboard player in the rock bands Saulės laikrodis and Antis. Following the reunion of Antis (2007–2016), he continued to compose songs for the band and perform with it.
Since 1992, Vaclovas Augustinas has been the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Vilnius Municipality Choir Jauna muzika.
Since 2002, he has worked as a guest conductor with the Netherlands Radio Choir, the State Choir Latvija, the Polish Radio Choir, Formosa Singers in Taiwan, as well as numerous Lithuanian choirs. In 2015, he was a guest conductor at the Church Music Week of the Archdiocese of Cologne.
Since 1995, Vaclovas Augustinas has regularly collaborated with distinguished European choral music professionals, including Frieder Bernius, Werner Pfaff, Anders Eby, Simon Halsey, Erik Westberg, Hermann Max, Gary Graden, Rinaldo Alessandrini, Māris Sirmais, Bernie Sherlock, Stephen Layton and others, participating in choral conducting masterclasses in Vilnius together with the choir Jauna muzika.
Vaclovas Augustinas frequently serves as a jury member at international choral competitions, including the International Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf (2014), the Latvian National Choir Competition of the Latvian Song Festival (2013, 2018, 2023), the World Choir Games (2014), and the Polish International Choir Competition Cantu gaudeamus (2017, 2021, 2022, 2024).
His compositions are regularly performed in Lithuania and abroad at festivals, concerts and choral competitions. Choral music constitutes the most significant and extensive part of his creative work. The works of Vaclovas Augustinas are published by Alliance Music Publications, Hinshaw Music, Musica Baltica and the Lithuanian Music Information Centre.
Since 2011, Vaclovas Augustinas has been a professor at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.
He is a member of the Lithuanian Composers’ Union and the Lithuanian Choral Union.
In 2010, Vaclovas Augustinas was awarded Lithuania’s highest national honour in the field of culture and the arts – the Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Arts.
Basilio Astulez Duque | Spain, Basque Country (1975)
Basilio Astulez Duque graduated in Fine Arts from the University of the Basque Country and studied music in Vitoria-Gasteiz. He trained as a choral conductor through the Basque choral federation and courses and seminars with conductors including Johan Duijck and Javier Busto.
He teaches Choral Singing at the Leioa Municipal Conservatory, where he founded Leioa Kantika Korala, as well as the mixed youth choir SJB. He is also the founder and conductor of the award-winning female chamber ensemble Vocalia Taldea. With his choirs he has made numerous recordings, toured internationally in Europe, America and Asia, and collaborated with prominent soloists, orchestras and conductors.
In 2008, Astulez received the special award for Best Conductor at the international competition in Gorizia, Italy, and in 2009 received the Best Conductor award at the Florilège Vocal de Tours in France.
He is regularly invited internationally as a teacher, clinician and jury member, giving courses, seminars and masterclasses in Europe, America and Asia. Since 2018, he has taught Choral Conducting at Musikene – Higher Conservatory of Music of the Basque Country. He also leads the Basque Youth Choir (EHGA).