Grigori Sarolea (The Hague, 1967) studied school music and choral direction at the conservatories of The Hague and Rotterdam. As a conductor of several choirs in the Netherlands, he has become a specialist of Slavic-Byzantine (church) music. A performer of folk music since his youth, he also teaches it by now, especially the subject of Dutch vocal folk music.

Having also studied musicology, he has done a great deal of research into Dutch song culture. Among many other projects, he did the research for the exhibition 'De Zuiderzeeballade & andere liederen van de Zuiderzee' ('The Zuiderzee Ballad and other songs of the Zuiderzee') and the TV documentary 'Volendam zingt!' ('Volendam sings!'). Over ten CD's have been recorded under his guidance, ranging from a 'Zuiderzee compilation album' and folk music of the low lands to Russian and Ukrainian church and folk music.

Grigori Sarolea researched which melodies deserved a spot in this Top 30, and served as director and as violinist for the songs' recordings.

Visit this website for additional information about Grigori Sarolea:
www.saroleamusic.nl