Ruben Jais – Italy – President of the Jury
Ruben Jais – Italy – President of the Jury 2025
Born in Milan, Ruben Jais studied music at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory while completing his university studies, graduating with honours in Choral Music and Choir Conducting and in Polyphonic Vocal Composition. He also graduated in Composition from the same Conservatory, where he also studied Orchestral Conducting, later perfecting his skills with masterclasses abroad. He was choir master of the Giuseppe Verdi Symphony Choir of Milan from its foundation in 1998 until 2007. In this role, he collaborated with R. Gandolfi, R. Chailly, C. Abbado, L. Berio, O. Caetani, C. P. Flor, C. Hogwood, V. Jurowski and H. Rilling, among others. From 2016 to 2019, he was Artistic and Executive Director of the Giuseppe Verdi Symphony Orchestra and Choir Foundation in Milan, where he then became General and Artistic Director until December 2023. He is now Superintendent and Artistic Director of the Arturo Toscanini Foundation in Parma. As a conductor, his repertoire ranges from the great masterpieces of Baroque music to those of Classical music; he is also dedicated to rediscovering works by Baroque composers, which he combines with performances of contemporary repertoire. He has worked for Italian and foreign institutions such as the Venice Biennale, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Milano Musica, Teatro alla Scala, RTSI Lugano, Teatro Real in Madrid, the National Orchestra of Chile, UiS Stavanger Norway, Adda Sinfonica Alicante, MiTo Festival, Festival di Saint Moritz, Festival Enescu, Festival Gluck and Wigmore Hall. For 20 years, he was Music Director of the Mailänder Kantorei, an ensemble linked to the German community in Milan, with which he devoted himself mainly to the repertoire of that country, from the Baroque to the Romantic period. In 2008, he founded laBarocca, an instrumental and vocal ensemble specialising in the repertoire of the 17th and 18th centuries, with which he performs the greatest masterpieces of this repertoire, both instrumental and vocal. Together with the Baroque ensemble, he has achieved a number of milestones: in 2016, his debut at the prestigious Wigmore Hall in London (where he has been invited back several times), regular participation in the MITO Festival, the inauguration of the Teatro Gerolamo in Milan (where he is invited every year), concerts at the Enescu Festival (Bucharest) and Gluck Festival (Nuremberg); in 2019, participation in an Italian tour organised by CIDIM. Since 2014, he has been regularly invited to perform in concerts celebrating the Milan Cathedral festivities. LaBarocca’s recording career began in 2017. To date, its releases include Heroes in Love – Opera Arias by Gluck, with Sonia Prina (2017), The Solo Cantatas for Bass by Bachwith Christian Senn (2018), and Missa Omnium Sanctorum by Zelenka (2019), winner of several international awards.
Sanders Lau – Hong Kong – Member of Jury
Sanders Lau – Hong Kong – Member of Jury 2025
Sanders Lau is a leading choral conductor in Hong Kong. He is the Artistic Director and founder of the chamber choir NOĒMA. The ensemble comprises some of the finest local choral musicians and has established itself as one of the most dynamic and innovative forces in Hong Kong’s choral landscape. They are dedicated to advancing the city’s scene by producing home-bred professional choral performances. Highlights of their 2024/25 season included collaborations with the world-renowned British choir Tenebrae, and the multi-award-winning Belgian early music ensemble Vox Luminis with their Artistic Director Lionel Meunier. NOĒMA has performed to critical acclaim, with invitations from eminent presenters, including MUSE of The University of Hong Kong, and Tai Kwun. In 2024, they performed in the sold-out multimedia choral concert Garden of Repose, a production by the Hong Kong Arts Festival. This cross-disciplinary performance was specifically designed and curated for the choir and has received high praise and was shortlisted for the 2024 Classical:NEXT Innovation Award. Sanders is known for his approach to programme curation that sparks contemplation, blending standard repertoire with contemporary writings, many of which were Hong Kong and world premieres, in seamless narratives. Sanders is also the Resident Conductor of Die Konzertisten, where he has cultivated a specialised interest in the historically informed performances of early music. Under his preparation, the choir has collaborated with a constellation of internationally renowned conductors, including Stephen Layton, Jonathan Cohen, John Butt, Maxime Pascal, and Jaap van Zweden, among others. Outside of Hong Kong, Sanders has performed in Italy, Germany, Austria, Sweden, the USA, Canada, Singapore, Taiwan, and China. A highly sought-after choral artist, Sanders frequently guest-conducts, adjudicates, and offers masterclasses, workshops, and seminars for eminent organisations such as the Hong Kong Arts Festival, Voices of Singapore Festival, Hong Kong Inter-School Choral Festival, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. He is ardent about nurturing the next generation of choral leaders and has coached choirs and students from major universities in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau, as well as numerous other youth and school choirs. His annual conducting courses attracted hundreds of school music teachers and young professionals, furthering his impact on the choral community. In 2023, Sanders won the First Prize and two Special Awards at the Romano Gandolfi International Competition for Choral Conductors in Italy. Sanders holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Petra Grassi – Italy/Slovenia – Member of the Jury
