Axel Theimer

Axel Theimer, Kantorei's founder and artistic director, was born in St. Johann in Tirol, Austria. He was a member of the Vienna Boys’ Choir from age 7 to 14; he received much of his training in Vienna and completed his studies at the University of Minnesota with a MFA in choral conducting and a DMA in vocal performance.

Theimer has been director of choral activities at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University since 1969, directing the CSB/SJU Chamber Choir and the SJU Men's Chorus and teaching choral conducting, applied voice, vocal pedagogy, and related courses. In addition to his professional activities with Kantorei, Saint Ben's and Saint John's, he is founder and music director of Amadeus Chamber Symphony, a chamber orchestra in central Minnesota, and music director of the National Catholic Youth Choir.

He is on the faculty and is currently executive director of the VoiceCare Network, an international network of voice professionals emphasizing healthy voice skills and teaching methods. He received the 2001 Minnesota American Choral Directors Association Choir Director of the Year award and the 2011 F. Melius Christiansen Lifetime Achievement Award, given by ACDA-MN. His choral compositions and arrangements are published by Alliance Publications.