2018 BBIOC Competitors
The Boston Bach International Organ Competition is pleased to announce
the official slate of competitors for 2018:
the official slate of competitors for 2018:
Ben Bloor • United Kingdom
Ben Bloor is currently Organist of the London Oratory Church where he accompanies the professional adult choir for weekly Mass and Vespers and oversees the famous Downes/Walker organ. He combines this with a busy freelance recital career and the post of School Organist at Westminster School, where he teaches organ and plays for services in Westminster Abbey. Previously, he held organ scholarships at Derby Cathedral, St George’s Chapel Windsor Castle, New College Oxford, and Westminster Cathedral. Ben was the winner of the 2012 Northern Ireland International Organ Competition, and was recently a semi-finalist in the inaugural Wadden Sea International Organ Competition held in Denmark in January 2017. He holds a First-Class Honours degree in Music from the University of Oxford and the Limpus prize for highest marks in the 2013 FRCO examinations. He is a recipient of the Worshipful Company of Musicians’ Silver Medal for his contribution to organ-playing.
Ben Bloor is currently Organist of the London Oratory Church where he accompanies the professional adult choir for weekly Mass and Vespers and oversees the famous Downes/Walker organ. He combines this with a busy freelance recital career and the post of School Organist at Westminster School, where he teaches organ and plays for services in Westminster Abbey. Previously, he held organ scholarships at Derby Cathedral, St George’s Chapel Windsor Castle, New College Oxford, and Westminster Cathedral. Ben was the winner of the 2012 Northern Ireland International Organ Competition, and was recently a semi-finalist in the inaugural Wadden Sea International Organ Competition held in Denmark in January 2017. He holds a First-Class Honours degree in Music from the University of Oxford and the Limpus prize for highest marks in the 2013 FRCO examinations. He is a recipient of the Worshipful Company of Musicians’ Silver Medal for his contribution to organ-playing.
Yohan Chung • Republic of Korea
Yohan Chung was born in Busan, Korea. A graduate of Kosin University in Busan, Mr. Chung earned his Bachelor of Music in church music. Subsequently he earned a Master of Music degree at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy” in Leipzig, Germany, where he studied organ, cembalo, and improvisation. He also studied early music at the Hochschule für Künste in Bremen, Germany. Currently he studies organ at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Leipzig. His teachers include Martin Schmeding, Thomas Lennartz, Roland Dopfer, Matthias Maierhofer, and Stefan Engels. He has participated in masterclasses with Christoph Bossert, Wolfgang Zerer, Zsigmond Szathmary, Michael Radulescu, Harald Vogel, and Jaroslav Tůma. In addition, he is a member of the Sentite Kammerorchester Hamburg as a organist and cembalist. Mr. Chung is Music Director and Organist of St. Andreas Church in Chemnitz, Saxony.
Yohan Chung was born in Busan, Korea. A graduate of Kosin University in Busan, Mr. Chung earned his Bachelor of Music in church music. Subsequently he earned a Master of Music degree at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy” in Leipzig, Germany, where he studied organ, cembalo, and improvisation. He also studied early music at the Hochschule für Künste in Bremen, Germany. Currently he studies organ at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Leipzig. His teachers include Martin Schmeding, Thomas Lennartz, Roland Dopfer, Matthias Maierhofer, and Stefan Engels. He has participated in masterclasses with Christoph Bossert, Wolfgang Zerer, Zsigmond Szathmary, Michael Radulescu, Harald Vogel, and Jaroslav Tůma. In addition, he is a member of the Sentite Kammerorchester Hamburg as a organist and cembalist. Mr. Chung is Music Director and Organist of St. Andreas Church in Chemnitz, Saxony.
Margaret Harper • United States of America
Organist Margaret Harper has performed across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Croatian newspaper Glas Slavonije writes, “The freezing cold of a January evening dominated the cathedral in Djakovo, but it could not diminish the richness and warmth of sound brought out of the cathedral organ by Margaret Harper.” Margaret is the Director of Music and Liturgy at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, NH. She serves as Artist Faculty in Organ at the University of Southern Maine, and also teaches through the Young Organist Collaborative. She has presented papers at national and regional conferences of organizations including the American Bach Society and the American Guild of Organists. Margaret holds a DMA and a Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music. Her primary teachers include William Porter, David Higgs, Michel Bouvard, Edoardo Bellotti, and Edward Zimmerman.