Petra Grassi – Italy/Slovenia – Member of the Jury 2025
Petra Grassi has an intense concert activity with VIKRA Chamber choir (international choir) from Trieste (It) with which she won (the only Italian choir in history) the GRAND PRIX at the 59th International Choral Competition “C. A. Seghizzi” in Gorizia, 2021, winning the prize for best conductor and best repertoire. For the three years 2020 – 2022, she was co-director of the Italian National Youth Choir (the youngest conductor in history). She has also conducted the Slovenian Philharmonic Choir. She is the principal guest conductor of DEKOR Chamber choir (Ljubljana) with whom she won the National choral competition Naša pesem in Maribor (Slo), 2018, as well as the best conductor of the competition. She has won several awards in competitions for Choir Conductors: choir award as best conductor according to the choir at the World Choral Conducting Competition in 2019 in Hong Kong, 1st prize at the competition for choir conductors “Zvok moji rok” in 2016 in Ljubljana, 3rd prize at the international competition for choir conductors organized by the European Choral Association in 2016 in Turin, 1st prize at the competition for choir conductors “Le mani in suono” in 2015 in Arezzo. From 2016 to 2020 she was appointed first director of the Regional Youth Choir of Friuli Venezia Giulia region. She is a jury member in international competitions for choir conductors, and competitions for choirs and composers (Tolosa, Cork, Maribor, London, Arezzo, Milano, Koper, Bologna…). She holds conducting courses in Ljubljana- JSKD and Accademia di musica, Parma – AERCO Choral academy, Polifonico Arezzo- School for conductors, Utrecht-Leading voices Festival, Madrid – Scientific Congress in choral conducting…). Her concerts have been recorded and broadcast by EBU (European broadcast), RADIO3, RTV (Slovenian National Radio and Television), RAI FVG. She was awarded the “Golden Emblem” by the National Foundation for Cultural Activities of the Republic of Slovenia for her musical activity. She was invited as part of the artistic commission of Italian national choral federation (FENIARCO) and of the international festival for choral conductor Leading voices Tallin 2025. She concluded her master’s degree in piano, musical pedagogy and choral conducting and choral composition in Italy. After winning the national competition was appointed as professor of choral conducting and choral composition at the “F. A. Bonporti” Conservatory of Trento (Academy of music).
Dimitris Ktistakis – Greece – Member of the Jury
Dimitris Ktistakis – Greece – Member of the Jury 2025
Dimitris Ktistakis is an Associate Professor of Choral Conducting at the Department of Music Studies of the Ionian University in Corfu. He was born in Larissa, where he commenced his musical education at the Municipal Conservatory. He continued his studies at the Hochschule für Musik Saar, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance and three master’s degrees in Solo Piano, Choral Conducting, and Orchestral Conducting. He also holds diplomas in Harmony and Counterpoint. In 2020, he earned his Doctorate in Choral Conducting (DMA) from the Ionian University, graduating with unanimous honors, with a dissertation focusing on the influence of the Western functional tradition on contemporary Greek composers. On the occasion of his doctoral graduation, he conducted the world premiere of Nikolaos Halikiopoulos Mantzaros’ Second Latin Mass. Throughout his training, he studied under internationally acclaimed artists such as Vladimir Margulis, György Sebők, Toshiyuki Kamioka, and Georg Grün, and participated in advanced seminars in Switzerland, Germany, and Spain (Europa Cantat, Barcelona 2003).A recipient of various awards, he has conducted both youth and professional choirs in Germany, including the renowned Madrigalchor Dillingen, with which he collaborated with the Saarland Radio Orchestra. He has served as Assistant Conductor of both the Symphony Orchestra and Choir of the Hochschule für Musik Saar, and has recorded for major broadcasters such as BR, NDR, SR, Deutsche Welle, and ERT. His activity as a soloist, conductor, and accompanist has taken him across Europe, the United States, Asia, and Australia, including world premieres of operatic works in Athens. He is the founder and conductor of the acclaimed female choir InDONNAtiόn, with which he has achieved four gold medals in international competitions (Kalamata, Corfu, Riga, Fundão), as well as the Grand Prix in 2018 — one of the most significant international distinctions for a Greek choir. Professor Ktistakis collaborates regularly with the ERT Choir, having conducted more than 45 productions across Greece. He has taught Vocal Ensemble Conducting at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, is the founder and former artistic director of the Trikala Youth Orchestra and currently teaches Choral Conducting at both the Municipal Conservatory of Larissa and the Ionian University. He is frequently invited to serve as a jury member in international choral competitions, contributing to the promotion and recognition of choral excellence worldwide.
