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Musical Directors
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Lori Loftus
Director, Concert Chorus
Lori Loftus is the Founding Director of the Southern California Children’s Chorus (SCCC), where she leads an outstanding music faculty serving young singers from ages 5 through 18 in six choral levels. In its 26-year mission of enhancing children’s lives through distinguished choral music education and world-class performance, SCCC and Lori have been honored with 3 Emmy Awards. She has conducted SCCC in performances on nearly all the great stages of the world, including Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House.
Lori has also been a featured guest keyboardist with the Pacific Symphony many times since 1976. She has performed a wide array of repertoire on the great organ at Segerstrom Hall, and she appears annually on the harpsichord for the Symphony’s and Pacific Chorale’s December performance of Handel’s Messiah.
In 2007, Lori was honored for her lifetime of achievements with the Outstanding Alumni Award for Excellence in Choral Music from her alma mater, California State University at Fullerton. In 2022, she received the ‘Titan of Music’ award as one of only eight who have been so honored by CSUF’s internationally acclaimed School of Music.
Lori Loftus is the Founding Director of the Southern California Children’s Chorus (SCCC), where she leads an outstanding music faculty serving young singers from ages 5 through 18 in six choral levels. In its 26-year mission of enhancing children’s lives through distinguished choral music education and world-class performance, SCCC and Lori have been honored with 3 Emmy Awards. She has conducted SCCC in performances on nearly all the great stages of the world, including Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House.
Lori has also been a featured guest keyboardist with the Pacific Symphony many times since 1976. She has performed a wide array of repertoire on the great organ at Segerstrom Hall, and she appears annually on the harpsichord for the Symphony’s and Pacific Chorale’s December performance of Handel’s Messiah.
In 2007, Lori was honored for her lifetime of achievements with the Outstanding Alumni Award for Excellence in Choral Music from her alma mater, California State University at Fullerton. In 2022, she received the ‘Titan of Music’ award as one of only eight who have been so honored by CSUF’s internationally acclaimed School of Music.
Tina Peterson
Co-Director, Concert Chorus
Tina Glander Peterson has over twenty five years of professional choral directing and teaching experience as a public-school music educator in Wisconsin and California. Currently, she is Director of Choirs at Irvine High School where she conducts five choirs. Tina also holds the position of Minister of Music at Church of the Foothills in Tustin, California.
In 2019, Tina was awarded Irvine High School’s Teacher of the Year at Irvine High School and she was the recipient of the Irene Schoepfle Lifetime Achievement Award for distinguished contributions to music education. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and her Master of Music in Music Education and Choral Conducting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Ms. Tina is thrilled to be returning to SCCC to work with the Concert Chorus.
Tina Glander Peterson has over twenty five years of professional choral directing and teaching experience as a public-school music educator in Wisconsin and California. Currently, she is Director of Choirs at Irvine High School where she conducts five choirs. Tina also holds the position of Minister of Music at Church of the Foothills in Tustin, California.
In 2019, Tina was awarded Irvine High School’s Teacher of the Year at Irvine High School and she was the recipient of the Irene Schoepfle Lifetime Achievement Award for distinguished contributions to music education. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and her Master of Music in Music Education and Choral Conducting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Ms. Tina is thrilled to be returning to SCCC to work with the Concert Chorus.
Ebun Agboola
Co-Director, Advanced Chorus
Ebun Agboola is a graduate of California State University Fullerton with a Bachelors in Music and a Master’s degree in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from California State University Long Beach. Ms. Ebun currently teaches 4-6th grade vocal music in the Irvine Unified School District. She has been teaching for 9 years and received the Teacher of Promise Award in 2019.
Ms. Ebun has had the privilege of singing in many choirs and has performed at many venues in Southern California including the Hollywood Bowl and the Honda Center. She’s also had the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Ms. Ebun’s favorite activities are singing obnoxiously in her car, playing cello and electric bass. Ms. Ebun spends too much time watching Korean dramas, has a ridiculously large sock collection and loves playing ultimate frisbee.
