THE MOVEMENT COLLECTIVE

The Movement Collective is a cultural organisation directed by Zoe Bishop and Nikki Bishop. The Collective produces dance theatre performances, as well as various workshops, classes, event and projects that promote creativity, expression and mindfulness.

The Movement Collective added dance to InCantus' performance of Dan Forrest's 'Breath of Life' at the Alameda Gardens Open Air Theatre in June 2024

 Born in Milan in 1983, he began his musical studies at a very young age, obtaining the Superior Clarinet Degree in 2002 under the guidance of Nicola Bulfone and Paolo Beltramini.

In 2010 he obtained the Superior Degree in Choir Conducting at the Conservatorio Superior “Giuseppe Verdi” of Milan, with honours, under the guidance of Maestro Domenico Zingaro.

Throughout his career he has been improving his skills with great masters of the international choral panorama, such as Marco Berrini. Floryan Heireich. Gary Graden and Cesar Alejandro Carrillo.

Michele studied conducting with Fabrizio Darsi conducting the New Camerata Orchestra of Milan and with Jan Caber and Felix Hauswirth at the ISEB of Trento (Italy).

He was the stable conductor of the provincial band “G. Verdi” of Varese from 2006 to 2011, winning awards in prestigious competitions both in Italy and abroad.

His passion for choral music led him to specialize in choral composition, participating in numerous courses and workshops given by great composers such as Bruno Zanolini. Vic Nees. Jonathan Rathbone. Carlo Pavese. premiering many of his compositions all over the world (Europe, United States and Japan).

Michele is often invited to give choral music workshops and to conduct his own works. He combines his activity as a performer with teaching. He is currently professor of Musical Language at the Conservatory “Paco de Lucia” in Algeciras and musical director of the Coral and Coro Joven Carmina Nova in Malaga.

Michele Conducted the Zyriab and InCantus Choirs in our production of 'Magnificat' at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in October 2024

Chamber Choir “Zyriab” (Vocal group of the Professional Conservatory of Music “Paco de Lucia de Algeciras (Spain)

The Zyriab Choir was formed at the Conservatorio Superior “Paco de Lucia” of Algeciras, and is named after the famous Andalusian poet, Zyriab. Zyriab is also the name of a famous album by the guitarist Paco de Lucia, 'Zyryab'.

The choir was formed with the collaboration of the parents' association of the Conservatory (Ampa Emilio Burgos), as an extracurricular activity, in which students, teachers, parents and alumni participate to build musical projects inside and outside the conservatory.

Several teachers of the Conservatory have managed to direct the choir: José Antonio Vázquez, Serfio Asián Almanza and currently the choir is directed by Prof. Michele Paccagnella.

Thier repertoire ranges from early and baroque music to contemporary music, without forgetting the folk music of different countries.

In addition to regular participation in concerts organized by the conservatory “Paco de Lucia”, has participated in various meetings and festivals within and outside the national territory.

They toured the territory of the Axarquia with Fauré's Requiem during the Festival de Música Sacra e Antica (Free March) and, together with the Insubriae Choir, theyperformed Ariel Ramirez's Misa Criolla in Algeciras, Malaga, Varese and Milan.

Recently they performed the work of Karl Jenkins: The Armed Man in Varese (Italy) with the Canova Orchestra of Milan under the direction of Prof. Michele Paccagnella and in June of this year they performed Rutter's Requiem in Algeciras.

Zyriab joined forces with InCantus and performed the Bach and Pergolesi Durante Magnificats in October 2024.