Artistic Leadership
Lesley Leighton
Artistic Director
Lesley Leighton has performed as a conductor and singer at Lincoln Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Hollywood Bowl, Opernhaus Köln, Glyndebourne, and Glimmerglass, and has worked with and prepped for world-renowned conductors Gustavo Dudamel, John Adams, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Leonard Slatkin, David Newman, Anthony Parnther,
and the late Bramwell Tovey, in addition to composer David Lang.
She made her Los Angeles Opera and Los Angeles Philharmonic conducting debuts in the 2018-19 season in two works by David Lang, in addition to preparing Los Robles Master Chorale for its debut at the Ojai Festival. She is currently the Principal Guest Conductor of the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, performing with them several times a season, and was the Associate Conductor of Los Angeles Master Chorale from 2010-2016, in addition to serving as the Artistic Director of Los Robles Master Chorale from 2007-2022. She most recently worked with the LA Phil in December 2023, preparing the chorus for conductor and film composer David Newman, for the live to screening of Home Alone, which she will repeat in December of 2024. She also serves as the Department of Music Chair, and Director of Conducting & Choral Activities at California State University San Bernardino, and is the Director of Music at Glendale First United Methodist Church.
Leighton’s voice can be heard on more than 120 film and television soundtracks, most recently on Ghostbusters 3, Chuky, Super Mario Bros. Movie, Captain Marvel, Sing2, Mulan, Deadpool, and Twisters (both 2024 and 1996) as well as classics like Frozen I & II, and The Lion King. A native of Los Angeles, Leighton studied conducting with Paul Salamunovich earning a BA inconducting from Loyola Marymount University, and an MM in vocal performance and a DMA in conducting from the University of Southern California.
and the late Bramwell Tovey, in addition to composer David Lang.
She made her Los Angeles Opera and Los Angeles Philharmonic conducting debuts in the 2018-19 season in two works by David Lang, in addition to preparing Los Robles Master Chorale for its debut at the Ojai Festival. She is currently the Principal Guest Conductor of the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, performing with them several times a season, and was the Associate Conductor of Los Angeles Master Chorale from 2010-2016, in addition to serving as the Artistic Director of Los Robles Master Chorale from 2007-2022. She most recently worked with the LA Phil in December 2023, preparing the chorus for conductor and film composer David Newman, for the live to screening of Home Alone, which she will repeat in December of 2024. She also serves as the Department of Music Chair, and Director of Conducting & Choral Activities at California State University San Bernardino, and is the Director of Music at Glendale First United Methodist Church.
Leighton’s voice can be heard on more than 120 film and television soundtracks, most recently on Ghostbusters 3, Chuky, Super Mario Bros. Movie, Captain Marvel, Sing2, Mulan, Deadpool, and Twisters (both 2024 and 1996) as well as classics like Frozen I & II, and The Lion King. A native of Los Angeles, Leighton studied conducting with Paul Salamunovich earning a BA inconducting from Loyola Marymount University, and an MM in vocal performance and a DMA in conducting from the University of Southern California.
Angela Lin
Associate Conductor
Angela Lin has been the choral director at Marlborough school since her move to California in 2017. With her arrival, she has built the choir program in its involvement around the community and nation-wide with multiple performances at Carnegie Hall and WorldStrides Festivals. Ms. Lin’s previous work included serving as Head Choir Director at Sam Rayburn High School in Pasadena, TX, where she directed two show choir groups, six competitive choirs, and received numerous sweepstake awards at UIL (University Interscholastic League) competitions. Whilst in Texas, Ms. Lin also directed her church's children's choirs and was a member of the professional choral ensemble, Houston Cantare.
Angela holds a master's degree in Music Education- Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College and earned her bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Delaware. Her time at Westminster Choir College included extensive work and performance under the batons of Joe Miller and the Westminster Symphonic Choir. Additionally, her mentors include James Jordan (of Westminster Williamson Voices) and Paul Head (of the UD Chorale).
Ms. Lin holds professional affiliations with ACDA, CCDA, and SCVA, and is excited to be in her seventh year as a member of the renowned Angeles Chorale.
Angela holds a master's degree in Music Education- Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College and earned her bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Delaware. Her time at Westminster Choir College included extensive work and performance under the batons of Joe Miller and the Westminster Symphonic Choir. Additionally, her mentors include James Jordan (of Westminster Williamson Voices) and Paul Head (of the UD Chorale).
Ms. Lin holds professional affiliations with ACDA, CCDA, and SCVA, and is excited to be in her seventh year as a member of the renowned Angeles Chorale.
Operations
Marcel Bourdase, CAE
Operations Director
Maggie Furrow
Events Director
Board of Directors
Alison Sieh
Chair
Alison Sieh works for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as a Campaign Director for the Student Visionaries of the Year program. In under 3 years, she’s led a team of managers and volunteers in raising just shy of 9 million dollars to support advocacy, patient services and research in a mission to create a world without blood cancer. For almost two decades, she’s worked in the music industry, most notably as a Music Supervisor and Director of Music where she’s been responsible for picking music for some of your favorite movie and streaming trailers. In 2023, she became a Master Instructor at the Bar Method where she has been teaching classes for 14 years. She has sung with the Angeles Chorale for 13 years and has served on the Board since 2020.
