Team

Sylvia Brandmair

Pedagogue

Ulrike Kletzenbauer

Pedagogue

Born 1976, residing in Schwertberg

After a long period in the intense, mostly negatively-charged field of social work, I wanted to dedicate myself again once more to the more pleasant side of being human. And where better to do that than with the Boys’ Choir, where the boys are challenged and supported according to their talents, and at the same time a great cultural value – namely music – is kept alive. Music has always played a great role in my life (in the school choir, making music at home ...). Therefore, I am that much more touched during those moments when the boys work their magic in our hearts with their voices. When I began my work, a choir boy said to me that it was their job to bring people joy with their voices. And every day they succeed in doing it once again. I place great value on respectful dealings with one another, listening, and especially the appreciation of their personalities.

Sara Safarkhani

Pedagogue

Born in Tehran in 1981

I am about to complete my studies in social pedagogy and have been working with the choirboys since November 2024 with great joy and passion. For me, music and singing are wonderful ways to promote joy, community, and expression—especially when working with boys. It makes me happy to see how they grow with enthusiasm, discover new things, and develop self-confidence.

Through my experience as a competitive swimmer, lifeguard, and swimming coach, as well as a former soccer player and active referee, I bring values such as team spirit, fairness, and perseverance to my work in addition to my pedagogical knowledge. My goal is to strengthen the children in their development, motivate them, and give them confidence in their own abilities.

I look forward to accompanying the choirboys with openness, humor, and empathy and to helping shape their everyday lives in a positive way.

Thomas Storch, BEd

Pedagogue

My name is Thomas Storch and I am 26 years old. After graduation from secondary school it was clear to me that I wanted to work with children in the future. This led me to decide to study for a degree in elementary education and teaching certification at the teachers’ college of the Linz Diocese. During this time I was confirmed in my direction, as I found that working and being with children gave me much pleasure. It is important to me that what we do is fun for the children, and that they are in a protected environment in which they feel comfortable. Here with the St. Florian Boys Choir as well, where I have been an educator since 2014, I try to pursue these goals to the greatest extent possible.

Andrea Wertgarner

Pedagogue

I find working with the children in this tradition-rich environment a joyful enrichment. For me, bringing out their strengths and talents means a great potential for our society and the next generations.

Again and again I am amazed by the uniqueness of each boy. The joy of making music and the individual sound of the beautiful voice, the willingness to sing in a choir, the willingness to travel, these are all talents that the children bring with them and that we value and encourage.

My talents that I can bring here as an educator are a love of children, music and singing and a love of learning, as well as an appreciation of beauty and a sense of community.

I am happy to be part of this great whole - a flourishing, thriving forge of traditional talent - as a role model, a mediator of values and a loving companion in the boarding school of the St. Florian Boys Choir.