Organist Margaret Harper has performed across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Croatian newspaper Glas Slavonije writes, “The freezing cold of a January evening dominated the cathedral in Djakovo, but it could not diminish the richness and warmth of sound brought out of the cathedral organ by Margaret Harper.” Margaret is the Director of Music and Liturgy at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, NH. She serves as Artist Faculty in Organ at the University of Southern Maine, and also teaches through the Young Organist Collaborative. She has presented papers at national and regional conferences of organizations including the American Bach Society and the American Guild of Organists. Margaret holds a DMA and a Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music. Her primary teachers include William Porter, David Higgs, Michel Bouvard, Edoardo Bellotti, and Edward Zimmerman.
Adriaan Hoek • Netherlands
Concert organist Adriaan Hoek acquired his Master of Music degree summa cum laude at the Conservatory of Rotterdam as a student of Ben van Oosten, Bas de Vroome, Aart Bergwerff, and Hayo Boerema. He has also studied piano, music theory, church music, and improvisation. He is currently studying for his diploma Konzertexam at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, tutored by Pieter van Dijk and Wolfgang Zerer. Adriaan has been awarded several prizes at international organ competitions. In 2015 he was awarded first prizes in Korschenbroich, Alkmaar, Lübeck, and Breda. He was awarded the Bachpreis (first prize) and the audience prize in Wiesbaden in January 2018. In 2016 he was awarded the title “Young ECHO Organist of the Year,” which included performances in Germany, Italy, France, Austria, and Scotland. Adriaan is also active as a church musician, continuo player, and teacher.
Concert organist Adriaan Hoek acquired his Master of Music degree summa cum laude at the Conservatory of Rotterdam as a student of Ben van Oosten, Bas de Vroome, Aart Bergwerff, and Hayo Boerema. He has also studied piano, music theory, church music, and improvisation. He is currently studying for his diploma Konzertexam at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, tutored by Pieter van Dijk and Wolfgang Zerer. Adriaan has been awarded several prizes at international organ competitions. In 2015 he was awarded first prizes in Korschenbroich, Alkmaar, Lübeck, and Breda. He was awarded the Bachpreis (first prize) and the audience prize in Wiesbaden in January 2018. In 2016 he was awarded the title “Young ECHO Organist of the Year,” which included performances in Germany, Italy, France, Austria, and Scotland. Adriaan is also active as a church musician, continuo player, and teacher.
Andreas Jud • Switzerland
Born in 1986, Andreas Jud studied piano, violin, and organ from an early age. He studied organ at the Music Academy in Basel, Switzerland with Jean-Claude Zehnder, Guy Bovet, and Martin Sander, as well as with Rudolf Lutz for improvisation. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with distinction, as well as with a Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy and a Master of Arts in Specialized Performance. He was awarded the Hans-Balmer-Preis of the Basel Organists’ Association for best organ diploma. As well as regularly performing throughout Switzerland and Germany, Andreas has performed as a guest organist in both Paris and Los Angeles. He has also enjoyed success at various international competitions in Montréal (2011) and in Nürnberg (2013). He currently holds the position as organist at the Stadtkirche in Lenzburg. Andreas Jud was awarded a three-year scholarship from Notenstein La Roche’s Young Musicians Programme in spring 2014.
Born in 1986, Andreas Jud studied piano, violin, and organ from an early age. He studied organ at the Music Academy in Basel, Switzerland with Jean-Claude Zehnder, Guy Bovet, and Martin Sander, as well as with Rudolf Lutz for improvisation. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music with distinction, as well as with a Master of Arts in Music Pedagogy and a Master of Arts in Specialized Performance. He was awarded the Hans-Balmer-Preis of the Basel Organists’ Association for best organ diploma. As well as regularly performing throughout Switzerland and Germany, Andreas has performed as a guest organist in both Paris and Los Angeles. He has also enjoyed success at various international competitions in Montréal (2011) and in Nürnberg (2013). He currently holds the position as organist at the Stadtkirche in Lenzburg. Andreas Jud was awarded a three-year scholarship from Notenstein La Roche’s Young Musicians Programme in spring 2014.
