Judges revealed
The team behind AAVF are not the only ones working hard these days. Since the finalists in the AAVF competition have been picked, all 6 choirs and 6 vocal groups have dedicated their time to create a show that can impress the international committee of judges. The judges will pick a group in each category that is going home with a grand money prize and the recognition that goes with being a winner of the AAVF competition… as well as the opportunity to perform in front of the whole festival on the big stage on Saturday and Sunday night!
You have known the groups for quite a while, but who exactly are the judges? Well, we are finally ready to reveal them to you:
Head Judge
Jonathan Minkoff is the Founder and Executive Producer for the Public Charity, SingStrong, and its International A Cappella Festivals in New York, Washington, DC and Chicago, IL. He performs worldwide and on TV with the award-winning a cappella quartet, Blue Jupiter. Minkoff was a three-term CASA President and winner of the Chicago Harmony Sweepstakes.
Vocal group category
Morten Kjær is a singer, songwriter, producer, and music educator. He has taught singers and choir leaders around the world for 15 years – often collaborating with Malene Rigtrup in their project ‘Ørehænger’.
Lukas Teske is a professional jazz and pop singer and teacher. He is a member of the popular german vocal group MAYBEBOP and the phenomenal beatboxing and pop-duo Hartmuth und die Hitmaschine.
Choir category
Malene Rigtrup teaches choir-conducting and vocal arranging at The Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus and is one of the main teachers of RAMA Vocal Center in Aalborg. Malene has done vocal arrangements and workshops for several choirs and vocal groups all over Europe.
Lauren Kinhan has been a member of the internationally renowned vocal group New York Voices since 1992. She is a singer and composer who has co-founded the groups “Moss” and “JaLaLa” and worked with artists such as Nancy Wilson and Bobby McFerrin.
Vocal group and choir category
Tobias Hug has been singing and travelling with music for more than 20 years. He coaches and teaches worldwide, is currently performing in The Beatbox Collective and has collaborated with well-known artists such as Bobby McFerrin and the Swingle Singers.