Diana Landis, a noted conductor and music educator, has been
appointed director of Los Angeles Children’s Chorus’ (LACC)
Apprentice Choir. LACC Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson announced
her appointment, which marks Landis’ return to the chorus after a
10-year absence during which time she taught music in various
capacities in Orange County. She replaces Larissa Donnelly, who
relocated with her family to Texas.
“We warmly welcome Diana back to the LACC family,” says
Tomlinson. “Her exceptional music skills and broad teaching
experience at all age levels are tremendous assets to the
Apprentice Choir. Because of Diana’s previous experience with LACC,
she is also very familiar with how children are promoted through
LACC’s six formal ensembles based on their skill level and musical
readiness. Everyone at LACC is delighted to work closely with her
in her new capacity.”
“I am delighted to, once again, be a part of the LACC ‘team,’”
states Landis. “It is an exceptional organization of the highest
artistic caliber, and the choristers are remarkable on so many
levels.”
Landis formerly directed LACC’s Apprentice Choir for five years
(1993-1998) and the Intermediate Choir during the 2000-2001 season.
She currently teaches general music to grades one through six at
Our Lady Queen of Angels School in Newport Beach. She also oversees
an instrumental music program for the seventh and eighth graders
and directs the two Parish children’s choirs: Gaudete Singers for
third and fourth grades and Cantate Choir for grades five through
eight. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in
Music Education from the University of Southern California and
holds a California Life Credential to teach music in grades K-12.
Landis also earned certification in Levels I-III from Choral Music
Experience; studied the Kodály method with Katinka Daniel; and
studied Orff-Schulwerk Levels I-III under the mentorship of Jos
Wuytack. Landis serves as President of the Southern California
Chapter of Chorister’s Guild and is an active member of the
American Choral Director’s Association and the American Orff
Schulwerk Association. Her previous professional experience
includes teaching music education in Saddleback Valley Unified
School District (1976-1983); administrating and teaching her own
Music & Movement business in Newport Beach; and directing
children’s choirs at both St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and
Irvine Presbyterian Church.
LACC’s Apprentice Choir includes children with some prior
musical experience who audition directly into the ensemble and
choristers who have been promoted from the Preparatory Choir.
Apprentice choristers receive musical training once a week in
rehearsals and separate musicianship classes on Monday evenings.
The Apprentice Choir performs in LACC’s Winter and Spring Concerts
and at occasional community concerts throughout the season.
Apprentice choristers participate in a local day trip each spring
to sing with other children’s choirs and to enjoy fun social
activities at the tour destination.
About Los Angeles Children’s Chorus
Described as “astonishingly polished,” “hauntingly
beautiful,” and “one heck of a talented group of kids,” LOS ANGELES
CHILDREN’S CHORUS is widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost
children’s choirs. Founded in 1986 and currently led by Artistic
Director Anne Tomlinson, LACC performs with such leading
organizations as LA Opera, LA Phil, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, LA
Master Chorale, LACO, Pasadena Symphony and POPs and Calder
Quartet. The chorus’ roster includes more than 350 children aged
6-18 from 60 communities across Los Angeles in six choirs and
“First Experiences in Singing” classes for young singers. LACC has
toured North and South America, China and Europe, and produced the
world-premiere of “Keepers of the Night,” an opera by Peter Ash and
Donald Sturrock. The chorus appeared on LA Master Chorale’s Decca
recording “A Good Understanding,” and Plácido Domingo’s Deutsche
Grammophon recording “Amore Infinito” (“Infinite Love”) and, in
2011, gave the U.S. premiere of Esa-Pekka Salonen’s “Dona Nobis
Pacem.” The subject of a trilogy of documentaries by Academy
Award-winning filmmaker Freida Lee Mock, LACC is featured in the
Academy Award-nominated “Sing!,” about a year in the life of the
choir; “Sing Opera!,” documenting the production of LACC’s
commissioned family opera “Keepers of the Night”; and “Sing
China!,” chronicling its groundbreaking tour to China just prior to
the Beijing Olympics. LACC has performed with John Mayer on NBC’s
“The Tonight Show,” and was featured on Public Radio
International’s nationally syndicated show “From the Top,” among
other credits. Open auditions for LACC take place each May. First
Experiences in Singing is a non-auditioned program for 6-7 year
olds that serves as an enriching and fun music introduction for
children.
For more information on Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, please
call (626) 793-4231 or visit www.lachildrenschorus.org.
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