Jaret Choolun (born 1988) is an Australian composer and choir director working in contemporary choral music as well as Gospel. He lives and works in Berlin, Germany, and travels frequently to Australia, where his music is also performed.

From 2012 to 2023 Jaret directed Northern Spirit chamber choir in Bremen, Germany, for which he wrote new music as well as numerous folk song arrangements, while also championing the choral music of his contemporaries to audiences in Germany as well as across Europe. Under Jaret’s direction, the choir won awards at the Krakow International Choral Competition in 2015, the European Choir Games in 2016, and the Deutsches Chorfest in 2022. 

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 new music has also gained interest in Australia. His commissioned work for The Australian Voices as well as the Hunter Singers youth choir have attracted attention, and given the heightened interest he promises to market to the Australian choir scene soon! Jaret has collaborated multiple times with Australian children’s author Tess Rowley (author of “Everyone’s Got a Bottom”) to create a message addressing the concerns of today’s young people, especially regarding climate change. In 2017 their first collaboration was awarded 2nd place at the Voces8 composing competition, receiving its first performance by them in London, while simultaneously having its German premiere by Northern Spirit.

Since 2018 Jaret co-conducts one of Berlin’s longstanding queer choirs, the QuerChorallen. He arranges queer anthems for the choir, which performs yearly at queer festivals in Germany and Europe, as well as hosting frequent collaborations between queer choirs in Berlin. He runs a side hustle as a podcaster for gay men’s health, and lives with his husband, photographer, gallerist and educator A. David Holloway.