Lithuanian conductor Karolis Variakojis is a prominent figure in his country's vibrant contemporary music scene, also leading symphony orchestras in performances of mainstream repertory. He was a key developer of Lithuania's foremost contemporary music ensemble Synaesthesis and remains its director. In 2015, Variakojis became conductor of the Alytus Youth Symphony Orchestra Svajonė. The two positions of contemporary orchestra leader and youth orchestra conductor seemed quite different, but Variakojis has found meeting points between them. He is in demand from major contemporary ensembles and orchestras in Lithuania as a guest conductor and has often collaborated in premieres of works by Lithuanian composers, including Bronius Kutavičius and Justė Janulytė. In 2022, Variakojis released his debut album, Žibuoklė Martinaitytė: Ex tenebris lux, with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra.