Kęstutis Jakeliūnas

Kęstutis Jakeliūnas (b. 1981 05 19, Šiauliai) Artistic Director and Conductor of the Kaunas Mixed Choir "Kamertonas", Founder and Artistic Director of the Kaunas Vocal Ensemble "Acusto", member of the Lithuanian Musicians Union, the Lithuanian Choir Union, the Council of the Lithuanian Choir Union, and the Kaunas Chapter of the Lithuanian Choir Union. Holder of the Art Creator status since 2007.

Studied at the Klaipeda Eduardas Balsys Gymnasium of Arts, and the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater (LMTA) majoring in choral conducting (class of Prof. A. Petrauskas). Obtained master's degree and a conductor's qualification at the LMTA Kaunas faculty (class of Prof. Petras Bingelis) in 2006. In 2010, completed LMTA’s music pedagogy program in special professional studies in music.

Chief conductor of Kaunas Song Festival since 2006, and the chief conductor of the Lithuanian Song Festival since 2014. Was a chief conductor of the 2018 Lithuanian centenary song festival „Vardan tos..." („In The Name Of...") and a member of the creative group for the vocal ensembles' concert „Dėl žalio ąžuolyno“ ("Because of the Green Oak Woods”).

Gained invaluable experience by attending master conducting classes with the world's most famous conductors, such as John August Pamintuan, Bo Holten, Bob Chilcott, Werner Pfaff, Joshard Daus, Georg Grün, Erik Westberg, Tommyanto Kandisaputra. Lead the "Current Affairs of Lithuanian Amateur Choirs" seminar for Lithuanian choirmasters in 2019.

Since 2003, while leading the Kaunas mixed choir "Kamertonas”, collectively won many honorable awards in Lithuanian and foreign competitions - festivals, including the International Sacred Music Festival "Cantate Domino" (2018, 1st place in multiple categories, audience sympathy prize and Grand Prix; 2004, silver diploma); festival - competition "A voyage of songs" (2007, silver diploma); sacred music competition "Silver Bells 2013" (1st place in the category and 3rd place in the Grand Prix round); Slavic sacred music competition "Hajnówka 2014" (2nd place); "8th World Choir Games 2014" (gold medal); Pau Casals choir competition (2015, two 1st places and a 2nd place in different categories); "Festa Choralis Bratislava" competition (1st place); Malta International Choir Competition (2017, 1st place in multiple categories and the Grand Prix of the festival); International Stasys Šimkus Choir Competition (2007/2011/2016, 3rd place; 2018, 1st place, a special prize for the best performed compulsory piece, and the Grand Prix. In 2008, The Choir was awarded the "Golden Bird" in the "Star of International Shine" nomination by the Lithuanian Folk Culture Center.

In 2010, founded the Kaunas vocal ensemble "Acusto", whose activities are also marked by numerous achievements and awards. “Acusto” was awarded the "Golden Bird Prize" in the nomination of "Best Vocal Ensemble" by the Lithuanian National Cultural Center (2010). Won the Grand Prix at the 18th International Sacred Music Festival-Competition “Cantate Domino” (2010). Won 1st place in the category of vocal ensembles at the choir competition "Silver Bells" (2011). Won three 1st places in multiple categories and the prize of audience sympathy at the International Choral Music Festival-Competition "The Singing World" (2017). Won 2nd place in the professional category at the International Slavic Sacred Music Competition "Hajnówka" (2017). The ensemble’s singers improved their skills in self-organized interpretation courses led by prominent Lithuanian and foreign conductors: Gintautas Venislovas, Vaclovas Augustinas, Vytautas Miškinis, Laurynas Vakaris Lopas, Artūras Novikas, Māris Sirmais (Latvia), Hirvo Surva (Estonia), Ko Matsushita (Japan).

Both, the choir and the ensemble, continue to organize concert programs with the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra, Vytautas Magnus University Chamber Orchestra, Klaipėda Chamber Orchestra, Kaunas String Quartet, "Modus" Chamber Orchestra, and Kaunas Piano Trio.

From 2011 to 2023, worked as a conductor of the Kaunas State Choir and conducted at the following events: international music festivals "Prague Spring" (Czech Republic, 2016) and "Probaltica" (Poland, 2017); the concert dedicated to the centenary of Lithuania „Taip niekas tavęs nemilės“ (“No one will love you like this") (2018); concerts dedicated to the anniversaries of comp. Julius Juzeliūnas (2016), Kristijonas Donelaitis „Taip, Donelaiti“ ("Yes, Donelaiti!", 2014) in Lithuania. Prepared the following works with the Kaunas State Choir: Arvo Pärt's "Te Deum'', Krzysztof Penderecki’s "Requiem", Michael Tippett’s oratorio "A Child of Our Time".

In 2014, Kęstutis Jakeliunas was awarded bronze and silver-plated medals by the mayor of the city of Kaunas, Jonas Vileišis, for promoting the city of Kaunas.