Daniele Sconosciuto – Italy – Member of the Jury
Daniele Sconosciuto – Italy – Member of the Jury 2025
Daniele Sconosciuto was born in Mesagne (BR) in 1983 and has lived in Bologna since 2002. He graduated in piano in Ravenna and obtained a degree in Music and Music Disciplines at the University of Bologna, with a thesis on music pedagogy and musical paleography. He obtained his teaching qualification in piano and graduated in Orchestral Conducting at the Conservatory “G. Verdi” in Milan and in Choral Conducting and Composition at the Conservatory “G. Frescobaldi” in Ferrara. He has attended masterclasses and workshops in Italy and Europe on symphonic and operatic repertoire. He was educational coordinator of the association “Le Muse e il Tempo” and consultant for the Mozart Orchestra under the direction of Claudio Abbado. He performs as a pianist, accompanist and choir and orchestra conductor. He has participated as a jury member in international competitions, given lectures in Italy and abroad, and collaborates with AERCO as a teacher and member of the Artistic Commission. He teaches choral activities at the “F. Cilea” Conservatory in Reggio Calabria, is organist in Bologna and conducts the choir of the “L’Arengo” Cultural Centre. Since 2018, he has been organisational director and, since 2025, artistic director of the CantaBO International Choral Festival. He also conducts the Emilia-Romagna Youth Choir, a choir of excellence involving young singers from across the region. With the Youth Choir, he has performed at festivals, reviews and masterclasses (including with John Rutter), recorded for TACTUS and participated in national projects such as “Voci d’Italia” and the “Pier Paolo Pasolini” composition competition. On 2 June 2025, he performed at the Quirinale Gardens in the presence of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, on the occasion of the Republic Day.
Theodora Pavlovitch – Bulgaria – Member of the Jury
Theodora Pavlovitch – Bulgaria – Member of the Jury 2025
Theodora Pavlovitch, Ph.D. is a distinguished choral conductor, music expert, and pedagogue. Since 2016, she has served as Head of the Department of Conducting and Composition and Chair of the General Assembly at the National Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria. Prof. Pavlovitch is widely recognized as a guest conductor, lecturer, and jury member at numerous prestigious choral events across 28 European countries, as well as in the USA, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Russia, and Israel. In 2005, she led a conducting masterclass and presented lectures at the World Symposium on Choral Music in Kyoto, Japan. In 2008, she conducted the World Youth Choir, which was honored by UNESCO with the title “Artist for Peace.” She is the conductor of the Vassil Arnaoudov Sofia Chamber Choir and the Classic FM Radio Choir in Bulgaria. Over the years, she has also conducted concerts and led masterclasses with many renowned choirs worldwide. Since 2012, Prof. Pavlovitch has represented Bulgaria on the World Choral Council, and in 2021, she was named an Honorary Member of the Council. Her significant contributions to music and the international choral community have been recognized with numerous awards from institutions such as the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture, the International Federation for Choral Music, the European Council of Scientific and Cultural Societies, Classic FM Radio, and other professional organizations.
Michele Vannelli – Italy – Member of the Jury
Michele Vannelli – Italy – Member of the Jury 2025
Michele Vannelli, from Bologna, studied with Francesco Tasini and earned his diploma in organ and organ composition at the “G. Frescobaldi” Conservatory in Ferrara. He later graduated in harpsichord, vocal composition, and choral conducting, studying with Marina Scaioli and Maria Elena Mazzella. He received his cum laude degree in Arts, Music and Performing Arts (D.A.M.S.) from the University of Bologna, with a thesis on La Messa à 12 (1687) by Giacomo Antonio Perti and completed a PhD in musicology with a dissertation on the three books of vesper psalms for eight voices by Giovanni Paolo Colonna. Since 2006, he has served as maestro di cappella at the Basilica of San Petronio and organist of the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. Peter in Bologna. His work as performer and scholar focuses on sacred music and polyphony from the Italian Seicento, particularly the vocal repertoire of the Emilia region. He has appeared throughout Europe as a conductor, organist, harpsichordist, and choir director, performing at major festivals and venues including the Philharmonie Berlin, Wiener Konzerthaus, Innsbrucker Festwochen, La Chaise Dieu, MiTo, Musica Insieme, Grandezze & Meraviglie, among many others. In the field of opera, he has conducted Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria and L’incoronazione di Poppea by Monteverdi, La catena d’Adone by Mazzocchi, and Il trionfo di Camilla by Bononcini. He collaborates with leading ensembles and is a member of Concerto Scirocco (Lugano). He has recorded for numerous labels (Arcana, Christophorus, Dynamic, NovAntiqua, Tactus…) with live broadcasts on France Musique, SWR, RTS Espace 2, ORF, and Finnish national radio. He is also a composer of vocal works (Masses, Psalms, Te Deum, motets), and has produced many transcriptions and critical editions, including Cantate con strumenti by Bononcini (published by LIM). He holds the chair of Choral Conducting and Choral Composition at the “A. Boito” Conservatory in Parma. In 2016, Pope Francis awarded him the Pontifical Medal within the Pontifical Academies Prize.
