President of the Lithuanian Choral Union.
She graduated from the National M.K.Čiurlionis School of Art and the Lithuanian Music Academy (LMA), interned at the conducting classes of prof. A. Michailov at the conservatory of Saint Petersburg. She acquired a choir conducting specialty.

Work Experience:
During her studies, she started working as a concertmaster at the LMA, as a children choir choirmaster at the Lithuanian Radio and Television.
She started working with the Vilnius University Women’s Choir “Virgo” in 1982, she was invited to lead the Vilnius University Academic Choir in 1995. After the choir “Pro Musica” was formed in 2004, she is leading three Vilnius University (VU) choirs with almost 200 singers, Vilnius University students and alumni.
From 2005 to 2013 she was the head of the Vilnius University Cultural Centre.
Since 2013 she is the artistic director of the Vilnius University choirs “Virgo”, “Gaudeamus”, “Pro Musica”.
Since 2006 she is an assistant of the Lithuanian Music and Theater Academy Department of Choir Conducting. Now she is a lecturer.
In April 2017, Rasa Gelgotienė was elected president of the Lithuanian Choral Union.

Together with her three led choirs, R. Gelgotienė has gotten great achievements: they are prize winners in more than 40 international and national contests, they participated in more than 60 international contests. Listeners in more than 25 European countries, as well as the US, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Cuba and Japan, have heard the choirs that she has conducted.
R. Gelgotienė has recorded 10 CDs, created over 30 arrangements. She is a member of the Song Celebration creative groups, a conductor of the Lithuanian World Community Song Festival, and the Baltic students’ song festival „Gaudeamus“, the Lithuanian regional choirs expert – consultant.

R. Gelgotienė has conducted masterclasses in Sardinia, for the Calliari „Nuova Armonia“ and Oristano city choirs, for the Extremadura University Choir in Spain, for the choir of the California State University, East Bay and the Pavlodar Philharmony Orchestra Chamber Choir in Kazakhstan. She is a member of the jury of different international contests, an expert – consultant of the Astana Opera Choir.

R. Gelgotienė is an author of three books: „Choir Magic“ („Choro Magija“, 2005. VDA leidykla), „Notes of the Choir Conductor“ („Choro Dirigento Užrašai“, 2011. Publisher „Baltos lankos“), „Conversations with Vaclovas Augustinas“ („Pokalbiai su Vaclovu Augustinu“, 2016. Vilnius University Press).

Kristijonas is the director of the boys and juniors choir „Ąžuoliukas“ since 2012. He has been a singer of the choir since 1993.
In 2010, he graduated from the ISM University of Management and Economics with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. During his studies, he studied not only in Lithuania, but he also deepened his knowledge in Turkey, France, India and Malta.
After graduating, he started working in the different spheres of culture. Currently, he is the manager of the Jazz Festival „Vilnius Mama Jazz“. He organizes events, hosts a radio show, plays in movies and television shows.

1957: born in Vilnius.
1974: graduated from the Vilnius Salomėja Nėris High School. While studying, he was singing in the boys‘ choir „Ąžuoliukas“, learned to play the piano.
1974: entered the Choir Conducting Specialty at the Lithuanian National Conservatory (now LMTA). He graduated in 1979 with honours. During his studies, he worked at the Vilnius National University Mixed Choir and girls‘ choir „Liepaitės“.
1979: he restored the Lithuanian Television Children Choir. He was the choir leader until 1992.
1992: he initiated the establishment of the full-time aesthetic School of Humanities in Klaipėda (now Vydūnas Gymnasium) to combine the general education with active creative activities and aesthetic education. He is the director, music teacher and choir leader of the gymnasium.
1996: he received a teacher – expert qualification category.
2008: he received the 1st management category.
2008: he defended the doctoral dissertation in social sciences „Moral Culture of Senior Pupils: Character and Upbringing Suggestions“ („Aukštesniųjų klasių mokinių dorovinės kultūros raiškos tendencijos“)
2012: he initiated the establishment, approval and implementation of the pedagogical concept „The Education of students’ humanistic culture through artistic activities“ („Mokinių humanistinės kultūros ugdymas menine veikla“) in the Klaipėda Vydūnas Gymnasium.
He actively performs with the Vydūno Gymnasium Children’s Choir, they have won national and international contests. He is often invited to conduct in the regional and national Song Festivals.

