| Biography | Sofi Jeannin (born 6 September 1976) is a Swedish choral conductor and mezzo-soprano.
Born in Stockholm to a Swedish mother and a French father, Jeannin grew up in Lindsberg, following her parents' divorce when she was age 8. In her youth, Jeannin studied piano and singing. She continued her musical education at the Conservatoire de Nice, where her instructors included Bertrand Dutour de Salvert. Jeannin additionally studied at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, where she also sang with the institution's vocal ensemble.
In the UK, Jeannin continued studies in choral conducting at the Royal College of Music (London), where her teachers included Paul Spicer. As a mezzo-soprano, she began to sing with London Voices in 2005. In 2005, Jeannin joined the faculty of the Royal College of Music Junior Department, teaching singing and choral singing, and has also taught at Imperial College. At the RCM, in November 2006, Jeannin conducted the UK premiere of Consolation I by Helmut Lachenmann.
From 2006 to 2008, Jeannin taught choral conducting at the Conservatoire d'Évry. Since March 2008, she has directed the Maîtrise de Radio France, with responsibility for amateur choir training, free choral instruction for young people, and work with the neighbourhood children of Bondy. In July 2015, she became music director of the Choeur de Radio France,[4] the first woman to hold the title. Her contract with the Choeur de Radio France is through June 2018.[5] In May 2017, the BBC announced the appointment of Jeannin as the next chief conductor of the BBC Singers, effective July 2018. She is the first female conductor to be named to the post. |