Conductor Ivars Cinkuss Cuts His Signature Long Hair After Salon Mishap

For years, choral conductor Ivars Cinkuss was instantly recognizable in Latvia not just for his charismatic stage presence, but for the long blond hair that had become his visual trademark, as reported by the lifestyle outlet Santa. That signature look came to an abrupt end during a recent trip to a salon in central Riga.

An Accidental Haircut That Left Everyone Stunned

What was meant to be a routine trim turned into a radical transformation when the conductor sat down in the chair of an unfamiliar stylist. Expecting only to clean up his split ends while keeping his length, Cinkuss experienced an immediate and irreversible change.

Ivars Cinkuss, conductor, via Santa, recounted that he had gone to an unfamiliar hairdresser and told her that he wanted to stay as he was, just to trim his hair ends a little bit, and she had agreed by saying okay, but as soon as he sat in the chair, she simply snipped and cut off the entire back.

The initial reaction to the sudden crop was difficult, though the conductor admitted that there was no turning back once the hair was gone. Cinkuss notes that the shorter style has practical perks, including requiring much less daily maintenance and feeling lighter during the summer months.

The most dramatic reveal happened at home, where his wife, Čikāgas piecīši soloist and choral conductor Lorija Vuda-Cinkusa, failed to recognize him at first glance.

Ivars Cinkuss, via Santa, shared that she was very surprised and did not recognize him at all in the first moment.

Pēc tam tikai nopūtās, jo ne viņa, ne es nebijām gaidījuši šādu rezultātu, Cinkuss recalled of his wife’s reaction, as detailed in the profile by Santa.

Lorija Vuda-Cinkusa Balances Choir Direction and Summer Concerts

While her husband adjusts to his new look, Lorija Vuda-Cinkusa maintains a packed artistic calendar. Aside from her permanent career directing two prominent men’s choirs—the Ventspils men’s choir, which celebrated its 15-year anniversary in 2019, and the men’s choir of the Student Fraternities’ Presidium Convention at the University of Latvia—she is stepping out as a guest artist this summer.

She is joining Sestā jūdze, one of Latvia’s most titled country music groups, for their 20th-anniversary special concert tour titled «Es iemīlēšos Tevī». The collaboration came about after the group’s manager, Dace, reached out to explain that Čikāgas piecīši had served as a primary inspiration when the band first started making music two decades ago.

A Busy Schedule Across Riga and Ventspils

Vuda-Cinkusa splits her working week between Riga and Ventspils, where she also serves as a vocal pedagogue at the Ventspils Music School. Her summer itinerary includes performances featuring classic ensemble tunes, such as an August 8 concert in Vidriži organized following an invitation from the sports and culture center «Vidriži» vadītājs.

Though regular collaborator Armands Birkens returned to Chicago on July 1 after visiting Latvia earlier in the season, Vuda-Cinkusa teamed up with colleague, and guitarist Andris Grīnberg to create a light performance program focusing on «Čikāgas piecīši» songs for her summer appearances. Whether managing her demanding rehearsal schedules with the men’s choirs or stepping onto the stage alongside Sestā jūdze, the veteran soloist continues to embrace a rigorous, multi-faceted artistic life.