Claude Howald
President of the Association of Friends of the Geneva International Music Competition
Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Geneva International Music Competition Foundation
Claude Howald has been the President of the Association of the Friends of the Geneva International Music Competition since 1996. Together with an enthusiastic team of volunteers, she manages the activities of the Association and the Welcome Committee, which takes particular responsibility for finding accommodation with host families for candidates and their entourages during the competitions. The Association of Friends, headed by Claude Howald, is responsible for such activities as the coordinating the candidates' stays in Geneva, organising the spring Prizewinners Concert in enabling the previous year's laureates to return to Geneva, as well as supporting the Geneva International Music Competition throughout the year and in particular during the competitions. There are about 100 host families and approximately 200 active members who ensure it meets its objectives.
As Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Geneva International Music Competition Foundation Claude Howald is charged with consolidating the basis on which the foundation operates, developing various forms of cooperation with the "natural" partners of the Competition and promoting excellence in the institution's modus operandi.
After having taught languages, directed training centres and held various positions of political responsibility in institutions and elected roles, she now works in the field of managing the respective roles of parents and schools in organising extra-curricular activities for school children of pre-school (kindergarten) and grade school ages (junior). She is a member of associations pursuing social and cultural goals and is President of the "Centre d'intégration professionnelle" - an organisation dedicated to assisting people with handicaps integrate into the work place environment.
Born in Geneva in 1948, she is a well-informed music enthusiast who above all else loves people, reading and ... life in general!!