Jaret Choolun (b. 1988) is an Australian composer and choir director based in Berlin. His work is primarily centered around contemporary choral and gospel music, ranging from uniquely rich and harmonically tense works for voices to unconventional and creative arrangements of traditional folksongs.

From 2012 to 2023, Jaret was the director of the Bremen-based Northern Spirit chamber choir, a role that comprised both his skills as a composer/arranger for the group as well as showcasing the choral music of his contemporaries to audiences in Germany and wider Europe. During his tenure, the choir performed in a wide variety of venues and competitions, taking home prizes from the Krakow International Choral Competition (2015), the European Choir Games (2016) and the Deutsches Chorfest (2022). Since relocating to Berlin in 2018, Jaret co-directs one of the city’s longest standing queer choirs, the QuerChorallen, which has included continued arrangements and commissions as well as performing in some of Europe’s most esteemed venues and festivals.

Jaret owes his success in Berlin’s Gospel scene to his long history with contemporary church music as well as his wonderful colleague, fellow Australian and vocal trainer Andrew Guy. The duo formed in 2022 and together they lead a mass choir project, Lighthill Gospel, as well as the smaller auditioned choir, the GOSPELkollektiv, both of which focus on the uniquely inclusive and joyous experience of group singing. Jaret writes music for both choirs.

Despite more than a decade living abroad, Jaret’s work has continued to resonate with audiences in Australia. His commissions for The Australian Voices (TAV) and the Hunter Singers have been just some of the recent highlights of his extensive engagement with the choral scene in his home country. Jaret held a collaborative partnership with Australian children’s author Tess Rowley (author of “Everyone’s Got a Bottom”). Their first project, Lullaby for the Christ Child (2017), was awarded 2nd place in the illustrious Voces8 composing competition, receiving a premiere by the group in London as well as a German premiere by Northern Spirit in the same year. This was followed by Gaia’s Song (2019), a warning of the destructive effects of climate change and deforestation to Australian wildlife. Jaret continues to be one of Australia’s most successful exports in sharing new work with both European and Australian audiences.

As well as his activities in the music world, Jaret also runs a side hustle as a queer health and lifestyle podcaster.