Danish National Vocal Ensemble and Concert Choir Appoints New Artistic Director

The Macedonian choral conductor Elena Mitrevska will step into the role

Conductor and choral director Elena Mitrevska will be the new Artistic Director for the Danish National Vocal Ensemble and the Danish National Concert Choir. Mitrevska succeeds Michael Emery, who spent a decade at the helm of the two ensembles, and she will step into the role on January 1, 2026.

Both groups are run under the auspices of the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR). Mitrevska has worked extensively with DR's choirs in the past, and most recently she led the Danish National Vocal Ensemble’s Heavenly Light concerts during the Copenhagen Light Festival, as well as rehearsing the Danish National Concert Choir for the Galaxymphony concert series.

In the new position, Mitrevska will work closely with Chief Conductor Martina Batič as well as a range of international guest conductors, including the choir’s Honorary Conductor Marcus Creed.

Hailing originally from Macedonia, Mitrevska studied choral conducting at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. She has worked with conductors including Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Claudio Abbado, Bernard Haitink, Simon Rattle, Rene Jacobs, and Cornelius Meister.

She has held chorus master positions at Malmö Opera and Opera de Oviedo, as well as conducting the Wiener Kammerorchester, Macedonian Philharmonic, and the Arnold Schoenberg Choir at the Theater an der Wien.

"We are thrilled to begin a close new collaboration with Elena Mitrevska as Artistic Director," said Kim Bohr, the Director of DR Koncerthuset. "With her strong artistic profile, creative vision, and international network, she is an ideal fit for the role – and it is an added bonus that she already has a trusted and positive rapport with our singers."

"After five years in Scandinavia, I have the greatest respect for the region’s unique choral tradition, and I’m excited to explore the rich musical roots of DR’s choirs," Mitrevska said. "Both ensembles are internationally known for their distinctive sound – rooted in a strong tradition and the treasured Danish song heritage, which we will continue to honor."

"It’s vital that we continue to look ahead," she added. "By working with composers of today, we can help shape the choral music of tomorrow and inspire future generations."