Biography

Kristina Bogataj is a Slovenian choral conductor, singer and educator. Based in Helsinki, Finland, she collaborates with EMO Ensemble (2019–), Tapiola choir (2021–), RiiNa female choir (2021–), and Lyckokatter vocal group (2018–). She has also served as an opera conductor (Äärimmäisyys 2021), and chorus master for Helsinki's opera productions (La belle Hélène, Rigoletto, Norma etc.).

After her first master’s degree from the Academy of Music in Ljubljana (2017), Kristina concluded her second one at Sibelius Academy (2021), with choral conducting as her major, basso continuo as a side subject, and proficiency recitals in solo singing and piano. A pianist from an early age at music school in her native Kranj (teacher Lea Jugovic), she took part in music competitions, playing in duos, chamber groups, and orchestras (e. g. TEMSIG – Competition for Young Musicians of the Republic of Slovenia). While attending Gimnazija Kranj high school with its rich musical life and performing with Gimnazija Kranj Symphony Orchestra, Kristina was also introduced to the dynamic Slovenian choral scene. She became a member of several prominent Slovenian choirs, with the most notable roles and achievements as a member of Carmen manet female choir from her native Kranj (winners of Eurovision Choir of the Year in Riga, 2017).

During her conducting studies, Kristina performed in various productions, concerts, performances, and operas – as a conductor, singer, or pianist. She has participated in numerous masterclasses and seminars (Frieder Bernius, Sir Roger Norrington, Paul Hillier with Theatre of Voices, Georg Grün, Gary Graden, Mathieu Romano, Mikael Wedar, Johannes Prinz, Justin Doyle, Romans Vanags, Andre van der Merwe, Andrew Parrot etc.). Her work was recognized at festivals, masterclasses and choral conducting competitions in Slovenia (Maribor 2020–2022) and abroad (Versailles 2019, Svendborg 2021, Torino 2021, Koper 2021, Parma 2021).

Kristina follows the inspiration for her work through curiosity and collaborations with colleagues from diverse artistic fields. She continues to study early music at Sibelius Academy's Early Music Department, and has performed at MuTeFest – Festival of the Music Technology Department (2019). Her concerts are regularly accompanied by graphic designs of Slovenian artists (Ana Belčič, Uršula Špela Kralj etc.). She also continues her collaboration with PhD in One Night indisciplinary collective (2019–).

Besides Master's in Music Pedagogy, Kristina has also concluded the 3-year teacher’s training in Willems ® music pedagogical principles. Her most fruitful pedagogical collaboration took place at DoReMi Music Center Bled (2013–2017), which specializes in making music with students with an autistic spectrum disorder. She continues to work as a teaching plan advisor and music teacher and curricula advisor with the International school of Music Finland (2017–) and multicultural center Caisa (2022–) in Helsinki.

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Kristina’s work merges authenticity and curiosity with high-level performing, through utilizing an individual’s musicianship and respect – towards themselves and the world around us.

Other collaborations

Helsinki Chamber Choir, RIAS kammerchor, The Netherlands Chamber Choir, Kammerchor Stuttgart, Coro della Cattedrale di Siena "Guido Chigi Saracini", S:t Jacobs Chamber Choir Stockholm, S:t Jacobs Vokalensemble Stockholm, DEKOR Chamber Choir, Yale Schola Cantorum, The Chamber Choir of the Moscow Conservatory, Ahjo Ensemble, Global Music department’s choir at Sibelius Academy, Musiikkitalo choir, Coro Artemusica of Valperga, Genova Vocal Ensemble, Sibi Consoni of Genova, Coro da camera of Torino, Coenobium vocale, La Capella Upsalla, Adolf Fredriks Musikklasser choir Stockholm, VIKRA choir, APZ Maribor, DPZ Akademije za glasbo, Madrigal – Marin Constantin, I Cantori Gregoriani, Aurora choir Mirandola, Ferdinando Paer choir Colorno.

Masterclasses and seminars

Frieder Bernius, Sir Roger Norrington, Paul Hillier with Theatre of Voices, Georg Grün, Gary Graden, Mathieu Romano, Mikael Wedar, Johannes Prinz, Justin Doyle, Romans Vanags, Andre van der Merwe, Andrew Parrot, Merel Martens, Merzi Rajala, Stefan Berglund and Fred Sjöberg, Gudrun Schöfrel, Atso Almila, Hannu Norjanen, Dani Juris, Jim Daus Hjernøe, Jesper Holm, Nicole Corti, Lorenzo Donati, Karmina Šilec, Benjamin Lunetta, Markus Yli-Jokipii, Marko Vatovec, Sebastjan Vrhovnik, Anass Ismat, Katja Gruber.