Jevgeņijs Ustinskovs
1970
Conductor, composer, educator
Born on 4 June 1970 in Daugavpils. Attended Daugavpils Secondary School No 13, then the Daugavpils Music secondary school (1989).
Graduated from the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music where he gained a bachelor’s degree (1993) and a master’s degree in music pedagogy (1995). Commenced doctoral studies at the University of Latvia (1997-2000) and continued them at Daugavpils University (2009-2012). In parallel with his studies, was an assistant professor at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (1994-1995) and was a music teacher at Rīga’s Russian High School (1993-1995).
Subsequently, his work has been associated with Daugavpils, where he has become a notable leader in the music scene for the whole Latgale region – was a lecturer at Daugavpils University (2003-2004), currently working as the choir-conducting teacher at Daugavpils Music Secondary School (from 1995) and music teacher at Daugavpils Secondary School No 13. In parallel, has been conducting the choirs Daugava (since 1996), Forte (since 1997), Daugavpils Secondary School No 13 mixed choir Nojauta (Sense, since 2001) and the Daugavpils Secondary School No 13 youth male choirs (since 2004). Has performed in Germany, Austria, Poland, Lithuania, Russia, Sweden, Ukraine, Estonia, the Netherlands and Belarus with these choirs. His choirs have been awarded countless prizes and won international competitions – a Gold Medal at the 9th World Choir Games in Sochi (2016), Silver Medal in the World Choir Games (2014), 1st place in the St Petersburg International Choir Competition (2017), while the conductor himself was nominated for Best Conductor at the Children’s and Youth World Choir Championship in St Petersburg (2015).
Has also collaborated with several orchestras – the Daugavpils chamber orchestra, Daugavpils accordionist orchestra, the Daugava professional brass band, Latvia’s National Armed Forces Orchestra, participated in the Daugavpils theatre’s productions Mistera Ikss noslēpums (Mister X’s Secret, 2015) and Nogrimusi pils (Sunken Castle, 2017).
The versatile musician is an author of academic publications, a composer of choral works, jury member at various international competitions, and artistic director of the Sidraba zvani (Silver Bells) International Sacred Music Festival (from 2000), organiser of the Staņislavs Broks international conductors’ competition and the Viva la Musica International Young Musicians’ Competition. Ustinskovs devotes all his energy and artistic activity to the blossoming of cultural life and general well-being in Latgale. Alongside music, has been actively involved in Latvian political life as a member of the Daugavpils District Council.
A chief conductor at XXVth All-Latvian Song and XVth Dance Festival (2013) and at the XXVIIth All-Latvian Song and XVIIth Dance Festival Massed choir concert “The Field. The Road of Song” (Tīrums. Dziesmas ceļš) (2023), at Latgale Song Festivals (2005, 2010, 2015), the Xth Latvian School Song and Dance Festival, Latgale Days of Song (2012, 2017), and Daugavpils city choirs (since 1997), of Daugavpils and Krāslava District choirs (since 2004) and of Preiļi District choirs (since 2006).
Awarded the Latvian Ministry of Culture Prize for his contribution to Latvian folk art (2002) and the Certificate of Recognition of the Latvian Ministry of Culture (2003).
