Antra Drege

The Artistic Director of the vocal ensemble PUTNI graduated from the department of choir conducting at the J. Vitols Latvian Academy of Music in 1992.  Whilst still a student she began singing in various professional ensembles, such as the chamber ensemble ‘Marana' (1986 – 1989), ‘Riga Vocal Group' (1989 – 1990) and the chamber choir ‘Ave Sol' (1988 – 1993).  Antra Drege has been a soloist in various performances of A.Vivaldi and J.S.Bach cantatas in Latvia, France and Israel and has been a member of the Latvian Radio Choir since 1996.

Since its foundation in 1993, the vocal ensemble PUTNI has won prizes and gained the Grand Prix in five international competitions and has given over 2,000 performances in Latvia, Finland, Sweden, Germany and Australia, Japan, France and the USA. PUTNI has premiered works by well-known composers, such as M.Einfelde, I.Riše, J.Abols, A.Sauka, M.Jansson, F.Vabgenheim, V.Pūce, J.Vaivods, G.Pelēcis, R.Kyr, Ch.B.Griffin etc. 

She has also been one of the chief conductors at the 48. Latvian Cultural Days in Adelaide, Australia (2000) and has successfully managed the ‘Women in Music' (2002, 2003) project on several occasions.

During 1999 – 2007 has taken part in several international festivals of Professional music.

Antra Drege, Master of Pedagogy, has been a Music teacher, the author of some study aids.

In 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 a lecturer in Summer Vocalogy Camp teaching Stylistics of 20th century music and leading practical studies in training vocal techniques for the artistic diractors of the vocal groups.

Antra DREĢE
18-9 Gimnastikas iela, Riga, LV-1004, LATVIA
tel.: (+371) 29159283, e-mail: antra.drege@inbox.lv , antra.drege@radio.org.lv