Since moving to Montreal, Swiss-native Michael Zaugg has distinguished himself as an innovative and versatile conductor on the Canadian choral scene. Active as Artistic Director, Guest Conductor, pedagogue and clinician, Michael Zaugg brings a wealth of experience and creativity to his work.
His newest undertaking is the founding of the Montreal Choral Institute, an umbrella organization for the advancement of choral education. Michael’s main vision “educating the leaders of tomorrow” will find many outlets in educational activities and performances.
As Artistic Director of the St Lawrence Choir of Montreal as well as Chorus Master of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Michael Zaugg regularly prepares both groups for performances with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Kent Nagano. He leads as well an innovative and well-respected concert series with the St. Lawrence Choir.
With the Cantata Singers of Ottawa, Michael Zaugg has been performing as Artistic Director since 2005. In addition to conducting the choir’s regular concert series, he prepares as well their appearances with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, under conductors such as Franz-Paul Decker, David Lockington, Trevor Pinnock and Helmuth Rilling.
In 2006 Michael Zaugg founded Voces Boreales, a 20-voice group specialized in contemporary a cappella music. The Montreal ensemble has already appeared in the NAC eXpressions Music Series, the Montreal International Bach-Academy and been featured on CBC Radio 2.
Michael also leads La Ceilagh Chamber Singers, a young ensemble with a clear mandate to promoting and fostering Canadian Choral Music.
On the National Choral scene, Michael Zaugg has further worked with the Halifax Camerata, the Vancouver Chamber Choir and musica intima.
Throughout Europe, Michael Zaugg has conducted choirs of international standing, including the Mikaeli Chamber Choir, the Adolf Fredrik’s Girls Choir, and the Vocal Ensemble of the Royal College of Music (all Sweden), as well as Grex Vocalis (Norway) and Ensemble Orlando, (Switzerland). He has worked with the Danish National Youth Choir and the Academic Chamber Choir of Ljubljana (Slovenia) at the Bramstrup Performing Arts Festival in Denmark, and with the International Choir of the Zimriya Festival in Israel. Closer to his home, he was Chorus Master of the Swiss Oratorio Choir Regiochor for five years before moving abroad.
Michael Zaugg was the first Swiss conductor to be accepted to the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, Sweden, in its prestigious post-graduate Diploma for Professional Choir Conducting. Under the tutelage of Professor Anders Eby, he performed a cappella works of the 20th and 21st centuries. Other conducting teachers include Professor Thüring Bräm, and Professor Frieder Bernius.
An accomplished tenor, Michael Zaugg has toured Europe and Asia with professional groups including the Swiss Chamber Choir, the Chamber Choir of Europe, the World Chamber Choir and the Stockholm Chamber Choir. He has contributed his voice to numerous recordings under world-renowned conductors such as Robert Sund (S), Frieder Bernius (D), Tonu Kaljuste (EST) and Simon Rattle (GB).
A passionate pedagogue, Michael Zaugg is strongly committed to his work not only with choirs but also with other conductors. He teaches privately and has given numerous Master classes on conducting and rehearsal technique. Michael’s students, coming from diverse choral backgrounds, appreciate a hands-on approach when working with his ensembles.
