Aira Birziņa
1968
Choir conductor, educator
Born on 19 June 1968 in Lubāna. She received her initial education at Lubāna Secondary School and Madona Children’s Music School (1975-1983). Continued her studies in the Choir Conducting Department of the Jāzeps Mediņš Rīga Music College (1983-1987).
Studied in the Department of Choir Conducting of the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in the conducting class of Ivars Bērziņš (1992) and then a Master’s degree in music with Imants Kokars (1995). Furthered her education at the ArtEZ Academy of Music in Enschede (1995) and in various master classes in Finland, Great Britain and Japan (2001-2008). Acquired project management skills (University of Latvia certificate) and has studied active methods in adult pedagogy on Nordic People’s Academy courses.
As early as in secondary school, started working as a choirmaster with the Sakta (Brooch) female choir (1986-1987), going on to become the principal conductor of the Ogre mixed choir (1987-1988), Ausma (Dawn) female choir (1988-1997) and the Dobele District teachers’ choir Sidrabe (1993-1997). After graduating, conducted the Ādaži Parish mixed choir Jumis (Deity of the Fields, 1997-2003), founded and continues to direct the Rasa (Dew) female choir of the Ogre Cultural Centre (1997). Since 2000, artistic director and chief conductor of the Dzintars (Amber) female choir and the Rīga Dome Choir School Girls’ Choir. All the choirs directed by Bīriņa have always been among Latvia’s best. They have achieved remarkable success and many victories in important choir competitions and festivals, both in Latvia and abroad.
Has participated in many professional choir projects, vocal-instrumental concerts and recordings in Latvia and abroad as a singer and soloist, sang in the Sacrum professional chamber choir (1990-1992) and the Versija (Version) chamber choir (1996-1997). In parallel, worked as an educator in the Department of Choir Conducting of Jāzeps Mediņš Rīga Music Secondary School (1990-1993) and at the Department of Conducting and Vocal Pedagogy of the Rīga Pedagogical and Education Management Academy (2004-2006).
Since 2006 – an educator at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music. As a lecturer, has led seminars, courses, master classes, and been an expert in numerous juries for Latvian choir, vocal ensemble and junior competitions, as well as for international choir competitions. Has accomplished wide-ranging artistic organisational activity – worked as a choral music specialist (Senior Expert and Music Sector Manager) at the E. Melngailis Folk Art Centre (1996-2003), served as Director at the Rīgas zīle ‘96 (Rīga Titmouse) international youth choir competition, the Rīga ‘97 international choir conducting competition and XXIInd All-Latvian Song Festival concerts (1998). Was the choir coordinator and producer for the Rīga dzied (Rīga Sings) project for Rīga’s 800th anniversary celebrations, and the instigator and artistic director of the Melngailis Music Festival project (1999-2004), the artistic director of the Ogre Music Festival (since 2004), artistic director of the Gribas drusku pablēņoties (Let’s Make Mischief) project (2005-2007) and artistic director of the First Latvian Female choir competition (2006).
“When you climb those few steps, there is no turning back, and from the first movement of your hand and intake of breath, an inexorable process begins, and it is all down to me how it will end. It is important for me then to feel self-reliance, intuition.” (Lūsiņa, Inese. Interview with Aira Birziņa. Powerful Words Reach Heaven). Lmic.lv. 2 July 2013)
A chief conductor at the XXIIIrd-XXVIIth All-Latvian Song Festivals, at the Rīga-800 celebrations; member of the XXIIIrd Song Festival Artistic Council; artistic director of the Celebration of Song concluding concert and Teiksma par Latviju (The Legend of Latvia) concert project, and assistant artistic director of the folk music concert at the XXIVth Song Festival; chief conductor of Saldus District (2003-2007), Ogre District and Rīga city female choirs (since 2003) and of Ogre and Salaspils municipalities (since 2021), initiator and active organiser of several other major choral music festivals and educational events.
In describing the Song Festival, the conductor is convinced: “This is a festival with distinctive feelings, which stimulate patriotism. The greatest celebration of being Latvian and of Latvian culture. It is definitely also a celebration of spirituality.” (Zvejniece, Zane. Conductor Aira Birziņa: This is a Festival of Spirituality. Sievietespasaule.lv, 1 July 2013)
Became an Officer of Latvia’s Order of the Three Stars (2015), received the Latvian Ministry of Culture Prize in folk art (1999).
