Arne Kovac studied the piano in Essen (Germany) from the age of 6 first with Gerlinde Dautzenberg and later with Stephan Mueller. While still a student at the Grammar school of Essen-Borbeck he founded the "Junges Borbecker Musiktheater" which he conducted for more than 10 years until he moved to Bristol. He was the musical director of Bristol Opera from 2005 to 2024 and also conducted White Horse Opera from 2008 to 2014. For four seasons he was also the musical director of Northavon Youth Theatre School.
The range of operas that Arne has conducted includes well known pieces such as "La Traviata" and "The Marriage of Figaro" which he has already done in three different productions as well as gems such as "La Sonnambula". With his recent performances of "Eugene Onegin", "The Pearl Fishers" and "The Vampire" Bristol Opera won the Rose Bowl award for best opera/operetta production in 2009, 2010 and 2012 and the Wilfred Trophy for Chorus Singing from Noda in 2009. Arne also enjoys spectacular performances of less popular works from the 20th century such as "Der Mond" from Carl Orff with 6 percussionists, "Help, Help, the Globolinks" from Gian-Carlo Menotti with prerecorded synthesizer music from tape or "The Perfect Fool" from Gustav Holst.
In addition to opera Arne has considerable experience with conducting musicals such as "Into the Woods", "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Kiss me, Kate" and is composer of the musical "Mord im Morgengrauen". He also enjoys playing the piano in shows and recitals.