Merel Martens is a fulltime choir conductor and arranger. She is part of our ‘standard’ team of masters since the VPJD 2018.

Merel followed the Bachelor program “Music Education” at the Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam. Because Merel is never finished learning, she went on to study the Bachelor program “Choral Direction Light Music” with conductor Tijs Krammer. 

Two years later Merel continues to follow her ambition and she got an inspiring start to the Master program of Rhythmic Choir Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in Denmark, studying with Jim Daus Hjernøe and Jesper Holm.
Merel is also very much inspired by mentors and friends like  Peder Karlsson (ex-Real Group, with whom she started the Dutch Organic Choir) of Sweden and Roger Treece (composer Vocabularies by Bobby McFerrin) of the United States.

From november 2015, Merel is teacher and coördinator for the the education possibilities featured at the conservatories of Rotterdam and Tilburg, presenting ‘Vocal Leadership’, based on ‘the Intelligent Choir’ method. Merel can often be found at (inter)national festivals spreading the word about this method and presenting her vision when it comes to choir leading.

Education

• Bachelor in Music Education 2009
• Bachelor in Choral Direction Pop & Jazz 2011
• Master in Vocal Leadership 2015

She has started, coached and conducted many prize winning vocal groups, among which are

• Dutch Organic Choir
• Pitch Control – Aarhus Vocal Festival (AAVF) (Denmark) choir competition winners 2015
• VOÏSZ – BALK Top Festival (Dutch pop and jazz choral championships) winners 2015
• MAZE – BALK Top Festival winners 2017 / Aca Idols New York winners 2018 / Choir of the year 2018 

Educational positions and activities

• Head of studies Vocal Leadership, Codarts conservatory since 2015 
• Conductor of the year 2018 (national competition)
• Concerts, workshops, coaching & training internationally on a regular basis 
• During Covid-19 pandemic, she developed diverse online programs and educational projects
• Member of The Real Group Academy

You can find out more about Merel at www.merelmartens.eu

See also
MAZE
Dutch Organic Choir