OUR NETWORK
We’re proud of our unique worldwide network of concert representatives, who are handpicked and exclusive to us. These individuals have deep ties to the local music and cultural scenes in their area, most of them being active musicians or educators themselves. It is their job to forge long-lasting relationships with local venues and promoters on our behalf. This therefore ensures our clients are front of the queue for the best possible performance opportunities. In other words, this is the Specialised Travel difference.
Europe
Spain
Pilar is based in Malaga and began working for Specialised Travel as a courier in 2016. Following several years of extensive touring experience, she became Concerts Representative for Spain in 2022. As well as being a keen Sitar player she also enjoys live music and experiencing new cultures and their folklore.
Spain
Paloma is based in Madrid. Following an exciting and rewarding summer working for Specialised Travel as a courier in Spain, she joined the team as a Tour Manager. In her spare time Paloma enjoys playing the piano, going to as many concerts as she can and travelling!
Germany
Poland
Kate was born in Krakow and has spent most of her life surrounded by musicians. She began working as a Tour Manager in 2008, mostly in the Jazz world before starting her own agency –Twelve Melodies in 2012. Alongside her work for Specialised Travel, she represents jazz guitarist Marek Napiórkowski and the only all-female Polish jazz band O.N.E. Quintet.
Portugal
Italy
Italy
THE BALKANS
Dragana graduated from the University of Philosophy in Athens, Greece with a degree in English Literature. She has worked in travel and tourism her entire life and was introduced to Specialised Travel in 2008, first as a courier, and subsequently as Regional Representative for the Balkan Countries.
BE-NE-LUX
France
Michael received a double masters degree in Trombone Performance and Jazz Studies from Indiana University before joining the popular swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Now based in France, Michael leads his own jazz quartet – The Angel City Players – who perform regularly throughout Europe and have released two albums.
ROMANIA
GREECE
Scandinavia
Latvia
Estonia
Following a degree in Music & Choral Conducting from Tallinn Conservatoire, Ülo worked for the Estonian Choral Association. He then managed the Estonian Radio Chorus where he was involved with the International Choral Contests Tallinn ’88 and ’91, IFCM II World Symposium in ’90 etc. For more than 40 years he has been a singer in the Estonian National Male Choir.
Hungary
Béla graduated as a pianist from both the Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest and the Hochschule für Musik in Hannover. Following this he toured in many countires including the USA and South Africa before starting his career in music administration. He was orchestra director at the Hungarian State Opera for 8 years and now works in artist management, representing artists worldwide.
Lithuania
Alongside a successful career in journalism, PR and translation Darius has always been involved in choral singing. Darius joined a boys’ choir at the age of seven and has sung in several other choirs too, one of which won the 2003 European Grand Prix for Choral Singing.
Estonia
Following a degree in Music & Choral Conducting from Tallinn Conservatoire, Ülo worked for the Estonian Choral Association. He then managed the Estonian Radio Chorus where he was involved with the International Choral Contests Tallinn ’88 and ’91, IFCM II World Symposium in ’90 etc. For more than 40 years he has been a singer in the Estonian National Male Choir.
Asia, Africa & Australasia
South Africa
Born in Upington near the Kalahari Desert, Pieter now resides in George with his wife and three children. He holds honours degrees in both Human Resources and Psychology, and has owned his own travel business for over ten years. Pieter is an avid traveller and currently sings with the George Male Choir.
China
China
Jeff received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Fudan University in Shanghai. After graduation, he has been active in the travel industry and has worked with ACFEA & Specialised Travel since 2000, helping to arrange dozens of successful concert tours of China. Jeff is an avid traveler and has travelled extensively throughout Asia, Europe and North America.
Hong Kong
Australia & New Zealand
Robert has been an educator and businessman, having taught at both primary and secondary levels, and has been involved in the photographic and cinema industries. In addition to performing in musical and dramatic productions he also sings in choirs. He is well travelled with extensive experience in organising and conducting study tours . Robert, who lives in rural Victoria, has been associated with ACFEA & Specialised Travel for over 20 years.
Australia
Robert has been an educator and businessman, having taught at both primary and secondary levels, and has been involved in the photographic and cinema industries. In addition to performing in musical and dramatic productions he also sings in choirs. He is well travelled with extensive experience in organising and conducting study tours . Robert, who lives in rural Victoria, has been associated with ACFEA for over 20 years.
North & South America
Latin America
Sylvia earned her International Relations degree from Pantheon-Assas University in Paris and is fluent in Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French and English. She has travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America and was our French representative before taking on her present role. Sylvia is currently based in Guadalajara, Mexico.
US & CANADA
Amanda has been performing in bands and choirs her entire life, including several ensembles at her alma mater, Duquesne University, and the Young New Yorkers’ Chorus, for which she also served as board member for several years. Amanda has travelled extensively in Europe, South America and Asia, but her true passion is Africa, where she met her husband, Maurice. Amanda currently sings in the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia.
US & CANADA
Hugh has been with the organisation since 1986. Before that, he taught music in Australia, and prior to that a professional singer, in London. Born in England, he started his 53-year singing career as a boy chorister in St Albans Cathedral and went on to sing with such ensembles as King’s College Choir, the Monteverdi Choir, Glyndebourne Opera, the BBC Singers, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Theatre of Voices, and American Bach Soloists, before retiring from singing in 2017.
US & CANADA
Originally from Chicago, Rachel sang with the Palatine Children’s Chorus for 14 years, touring with them throughout North America and Europe. She graduated with a degree in Music from Carleton College in Minnesota where she played the clarinet and directed the Carleton Choirs on tours to LA and New Orleans. Rachel has also travelled throughout Europe, Mexico, China, Japan, South Africa, Israel and Jordan. She currently sings with the Northwest Chamber Chorus.
US & CANADA
Emily grew up in Missouri where she sang with the St. Louis Children’s Choir for nine years, including on tours to Russia and Scotland. Emily received degrees in Music and Magazine Journalism from Drake University, during which time she travelled to Paris for a study abroad program and toured Europe with the university’s choir. She has also travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.
US & CANADA
US & CANADA
Jefferson is a lifelong singer and pianist. He began touring internationally as a performer whilst a student at Harvard, where he received a degree in Music, Romance Languages and Literature, before going on to pursue a master’s degree in Piano Performance at San Francisco State University. Jefferson has lived in Greece and Italy, and toured Germany and the Czech Republic as Manager of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra.
US & CANADA
Jeffery grew up in Indiana and holds a bachelor’s degree in Church Music from Indiana Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Ball State University. Previously, Jeffery was Director of Program Development for Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) and Conference Consultant for the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). He currently sings with Philadelphia’s Singing City choir. He has traveled throughout Europe as well as Turkey, Mexico, Nicaragua and South Africa.
US & CANADA
Emily grew up in New Jersey, and has a bachelor’s degree from Smith College in Northampton, MA. Previously, Emily was Company Manager at Pennsylvania Ballet and Aspen Music Festival and School. She has travelled throughout Europe and many western states of the US. She studied the cello for 15 years, has practiced many dance forms throughout her entire life, and also enjoys cooking, yoga, jazz music and swing dance.