Karolina Juodelytė • Lithuania
Karolina Juodelytė was born in Vilnius, Lithuania. She studied organ with G. Kviklys, V. Survilaite, R. Summereder, K. Jussila, and M. Sander in Lithuania, Austria, Finland, and Germany. She is a laureate of many international competitions: Ciurlionis Organ Competition in Lithuania, Janáček Organ Competition in Czech Republic, Sweelinck Organ Competition in Poland, Alumni/AStA Interpretation Competition in Germany, and others. Karolina Juodelytė has attended organ masterclasses with, among others, Bovet, Tůma, Lucke, Tagliente, Jellema, Frey, Ericson, Roth, and Radulescu. She has performed as a soloist in various concerts, national and international festivals in Lithuania, Austria, Poland, Finland, Germany, Russia, Italy, and the Czech Republic. She also regularly performs as a soloist and as a member of chamber ensembles and orchestras. Since 2017 she has worked as a Lecturer for Organ at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.
Karolina Juodelytė was born in Vilnius, Lithuania. She studied organ with G. Kviklys, V. Survilaite, R. Summereder, K. Jussila, and M. Sander in Lithuania, Austria, Finland, and Germany. She is a laureate of many international competitions: Ciurlionis Organ Competition in Lithuania, Janáček Organ Competition in Czech Republic, Sweelinck Organ Competition in Poland, Alumni/AStA Interpretation Competition in Germany, and others. Karolina Juodelytė has attended organ masterclasses with, among others, Bovet, Tůma, Lucke, Tagliente, Jellema, Frey, Ericson, Roth, and Radulescu. She has performed as a soloist in various concerts, national and international festivals in Lithuania, Austria, Poland, Finland, Germany, Russia, Italy, and the Czech Republic. She also regularly performs as a soloist and as a member of chamber ensembles and orchestras. Since 2017 she has worked as a Lecturer for Organ at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.
Christopher Keenan • United States of America
Christopher Keenan serves as Assistant Director of Traditional Worship and Music at University United Methodist Church in San Antonio, TX. He frequently performs in the United States and Europe, most recently as a competitor in the ECHO Grand Prix competition in Treviso, Italy. He was a finalist in the 2017 Silbermann International Organ Competition as well as a finalist in the 2015 Buxtehude International Organ Competition. Chris has performed solo recitals at Westminster Cathedral, St. Jakobi (Lübeck), and Freiburg Münster among others. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 2016 from The University of Texas at Austin under the tutelage of Matthias Maierhofer and Judith Hancock. His primary focus was on rhetorical devices in north German organ music. Prior to Texas, Chris studied under Donald Sutherland at Peabody Conservatory. In addition to his musical pursuits, he is training to be a firefighter/EMT with the Bexar-Bulverde Volunteer Department in Bulverde, TX.
Christopher Keenan serves as Assistant Director of Traditional Worship and Music at University United Methodist Church in San Antonio, TX. He frequently performs in the United States and Europe, most recently as a competitor in the ECHO Grand Prix competition in Treviso, Italy. He was a finalist in the 2017 Silbermann International Organ Competition as well as a finalist in the 2015 Buxtehude International Organ Competition. Chris has performed solo recitals at Westminster Cathedral, St. Jakobi (Lübeck), and Freiburg Münster among others. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 2016 from The University of Texas at Austin under the tutelage of Matthias Maierhofer and Judith Hancock. His primary focus was on rhetorical devices in north German organ music. Prior to Texas, Chris studied under Donald Sutherland at Peabody Conservatory. In addition to his musical pursuits, he is training to be a firefighter/EMT with the Bexar-Bulverde Volunteer Department in Bulverde, TX.