Ebun Agboola is a graduate of California State University Fullerton with a Bachelors in Music and a Master’s degree in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from California State University Long Beach. Ms. Ebun currently teaches 4-6th grade vocal music in the Irvine Unified School District. She has been teaching for 9 years and received the Teacher of Promise Award in 2019.
Ms. Ebun has had the privilege of singing in many choirs and has performed at many venues in Southern California including the Hollywood Bowl and the Honda Center. She’s also had the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Ms. Ebun’s favorite activities are singing obnoxiously in her car, playing cello and electric bass. Ms. Ebun spends too much time watching Korean dramas, has a ridiculously large sock collection and loves playing ultimate frisbee.
Benjamin Glasner
Co-Director, Advanced Chorus
Benjamin Glasner is very excited to co-direct the Advanced Chorus at SCCC! A recent graduate from California State University, Fullerton, with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, Benjamin currently teaches Vocal Music and Musical Theater to grades 4-8, as well as private voice lessons on the side. He also sings in the billboard-charting new music choir Choral Arts Initiative. Prior to his university studies, Benjamin spent many years honing his skills working as a Music Director and Director for both adult and youth theater programs.
Mr. Ben’s mission as a director is to cultivate a love for music in his students, drawing from his own enjoyable experiences as a young musician, while also equipping them with the skills necessary for musical growth and opportunity in the future. His personal blend of hard work and having fun stems not only from his formal training but also from his personal experiences, such as being awarded the distinctive honor of Class Clown in his high school choir (two years in a row!). Outside of the music room, you can find Mr. Ben in front of the grill, playing with his dog Rocket, or working on a jigsaw puzzle with a bowl of ice cream.
Benjamin Glasner is very excited to co-direct the Advanced Chorus at SCCC! A recent graduate from California State University, Fullerton, with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education, Benjamin currently teaches Vocal Music and Musical Theater to grades 4-8, as well as private voice lessons on the side. He also sings in the billboard-charting new music choir Choral Arts Initiative. Prior to his university studies, Benjamin spent many years honing his skills working as a Music Director and Director for both adult and youth theater programs.
Mr. Ben’s mission as a director is to cultivate a love for music in his students, drawing from his own enjoyable experiences as a young musician, while also equipping them with the skills necessary for musical growth and opportunity in the future. His personal blend of hard work and having fun stems not only from his formal training but also from his personal experiences, such as being awarded the distinctive honor of Class Clown in his high school choir (two years in a row!). Outside of the music room, you can find Mr. Ben in front of the grill, playing with his dog Rocket, or working on a jigsaw puzzle with a bowl of ice cream.
Ricardo Soto
Co-Director, Intermediate Chorus
Ricardo Soto received his doctorate in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern California in 1993, graduating magnum cum laude and receiving the Department Award for Excellence. Master's and bachelor's degrees were earned from California State University, Fullerton. Ric retired from Orange Coast College in 2020, where he taught theory and music history. From 2006 to 2015, he served as conductor for the OCC Orchestra. In 2014, Ric received Orange Coast College's Faculty of the Year award. Previously, he served on the faculties at Cal State Fullerton, where he conducted the Men's Chorus and Opera Orchestra, and at the University of Irvine, where he led the Men's and Women's Choirs.
Currently, Ric is the music director at St. Anthony's Church in Long Beach and teaches music at the parish elementary school. His great interest lies in developing choral music that reflects his Hispanic heritage.
Ricardo Soto received his doctorate in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern California in 1993, graduating magnum cum laude and receiving the Department Award for Excellence. Master's and bachelor's degrees were earned from California State University, Fullerton. Ric retired from Orange Coast College in 2020, where he taught theory and music history. From 2006 to 2015, he served as conductor for the OCC Orchestra. In 2014, Ric received Orange Coast College's Faculty of the Year award. Previously, he served on the faculties at Cal State Fullerton, where he conducted the Men's Chorus and Opera Orchestra, and at the University of Irvine, where he led the Men's and Women's Choirs.