Raimondas Katinas (born 1953 05 02 in Vilnius)
1971: graduated from the M.K. Čiurlionis Art School (now NMKČMM)
1979: graduated from the Lithuanian State Conservatory (now LMTA)
From 1979 to 1983: choirmaster of the State Opera and Ballet Theater (now the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theater)
From 1983 to 1992: conductor of the Lithuanian Radio and Television State Choir
From 1983 to now: lecturer of choir subjects at the National M.K.Čiurlionis Art School
From 1995 to 2005: choir leader of the Women‘s Choir „Eglė“, Men‘s Choir „Vytis“
Since 2000: choir leader of the Vilnius Balys Dvarionas Decennary Music School choir Viva Voce“
2003: assistant of the artistic director, chief conductor of the Lithuanian World Community Song Festival „Karūna Tėvynei“
2005: script author, artistic director, chief conductor of the Lithuanian Pupils‘ Song Festival „Mes – Laisvės Vaikai“
2012: script author, artistic director, chief conductor of the Lithuanian Pupils‘ Song Festival „Mūsų Vardas – Lietuva“
2016: script author, artistic director, chief conductor of the Lithuanian Pupils‘ Song Festival „Tu Mums Viena“
2014 and 2018: conductor of the Lithuanian Song Festivals
International Choir Contests
With Chamber Women’s Choir “Eglė”
1998: Stasys Šimkus contest in Klaipėda. 1st place.
1999: „Hora cantavi“ contest in Poland. 1st place.
1999: Tolosa choir contest in Spain. 3rd place in the women’s group.
With choir “Viva Voce”
2008: “Il Garda in Coro“ contest in Italy. 2nd place and 2 special contest prizes.
2009: Antalya choir contest in Turkey. Grand Prix and 3 special contest prizes.
2011: „Torrevieja habaneras“ contest in Spain. 1st place.
2012: Montreux choir contest in Switzerland. 2nd place, special contest prize.
2015: Kaunas Musica Religiosa contest. Grand Prix and audience sympathy prize.
In 2012, the choir “Viva Voce” received the „Aukso Paukštė“ nomination of the „Star of the International Brilliance“. In the last decade, „Viva Voce“ performed three times in Italy, the US, France, England, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Latvia.
R. Katinas is a jury member of national choirs and choir conductors’ contests, he was a jury member in the international contests of Italy, Turkey, Poland and Latvia.
He has arranged and adapted numerous songs and compositions. He has harmonized folk songs of Lithuania and other nations and composed pieces of his own. For many years now he has been collaborating with the press in paper and online. He has written critical, analytical and other articles on the choral music topics.