Heejin Kim • Republic of Korea
Heejin Kim is a doctoral student at the University Of Notre Dame. She completed her bachelor’s degree under Moon-Kyung Chae at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. After further studies in Germany, she earned her master’s degree and Konzertexamen under Pieter van Dijk and Wolfgang Zerer in Hamburg. She won first prize in the Arp Schnitger Organ Competition in Bremen/Hamburg (2014). She has participated in international organ masterclasses with Ewald Kooiman, Christoph Bossert, Harald Vogel, Carsten Lohff, and Lorenzo Ghielmi. She serves as Organist at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist in Elkhart, Indiana.
Heejin Kim is a doctoral student at the University Of Notre Dame. She completed her bachelor’s degree under Moon-Kyung Chae at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. After further studies in Germany, she earned her master’s degree and Konzertexamen under Pieter van Dijk and Wolfgang Zerer in Hamburg. She won first prize in the Arp Schnitger Organ Competition in Bremen/Hamburg (2014). She has participated in international organ masterclasses with Ewald Kooiman, Christoph Bossert, Harald Vogel, Carsten Lohff, and Lorenzo Ghielmi. She serves as Organist at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist in Elkhart, Indiana.
Jinhee Kim • Republic of Korea
Jinhee Kim started her undergraduate education in organ with Dr. Tong-Soon Kwak at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea, where she graduated summa cum laude in 2008. Later in 2008, she appeared on the Rising Stars Concert Series at the Torch Center for World Missions in Seoul. Kim came to the United States in 2009 to earn the Artist Diploma at Oberlin Conservatory. At Oberlin, her key instructors were Professor James David Christie and Olivier Latry. She won First Prize in the San Marino National Organ Competition in 2010 and played in the Danenberg Honors Recital at Oberlin in 2011. Kim went on to pursue Master’s and Doctoral degrees at Indiana University where she studied with Dr. Christopher Young. In 2013, she was cited as a finalist in the Longwood Garden International Organ Competition. Kim serves as Music Director, Organist, and Handbell Director at First Presbyterian Church in Martinsville, Indiana.
Jinhee Kim started her undergraduate education in organ with Dr. Tong-Soon Kwak at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea, where she graduated summa cum laude in 2008. Later in 2008, she appeared on the Rising Stars Concert Series at the Torch Center for World Missions in Seoul. Kim came to the United States in 2009 to earn the Artist Diploma at Oberlin Conservatory. At Oberlin, her key instructors were Professor James David Christie and Olivier Latry. She won First Prize in the San Marino National Organ Competition in 2010 and played in the Danenberg Honors Recital at Oberlin in 2011. Kim went on to pursue Master’s and Doctoral degrees at Indiana University where she studied with Dr. Christopher Young. In 2013, she was cited as a finalist in the Longwood Garden International Organ Competition. Kim serves as Music Director, Organist, and Handbell Director at First Presbyterian Church in Martinsville, Indiana.
Julian Mallek • Germany
Julian Mallek was born in 1984 in Hannover and received his first organ lessons from Ulfert Smidt (Marktkirche Hannover). He studied church music and organ at the academies of music in Leipzig, Wien, Lübeck, and Hamburg with Roman Summereder, Arvid Gast, Franz Danksagmüller, Pieter van Dijk, and Wolfgang Zerer. He has played in masterclasses with Ton Koopman, Bine Bryndorf, and Michael Radulescu. Since 2014 Julian Mallek has served as Organist and Choir Director at the Stadtkirche Preetz in northern Germany, with its Baroque organ from 1733. He concertizes in Germany and abroad as a soloist as well as an accompanist and continuo player.
Julian Mallek was born in 1984 in Hannover and received his first organ lessons from Ulfert Smidt (Marktkirche Hannover). He studied church music and organ at the academies of music in Leipzig, Wien, Lübeck, and Hamburg with Roman Summereder, Arvid Gast, Franz Danksagmüller, Pieter van Dijk, and Wolfgang Zerer. He has played in masterclasses with Ton Koopman, Bine Bryndorf, and Michael Radulescu. Since 2014 Julian Mallek has served as Organist and Choir Director at the Stadtkirche Preetz in northern Germany, with its Baroque organ from 1733. He concertizes in Germany and abroad as a soloist as well as an accompanist and continuo player.
