MUSICIANS

Maria and Robert Staak, the founders of Rondellus, also form the nucleus of the group. They choose the repertoire, prepare the programmes and engage other musicians as needed. They also manage the promotion and PR work for the group.

MARIA STAAK (vocals) After studying for several years to become an actor, she decided in favour of music and singing. She graduated from The Tallinn Music School, where she studied classical and jazz singing. Later she dedicated herself to medieval music. She has studied medieval music and singing with Mr. Dominique Vellard in one of the most prestigious schools in Europe - Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland. She is also in demand as a teacher of early singing and works regularly with pupils in Studio Rondellus.

ROBERT STAAK (lute, percussion) After graduating from The Tallinn Music School as a classical guitarist, he took up the lute and early plucked instruments (theorbo, baroque guitar). He has studied lute with Leif Karlson (Helsinki) and Hopkinson Smith (Basle). He is very much in demand as a continuo player and is teaching basso continuo and lute for classical guitarists in the Tallinn Academy of Music. He has also studied early percussion with Poul Høxbro (Denmark). For several years he worked as a music editor for Estonian Radio.