Vytautas Miškinis (born 1954 06 05 in Vilnius) is a choir leader, music pedagogue, professor at LMTA, composer, artistic director of the „Ąžuoliukas“ choir, conductor.
Education
From 1971 to 1976: studied at the Lithuanian State Conservatory (now LMTA).
Work experience
From 1971 to 1975: choirmaster of the „Ąžuoliukas“ choir.
From 1975 to 1979: choir conductor of the Kaunas State Choir.
From 1979 to 1985: director of the Vilnius „Ąžuoliukas“ Music School
Since 1979: artistic director of the „Ąžuoliukas“ choir
Since 1985: lecturer at the Lithuanian State Conservatory (now LMTA)
From 1992 to 1996: conductor of the vocal ensemble “Museum Musicum”
Since 2000: leader of the festivals “Lithuanian Boys Against Violence and Drug Addiction”
From 1996 to 2016: president of the Lithuanian Choral Union
Facts
Vytautas Miškinis composes choral music, promotes and develops concert activities with choirs, orchestras, teaches at LMTA. He has composed over 800 pieces. The newest one is the cantata “Taip man tėvynė kalbėjo”, passion according to St. John „Pastoral Mass“. The more important compositions: a musical for children “Pasaka apie švelnukus”, 20 masses for different choirs, cantatas: „Creator alme siderum“ and „Light Mass“. He is an author of more than 60 articles and publications in the Lithuanian and foreign journals on the topics of children’s musical education and many others. He has compiled 11 sheet music sets, which are published in the publishing houses of Germany, France, the US, Italy, Slovenia, Japan, Spain, Latvia, Russia, Switzerland and Austria. His compositions are recorded in CDs, audio cassettes; they have won many awards in the contests in Lithuania, Finland, France, Slovenia, they are performed by the Lithuanian and foreign choirs.
V. Miškinis is a winner of the international contests in Varna (Bulgaria, 1981), Nantes (Grand Prix, France, 1989), Gorizia (Italy, 1991), Marktoberdorf (Germany, 1992), Tampere (Finland, 1992), Mainhausen (Germany, 1993), Tolosa (Spain, 1995), Maribor (Slovenia, 2000), “Cantate Domino” in Kaunas (2016).
With vocal ensemble “Museum Musicum”:
2nd place in Gorizia (Italy, 1991)
1st place and special prize in Tampere (Finland, 1992)
1st and 2nd place in Mainhausen (Germany, 1993)
Grand Prix in Mainhausen (Germany, 2003)
V. Miškinis is the chief conductor of the Lithuanian Song Festival (1980, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2003, 2007), artistic director of the Lithuanian Pupils‘ Song Festival (1993, 1997) and Lithuanian Song Festival (2007, 2009, 2014). He is the chief conductor of the National, Baltic State Rallies and Pupils’ Festivals (1983, 1984, 1986–1988, 1991). He has worked with the choirs from Slovenia, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Russia, Singapore, Philippines, China, Italy, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, South Africa, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and others. He has presented research at different international conferences. He was a member of the jury in the international choir and composer contests in Germany, Latvia, Slovenia, Italy, Spain, France, England, Poland, Estonia, Switzerland, Philippines, Lithuania and others. He is a Choir Olympics Referee: Linz (Austria, 2000), Busan (South Korea, 2002), Bremen (Germany, 2004), Xiamen (China, 2006), Graz (Austria, 2008), Shaoxing (China, 2010), Cincinnati (USA, 2012), Riga (Latvia, 2014), Sochi (Russia, 2016). He has conducted masterclasses in Spain, Slovenia, France, Philippines, Singapore, Kazakhstan, Russia, Latvia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, South Africa, Poland, Austria and others. Some of V. Miškinis compositions are included as mandatory in the programs of different international contests.
Vytautas Miškinis is a member of the Lithuanian Choral Union, Lithuanian Composers’ Union, Lithuanian Musicians’ Union. He was the music consultant of the international choir federation „Europa Cantat“ (from 2000 to 2010), member of the International Choral Music Federation (IFCM) commission for Music for Youth, member of the World Choir Council (since 2000) Since 2002, he has been an honorary member of ACDA (U.S. Association of Choir Directors). V. Miškinis is a member of the Youth Choirs Federation under the European Parliament, the honorary member of the RenWen Philharmonic Choir (Wuhan, China), an honorary member of the JCDA (Japan Choral Association) presidium.
Awards
He received a People’s Artist of Lithuania award in 1986. He received an Officer of the Order of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas knight of the cross award in 2005 and in 2007 he received a Žygimantas Augustas Medal. He was nominated for the “Author of the Year” title for the nomination “Author of most works performed abroad” in LATGA-A awards (2002), for merits to the Lithuanian music in the Radiocentras Awards (2005), for the name of the Lithuanian Enlightener in the election organized by LRT (2006). He was awarded the “Author of the Year” award in 2007. He is the Laureate of the Culture and Art Prize of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania (2010). He was also awarded the Badge of Honor of the Lithuanian Ministry of Culture “Nešk savo šviesą ir tikėk” (“Bring your light and believe”, 2014) and the medal of Lithuanian non-governmental organizations “Už Nuopelnus Vilniui ir Tautai” (“For Merits to Vilnius and the Nation”, 2014).
The choir “Ąžuoliukas” was twice nominated in the “Aukso Paukštė” nominations: once for the “Star of the International Brilliance” award (in 2003) and “The Brightest Star of Lithuania” (in 2005), and the National Value in the “Respublika” elections.
Leisure: Woodworks, fishing, agricultural work.