Joseph Ripka • United States of America
Joseph Ripka is the Director of Music at All Saints’ Episcopal Church and Day School in Phoenix, Arizona, where he directs an active music program, including several adult and children’s choirs in the RSCM tradition. Joseph received an Artist Diploma in organ from the Oberlin Conservatory where he studied with James David Christie, and holds a Master of Music degree in piano and organ performance from the University of Kansas and a second master’s degree from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, where he studied with Martin Jean. Joseph has won several prizes nationally and internationally, including first prize in the 2008 Dublin International Organ Competition, and is an active recitalist, having been engaged for performances at St Paul’s London, Bavo Kerk Haarlem, and Oude Kerk Amsterdam, among others. Joseph was also consultant for a new organ by Richards, Fowkes & Co. of Ooltewah, Tennessee that was installed in August of 2017.
Joseph Ripka is the Director of Music at All Saints’ Episcopal Church and Day School in Phoenix, Arizona, where he directs an active music program, including several adult and children’s choirs in the RSCM tradition. Joseph received an Artist Diploma in organ from the Oberlin Conservatory where he studied with James David Christie, and holds a Master of Music degree in piano and organ performance from the University of Kansas and a second master’s degree from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, where he studied with Martin Jean. Joseph has won several prizes nationally and internationally, including first prize in the 2008 Dublin International Organ Competition, and is an active recitalist, having been engaged for performances at St Paul’s London, Bavo Kerk Haarlem, and Oude Kerk Amsterdam, among others. Joseph was also consultant for a new organ by Richards, Fowkes & Co. of Ooltewah, Tennessee that was installed in August of 2017.
John Robinson • United Kingdom
John Robinson is the Organist and Director of Music at St. Paul’s Church, Harvard Square, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. There, he directs the Choir of Men and Boys in liturgies, concerts, recordings, and tours. Under his direction, the Choir has released chart-topping albums via AimHigher Media with Decca and Sony Classical, and performed with leading ensembles, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera, and Vienna Boy Choir. As an organist, Robinson studied principally with Roy Massey OBE and David Sanger. As Organ Scholar at St. John’s Cambridge, he won the Plymouth National Young Organist competition and the Runnett Prize for Organ at Cambridge. He was Assistant Organist at Carlisle and Canterbury Cathedrals before taking up his current position in the United States. Robinson has recorded critically acclaimed solo organ CDs at Canterbury and Carlisle Cathedrals, and performed across Europe and the United States.
John Robinson is the Organist and Director of Music at St. Paul’s Church, Harvard Square, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. There, he directs the Choir of Men and Boys in liturgies, concerts, recordings, and tours. Under his direction, the Choir has released chart-topping albums via AimHigher Media with Decca and Sony Classical, and performed with leading ensembles, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Lyric Opera, and Vienna Boy Choir. As an organist, Robinson studied principally with Roy Massey OBE and David Sanger. As Organ Scholar at St. John’s Cambridge, he won the Plymouth National Young Organist competition and the Runnett Prize for Organ at Cambridge. He was Assistant Organist at Carlisle and Canterbury Cathedrals before taking up his current position in the United States. Robinson has recorded critically acclaimed solo organ CDs at Canterbury and Carlisle Cathedrals, and performed across Europe and the United States.
Brandon Santini • United States of America
Brandon Santini, organist and pianist, is a native of Weymouth, Massachusetts. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in both organ and piano performance from the Oberlin Conservatory where he studied with James David Christie and Peter Takács and subsequently received his Master of Music degree in organ performance from the Eastman School of Music under the guidance of David Higgs. He has performed extensively and serves as both the Music Director and Organist for St. Theresa of Avila Parish in West Roxbury, Massachusetts and on the piano faculty at the South Shore Conservatory in Hingham, Massachusetts. In 2016, Brandon was a finalist in the first Sursa American Organ Competition and in 2017 a semi-finalist in the Canadian International Organ Competition.
