HOST & HEAD FACILITATOR

Emilia Mårtensson is a Swedish vocalist, composer, and vocal coach/mentor based in Berlin. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, is a Parliamentary Jazz Award–winning vocalist, the featured vocalist of the MOBO Award–winning ensemble Kairos 4tet, and she has led and toured her own projects worldwide. 

 She supports singers in clarifying their artistic vision, deepening their musicianship, and shaping a creative life that feels aligned, alive, and sustainable, so they can make the art they care about and show up as the artist they’ve always wanted to become. 

GUITARIST

Luca Boscagin is a guitarist and composer known for his refined sound, deep musical sensitivity, and versatility across jazz and contemporary music. He has extensive experience working with singers and vocal-led projects, collaborating closely with artists such as Heidi Vogel and Alice Zawadzki.

Active as a performer, recording artist, and international collaborator, Luca brings a strong sense of listening, support, and musical dialogue to every setting, shaped by years of work on stage and in the studio..

PIANO/(Multi instrumentalist)

Fred Thomas is one of London’s most distinctive and sought-after musical polymaths — a pianist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and arranger whose work moves fluidly between improvised traditions, early music, contemporary classical, and jazz.

He is among the few artists to record for both ECM and the ECM New Series, and his performances have taken him to many of the world’s leading stages, including Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Philharmonie, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, and the Vienna Konzerthaus.

HOLISTIC VOICE

Marina Martensson is a singer, songwriter, and performing artist based in Slovenia, with a two-decade career spanning jazz, electronic music, folk, soul, and experimental projects. Her journey has taken her from the Swedish jazz scene to a record deal in Japan, resulting in two album releases and collaborations with leading musicians across Europe. For the past six years, she has been a featured singer with the Slovenian industrial rock pioneers Laibach.

Alongside her artistic work, Marina is a vocal coach, holistic voice therapy practitioner, and music educator. Her approach centres on curiosity, sound, and the voice as a tool for emotional and physical well-being, supporting others in exploring and unlocking their full vocal potential.

BASS

Miha Koren is a highly respected Slovenian bassist, songwriter. and producer with a dynamic presence in both European and international jazz circles.

After completing his master’s in jazz double bass at the University of Music and Dramatic Arts in Graz, Miha has become known for his deep groove, musical sensitivity, and stylistic versatility.

He has performed with acclaimed international musicians such as Johnathan Kreisberg and Femi Temowo.

Miha’s artistry has taken him to international stages at festivals like the Port Townsend Jazz Festival, Graz Jazz Nacht, the Ljubljana Jazz Festival, and EXIT Festival, where his deep rhythmic feel and inventive improvisations have captivated audiences across Europe and beyond.

CHOIR DIRECTOR/EAR TRAINING

Beth Aggett is a London-born vocalist, composer, arranger, and educator, now based in Amsterdam, whose work sits beautifully at the intersection of jazz, pop, and contemporary vocal music.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Composition & Arranging and a Master’s in Musicology, Beth brings both deep musical intelligence and playful curiosity into everything she does. She is an experienced session vocalist and topliner in the pop and electronic world, with collaborations including Rudimental, Bondax, and Wayward, alongside a rich background as a jazz vocalist, performing with big bands and orchestras.

Beth is also a highly sought-after choral arranger and musical director, currently leading five pop and jazz vocal ensembles in Amsterdam.

DRUMMER

Žiga Smrdel is a drummer, composer, and bandleader from Slovenia, active on both the Slovenian and international jazz scenes. A long-time student of Gregory Hutchinson, he has also studied with leading jazz artists including Jeff “Tain” Watts, Shai Maestro, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Joel Ross.

Žiga is the recipient of several international and national awards, including HEMI, Zlata piščal (Golden Flute), and multiple gold plaques at the Temsig competition.

With his trio Mind Tree, he won Best Composition at the Virtual Jazz Club competition and released the acclaimed debut album Catharsis.

LYRIC WRITING/MUSIC THEORY

Frederik Vedersø is a songwriter, artist, producer, and mixing engineer with over two decades of experience creating records and touring internationally. He has released music with major labels including Warner Music and Universal Music, and is widely known for his work with projects such as The White Album and The Eclectic Moniker, where songwriting, sound, and artistic identity sit at the centre.

Alongside his artistic career, Frederik has taught songwriting and music at institutions across Denmark and Germany. He is also the founder of Beyond Songwriting, a sister platform to Beyond Vocals, supporting singers and artists in developing their artistry through lyric writing, songwriting, and a deeper understanding of contrast and emotional impact in music.