Jury :

	Margrethe Ek (Norway) Margrethe Ek started conducting at the age of 14. Ek studied music for eight years, including master in singing, an education in music performance and presentation, and a diploma in conducting from the Norwegian Academy of Music. She has written a book of the health benefits of singing in a choir (Cantando 2012). An article of choir and health benefits are to be published in the bulletin of international federation of choral music (IFCM). Ek currently works as a teacher in music at two local high schools. She has previously worked at the University of Oslo within the subjects of song and conduction for 11 years. Being a conductor filled with energy and dynamic presentations, she has conducted several ensembles at high levels within several genres – both choirs and instrumental ensembles (symphony orchestras and wind ensembles). Ek’s different ensembles have often been seen on national TV and radio, and they have participated in choir contests at international levels with great results. Margrethe Ek has been acknowledged as both a lecturer and a visiting conductor for both businesses and musical ensembles in Norway. She is often invited to be a judge in both national and international choir contests. Today Margrethe Ek is the conductor of Moss Ensemble Consensus, founded in 2010.
	Bernie Sherlock (Ireland) Bernie Sherlock is a leading choral conductor. She is founder-conductor of New Dublin Voices, Artistic Director of the Irish Youth Choirs, a former co-conductor of EuroChoir (2021), and a guest conductor with Chamber Choir Ireland. She has won international conducting prizes in Finland, Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Italy, Slovenia, Wales, Poland and Ireland. Her work on the adjudication panels of international conducting and choral competitions and directing choral workshops takes her around Europe and to the US, Canada and China. Under Bernie, New Dublin Voices has gained critical acclaim for its innovative concert programming and its work in television, radio and recording. She takes special pleasure in exploring the music of living composers and has given more than 90 world premieres. New Dublin Voices has won multiple prizes and Grand Prix at competitions in France, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Finland, Belgium, Spain, England, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Latvia, Wales and Bulgaria, including most recently the Grand Prix in Poland at the 13th International Krakow Choir Festival Cracovia Cantans in 2024. In 2023 in Arezzo, Italy, the choir won the Mixed Choir Competition and the Special Prize for programming and performance of contemporary music. Bernie has extensive experience directing a wide range of choirs, including the Culwick Choral Society and the Choral Society of Trinity College Dublin. For twelve years she directed and taught on the International Choral Conducting Summer School run by Sing Ireland. She is a founding Board-member of the World Choral Conducting Network, and a representative for Ireland on the World Choir Council. Bernie lectures at the TU Dublin Conservatoire where she directs the Masters programme in choral conducting and where she conducts the prize-winning TU Chamber Choir. After her music degree in Trinity College Dublin, Bernie studied conducting for two years in Hungary with Ildikó Herboly-Kocsár and Péter Erdei, followed by Masters and Doctorate degrees in conducting in Dublin
	Rihards Dubra (Latvia) Was born in Riga. He studied music first in Jurmala School of Music, after that at the Emils Darzins College of Music. In 1989, he graduated from the Latvian Music Academy composition class under Adolfs Skulte (as an elective he learned symphonic conducting), and in 1996 earned his master’s degree at the Latvian Academy of Music under Juris Karlsons. During his studies, he began to teach harmony and composition at the Jurmala School of Music. Presently he is a professor Ventspils Music School. His other sphere of work is involved with the organ and liturgy. Rihards Dubra was the organist at the Riga Our Lady of Suffering Church, and, as of 1999, he is the cantor of the Riga St. Mary Magdalene Church. The basic genres of the composer’s creative work are large-scale genres for voices with accompaniment, choir music, organ music and symphonic music. Irrespectively of his genre choice, Dubra’s basic creative interests turn to sacred music. “As the belief is the only purity in this world, I cannot see anything better, only to write sacred music,” the composer comments on his creative activities. The composer’s activities at St. Mary Magdalene congregation in Riga and singing in the group Schola Cantorum Riga from its very beginning give inspiration for his creative work. The basis of Rihards Dubra music style is the unification of minimalism and neo-romantic tunes with the intonation, form and philosophy of Gregorian, Medieval and Renaissance music. “My music often is meditative; I like to stop a moment and to check it for some time. It is not possible in life, but music lets manage the impossible – light, longing and eternity speak to us feeling every moment…” Rihards Dubra’s music has been performed in several countries of the world: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Poland, England, France, Austria, Italia, Japan, South Africa, Canada, Argentina, USA and others.
	Ambrož Čopi (Slovenia) Ambrož Čopi studied composition under the tutelage of Dane Škerl, Uroš Rojko, and piano at the Academy of Music in Ljubljana. He is recognized as a composer, conductor, lecturer, and the artistic director of the International Youth Choirs Choral Festival Aegis Carminis in Koper. Presently, he is a leader of choral activities at the Conservatory of Music and Ballet Ljubljana (KGBL) and teaches at the Artistic High School in Koper.. His original compositions, recorded on five CDs, regularly grace stages worldwide. Published predominantly by Astrum Music Publisher, with select works featured by Sulasol, TICF and Hinshaw Music. Čopi has guided numerous Slovenian choirs to remarkable achievements in both national (15 gold plaques) and international competitions (29 first places). He was manytimes awarded for outstanding performances and as best conductor. Presently, he conducts the KGBL Chamber Choir and the University of Primorska Academic Choir, both esteemed among Slovenia's premier choral ensembles. In 2014, he was honored with the Gallus Plaque, Slovenia's highest recognition in the realm of musical endeavor, alongside the prestigious national award, the Prešeren Fund Prize, Mrian Kozina Prize and Republic of Slovenia Prize for Education.. He is regulary invited to act as a jury member at choral competitions worldwide, he actively engages in choral music seminars and masterclasses for conductors and composers alike, offering his expertise as a lecturer.
	Jeffery Redding (USA) Dr. Jeffery Redding is Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Florida and the 2019 GRAMMY Music Educator Award recipient. He has led choirs at national, regional, and state ACDA conventions, earning top honors at prestigious festivals worldwide, including in Italy, Ireland, Australia, and the Vatican. A sought-after guest conductor and speaker, he has appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, and major sporting events such as the 2024 and 2025 Pro Bowls and the 2025 Super Bowl. Formerly Director of Choral Activities at West Orange High School and West Virginia University, Dr. Redding is a conductor for Walt Disney World’s Candlelight Processional and Harmonious Live! He founded the Winter Garden Community Choir and the Orlando Choral Society, and serves as Worship Arts Director at Tuskawilla UMC. He holds degrees from Florida State University and Florida A&M University and is active in leadership roles with ACDA and related organizations.