Angelika Rehaag
...since 1993 has been the Director of various Gospel choirs in Krefeld, Düsseldorf, Bonn, Meerbusch, and Cologne.
Following classical studies as a church musician, she regularly participated in specialized courses for Gospel choir directors at the Stockholm Gospel Choir Festival in Sweden (1993-1997). These courses emphasized vocal training along with singing and choir directing workshops. Under the tutelage of renowned international choir directors (among others, Anki Spangberg, Sweden, former director of the Gospel choir, Joybells) as well as Afro-American choir directors and singers (Master Class in Direction with Clarence Eggleton and Frank Fenner, Sacramento, California) Ms. Rehaag received training in international methods of signing and directing Black Gospel Music.
There followed continued special training, as well as a lively exchange starting in 1996 through intensive contacts with diverse Afro-American Gospel musicians and choir directors. From 1997-2006, Ms. Rehaag was the Artistic Director of the Krefeld Gospel Music Festival which she founded together with Jerry Thomas. With Mr. Thomas’ support, her choirs had the opportunity to tour in the USA (Cleveland, Las Vegas, Detroit, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Newark). Since the choirs performed primarily in Afro-American churches, the tours focused on offering the choir members a greater insight into the history, spirituality, and home setting of Black Gospel Music. In 2007 with the capable and generous support of Lennie Swearingen and William Sanders, Ms. Rehaag made a first-time choir tour in Florida.
In addition, Ms. Rehaag maintains continuing contact with Edwin Hawkins who in past years during his visits to Germany has given various concerts together with Ms. Rehaag’s choir "The Gospel Family of Christ". During her participation in Edwin and Bishop Walter Hawkins’ "Music and Arts Seminar" in Oakland (2001) she had the honor as Guest Director in the closing concert to direct a piece first performed and recorded there.
In addition to her work of directing six choirs, Ms. Rehaag travels throughout Germany and neighboring countries as a Lecturer and Workshop Leader in the area of "Contemporary Black Gospel Music".
Further information regarding Ms. Rehaag’s work and the activities of the Gospel Academy Krefeld can be found at
www.gospelacademy.de.