Ida Barleben

I was very lucky to grow up in a very musical family. My siblings and I sang all day long, preferably on long car journeys. Many of my family were in a choir or played an instrument, but only a few turned their passion into a profession. And me? I actually wanted to study ‘something to do with art’. But my path eventually led me to the University of Music, Theatre and Media Hanover, where I completed a Bachelor's degree in elementary music education and a Master's degree in children's and youth choir conducting with singing as my main subject. Together with some fellow students, I founded the now internationally award-winning vocal ensemble Voktett Hannover, with which I have performed in numerous a cappella concerts throughout Europe.

I have been working as a music teacher for many years and direct various children's and youth choirs, including the Junge MarkusChöre in Hanover. I also give seminars and workshops throughout Germany on the subject of children's and young people's voices - including at Singing Kindergartens, an initiative by dm Zukunftsmusiker, on the Bachelor's degree programme in Elementary Music Education at HMTM Hanover and on the Elementary Music Practice (EMP) course at the Thuringian State Music Academy. It is very important to me to revitalise and promote singing and music-making in the home, in kindergartens and in schools. I am particularly keen to promote voice training and voice care through healthy, child-appropriate singing and a free, creative and enjoyable use of the voice.

In spring 2020, I developed the YouTube format Ida im Liederkasten and began composing my own children's songs. This gave rise to the desire to reach even more parents and teachers via social networks and provide them with valuable inspiration and suitable material for making music together with children. The Liederkasten community now has over 100,000 members. It fills me with pride and gratitude to be able to reach and inspire so many people with my music.