New conductor for LYC Girls’ Choir
London Youth Choirs are delighted to announce the appointment of Mariana Rosas as LYC Girls’ Choir conductor.
More than 30 applications for the post were received. LYC Artistic Director Rachel Staunton said:
“It is a cliché to say ‘it was such a strong field and it was very close’ but we found this to be absolutely the case. There are so many good people out there and we are truly grateful to everyone who applied.”
“Mariana is passionate about singing for young people, a very enthusiastic and energetic personality, and a very musical conductor and teacher. I am thrilled to welcome her to the LYC team!”
Mariana Rosas said:
“I am thrilled to join the LYC family, an organisation I admire for the chances it gives to young people coming from all across London to engage in high-quality music-making. I am looking forward to working with the Girls´ Choir. It is a privilege to be able to lead such a talented and passionate group.”
Mariana will conduct her first Girls Choir rehearsal online on Monday 22nd February.
Welcome to the LYC family, Mariana!
Q&A with MAriana
LYC: What is your earliest musical memory?
Mariana: My mother took me to the Opera House in Buenos Aires to see Hansel and Gretel when I was seven. I remember seeing the children’s chorus on the stage and immediately telling my mother “I want to be there!”. Soon after that, I started attending the conservatoire and joined the local theatre group and children’s choir. I never stopped making music ever since.
Who have been the big inspirations in your musical journey?
I always admired my ensemble teachers and conductors. As much as I loved singing, it was the role of the conductor that always caught my attention. I was lucky to have lots of great teachers. Among them, Graciela Tanzi, the conductor of the first choir I ever joined, and Saul Zaks, one of my first teachers, really inspired me to become a conductor.
When did you make the choice to conduct?
I started conducting the choir in my high school when I was 17, encouraged by our music teacher Stefano Sacher, and realised that conducting involved everything I liked: singing, teaching, organising activities and concerts, acting (!), and especially, making music with others.
What is the most memorable thing that happened to you in your career so far?
I don´t think I can choose a single memorable thing as there have been so many. I think the best so far has definitely been the places I have visited and the people I have met through choirs (my husband included!). Also, my parents met in a choir, so I guess choirs were meant to be an important part of my life right from the beginning.
Is there any particular melody or song which always comes into your head?
Literally, everything I rehearse gets stuck in my head for days, until I change it for something else that I am rehearsing. Everyone around me ends up learning the songs as well.
What would you say to someone who says “I can’t sing”?
I would tell them “everyone can sing!”, if you like it, just do it, and no matter what your level is, you will definitely get better at it, especially if you join a choir 🙂
