Youth Choir “BALSIS”
Artistic Director and Chief Conductor: Ints Teterovskis
Conductor: Dafne Jonāne
Vocal Coach: Nauris Indzeris
Youth Choir “BALSIS”, based at the Riga Culture and Folk Arts Centre Mazā Ģilde, is one of Latvia’s leading choirs. Founded in 1987, the choir has been shaped by conductors Kaspars Putniņš, Māris Kupčs, Armands Zavadskis, Agita Ikauniece, Valdis Tomsons, and Laura Leontjeva. Today, it is led by Ints Teterovskis, whose artistic vision and energy continue to define the choir’s identity.
BALSIS has performed extensively in Latvia’s leading concert halls, churches, and major cultural events, as well as internationally, with concerts ranging from Norway to Spain, Russia to the United States and Canada, and a tour of Australia in 2006. The choir has won numerous prizes at prestigious international competitions in Switzerland, Spain, Norway, Estonia, Austria, Italy, and Latvia, and is a multiple-time laureate of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival Choir Competition. It has also received awards from the Ministry of Culture of Latvia and other cultural institutions.
The choir’s repertoire spans more than five centuries of music—from Renaissance masterpieces to contemporary choral works, from intimate a cappella pieces to large-scale compositions with symphony orchestra. Each season, BALSIS prepares between six and eight new concert programmes, featuring works by both Latvian and international composers. The choir performs approximately 70 concerts every year, proudly promoting Latvia’s rich choral heritage and the traditions of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival both at home and abroad.
Although still a relatively young ensemble, BALSIS has released an impressive 18 CDs. Its album red/SARKANS was nominated for the 2011 Latvian Music Recording Awards in the category of Best Classical Music Album. The Christmas album Ziemassvētki sabraukuši, recorded in collaboration with the New York Latvian Choir and the New Riga Chamber Orchestra, was recognised by Rolling Stone as one of the 25 greatest Christmas albums of all time. The album Missa a cappella 1 received a nomination for the 2012 Latvian Music Recording Awards in the category of Best Choir and Vocal Ensemble Album, while the DVD of the choir’s 25th Anniversary Concert was nominated for Best Concert Video.
Alongside its artistic achievements, BALSIS is actively involved in charitable and community initiatives, organising fundraising campaigns, supporting social causes, and contributing to the preservation of the historic Gulbene Narrow-Gauge Railway. Constant artistic growth, musical excellence, and a spirit of innovation continue to define the choir’s identity.