Born in Santiago, Chile; educated at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música; studied church music, choral and orchestral conducting at Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; taught choral and orchestral conducting at the Freiburg Musikhochschule 1982-93; Cantor and Organist at the Freiburg Christuskirche 1989-93; Professor of Coral Conducting and Director of the Choirs at the Leipzig Hochschiule für Musik and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy theatre 1993-.

Founded and directed period-instrument ensemble Musica Viva Freiburg 1989-2000; directed of the Cappella Vocale Würzburg 1977-. Visiting Professor of Choral Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music 2001-.