Chief conductor
Markus Leppoja
Markus Leppoja has been a conductor in Tartu Youth Choir since 2010, having previously acted as the choir administrator between 1998-2007. Starting in 2019, he is now the chief conductor of the choir.
His journey as a professional musician began in the Estonian Academy of Arts and Music, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in conducting in 2014 and a master’s degree in 2016. He is a second tenor in the Estonian National Male Choir. In 1997, he founded the male quartet UR2KAM which is still actively performing today.
In 2023, he made his debut conducting mixed choirs at the Estonian Youth Song Celebration “Holy is the Land”, conducting “Kodulaul” by beloved composer and old friend of Tartu Youth Choir, Olav Ehala.
Conductor
Riho Leppoja
Riho Leppoja is the founder and soul of Tartu Youth Choir. He was the chief conductor of the choir until 2019 when he gifted the choir to his son Markus, staying on as a conductor.
He studied in the Tallinn State Conservatoire(currently the Estonian Academy of Arts and Music) until 1976 and continued working as a music teacher, conductor and cultural organizer. He has conducted at the 1993 and 1997 Youth Song Celebrations, was the artistic director and head organizer of the Tartu Song Celebration in 2014.
He has received many accolades for his work: Gustav Ernesaks Scholarship for the Promotion of Choral Music(2005), Estonian Choir Association's honorary title of Organizer of the Year 2007, title of Tartu County Cultural Pearl (2007), honorary title of Tartu Culture Bearer (2018) and the Medal of Tartu(2018). He became an honorary member of the Estonian Choir Association in 2024.
Conductor
Kadri Leppoja
Kadri Leppoja Kadri Leppoja began her career as a conductor and concertmaster of Tartu Youth Choir in 1985. After a short break, she continued working with the choir from 1989 to 1991. From 1991 to 1995, Kadri worked as a music teacher in Heinola, Finland, and returned to Tartu Youth Choir in 1996, where she continues working to this day.
Kadri graduated from Tallinn State Conservatoire(currently the Estonian Academy of Arts and Music) in 1976 and has worked with various other choirs and musical collectives in addition to Tartu Youth Choir. She founded the Estonian School Youth Mixed Choir with Taavi Esko in 1998. She was the choirmaster and concertmaster of the Academic Female Choir of the University of Tartu from 1976 to 1985.
Kadri Leppoja has been named an honorary member of the Estonian Choir association. In 2001, she was awarded a scholarship from the Gustav Ernesaks Foundation for the promotion of the choral movement, and in 2021, Kadri received the Tartu Teacher Lifetime Achievement Award.
Vocal coach
Viviane Kallaste
Viviane Kallaste has been Tartu Youth Choir’s vocal coach since 2001. She’s an irreplaceable part of the choir, coaching singers both through vocal guidance and through morning exercises at choir camps.
She graduated from Tallinn State Conservatoire(currently the Estonian Academy of Arts and Music) as a classical singer in 1982 and has worked over the years as an opera singer, soloist and a music teacher. Alongside her work in the theatre, she has taught singing in the Heino Eller Music College for over 30 years.