Nikole Luebbe Sherman
Secretary
Nikole Luebbe Sherman is the sole executive in charge of music clearances and licensing at Warner Bros. Games. An expert contract negotiator with over 10 years of experience in the music industry, she has hired composers, songwriters and musicians for a myriad of projects across film, television, marketing and games. Nikole studied voice and music business at Berklee College of Music and is currently a Professor of Courses in Music Supervision. She is a 9 year singing member member of the Angeles Chorale and has been serving on the Board of Directors since 2019.
Genevieve Plourde, CFA
Treasurer
Genevieve Plourde, CFA has 25 years of experience in the financial industry, having worked in pension consulting, investment research and due diligence, marketing, client service, funds and business operations for a number of large firms: Aristotle (2013-
present), Aletheia Research and Management (2011-2013), CIBC Asset Management (2005-2011), RBC Financial Group (2003-2004), Mercer Investment Consulting (2000-2003). Genevieve volunteered as Flag Football Commissioner for LASportNet, one of the largest social sports organizations in the greater Los Angeles area. Genevieve has been on the Chorale Board since the 2022-2023 season and previously served as Member at Large and Rising Treasurer.
present), Aletheia Research and Management (2011-2013), CIBC Asset Management (2005-2011), RBC Financial Group (2003-2004), Mercer Investment Consulting (2000-2003). Genevieve volunteered as Flag Football Commissioner for LASportNet, one of the largest social sports organizations in the greater Los Angeles area. Genevieve has been on the Chorale Board since the 2022-2023 season and previously served as Member at Large and Rising Treasurer.
Becky Fish
Member At Large
Becky Fish is a corporate accountant with over three decades of experience. She has been affiliated with the global nonprofit AIDS Healthcare Foundation since 2018, where she enjoys making a tiny contribution toward making the world a better place. Becky earned her degree from UCLA, and can often be found rooting for her beloved Bruins in just about any sport. In her spare time, Becky sings alto in her temple’s choir and serves as its administrator. She also teaches songs and song leading to Girl Scouts and their leaders across Southern California, working to preserve the tradition that “A Girl Scout Sings!”
Diana Gesshel
Member At Large
Diana Gesshel is an attorney and graduate of Loyola Law School. She holds an MBA from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and received her Bachelor of Arts in History from UCLA.
Diana is currently a Sr. Program Manager in Compliance for a large non-profit health plan, where she manages institutional risk by measuring and performing oversight of operational regulatory requirements, and finds creative solutions to improve business processes and outcomes. Diana serves on the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Health Law Section’s Executive Committee, where she helps develop educational programs for health law attorneys. She is also a past Chair. Diana has been singing with the Chorale since 2007, and has recently returned to the Angeles Chorale Board of Directors as a Member at Large. In previous terms she served as VP of Chorale Affairs, Secretary and Vice Chair.
Diana is currently a Sr. Program Manager in Compliance for a large non-profit health plan, where she manages institutional risk by measuring and performing oversight of operational regulatory requirements, and finds creative solutions to improve business processes and outcomes. Diana serves on the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Health Law Section’s Executive Committee, where she helps develop educational programs for health law attorneys. She is also a past Chair. Diana has been singing with the Chorale since 2007, and has recently returned to the Angeles Chorale Board of Directors as a Member at Large. In previous terms she served as VP of Chorale Affairs, Secretary and Vice Chair.
Steven Goby
Member At Large
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Steve is a retired healthcare attorney. He has been on the Angeles Chorale Board for several years. He has served on several nonprofit boards and participates in other volunteer activities. While not a singer, Steve is a live music enthusiast and regularly attends concerts (mostly rock and roll). His other interests include hiking, pickleball and collecting prints from Los Angeles artists. He loves the commitment and passion of the Angeles Chorale singers and his fellow Board members.
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Christopher Davidson
VP of Chorale Affairs
Christopher Davidson is Acting Program Supervisor, Quest Day Program, at BuildAbility and an Adjunct Professor at Southern New Hampshire University. Prior to that, Christopher was Adjunct Professor of Sociology at Brandman University, Sociology
Instructor at Excelsior College and a Volunteer at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies. Christopher has been singing with the Angeles Chorale for 9 years and recently joined the Board as singers-elected VP of Chorale Affairs.
Instructor at Excelsior College and a Volunteer at Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies. Christopher has been singing with the Angeles Chorale for 9 years and recently joined the Board as singers-elected VP of Chorale Affairs.
Advisory Board
Donald Neuen
Alfred Osborne
Alexander Treger
Charlene Archibeque
Werner Keller
Morten Lauridsen
Alfred Osborne
Alexander Treger
Charlene Archibeque
Werner Keller
Morten Lauridsen
Rae Macdonald - In Memoriam
Rae Macdonald served as Executive Director of the Angeles Chorale from 2003 until she passed away in October 2016. Previously, Rae served as Production Manager for the Los Angeles Master Chorale and worked closely with Roger Wagner, John Currie, Paul Salamunovich, and Grant Gershon.
Rae was also an active member of the Los Angeles Master Chorale for 22 years, combined with the LA-based Roger Wagner Chorale for 20 years performing in concerts, movie soundtracks, and recordings as well as touring Israel, Germany, Japan, Korea and making several tours across the United States under the auspices of Columbia Artists Management.
For more about Rae Macdonald's musical life and legacy click here
Rae was also an active member of the Los Angeles Master Chorale for 22 years, combined with the LA-based Roger Wagner Chorale for 20 years performing in concerts, movie soundtracks, and recordings as well as touring Israel, Germany, Japan, Korea and making several tours across the United States under the auspices of Columbia Artists Management.
For more about Rae Macdonald's musical life and legacy click here
