Chor Levántate was founded in 1984 and named after the song "Levántate" (Stand up) by the Chilean composer Victor Jara to symbolize the intention of the choir’s founders to promote human rights and peace in the world through its choral music. From modest beginnings the choir has developed into a full-fledged concert choir with up to 60 singers. For some projects the choir has been reinforced by other Ulm choirs to reach up to 100-120 singers. Amongst recent major performances with professional musicians and solo singers were Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, Mikis Theodorakis' Canto General, Bach's Magnificat, The Armed Man and Requiem by Karl Jenkins an well as Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Concert tours were undertaken in recent years to Japan, Chile and Portugal/Spain. For more details please visit www.chor-levantate.de

Thierry Epiney, aged 28, graduated from the Music universities of Geneva and Zurich. Following his second master, he specialized in the composition of music for movies, theater and advertising. Appreciating eclecticism, his musical palette ranges from orchestral to electronic music. However, his specialty remains hybrid music. To date, he has composed for more than forty different occasions. Thierry conducts several choirs, including a children's and a youth choir since nine years. He has been at the head of Echo des Follatères since four years. He has also regularly been commissioned to prepare choirs for important events.

Una Murphy has more than 35 years' experience as a choral conductor. As a founder member, she took on the role of Music Director in 1980 and has been a driving force in developing the choir ever since. Under her direction Setanta has performed many of the classical choral works with all of the major orchestras and conductors in Ireland. Una introduced Karl Jenkins to local audiences with 'The Armed Man'. A recent highlight was a much acclaimed performance of 'The Peacemakers' in May 2013, making Setanta the first community choir in Ireland to do so.

Stephen studied music at Colchester Institute of Higher Education. He was organ scholar at St Mary-le- Tower, Ipswich and was taught the organ by Harrison 'Fred' Oxley at St Edmundsbury Cathedral. In 1979 following postgraduate studies in early music and organ building and design at Dartington College of Arts, he became Assistant Director of music at Great Grimsby Parish Church. He then went to Liverpool University to train as a teacher, continuing his organ studies with Noel Rawsthorne. He sang as an alto lay-clerk in the Metropolitan Cathedral Choir and bass in the University Chamber Choir. In 1985 he became Organist and Choirmaster at Rainhill Parish Church and directed the Ralton Orpheus Choir in major choral works. In 1989 he moved toWhitby and became Organist at St Hilda's Church, Westcliff and Head of Music at Caedmon School. He also became Musical Director of The Dalesmen Singers, the Tuesday Singers and St Hilda's Festival Chorus and Orchestra and has toured with them at home and abroad. Stephen has directed many major works with the St Hilda's Festival Chorus, including St Matthew Passion, Judas Maccabeus, Christmas Oratorio, Elijah & Creation. In 2006 he completed an MA in Music and Liturgy at Leeds University.

Eduard Krotman is a graduate of the St. Petersburg Choir School. He graduated from the St. Petersburg Conservatory in 1992 as a choral conductor and in 2012 obtained the qualification of symphony orchestra conductor. Eduard Krotman was awarded a diploma and a special prize at the International Choral Competition in Tallinn in 1991. He has worked as Principal Chorus Master at the St. Petersburg Conservatory Opera House and as Principal Conductor of the Smolny Cathedral Chamber Choir. Eduard Krotman has conducted the St. Petersburg State University Students' Choir for 20 years.

Suzanne Cain holds both Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Music Education from Mississippi State University and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She has completed International study in Italy, as well as continued graduate studies in music at University of Southern Mississippi. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, and has taught High School Concert Choir, Mens Choir, Womens Choir, Show Choir and Middle School Choir for many years. She regularly travels with her students to New York and Europe, and has had groups to perform in Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, as well as Washington DC. Under the leadership of Mrs. Cain, the Newton County High School Choirs have consistently received superior ratings at both District and State Choral Assessments, and this is their third appearance in New York. Suzanne is also Director of the Meridian Mississippi Symphony Chorus, a community chorus that performs with the Meridian Symphony. While Suzanne enjoys being on stage, singing in weddings, directing choirs and encouraging students, her favorite activities include being wife to Jim and mom to JD and Dylan.

The Newton County High School Choir has been in existence for over twenty years, and has only had two directors. Gloria Harms initiated the program with a handful of students, teaching 7th -12th grade choirs. Suzanne Cain was hired during the last two years of Mrs. Harms career, and the two directors enjoyed the collaboration. Under the direction of Suzanne Cain for the last ten years, the program has continued to grow, and now has separate Middle School and High School Choir programs. Emily Massey supports the High School program as Middle School Director, where her students are given a strong foundation, preparing them for High School Choir. The Newton County High School Choirs regularly earn Superior ratings at both District and State Choral Assessments. This is their third New York Performance under Dr. James Meaders.

Maria Liu is a third year Accounting and Finance student at the University of Exeter. She is a singer and pianist and has taken up the violin and the cello at the age of 19. Inspired by her former choir conductor, she has taken a great interest in conducting and music education which are potentially the focus of her future career. She is currently President of the University of Exeter Choral Society and plays the violin in the University Symphony Orchestra. Maria hopes very much to study music after she graduates and work as a professional musician in the future.