Brandon Santini, organist and pianist, is a native of Weymouth, Massachusetts. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in both organ and piano performance from the Oberlin Conservatory where he studied with James David Christie and Peter Takács and subsequently received his Master of Music degree in organ performance from the Eastman School of Music under the guidance of David Higgs. He has performed extensively and serves as both the Music Director and Organist for St. Theresa of Avila Parish in West Roxbury, Massachusetts and on the piano faculty at the South Shore Conservatory in Hingham, Massachusetts. In 2016, Brandon was a finalist in the first Sursa American Organ Competition and in 2017 a semi-finalist in the Canadian International Organ Competition.
Thomas Sheehan • United States of America
Thomas Sheehan is the Associate University Organist and Choirmaster in the Memorial Church of Harvard University and the Teaching Fellow and Accompanist for the Harvard Glee Club. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies in organ at Boston University as a student of Peter Sykes. Tom is also a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where he received diplomas in organ and harpsichord, studying with Alan Morrison and Leon Schelhase. He received both the Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ as a student of Ken Cowan. He has also studied improvisation with Matthew Glandorf, Ford Lallerstedt, and Bruce Neswick. He has performed as an organist throughout the United States and in Europe.
Thomas Sheehan is the Associate University Organist and Choirmaster in the Memorial Church of Harvard University and the Teaching Fellow and Accompanist for the Harvard Glee Club. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies in organ at Boston University as a student of Peter Sykes. Tom is also a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where he received diplomas in organ and harpsichord, studying with Alan Morrison and Leon Schelhase. He received both the Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ as a student of Ken Cowan. He has also studied improvisation with Matthew Glandorf, Ford Lallerstedt, and Bruce Neswick. He has performed as an organist throughout the United States and in Europe.
Nicole Simental • United States of America
Nicole Simental is currently the Assistant Director of Music and Principal Organist at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Columbus, Ohio. Ms. Simental is a candidate for the Doctorate of Music in organ performance at Indiana University where she studied with Christopher Young. Ms. Simental holds degrees from the University of Notre Dame and Wheaton College where she studied with Craig Cramer and Edward Zimmerman. Nicole also maintains an active performing career. In 2016 she won the Immanuel Lutheran Organ Scholar Award and she was the co-winner at the First Sursa American Organ Competition at Ball State University. Additionally, she was a semifinalist for the National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance. Most recently, in September of 2016 she was awarded first prize and a diploma for the best performance of the obligatory piece at the IV International Goedicke Organ Competition at the Moscow Conservatory.
Nicole Simental is currently the Assistant Director of Music and Principal Organist at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Columbus, Ohio. Ms. Simental is a candidate for the Doctorate of Music in organ performance at Indiana University where she studied with Christopher Young. Ms. Simental holds degrees from the University of Notre Dame and Wheaton College where she studied with Craig Cramer and Edward Zimmerman. Nicole also maintains an active performing career. In 2016 she won the Immanuel Lutheran Organ Scholar Award and she was the co-winner at the First Sursa American Organ Competition at Ball State University. Additionally, she was a semifinalist for the National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance. Most recently, in September of 2016 she was awarded first prize and a diploma for the best performance of the obligatory piece at the IV International Goedicke Organ Competition at the Moscow Conservatory.
Pavel Svoboda • Czech Republic
Pavel Svoboda is the laureate of the Prague Spring International Music Competition and winner of the Bachpreis (second prize) in the Leipzig Bach Competition in 2016. He began to study the organ at the Conservatory in Pardubice (Josef Rafaja, Václav Rabas). In 2010, he studied at the Berlin University of Arts under the supervision of the Dutch organist Leo van Doeselaar. Then he continued his studies at the Music Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague in the class of Jaroslav Tůma. Since 2017, he has served as Head of the Department of Early Music at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague and teaches organ at the University of Hradec Králové.
Pavel Svoboda is the laureate of the Prague Spring International Music Competition and winner of the Bachpreis (second prize) in the Leipzig Bach Competition in 2016. He began to study the organ at the Conservatory in Pardubice (Josef Rafaja, Václav Rabas). In 2010, he studied at the Berlin University of Arts under the supervision of the Dutch organist Leo van Doeselaar. Then he continued his studies at the Music Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague in the class of Jaroslav Tůma. Since 2017, he has served as Head of the Department of Early Music at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague and teaches organ at the University of Hradec Králové.