Artistic Leadership
Lesley Leighton
Guest Conductor, Season 50
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/Conductor, Season 50
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.
David Torres
Guest Conductor, Season 50
David Torres began conducting fourteen years ago, creating his own wind ensemble and concert series in Los Angeles. Leaving his native Southern California to pursue collegiate studies, Mr. Torres earned a BA in music with a conducting emphasis from Brigham Young University, Idaho and then returned to earn an MM in Choral Conducting from Azusa Pacific University. He has studied conducting with Dr. Rebecca Lord (BYU Idaho), Diane Soelberg (BYU Idaho), Dr. Donald Neuen (UCLA), Dr. John Sutton (Azusa Pacific University), and Dr. Nicole Lamartine (Central Washington University), Dr. Maxim Kuzin (UC Santa Barbara). While at BYU Idaho, Mr. Torres served as an assistant conductor for various choirs and teaching assistant for conducting courses. He formed the BYU Idaho Chamber Singers which performed for dignitaries, commencement, devotionals, department concerts, and much more. Following
graduation, he was hired as an adjunct instructor to teach Men’s and Women’s Choir, basic and advanced conducting courses, and maintain a private conducting studio. Additionally, he served as a substitute conductor for instrumental and orchestral ensembles. He was a head conductor and contributor for the University’s televised (PBS) guest artist productions in the 15,000-seat I-Center.
Mr. Torres has conducted the music and choirs for two 2018 worldwide televised broadcast events of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints (Annual General Conference and Young Adult Fireside). He was the artistic director of the first South-Eastern production of Rob Gardner’s oratorio Lamb of God, which involved a 150-member chorus, orchestra, and professional soloists from Idaho and Utah. During his graduate studies at APU, Mr. Torres served as an assistant conductor for the APU Choral Scholars (graduate choir), University Choir, Symphonic Band, and as graduate teaching assistant. In the community, he held the position of artistic director and conductor of the Los Angeles-based Echo Luminos. He also served as Associate Conductor to Southern California’s reputed Angeles Chorale. Mr. Torres graduated Summa Cum Laude, earning high honor recognition for his scholarship and excellence in music during his graduate studies.
Mr. Torres has advanced to Candidacy (ABD) for the Doctoral of Musical Arts Degree in Conducting at the University of California Santa Barbara. During his time at UCSB, he served as the conductor for UC Santa Barbara Treble Ensemble: Lumina Choir, growing the program from its inception of 7 singers to over 80+ singers in 2 years. He also served as the conductor for the Tenor-Bass Ensemble: Singing Gauchos, and as the assistant conductor for the flagship Chamber
Choir, and as graduate teaching assistant for the choral department. In June of 2023, Mr. Torres launched the Santa Barbara Premiere of Rob Gardner’s Oratorio
Lamb of God, which involved a 125-member chorus, large orchestra, and professional soloists from all around the States. The concert was hailed by the community with over 850+ people in attendance at the historic, renowned Granada Theater. Current appointments for Mr. Torres include service as artistic director, founder and conductor of the elite choral ensemble Vocal Affinity, which was recently featured at the Western American Choral Directors Association Regional Conference in 2022 for the Stories of the Pandemic and as a performing choir at Northwest ACDA Regional Conference in 2020. Mr. Torres also conducts the newly formed ensemble under Vocal Affinity Corporation: The Scholars. Recently, Mr. Torres has been hired to serve as an advisor of the Education and Conducting area of the Student Academy of Musical Leaders (SAML), an organization dedicated to the advancement of the instrumental marching and music performing arts. He also serves as the Artistic Director & Conductor for the prominent Santa Barbara Master Chorale, and the community-inspiring Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale, two organizations which are dedicated to performing major choral/orchestral works and music from the 16th century to the present. Mr. Torres continues to work toward a long career in collegiate choral music and hopes to mentor future conductors.
graduation, he was hired as an adjunct instructor to teach Men’s and Women’s Choir, basic and advanced conducting courses, and maintain a private conducting studio. Additionally, he served as a substitute conductor for instrumental and orchestral ensembles. He was a head conductor and contributor for the University’s televised (PBS) guest artist productions in the 15,000-seat I-Center.
Mr. Torres has conducted the music and choirs for two 2018 worldwide televised broadcast events of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints (Annual General Conference and Young Adult Fireside). He was the artistic director of the first South-Eastern production of Rob Gardner’s oratorio Lamb of God, which involved a 150-member chorus, orchestra, and professional soloists from Idaho and Utah. During his graduate studies at APU, Mr. Torres served as an assistant conductor for the APU Choral Scholars (graduate choir), University Choir, Symphonic Band, and as graduate teaching assistant. In the community, he held the position of artistic director and conductor of the Los Angeles-based Echo Luminos. He also served as Associate Conductor to Southern California’s reputed Angeles Chorale. Mr. Torres graduated Summa Cum Laude, earning high honor recognition for his scholarship and excellence in music during his graduate studies.
Mr. Torres has advanced to Candidacy (ABD) for the Doctoral of Musical Arts Degree in Conducting at the University of California Santa Barbara. During his time at UCSB, he served as the conductor for UC Santa Barbara Treble Ensemble: Lumina Choir, growing the program from its inception of 7 singers to over 80+ singers in 2 years. He also served as the conductor for the Tenor-Bass Ensemble: Singing Gauchos, and as the assistant conductor for the flagship Chamber
Choir, and as graduate teaching assistant for the choral department. In June of 2023, Mr. Torres launched the Santa Barbara Premiere of Rob Gardner’s Oratorio
Lamb of God, which involved a 125-member chorus, large orchestra, and professional soloists from all around the States. The concert was hailed by the community with over 850+ people in attendance at the historic, renowned Granada Theater. Current appointments for Mr. Torres include service as artistic director, founder and conductor of the elite choral ensemble Vocal Affinity, which was recently featured at the Western American Choral Directors Association Regional Conference in 2022 for the Stories of the Pandemic and as a performing choir at Northwest ACDA Regional Conference in 2020. Mr. Torres also conducts the newly formed ensemble under Vocal Affinity Corporation: The Scholars. Recently, Mr. Torres has been hired to serve as an advisor of the Education and Conducting area of the Student Academy of Musical Leaders (SAML), an organization dedicated to the advancement of the instrumental marching and music performing arts. He also serves as the Artistic Director & Conductor for the prominent Santa Barbara Master Chorale, and the community-inspiring Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale, two organizations which are dedicated to performing major choral/orchestral works and music from the 16th century to the present. Mr. Torres continues to work toward a long career in collegiate choral music and hopes to mentor future conductors.
Operations
Marcel Bourdase, CAE
Operations Director
Kelsey Ostrow
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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Kristen Klehr
Member At Large
Kristen Klehr is a drummer/percussionist based in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Prior to her appointment at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, she toured internationally with Scrap Arts Music from 2017-2020, and has performed on stages as big as Coachella and as small as Hotel Café, with the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra and Juneau Symphony Brass, from orchestral to pit musicals to singer+songwriter and pop - in short, she loves it all. Kristen received her first GRAMMY® Nomination on marimba with The String Theory in 2020, and was honored to be a featured artist at the Mallet + Voice Fest 2023. A serial entrepreneur, she is the founder of Produced by BEAR, an innovative live music event production company, and owns The Den and Pawprint. Learn more and connect with her here: @kristenklehr • www.kristenklehr.com
(photo credit Francesco Desmaele)
(photo credit Francesco Desmaele)
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
