The Riga Latvian Society’s children vocal studio "Knīpas un Knauķi"
Artistic leader Edīte Putniņa

Contacts:
Edīte Putniņa - mob + 371 26546804
Jonita Štoma – mob + 371 29822962
Sanita Sējāne – mob + 371 29516514

The children vocal studio „Knīpas un Knauķi” was founded in 1971.
The studio offers to develop the musical skills for children from the age of 3 years. The activities are held in groups, where children are divided by ages. The main task of the studio is to recognize and develop children’vocal and rhytmical skills already in the pre-school age. The studio gives apportunity for children to acquire also the basic elements of music lessons. These avtivities help to prepare for school and many children choses to attend music school later. Beautiful tradition is all groups’ concerts at the Riga Latvian Society in autumn, at Christmas, on Easter and on Mother’s Day. The movement esthetics is more connected with a theatrical than choreographic thinking at the studio. For many concerts the studio makes small performances that make happy both, the participants and the listeners. More actively in the concert activities participate 3 concert groups, which, without the daily repertoire, make huge musical performances, working with professional directors and soloists. Since 1997 the children vocal studio “Knīpas un knauķi” make huge musical projects – performances that not only seriously improve the children skills and chances, but also give their contribution to the existing repertoire offered for children in Riga.

In 1997 was staged J.Lūsēns’ and N.Beļskis’ musical performance “Strange World” with the participation of the singers IGO, I.Stonins and I.Martinsone. In 1999 the first performance was for the performance “Listen” by J.Kulakovs, N.Beļskis and D.Micāne-Zālīte, where Agnese and I.Cinkuss sung. The project was regularly staged on Latvian National Theatre’s stage in 1999. On August 19, 2001 “Knīpas un knauķi” celebrated Riga’s 800th birthday together with the composers J.Lūsēns, J.Kulakovs, R.Pauls, Z.Muktupāvels and I.Kalniņš at the Doma Square. The children vocal studio “Knīpas un knauķi” has inspired the creation of the musical play “Thumbelina” at the Daile theatre (J.Lūsēns, N.Beļskis, D.Micāne-Zālīte, 2003). Since 2005 the participants of the vocal studio participate in the Riga Children and youth musical theatre’s “RīBēJa MuTe” (Mouth Resounded) performances: “The Crunch Boy” (N.Matvejevs, M.Samauskis ), “Was Once” ” (G.Gaujenieks, I.Reizniece, Latvian folk songs), “The Class” (J.Ķirsis, N.Beļskis), “Dustboy’s and Dustgirl’s Christmas”  (V.Siliņa, A.Leine), “Pif’s Adventures” (N.Matvejevs, M.Samauskis). 

In 2011 „Knīpas un Knauķi” celebrated its 40th anniversary with several concerts in Latvia.

Recorded musical projects:
1995 – MC “Come to Sing Together” (Latvian folk songs, arrangement - J.Lūsēns)
1996 – MC “Ball with Johann Flypaper” (I. Purmaliete)
1997 – CD, MC “Strange World” (J.Lūsēns, N.Beļskis)
1999 – CD, MC “Listen” (J.Kulakovs, N.Beļskis)
2001 – CD, MC “The Happy Land” (V.Siliņa)
2001 – CD, MC “Unusual Rigans” (songs for Riga-800 together with an animation film, Latvian Music Records’ Annual Award in the children records’ category)
2002 – CD, MC “Earth Songs” (N.Matvejevs, M.Samauskis)
2003 – CD, MC “Thumbelin” (J.Lūsēns, N.Beļskis)
2003 – CD, MC “Who are those, who Sang” (V.Siliņa)
2003 – CD, MC “Come and Fill the Little Heart” (J.Lūsēns, N.Matvejevs, V.Siliņa, N.Beļskis, Latvian Music Records’ Annual Award in the children records’ category)
2004 – CD + book “Riga’s Plays” (J.Lūsēns, I.Zandere)
2005 – CD „ The Crunch Boy” (N.Matvejevs, M.Samauskis)
2006 – CD „I Always Little for My Mummy” (V.Siliņa, J.Ķirsis)
2006 – CD „Was Once” (G.Gaujenieks, I.Reizniece, Latv. Folk songs, Latvian Music Records’ Annual Award in the children records’ category)
2007 – CD „Knīpiņas un knauķīši” (V.Siliņa)
2007 – CD „ Dustboy’s and Dustgirl’s Christmas” (V.Siliņa, A.Leine)
2008 – CD „ Pif’s Adventures” (N.Matvejevs, M.Samauskis)
2010 – CD „Sweet and Good Songs”
2011 – CD „Songs with Sousages” (Andris Sējāns)
2012 – CD „When We Weren’t at Home” (Jānis Ķirsis)