Currently, Ric is the music director at St. Anthony's Church in Long Beach and teaches music at the parish elementary school. His great interest lies in developing choral music that reflects his Hispanic heritage.
Zachary Lindquist
Co-Director, Intermediate Chorus
Zachary Lindquist is a conductor, teacher, and vocalist from Chanhassen, MN. Lindquist currently teaches at Fullerton College, where he directs the Tenor-Bass Ensemble and teaches courses in ear training and musicianship. Previously, he was the Choral Area Manager of CSUF, where he was assistant director of Titan Voices, the soprano-alto choir at California State University, Fullerton and the University Singers, the select chamber ensemble. Lindquist is also active Chorusmaster and Assistant Orchestra Director for CSUF Opera Theater’s production of Street Scene, and Assistant Chorusmaster for Segerstrom Center’s production of Sweeney Todd. In Minnesota, Lindquist taught sixth grade mixed voice choirs, and seventh and eighth grade tenor-bass choirs middle school choirs before moving to California. Lindquist is an active clinician and coach, having been the guest conductor for the Southern California Vocal Associations Mixed Close Harmony Festival in 2022.
As a performer, Lindquist is currently a Staff Singer for the Pacific Chorale under the direction of Dr. Robert Istad. Lindquist has earned a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from California State University, Fullerton and his Bachelor of Music Education from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. He has studied conducting from Dr. Sandra Snow, Dr. Jonathan Reed, and Dr. Robert Istad. He studied voice with the late Professor Peter Lightfoot and Dr. Mark Goodrich.
Zachary Lindquist is a conductor, teacher, and vocalist from Chanhassen, MN. Lindquist currently teaches at Fullerton College, where he directs the Tenor-Bass Ensemble and teaches courses in ear training and musicianship. Previously, he was the Choral Area Manager of CSUF, where he was assistant director of Titan Voices, the soprano-alto choir at California State University, Fullerton and the University Singers, the select chamber ensemble. Lindquist is also active Chorusmaster and Assistant Orchestra Director for CSUF Opera Theater’s production of Street Scene, and Assistant Chorusmaster for Segerstrom Center’s production of Sweeney Todd. In Minnesota, Lindquist taught sixth grade mixed voice choirs, and seventh and eighth grade tenor-bass choirs middle school choirs before moving to California. Lindquist is an active clinician and coach, having been the guest conductor for the Southern California Vocal Associations Mixed Close Harmony Festival in 2022.
As a performer, Lindquist is currently a Staff Singer for the Pacific Chorale under the direction of Dr. Robert Istad. Lindquist has earned a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from California State University, Fullerton and his Bachelor of Music Education from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. He has studied conducting from Dr. Sandra Snow, Dr. Jonathan Reed, and Dr. Robert Istad. He studied voice with the late Professor Peter Lightfoot and Dr. Mark Goodrich.
Sara Littlefield
Director, Apprentice Chorus
Sara Littlefield, Director of the Apprentice Chorus, joined the Southern California Children’s Chorus in the Fall of 2023.
Miss Sara graduated from California State University Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education- Choral, as well as a K-12 California Teaching Credential in Music. During this time, she won the Sweet Adelines International Rising Star Quartet Contest with her quartet, Adrenaline. Furthermore, Miss Sara has had the privilege of traveling across the country as a clinician for youth choir workshops, and performing on some of the great stages in America.
Miss Sara began her early teaching career as a private and small group instructor for voice, piano, and ukulele, with students of all ages. She is currently a full-time Vocal and General Music teacher in Garden Grove Unified School District. Her caseload includes Preschool - 6th Grade General and Special Education music classes, as well as Chorus.
With a positive, warm approach, Miss Sara holds her students to a high standard for excellence in their character and musical craft, while nurturing creativity and development in an all-inclusive learning environment. Miss Sara is honored to work with the amazing musicians at SCCC.
Sara Littlefield, Director of the Apprentice Chorus, joined the Southern California Children’s Chorus in the Fall of 2023.
