Prof. Johan Rooze

Netherlands

Johan Rooze studied Classic Piano and Choral and Orchestral Conducting at the Utrecht Conservatory in the Netherlands. After his graduation, he went to the U.S. to study with Phil Mattson, Michelle Weir and others to specialize in Jazz Piano, Jazz Singing and Jazz Arranging. He was founder and 23 years Musical Director of the Utrecht University Vocal Group “Dekoor” with whom he won many prices, e.g. The Netherlands Choir Festival, The International Vocal Group Festival and the “Idols for choir” TV show, “Korenslag” 2007 in the Netherlands, winning a record contract with Universal Music. He was also Musical Director of the Utrecht Student Symphonic Choir and Orchestra. With the two student choirs he made concert-tours all over the world. He founded the “Dudok-Ensemble”, an outstanding Project Chamber Choir, conducted the monthly Bach Cantatas in Utrecht and was guest conductor of the National Radio Choir. He was professor for Vocal Jazz, Choral Conducting and Arranging at the Conservatory of Rotterdam and the Conservatory of Alkmaar in the Netherlands. He was member of the Board of Musical Advisors for the KCZB (Dutch Royal Christian Music Association) and Artistic Director for the IKF (International Choir Festival, Netherlands 2005). In 2008 he moved to Daegu, South Korea and teaches Choral Music and Jazz Piano at the Yeongnam University. He is founder and Musical Director of the Daegu Jazz Singers. In 2010 he was asked by the city of Daegu to lead the professional Daegu Students Choir. He also is a frequent guest conductor with other choirs. Besides his choral work he is very active as a Jazz Piano player and Teacher. He works as Artistic Director for the International Choral Organization “Interkultur” and is a frequently asked as adjudicator, speaker and workshop-leader internationally.