John Lidfors distinguishes himself as a conductor of uncommon versatility across the orchestral and vocal spectrum whose presence both in the US as well as in Europe is rapidly increasing. A prize winner in the Arthur Nikisch International Conducting Competition, finalist of the CSO Sir Georg Solti International Conducting Competition and winner of the 2021 German Choral Conductor's Prize, he has debuted at the Berlin Philharmonie and the Vienna Musikverein concert halls.
John Lidfors is particularly passionate about performing choral-orchestral masterpieces such as Haydn’s Creation, Händel’s Messiah, and Mozart’s Requiem. As a fellow of the Conducting Forum of the German Music Council he has worked with the RIAS Chamber Choir, MDR Leipzig Radio Choir, WDR Radio Choir Cologne and the Gaechinger Cantorey of the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart. Additionally, he has performed with the Berlin Radio Choir, ChorWerk Ruhr, the Philharmonic Choir of Berlin and the Oregon Bach Festival Chorus.
In his concert activities with symphony orchestras John Lidfors has performed with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Symphony, the Bochumer Symphoniker, the Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt, the Magdeburgische Philharmonie, the Brandenburger Symphoniker and the Orchestra of the State Operetta Dresden. Before his appointment to the Bochumer Symphoniker as Assistant Conductor and Director of the Bochum Philharmonic Choir from 2017 to 2019 he founded the Orchester Ventuno in the Nuremberg music scene, winning awards for his contributions to the arts.
John Lidfors studied conducting at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and at the Berlin University of the Arts. He further refined his artistry at conducting academies of Aspen and Gstaad as well as at the Riccardo Muti Italian Opera Academy.
John Lidfors is particularly passionate about performing choral-orchestral masterpieces such as Haydn’s Creation, Händel’s Messiah, and Mozart’s Requiem. As a fellow of the Conducting Forum of the German Music Council he has worked with the RIAS Chamber Choir, MDR Leipzig Radio Choir, WDR Radio Choir Cologne and the Gaechinger Cantorey of the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart. Additionally, he has performed with the Berlin Radio Choir, ChorWerk Ruhr, the Philharmonic Choir of Berlin and the Oregon Bach Festival Chorus.
In his concert activities with symphony orchestras John Lidfors has performed with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Symphony, the Bochumer Symphoniker, the Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt, the Magdeburgische Philharmonie, the Brandenburger Symphoniker and the Orchestra of the State Operetta Dresden. Before his appointment to the Bochumer Symphoniker as Assistant Conductor and Director of the Bochum Philharmonic Choir from 2017 to 2019 he founded the Orchester Ventuno in the Nuremberg music scene, winning awards for his contributions to the arts.
John Lidfors studied conducting at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and at the Berlin University of the Arts. He further refined his artistry at conducting academies of Aspen and Gstaad as well as at the Riccardo Muti Italian Opera Academy.
Jeremy Edelstein has served in a variety of roles with many organizations, most recently as director of music & worship arts at First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield in the suburbs of Chicago, and as founder of the Twinbird Project. He has worked in various capacities for many organizations: production assistant with Grammy-winning choir The Crossing, interim music director at Parkesburg Baptist Church, and music/executive director of his college a cappella group, The Statesmen. Jeremy completed his master's in choral conducting as a Thomas Kasdorf Choral Scholar at Northwestern's Bienen School of Music. There, he served as graduate conductor of Northwestern Camerata, chorus master for Northwestern Opera Theatre, and graduate assistant conductor of University Singers. He graduated with honors from Penn State University with degrees in music education and English literature. Alongside his passion for all kinds of music, he enjoys poetry, fresh air, and a good cup of coffee.
Dr. Matt Caine is Director of Traditional Music at St. John's United Methodist Church, Aiken, SC, where he oversees a robust music program and conducts multiple choirs, instrumental ensembles, and a professional chamber orchestra. His 2023-2024 season includes conducting Copland’s monumental Appalachian Spring, Rutter’s joyous Magnificat, and Sir Karl Jenkins’ powerful and seldom performed Stabat Mater, among others. Previous noteworthy appointments include Chorusmaster of the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra, where Matt regularly conducted both the chorus and orchestra in concert, Music Director of the Columbia Choral Society, and Assistant Conductor of The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay (160 voice symphonic chorus for The Florida Orchestra). In addition to being an active conductor of orchestras and church, community, professional, and symphonic choruses, Matt has served as Interim Director of Choral Activities for St. Petersburg College and Allen University. Both a Fulbright Scholar and a Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellow in Bulgarian Language of the US Department of Education, Matt's published research in Bulgarian music is frequently cited by scholars in both Bulgaria and the United States. Matt has given presentations at two ACDA National Conferences as well as several regional and state conferences. Off the podium, Matt can most often be found hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains with his two sons.