Regina Maleckaitė (born 1955 05 23, Navikų k., Zarasai District) is the artistic director of the Vilnius Culture Centre LRT children choir and chief conductor, LMTA concertmaster – assistant, the artistic director of the chamber choir „Sodžius“.
From 1963 to 1974: Studied at the M.K.Čiurlionis Art School
From 1974 to 1979: Studied at the Lithuanian National Conservatory (now LMTA)
From 1976 to now: Concertmaster at the Lithuanian National Conservatory (now LMTA)
From 1979 to 1992: Conductor of the LRTV (now LRT) children choir
Since 1992 Artistic Director and Conductor of the Lithuanian National Radio and Television children choir
Since 2009: Artistic Director and Conductor of the Vilnius Culture Centre LRT children choir.
She is the chief conductor of the Lithuanian Song Festivals (1997, 1998, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2014), member of the Lithuanian Song Festival creative committee (2003, 2007, 2009, 2014). Together with the choir „Sodžius“, she participated in every Baltic and Scandinavian Song Festival (Latvia, 1995, Sweden, 1997, Norway, 2000, Lithuania, 2002, Estonia, 2008, Iceland, 2010, Latvia, 2015). She was the chief conductor of the Estonian, Icelandic and Latvian (2015) Song Festivals. She is a member of the Lithuanian Choral Union Presidium, the Genre Council of Choir and Vocal Ensembles.
In 2016, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Merit for Lithuania.

Povilas Gylys (born 1947 02 01 in Vilnius) is a professor and choir conductor.
Education:
From 1964 to 1970: studied at the Lithuanian State Conservatory (now LMTA).
From 1971 to 1973: postgraduate studies at the Leningrad N.Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory (Russia)
From 1977 to 1978: studied at The University of Music and Performing Arts of Vienna (Austria)

Work experience:
From 1965 to 1971: choir conductor and choirmaster of the boys‘ choir „Ąžuoliukas“
From 1970 to 1971: lecturer, choir leader of the J. Tallat-Kelpša higher education music school
From 1973 to 1975: artistic director and conductor of the Men Choir „Varpas“
From 1976 to 1981: artistic director and conductor of Vilnius University Academic Choir
From 1981 to 1988: choir leader and chief conductor of the LRTV National Choir
From 1989 to 1995: choir leader of the Lithuanian Musicians Association Chamber Choir
From 2001 to 2015: artistic director and chief conductor of the Lithuanian State Choir „Vilnius“
From 1973 to 1986: senior lecturer at the Lithuanian State Conservatory (now LMTA)
From 1986 to 1991: associate professor
Since 1991: professor
From 1988 to 2005: artistic director of the choir studio
Since 1991: professor of the LMTA Department of Choir Conducting
From 2000 to 2016: a member of the LMTA Senate
From 1995 to 2005: head of the LMTA Department of Choir Conducting
From 2000 to 2008: guest conductor of the International Choir „EuropaChorAkademie“ (Germany)
From 2005 to 2011: vice-rector for studies at LMTA
Since 2016: artistic director and conductor of the Men Choir „Ąžuolų klubas“

Facts:
He is the chief conductor of the National Song Festivals (1985, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2014), the Baltic students’ song festival „Gaudeamus“ (1978, 1981, 1991,1995, 1999, 2004, 2006, 2011), artistic director and chief conductor of the Lithuanian delegation (1995, 2004, 2006), artistic director and chief conductor of the celebration (1999, 2011). P. Gylys worked with foreign choirs in Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Poland and Germany. He also presented research at the international conferences in Poland, Sweden, Italy, Estonia and Latvia. He is the jury member of international choirs and choir conductors contests in Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Belarus and Lithuania. He edited the books: „XX a. chorai a cappella” („The choirs of the 20th century a cappella“), „Lietuvos chorvedžiai” („Lithuanian Choir Leaders“), V.Jakubėnas „Vai eičiau aš, eičiau”, “Lietuvių choro muzikos antologija“ 2nd and 3rd books (“The Anthology of the Lithuanian Choral Music”). Together with the choirs and orchestras, he prepared and performed more than 80 cantatas, oratorios, operas, he recorded 500 pieces for LRTV foundations, released 18 CDs, performed (1,200 concerts) in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Poland, Germany, Hungary, Czechia, Great Britain, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Greece, Italy, Portugal. P. Gylys prepared 65 choir conductors while working in the LMTA, including E.Šeduikytė, K.Kačinskas, A.Girdzijauskas, A.Vildžiūnas, R.Katinas, E.Ulytė, A.Novikas, I.Olchovik, V.Savickaitė, S.Kriščiūnaitė, E.Bagdonaitė, M.Jauniškis, R.Daugėla, R.Ambrozaitis, D. and G.Pavilionis, S.Žaltauskaitė, V.Mažintaitė, R.Šumila, J.Šakalis, M.Drūlia, L.Balandis and others. He is the consultant of the International Choir Contest “Of orthodox church music” (Poland). He is a member of the Council of the Lithuanian Musicians Union and the Presidium of the Lithuanian Choral Union.
Awards
He is a winner of the Communist Youth Prize for the concert cycle dedicated to the 400th anniversary of Vilnius University (1979), People’s Artist of Lithuania (1984). He is a winner of the International contests of Austria (1992), Poland (2007, 2017), Lithuania (2016) and the II Lithuanian Adult Choir Contest. In 2004, he received the Cross of Officer of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas.

