Berend Strumphius, baritone
Dutch baritone Berend Stumphius began his career as a cellist and conductor. A few years after completing his cello studies (with Ran Varon at the Utrecht Conservatory), he decided to focus entirely on singing. Since then, he has made his debut as a soloist with the Dutch National Opera (substituting as Napoleon in Animal Farm) and Opera Zuid (as Huub in Der Schauspieldirektor) and has sung the roles of Figaro (in Le Nozze di Figaro), Papageno (in Die Zauberflöte), Ben (in The Telephone) and the bass roles in King Arthur. In addition to his solo activities, he regularly sings in the choir of the Dutch National Opera and the Wiener Staatsoper, is active as an oratorio soloist in a wide repertoire (this season including Brahms, Duruflé and Fauré Requiem, Carmina Burana and Bach's Johannes- and Matthäuspassion) and forms a song duo with pianist Duco Burgers.
Berend received his first singing lessons from Henny Diemer and continued his studies with Margriet van Reisen at the Tilburg Conservatory. He is coached by Annegeer Stumphius and Chelsea Bonagura and has followed masterclasses with Markus Eiche, Stephen Sweetland and Albert Pesendorfer. In his spare time, Berend is active as a volunteer and conductor at Zomercursus Woudschoten, a chamber music course for young musicians.
Veronika Akhmetchina, soprano
Veronika Akhmetchina has been taught classical music from a young age. As a child, Veronika played the violin and sang with the National Choirs for many years.
She graduated in classical singing from the HKU Utrecht Conservatory in November 2019 with soprano Selma Harkink. Veronika is currently being coached by Henny Diemer, Margriet van Reisen and Boudewijn Jansen.
Veronika has a great passion for theatre. Over the years, Veronika has sung in various productions as a soloist, ensemble and choir singer.
Last season (23/24) she sang with Kika Sprangers (Dochter), Nederlandse Reisopera (role of Seraphische Stimme in Das Wunder der Heliane), at the Gaudeamus Festival (STABAT MATER DECONSTRUCTED, Mees Vervuurt) and in the documentary Human Forever (Teun Toebes, Jonathan de Jong). Veronika also made her debut at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam (June 2024) and debuted in the summer of 2024 as Sophie (The Masters Voice, P. Kooreman) and as Donna Anna (Don Giovanni, W.A. Mozart).
Highlights in the 2024/2025 season include playing her own show 'Wat ik laatst las', performing Effugium in the role of Inès - a contemporary, newly written oratorio by Jan-Peter de Graaff, singing the role of Goll in a newly written opera 'Lulu' (world premiere) and her debut in Orff's Carmina Burana.
Nima Pournaghshband, tenor
Nima Pournaghshband is an Iranian countertenor, choir conductor, composer, and former architect based in Maastricht, the Netherlands. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Classical Singing at HfMT Köln under Kai Wessel, having previously completed a Bachelor’s in Classical Singing at Conservatorium Maastricht.
A versatile artist, Nima excels in both Baroque and contemporary repertoire. He was a finalist in Aria 2024 on NPO 1 and won both the Jury and Audience Prizes at the Music Awards Maastricht 2023. He has performed in numerous concerts and events with professional ensembles as a soloist, including premieres of his own works. In the upcoming season, he will be performing as a countertenor in masterpieces such as Bach’s Passions, and Mozart’s Requiem, as well as solo recitals and opera productions.
Beyond his studies, Nima has participated in masterclasses with Philippe Herreweghe, Dorothee Mields, Hans Eijsackers, and Shunske Sato. In addition to his solo career, he collaborates regularly with professional ensembles in the region, including Studium Chorale, Theater Aachen, and Opera Zuid.
His compositions reflect a wide range of influences, spanning art song, choral a cappella, orchestral works, and improvisation. As a choir conductor, he integrates his vocal expertise into shaping performances and has led multiple ensembles. Having studied conducting with Hans Leenders, artistic leader of Studium Chorale and city composer of Maastricht, he has conducted various ensembles across the region.