Ženský komorný spevácky zbor Úsmev

Slovakia

The female chamber choir Usmev was formed in 2016 from former members of the children’s and girls’ choir Usmev in Prievidza. The choir meets regularly for rehearsals and performs in Slovakia and various European countries, including the Czech Republic, Netherlands, Italy, and Greece. Notable achievements include winning the gold prize and the title of absolute winner at the Slovak national choir competition ‘Viva il canto’ in 2017, 2019, and 2021, as well as receiving gold diplomas in the Equal Voices Choirs and Folk Songs categories at the Rimini International Choir Competition in 2019. Additionally, Usmev earned first prize in the Female Choirs category at the International Choir Festival ‘Music & Sea’ 2024 in Paralia, Greece. The choir's repertoire encompasses sacred and secular music from Baroque to contemporary pieces, with a special emphasis on choral arrangements of traditional folk songs. Usmev consists of 23 active members, including conductors Anezka Balušinská and Daniela Januchová.