Danguolė Beinarytė was born in 1971.
Education:
From 1978 to 1988: Kaunas J. Naujalis School of Art, violin (teacher I. Klusaitė).
From 1988 to 1990: Kaunas J. Gruodis Conservatory, violin (lecturer K. Domarkienė).
From 1990 to 1996: Lithuanian Music Academy, Kaunas Faculty, choir conducting (assoc. prof. R. Misiukevičius), organ (assoc. prof. M. Čepinskienė)
Work experience:
From 1987 to 1996: Organist of Kaunas Archcathedral Basilica.
From 1994 to 1996: Organist of Kaunas St. Michael the Archangel’s Church.
From 2002 to 2013: Organist of Kaunas Christ‘s Resurrection Church.
From 1991 to 1994: Leader of the vocal ensemble „Ad Libitum“.
From 1994 to 1999: Choir Leader of Vilkaviškis Cultural Centre Č. Sasnauskas choir.
From 1993 to 1994: Choirmaster of Kaunas University of Technology Academic Choir „Jaunystė“.
From autumn 1994 to now: Artistic Director and Conductor of Kaunas University of Technology Academic Choir „Jaunystė“.
From 1996 to now: Teacher-Methodologist at Kaunas A. Kačanauskas Art School
From 1999 to now: Leader of the Pop Groups „Dangiukai“, „Dangi“ at Kaunas A. Kačanauskas Art School Pop Department
Other information:
1994: 1st place in the J. Naujalis Competition for Young Conductors in Vilnius.
Choir conductor of national and Kaunas city Song Festivals.
Conductor at the Baltic students’ song and dance festival „Gaudeamus“.
Member of the Lithuanian and Kaunas City Choral Union.
Since 2014, a member of the Lithuanian Choral Union Presidium.
Since September 2015, the president of the Kaunas City Choral Union.
Organizer and conductor of Students‘ choir festivals.
Organizer of the International Competition of Academic Choirs JUVENTUS (1997, 2013, 2015).
Organizer of the Academic Choir „Jaunystė“ jubilees.
Participant and winner of the television projects „Lietuvos Balsai“ („The voices of Lithuania“), „Chorų karai“ („Choir Wars“), „Chorų Eurovizija“ („Choir Eurovision“).
Participants of the 3rd round of the Lithuanian children and students‘ television contest „Dainų Dainelė“ with „Dangi“ and „Dangiukai“ (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
2013: 1st place in the International Competition of Academic Choirs JUVENTUS with the choir „Jaunystė“.
2013: Grand Prix in the Lithuanian Adult Choir Competition with the choir „Jaunystė“.
2014: winners of the „Aukso Paukštė“ nomination of the „Star of the International Brilliance“ with the choir „Jaunystė“.
2016: 1st place in the International Contest in St. Petersburg with the A. Kačanauskas Art School choirs „Dangi“ and „Dangiukai“. Special prize for the best contest conductor nomination.
2017: Grand Prix in the International Children and Youth Choir Championship with the choir „Jaunystė“.
2017: 2nd place of the Lithuanian Adult Choir Competition 2nd round with the choir „Jaunystė“.

Alfonsas Vildžiūnas was born in 1955. In 1979, he graduated from the Lithuanian Music Academy Choir Conducting Specialty (class of prof. P. Gylys). In 1985 he finished his assistantship – internship at the Gnessin State Musical Pedagogical Institute in Moscow. He had an internship at the Moscow Chamber Choir with the professor V. Minin and at the J.S. Bach Academy in Germany.
From 1979 to 1989, A. Vildžiūnas worked at the Lithuanian Music Academy Klaipėda Faculties Department of Choir Conducting, from 1988 to 1989 he was the dean of the Culture Faculty. From 1989 to 1993 he was the artistic director and chief conductor of the Lithuanian Radio Chamber Choir. Since 1993, A. Vildžiūnas is leading Klaipėda Concert Hall Choir „Aukuras“.
He has performed in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Sweden, Poland, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Spain, the US, Mexico, Israel, Thailand. The choir „Aukuras“ is a winner of fourteen international contests. Since 1997 the conductor is leading the Plungė Chamber Choir.
From 2000 to 2003 he was the director of the Lithuanian National Philharmony Klaipėda Department. In 2002 A. Vildžiūnas was the artistic director of the festival of the Northern and Baltic countries in Klaipėda. In 2003 he was the artistic director of the Lithuanian World Community Song Festival Day of the Song.

