Andreas Cessak

Andreas Cessak serves as a Lecturer in Choral Conducting and Choral Voice Training at the University of Kassel's Department of Music, where he directs the university choirs Cantiamo and Cantiamo Piccolo. His role integrates performance leadership with pedagogical innovation, fostering collaborations with institutions like Staatstheater Kassel and the Museumslandschaft.

His educational background includes advanced studies in piano and trombone at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, specializing in historical performance practice on baroque trombone, with first and second state examinations completed with distinction.

Cessak's research focuses on practical choral methodologies, emphasizing accessible vocal training for diverse age groups and ensemble settings. His work bridges historical performance techniques with contemporary educational frameworks, particularly in school and youth choir contexts, to enhance musical engagement through structured yet creative approaches.

His publications reveal a consistent emphasis on demystifying choral leadership—transforming technical vocal training into engaging, student-centered experiences while preserving artistic integrity across educational and professional ensembles.

Notable awards include dual 1st prizes for contemporary work premieres and opera program design from Hamburg State Opera, plus the 2016 VdKC prize for innovative concert programming.

He mentors through ensemble direction rather than formal graduate advising, leading Cantiamo Kassel and Cantiamo Piccolo while organizing masterclasses with groups like The Kings Singers. His projects prioritize community integration, such as collaborations with NDR Bigband and regional cultural institutions to expand choral music's public reach.

Cessak maintains active artistic networks through the Association of German Concert Choirs and German Center for Choral Music, driving initiatives that connect university choirs with professional stages and educational outreach programs.