Founded in 2005, the Discovery School Choir belongs to a non-profit educational association in Honduras, Central America. The Choir has participated in several Honduran choir festivals and received numerous awards. In 2010, it recorded a CD honoring Honduran cultural and traditional music. In 2012, it was rated Bronze at "The Golden Gate International Choral Festival" in San Francisco, California. In 2014, the Discovery School Choir became the first choir of its category in Honduras, to participate in a concert at the prestigious Carnegie Hall, under the baton of Dr. Cristian Grases and organized by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY).

is a music teacher graduated from the Honduran National School of Music, with 30 years of experience in the music field. Master in Educational Management and English Teacher, has performed with important choral institutions in her country, including the National School of Music Choir, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras Choir, and most recently, the Honduran Symphonic Choir. She has served extensively as a Choir Director in several educational institutions in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital city. Currently, she is the Director of the Discovery School Choir and Vice President of the Asociación Coral Sinfónica de Honduras (ACOSIH). Furthermore, she is a published author, with two poetry collections to her credit, and an active board member of the National Association of Honduran Writers (ANDEH).

The Children’s and Youth Symphony Choirs of El Sistema Texas provide a comprehensive choral training pathway designed to foster both musical excellence and personal growth. The Children’s Symphony Choir serves students ages 8 to 13, integrating them into a high-performance ensemble that develops healthy vocal technique while promoting discipline, responsibility, teamwork, goal-oriented motivation, and self-esteem. The Youth Symphony Choir, for ages 14 to 20, focuses on advanced musical development, vocational orientation, and job readiness, channeling young musicians’ talents through rigorous choral training while emphasizing leadership, ethical values, and a strong sense of social and artistic commitment.

Soprano from Caracas, Venezuela, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music with a specialization in Bel Canto from UNEARTE and began her musical training in Venezuela’s renowned “El Sistema.” She was a member and soloist of the Schola Cantorum of Venezuela, performing throughout Latin America and the United States, including Carnegie Hall. Her repertoire includes works by Fauré, Mozart, and Handel. Based in Houston, she is the Founder and Choir Program Director of El Sistema Texas, and maintains an active career as a soloist, choir conductor, and voice teacher, committed to artistic excellence and community-centered music education.

Founded in 2011, the Westport Children’s Choir provides local children with opportunities to develop the musical skills and teamwork essential for singing in harmony, while exploring the rich diversity of world cultures and values through music. The choir is a secular, non-profit organisation dedicated to musical excellence, cultural understanding, and community spirit. Since its founding, the choir has performed at numerous choral festivals across Europe. In 2018, the choir was honoured to present the world premiere of the Children’s Choral Suite La Cigarra y la Hormiga by Cristian Grases at Carnegie Hall, New York, and has since been invited to return to perform again under his direction.

Eriko comes from Okinawa, Japan, where music has a long-standing and rich tradition. She studied singing and music education at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa and pursued further studies in acting, singing, and dance at the Theatre Shiki Acting Institute in Tokyo. She has also been privileged to study traditional Ryukyuan (Okinawan) dance under Japanese National Treasure Fusako Shida. After moving to Ireland, she founded the Westport Children’s Choir in 2011. She studied choral conducting under Hungarian conductors Gabriella Thész and Zoltán Pad. She is currently working on her Voice Soundscape project after receiving a bursary from the Irish Arts Council.

The Hong Kong International School Festival Choir unites exceptional singers from HKIS’s Middle and High School choirs, part of a thriving 300-member program. The ensemble has performed at world-class venues including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House. Last season, the choir gave a captivating performance at the Hong Kong Inter-School Choral Festival Charity Gala, continuing its tradition of artistry and collaboration. HKIS choirs have also appeared at AMIS Honor Choir and APAC festivals across Asia and Europe. The Festival Choir is honored to return to Carnegie Hall following previous appearances in 2019 and 2022.

Laura Izaguirre de Pihowich (b. Caracas, Venezuela) is the Middle School Choir Director at Hong Kong International School. She has directed church, community, and school choirs and organized festivals across three continents, serving as guest conductor in Shenzhen, Caracas, and São Paulo. Her ensembles earned honors such as the Gold Award and Spirit of New York Award and were invited to perform with Distinguished Concerts International New York in 2019, 2022, and again in 2025, as well as the HKIF 2025 Charity Gala at Hong Kong City Hall. Founder of Fundación Música Viva, Laura fosters cross-cultural connections through music education. She holds degrees from McGill University and Westminster Choir College.

The Youth Choir of Central Oregon (YCCO) has served the community for 36 years, guiding thousands of young people to the joy of singing together. Serving singers in first through twelfth grades, we provide the highest quality choral experience in an uplifting environment. We strive to connect “Heart to Voice,” through a comprehensive program of musicianship and vocal development. Throughout its history, the YCCO Premiere choir has toured to unforgettable destinations throughout Europe, Asia, and is honored to return to Carnegie Hall under the direction of Dr. Grases this year.

Inspired by the power of singing to unite communities and build confidence in young people, Megan Lapp has taught kindergarten through collegiate levels in Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. She completed Bachelor degrees in Music and Education at the University of Victoria, and a Master of Music degree (Choral Conducting) at the University of Washington. She has performed widely as a soprano soloist specializing in Early Music and in professional choirs. In addition to her work with the Youth Choir of Central Oregon, Mrs. Lapp teaches middle school choir at Trinity Lutheran School and maintains a private voice and piano studio. She is continually impressed by the YCCO singers in their capacity and drive for musical excellence.