She is a choir conductor, the director of the private music school „Ugnelė“, the artistic director of the children choir „Ugnelė“, teacher expert of different choral disciplines at the Vilnius J. Tallat-Kelpša Conservatory. She is the founder and the artistic director of the United children’s choir of Lithuania. V. Skapienė is the artistic director of the Lithuanian Children Choir Festival „Mosaic of Songs“. She is the artistic director of the mixed choir „Sonoros“ and the chief conductor of the Lithuanian Song Festivals.

Rasa Viskantaitė is the artistic director and choir leader of the VGTU choir „Gabija“. She is a chief conductor of the Lithuanian Song Festivals and the organizer of the international choir festival „Žiemos šviesa“ („Winter light“).

She is Director of the Vievis Cultural Center, the choir leader of the chamber choir „Con moto“, the initiator and organizer of the national choir festival and contest „Mūsų dainose“. She manages cultural and artistic education projects „Pasimatuok puantus“, „Paliesk operetę“, „Kviečiu „Operą!“ and others. She is an organizer of the seminars for professional development.

Kastytis Barisas, artistic director and choir conductor of the VDU Education Academy choir „Ave Vita“, professor and associate professor at the Lithuanian Music and Theater Academy Department of Choir Conducting, member of the Lithuanian Choral Union, choir expert and consultant, was born in 1961 in Panevėžys.

Education and Qualifications:
From 1976 to 1980: Panevėžys J. Švedas Pedagogical Music School
From 1980 to 1985: Lithuanian State Conservatory (Now Lithuanian Music and Theater Academy)
From 1993 to 1995: Postgraduate studies at the Lithuanian Music and Theater Academy.
In 2008, he interned at the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno.
In 2019, he ha dan Erasmus+ internship at the Dresden College for Church Music.

