the bio

Miguel Angel Santaella (b. 1971, Caracas) is a Venezuelan-born choral visionary, acclaimed conductor, composer, arranger, and educator. Renowned for seamlessly blending jazz, choral tradition, and global musical influences into a unique artistic voice, he has forged an innovative path across multiple continents.

Trained extensively across three continents, Miguel holds a Master’s degree in Jazz Composition from CODARTS (The Netherlands). He has spearheaded groundbreaking vocal projects in Venezuela and the Netherlands including Vocalia, Sies Seis, and Caffeine.

Based in the Netherlands, Miguel currently leads several Dutch vocal ensembles: Voices Unlimited (The Hague), Swing With Style (Ridderkerk), Che Passione (Zoetermeer), and Zangvereniging TAVENU (Dinteloord). He is also the visionary founder and artistic director of Sonorant Ensemble.

Miguel's diverse choral compositions have garnered international recognition and awards spanning Venezuela to Japan. His commissioned works include projects for CODARTS/Ricciotti Ensemble, AKOM, and BIMpro, while his scores are published by Edition Ferrimontana, Donemus, and Cayambis Music Press.

A committed educator and sought-after global speaker, he has shared his expertise at prestigious events such as the World Symposium on Choral Music (Barcelona, 2017), the Tbilisi Polyphony Symposium (2020), and Jazzedú in Cancún (2021).

His discography features Soñando a Venezuela with Vocalia, Güaréver with Sies Seis, On Xmas with Caffeine, and his deeply personal solo album Miguel (2020), and the first live concert recording with his Jazz Ensemble Across (2023)

• Finalist, First Choir Composition Competition of Koorschool Delft 2025, with G P P Revisited (Composition for mixed choir)
• Honorary Mention, Japan International Choral Competition 2021, with Deus Caritas Est (Composition for mixed choir).
• Ricciotti's Grote Arrangeerdwestrijd 2015, with Laudatio (Recomposition for jazz orchestra).
  
•  Nomination as Best South American Album, The Contemporary A Cappella Records Awards 2013, for Soñando a Venezuela (Vocalia, Singer, Arranger, Conductor, Co-Producer of the project).
  
• Premio José Rafael Rivas de Arreglos Corales, 60 Aniversario Orfeón ULA 2010, with Canción de Esperanza (Arrangement for mixed choir).
  
•  Premio Municipal de Música Vocal 2009, with Dos Canciones Corales (Composition for mixed choir). 
  
•  Mención Honorífica, Premio Municipal de Música 2008, with Yadrigal (Composition for mixed choir).
  
•  Bronze Diploma, Vokal.Total A Cappella Jazz Competition 2007, with Sies Seis (Singer, Arranger, Conductor of the vocal group). 
  
•  Premio al Mérito Estudiantil UCV, 1999, with Diseño Vocal FAU UCV Choir (Founding Conductor of the choir). 
  
•  3er Premio General, Concurso Nacional de Coros Merida 98, 1998, with Eduardo Plaza Aurrecoechea Chamber Choir (Conductor of the choir). 
  
•  Premio Municipal de Música Sinfónica Breve, 1997, with Novilunium (Composition for orchestra).
  
•  Premio Municipal de Música Sinfónica Larga, 1996, with Atmospheria (Composition for orchestra).
  
•  Premio Municipal de Música Vocal 1996, with Yambambó Yambambé (Composition for mixed choir).
  
•  Premio Único de Composición Coral 100 Años Electricidad de Caracas, 1995, with Domine Exaudi (Composition for mixed choir).