Showkoor Rise Up

Showchoir Rise Up from Pelt, Belgium

Showchoir Rise Up started in September 2006. Rise Up is for girls between 12 and 25 and gives them all opportunities to develop not only their musical skills, but also to develop self-confidence. Currently the choir has 30 members.
Show choir is brand new in Belgium. Karin Lauwers got the idea from the USA, where show choir is a real phenomenon. Show choir is not just a choir, it’s so much more: dancing, theatre, artistic choreography, flashy clothes and colourful spotlights. The repertoire consists of real show choir songs, pop music and musical.
Rise Up performs its own show every year and is regularly asked for guest performances. They participate in competitions and festivals at home and abroad. The general leadership is still in the hands of founder Karin Lauwers. Since September 2023 Elina Vanderhenst assists as conductor and Marlou Vriens is regular singing coach. The choreography, dance and presentation is the work of Sander Camps from dance studio ODACS. Pianist is Johan Camp.
In the summer of 2018, they participated in the open competition of the World Choir Games in Tswane, South-Africa. They won 2 golden diploma’s and were category winner in the category Showchoirs, as well as Female choirs. This trip and the interaction with communities and local peoples was the most wonderful experience for the choir so far.
In the summer of 2019, they participated in the Champions competition of the European Choir Games in Gotenborg, Sweden, where they also won a golden medal and became winner of the category pop, show and jazz choirs.
Showkoor Rise Up, Pelt
www.ShowkoorRiseUp.be
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Participation in different festivals:

2022: European Music Festival for young people in Neerpelt, Belgium (EMJ): first prize cum laude.
2021: World Choir Games in Flanders, Belgium: Silver medal.
2019: European Choir Games in Götenborg, Sweden: golden medal and winner of the category pop, show and jazz choirs.
2018: World Choir Games in Tswane, South Africa
• Golden diploma level IV and category winner Showchoirs.
• Golden diploma level II and category winner Female choirs at the World Choir Games in Tswane.
2018: European Music festival for young people in Neerpelt, Belgium: first prize.
2016: European Music Festival for young people in Neerpelt, Belgium (EMJ): first prize.
2014: EMJ: first prize cum laude.
2013: Balk Top Festival for Light Music in Rotterdam, the Netherlands: winner in the category of youth choirs.
2012: EMJ: second prize.
2011: Balk Top Festival for Light Music in the Netherlands: winner in the category of youth choirs with the jury praise for their beautiful choir sound and great appearance and presentation.
2010: EMJ: second prize.

Karin Lauwers & Elina Vanderhenst, Conductors

In 2006, Karin Lauwers founded the show choir Rise Up.
Karin’s deep-seated passion for music, particularly choir singing, has been evident since her early years. As a child, she immersed herself in the world of music, undertaking solfège and piano lessons at the Academy for Music, Word and Dance. However, it was in 1986, after a year-long global tour with the renowned international group Up With People, that she developed a genuine fondness for choral and show performances. Subsequently, she established a youth choir, which she directed for an impressive decade.
In 1987, Karin earned her choral conducting diploma from the Flemish choral federation Koor en Stem. Her dedication to learning and honing her craft continued, as she pursued singing lessons at the Municipal Music Conservatory in Hasselt from 1993 to 1997. Later on she completed the one-year training for a light vocal conductor in the Netherlands. Furthermore, she participated in the conductor module of the international show choir camp Europe organized by BALK Netherlands in 2005 and the vocal pop and jazz module in 2006. Presently, Karin is engaged in the study of ‘Vocal Leadership,’ showcasing her continuous pursuit of musical knowledge.
Karin’s musical prowess extends beyond Rise Up, as she has been the driving force behind the success of the singing group Just Music for over 25 years. Her exceptional leadership has earned the group numerous awards both nationally and internationally.

Adding to the collaborative spirit of Rise Up, Elina Vanderhenst joined as co-conductor in September 2023. Elina, a civil engineer by profession, has dedicated her free time to music. Having undergone solfège and singing lessons at the Academy for Music, Word and Dance, she was a member of Rise Up from the age of 12 to 28. Elina is currently focused on developing her skills and aims to seamlessly transition into the role of conductor, guided by her innate singing talent and passion—qualities that make her an ideal successor to Karin.

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