From 1983 to 1993 he was the founder and choir leader of the Vilnius Art Academy (VDA, LDA) Chamber Choir.
He is the chief conductor of the Baltic students’ song and dance festival “Gaudeamus” (Latvia: 1991, 2004, 2014; Estija: 1995, 2006, 2018; Lithuania: 1999, 2011), Kaunas Pupils‘ Song Festival (1999, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2016, 2018), West Lithuania Song Festival (2012, 2016, 2017,2018), artistic director and chief conductor of the Water Festival in Zarasai.
Choir „Ave Vita“ has participated in numerous international contests and festivals (Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Italy, the US, Latvia, Poland, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, France, Russia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Hungary, Germany). „Ave Vita“ is the winner of many contests: The Lithuanian Adult Choir Competition (1st place in 2002, 3rd place in 2006), the „Aukso Paukštė“ nomination of the „Star of the International Brilliance“ (2002). A participant of the television projects: „Lietuvos Balsai“ („The voices of Lithuania“, 2009), „Žvaigždžių duetai“ with singer Vaida Genytė („Star Duets“, 2010), „Chorų Eurovizija“ („Choir Eurovision“, 2014). The choir has performed at different television projects with famous opera artists (V. Juozapaitis, J. Leitaitė, V. Vyšniauskas, M. Vitulskis and others), pop singers (E. Kučinskas, E. Sašenko, K. Krysko Skambinė, V. Baumila, B. Petrikytė, O. Vyšniauskas, Č. Gabalis, P. Meškėla, L. Adomaitis, M. Mikutavičius and others).
K. Barisas has recorded two audio cassettes (1996, 2000 in Italy). In 1996, a video and audio cassettes were published at the XXVI International Festival of Sacred Music in Loreto (Italy) which features the choir „Ave Vita“. In 2009, A CD published at the X Choir Festivali n Pueblo (Mexico) in 2009 also features the choir „Ave Vita“. A CD „Ačiū, kad esi“ („Thank you that you are“) was published in 2016. The choir is featured in the CDs „Aukštumos.Žemumos.Lygumos. Saulius Petreikis ir World orchestra“ (2016), ŽALVARINIS (2017). A lot of recordings were done at the LRT, LNK and other TV studios.
The choir has prepared many programs and different pieces. It is worth to mention: B. Chilcott „A little Jazz Mass“ (2015), Ch. Gounod „Messe breve“ Nr. 7 (2015), T.W. Aas cantata „Gloria“ (2015), G. Kuprevičius cantata „Pagonių giesmės“ (2014), M. Natalevičius cantata „Omnia sol temperat“ (2013), D. Pavilionis musical „Jotvingių rauda‘ (2012), K. Jenkins „Requiem“ (2011), V. Augustinas cantata „Absiste vulgus“ (2010), C. Orf „Carmina Burana“(2009), D. Falco „Messa“ (2008), W.A. Mozart „Messe breve D-dur“ (2007), V. Miškinis cantata „Creator alme siderum“ (2006) and many other.
Our project, theatrical presentation of a national costume and concert „Raštų Pynė“ received a lot of interest not only in Lithuania but also in Saint Petersburg (Russia), Mogilev and Minsk (Belarus), Pécs (Hungary) and Achen (Germany).
We performed with different orchestras: Vilnius „Sinfonietta“, Lithuania State Symphony Orchestra, Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra, Vilnius University Chamber Orchestra, Lithuanian Army Wind Orchestra, Šiauliai Chamber Choir, Lithuanian State Wind Orchestra „Trimitas“, Trakai Art School Fanfare „Trakai“, The Vilnius City Municipality St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra, Vilnius Music Amateur Symphony Orchestra and many others.
K. Barisas actively participates in the expert activities: he is the Jury Chairman of the vocal ensemble competition „Šventosios gaida“ (2006, 2008, 2015), the XVIII International Sacred Music Choir Festival in Námestovo (Slovakia, 2007), the IV International Choir Festival and Competition of Sacred Music „Cantate Domino“ (2008), the III National Children and Youth Choir Contest „Mes Lietuvos vaikai“ („We are the children of Lithuania“, 2008, 2011, 2015), the Lithuanian millennial song festival „Amžių Sutartinė“ (2009) selection board committee member, the national soloists and ensemble contest ”Sidabriniai Balsai” (2010), the XVII International Song Contest „Dainuoju Lietuvai“ (2012), The Lithuanian Adult Choir Competition (2013), the boys‘ and junior‘s choir contest (2014), the Lithuanian Song Festival „Čia Mano Namai“ selection board committee member, The Lithuanian Vocal Ensemble Competition „Šilų Aidai“ (2008, 2016), the regional vocal ensembles contest „Kur aukštas klevas“ (2008), the VI vocal music competition „Iš širdies į širdį“ (2011), the vocal music competition „Nemunėlio vingiai“ (2013), the VII vocal music competition in Veiveriai (2013).
He conducts seminars and choral singing masterclasses for choir and vocal ensemble leaders, teachers and participants of the Song Festivals. He conducted repertoire and interpretation courses for the participants of the Baltic students’ song and dance festival “Gaudeamus” in the Universities of Riga, Tallinn and Tartu (2018, 2014, 2011).
K. Barisas is a board member of the amateur choir categorization committee, a member of the LNKC Committee of the Genre Council of Choir and Vocal Ensembles. He was the chairman of the Commission of Experts for Evaluation of Professional Development Projects of Cultural Workers of the Ministry of Culture of Lithuania (2013, 2014).
The professor teaches choir conducting, music scores reading courses, the history of Lithuanian music, educational project management for master students, organ choir studies and he supervises bachelor and master research. In 2013 and 2017, he read lectures at the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University of Kaliningrad (Russia).
K. Barisas participates in national and international conferences. Each year he attends professional development courses and seminars. K. Barisas is an author of a textbook for higher education students „Harmonijos paskaitų konspektai“ („Harmony lecture notes“, 1999), he compiled and released several sets for choirs and ensembles. He also co-authored the monograph „Bendrasis muzikinis ugdymas Lietuvoje: raida ir kryptys (XX – XXI a. pradžia)“ („General musical education in Lithuania: development and directions (the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century)“, 2012). He was awarded the I Degree Medal of the Order of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas (2002), the II degree medal “For Merits to Vilnius and the Nation” (2016), the LEU Medal of Merit (2015), official letters from the Government, the Seimas, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education, the municipality and other institutions.