Prof. Janis Ozols

Latvia

Janis Ozols (1980) is one of the well-recognized and promising conductors in Latvia, Artistic Director of the “International Baltic Sea Choir Competition”, and is also known as one of the former vocal group “Cosmos” singers. Janis obtained musical education in Emils Darzins Music School and Riga Cathedral Choir School’s class of choir conducting. He acquired a Bachelor’s degree in Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music in the class of choir conducting with the professor Sigvards Klava and a Master’s degree in choir conducting was supported by professor Janis Zirnis. During 2013 and 2014 Janis Ozols studied symphony orchestra conducting in Royal College of Music, Stockholm. While being the baritone singer of the vocal a cappella group “Cosmos”, Janis has worked along with world known musicians. This includes master classes and concerts with Bobby McFerrin, “The Real Group”, “Take 6”, “The Manhattan Transfer”, “The Hilliard Ensemble”, “The New York Voices” and the Icelandic music icon Björk. “Cosmos” were the winners of contest “New Wave” in 2004. They have attained several prestige prizes and awards through different contests and events including the Great Latvian Music Award in 2009. He has reached notable achievements and won many prizes in Latvia and abroad with mixed choirs “Maska” and “PaSaulei”. Janis has also proven his talent by taking the honourable 3rd place in the International Conductor Contest of Jazeps Vitols in 2009 as well as by attaining many “Best Conductor” prizes at international choir competitions. Currently Janis takes active role in the field of academic music in Latvia, being the conductor and artistic director of several choirs and organizing the “International Baltic Sea Choir Competition”, being jury member of international choir and singer contests, as well as being head conductor of Riga and Jurmala region choirs of the XXV Latvian Song festival which will take place in 2018. He also plays important role in non-academic field of music - he was the chairman of the Latvian jury at the International Eurovision Song contest 2017. Janis does not stop at the achieved and constantly keeps developing himself. His musical view and interpretation often differs from the usual. Being open to creative innovations and musical experiments is what highlights him among other conductors and helps in fulfilling his own ideas which are highly appreciated both by music professionals and lovers.