Founder of the Riga Chamber Choir AVE SOL and its Principal Conductor and Artistic Director. A distinguished Latvian choral conductor as well as the rector of the Latvian Academy of Music (1977—1991). Since 1965 one of the Principal Conductors at all the Latvian National Song Festivals. Initiator and Artistic Director of the Riga International Chamber Choir Festival RĪGA DIMD. One of the initiators of the International Choral Festival NORDIC BALTIC. An adjudicator at many international choral competitions, Imants Kokars has given masterclasses in Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Israel. Initiator of the 12-volume “Anthology of Latvian Choral Music” and director of this major project. Honorary Member of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, and awarded the Order of the Three Stars, Latvia’s highest award. His artistic and social temperament, his initiative and his ability to execute large-scale musical projects make him a central figure in Latvian musical life.
