Klaudia Zając has been the artistic coordinator of the Flemish Radio Choir since April 2025. She studied singing and choral conducting in Krakow, Hanover and Brussels, leads several amateur choirs, and is working on a PhD at McGill University in Montreal (Canada) about leadership styles in choral conducting.

interview by Aurélie Walschaert

choral music is my life

I grew up in Poland, where we have a strong musical tradition. As a child, I sang in a choir there, and that’s actually how it all started. Since then, I’ve always been surrounded by choral music, both as a performer and an organiser. I feel completely at home in this world, and I want to contribute to it in every possible way—by conducting, creating, and supporting others.

Professional choirs fascinate me. I follow them closely—not only in Europe but around the world. That’s not to say amateur choirs are less valuable. On the contrary: they bring people together and create a sense of community. But professional choirs add another dimension—an ongoing pursuit of excellence. That constant striving really speaks to me. For years, I’ve admired the Vlaams Radiokoor. It’s a choir that aligns perfectly with who I am and what I believe in.

I was impressed by the versatility of the Flemish Radio Choir: they adapt to what the music needs and are open to new influences. They understand that things like scenography or movement are as important today as vocal quality when it comes to reaching audiences or distinguishing yourself on the music market. And they trust the people they work with in that process. That mindset opens up so many possibilities.

There are so many great projects coming up! That’s what makes this job so special—nothing is routine. There are always new productions, new conductors or new works to look forward to. That's precisely the sort of work of which I think: this is what I want to do all my life.

“I want to express my deep appreciation for Alain De Ley, whose role I now take on. He shaped the choir over many years into what it is today and is truly a walking encyclopaedia in this field. My first goal is to continue on the path he laid out. Of course, we are two different people from different generations, so I also look forward to exploring new prospects. What matters most is that we keep listening to our audience and respond to the world around us.”
- klaudia

favourite repertoire

I love Baltic music – especially contemporary composers from Latvia, Estonia and Finland. That is often a technically challenging repertoire, but also unbelievably beautiful!