7th Masterclass for Choral Conductors 2026

Ambrož Čopi (born 1973) studied composition under the tutelage of Dane Škerl and 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. From the inception of his teaching career, he has fostered his students' creativity in choral music, emerging as a mentor to Slovenia's youngest generation of composers. Through his leadership, new compositions have been inspired and performed worldwide. His original compositions, recorded on five CDs, regularly grace stages worldwide. His works are 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 has been awarded many times 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, Marjan Kozina Prize and Republic of Slovenia Prize for Education. He is regularly invited to act as a jury member at choral competitions worldwide; he also actively engages in choral music seminars and masterclasses for conductors and composers alike, offering his expertise as a lecturer.

Marco Antonio García de Paz graduated with the best grades in choir direction at the Superior Music Centre of the Basque Country (Musikene). Founder and leader of the choir El León de Oro, in the choir's twenty-two years of existence García de Paz has developed an extensive international career with his group, carried out in a large number of concerts in the USA, Africa and several European countries, important prizes and recordings with prominent record companies. Currently, García de Paz also takes part as a judge in the most important choir singing contests in Spain and Europe. In addition, he gives masterclasses and workshops about choir direction and “open singing” both at national and international level, in many European countries. In 2015 he was invited to conduct the Choir of Radio Televisión Española (OCRTVE) in a concert at the Monumental Theater of Madrid, which was broadcast live by Radio Clásica of Radio Nacional de España. Throughout this year he has worked with other professional choirs of his country, such as the Community of Madrid Choir (ORCAM) and the National Choir of Spain (CNE). He is a principal guest conductor of the Young Choir of Andalusia (JCA). His immediate projects include commitments in Spain, Italy, France, Bulgaria and Greece.