Milda Švelnienė

Artistic Director & Conductor

Milda has been singing with Bel Canto Choir Vilnius since it was founded in 2009, and in 2015 she became the choir’s choirmaster and second conductor. In 2016, she received a master’s degree in choir conducting from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, graduating with the highest honours.

Milda is also the choirmaster of the Vilnius State Choir, sang in the Vilnius Municipal choir Jauna Muzika for 13 years, and participates in a wide variety of other selected musical projects.

Simas Martinkus

Choirmaster & Artistic Director of the ISM Women’s Choir

Simas joined the ISM Bel Canto Choir in the autumn of 2023. In the same year, he graduated from the Stasys Šimkus Conservatory in Klaipėda, specializing in choral conducting. He is a laureate of national and international young choral conductors’ competitions and is currently pursuing his studies at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.

Simas actively participates in various musical projects and masterclasses, is invited to conduct different choirs and orchestras, and teaches music to children.

From 2022 to 2025, he conducted the educational concert Skambantis miškas (“The Sounding Forest”) organized by the Palanga Wind Orchestra. In the spring of 2025, Simas took on the role of choirmaster at ISM Bel Canto Choir, a position he continues to hold with dedication.

Raminta Gocentienė

Choirmaster & Concertmaster

Pianist Raminta Gocentienė has been a choirmaster at Bel Canto Choir Vilnius since it was founded in 2009. She is also a concertmaster at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre and a choirmaster at Virgo, a girls’ choir in Vilnius.

Raminta regularly accompanies Lithuanian soloists and students at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre in various competitions, festivals and concerts.

Eglė Stundžiaitė

Vocal Coach

In 2019 she completed her master’s studies in singing and obtained a teacher’s qualification at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (prof. Irena Milkeviciute, assoc. prof. Judita Leitaite). In 2018, she improved her skills in Norway at the “Nord Opera” courses, and in 2019 – 2020 she studied in Italy, at the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory.

Since 2013 she is working as a freelance soloist and co-author of various projects, having gained extensive experience on the opera stage, organizing solo concerts in Lithuania and abroad, performing at festivals, collaborating with the Lithuanian National, Lithuanian State, St. Christopher Chamber and other major orchestras of the country. Since 2016 she has been working and debuting with Vilnius City Opera musical projects. In 2017-2020 she worked as a vocal teacher of the women’s choir Aidas, in 2021 she debuted at the P. Tchaikovsky Theatre. In 2020-2022 worked as a trainee – opera singer at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. Since 2017 she is a co-founder of a RĖKneRĖK singing studio. Since 2020 she is a vocal coach of ISM choir Bel Canto.

Laimonas Bendaravičius

Vocal Coach

Laimonas began his classical singing studies in 2009 at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre, where he studied under renowned professors. In 2014, he earned a bachelor’s degree in music and a qualification as a vocal pedagogue, and in 2017, he was awarded a master’s degree in music. From 2009 to 2017, he worked as a mime artist at the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, where he also performed supporting solo roles and toured internationally.

Since 2011, Laimonas has actively participated in international “SHMF Choir Academy” projects in Germany, China, and South Korea, working with world-class conductors. Starting in 2013, he performed in operas directed by Dalia Ibelhauptaitė with Vilnius City Opera and the Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra. He also sings in several vocal ensembles and with the State Choir Vilnius.