Miss Sara graduated from California State University Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education- Choral, as well as a K-12 California Teaching Credential in Music. During this time, she won the Sweet Adelines International Rising Star Quartet Contest with her quartet, Adrenaline. Furthermore, Miss Sara has had the privilege of traveling across the country as a clinician for youth choir workshops, and performing on some of the great stages in America.
Miss Sara began her early teaching career as a private and small group instructor for voice, piano, and ukulele, with students of all ages. She is currently a full-time Vocal and General Music teacher in Garden Grove Unified School District. Her caseload includes Preschool - 6th Grade General and Special Education music classes, as well as Chorus.
With a positive, warm approach, Miss Sara holds her students to a high standard for excellence in their character and musical craft, while nurturing creativity and development in an all-inclusive learning environment. Miss Sara is honored to work with the amazing musicians at SCCC.
New Assistant Director
Assistant Director, Apprentice Chorus
Noelle Nielsen
Co-Director, Kinder Chorus and Primary Chorus
Noelle Nielsen, Director of the Primary Chorus, joined Southern California Childrens’ Chorus in 2022.
Miss Noelle graduated from Chapman University in 2005 with a Bachelors of Music in both Music Performance and Music Education. She went on to earn her Master’s in Education from Chapman University two years later. Miss Noelle began her career teaching general music and chorus in Garden Grove Unified School District. She then went on to teach middle school band, orchestra and choir in the Capistrano Unified School District in 2008. Miss Noelle is currently teaching TK-3rd grade at five elementary schools in Capistrano Unified School District.
When Miss Noelle is not busy making music, she enjoys spending time with her husband of seventeen years, Michael, and their three children; Eloise, Thomas and Benjamin.
Noelle Nielsen, Director of the Primary Chorus, joined Southern California Childrens’ Chorus in 2022.
Miss Noelle graduated from Chapman University in 2005 with a Bachelors of Music in both Music Performance and Music Education. She went on to earn her Master’s in Education from Chapman University two years later. Miss Noelle began her career teaching general music and chorus in Garden Grove Unified School District. She then went on to teach middle school band, orchestra and choir in the Capistrano Unified School District in 2008. Miss Noelle is currently teaching TK-3rd grade at five elementary schools in Capistrano Unified School District.
When Miss Noelle is not busy making music, she enjoys spending time with her husband of seventeen years, Michael, and their three children; Eloise, Thomas and Benjamin.
Marga Gargantiel
Co-Director, Kinder Chorus and Primary Chorus
Passionately dedicated to music education for children, Marga Gargantiel lends her expertise as a music educator with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education cum laude from the highly selective and well-regarded University of the Philippines College of Music. Marga is endowed certifications in the Kodaly approach in teaching music under the tutelage of Hungarian master teachers Reka Csernyik and Dr. Laszlo Norbert Nemes, director of the International Kodaly Institute.
In 2013, the Singapore Ministry of Education commissioned Marga over the next two years to make an indelible impact in the music education of Singapore's youth as an education officer where she taught music to students from first through sixth grades.
Marga earned a master’s degree in education and a California teaching credential in 2019. Since then, she has graced young and aspiring music students at the Capistrano Unified School District as an elementary music teacher. She is also currently the choir director at St. Cecilia’s church in Tustin.
Passionately dedicated to music education for children, Marga Gargantiel lends her expertise as a music educator with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education cum laude from the highly selective and well-regarded University of the Philippines College of Music. Marga is endowed certifications in the Kodaly approach in teaching music under the tutelage of Hungarian master teachers Reka Csernyik and Dr. Laszlo Norbert Nemes, director of the International Kodaly Institute.
In 2013, the Singapore Ministry of Education commissioned Marga over the next two years to make an indelible impact in the music education of Singapore's youth as an education officer where she taught music to students from first through sixth grades.
Marga earned a master’s degree in education and a California teaching credential in 2019. Since then, she has graced young and aspiring music students at the Capistrano Unified School District as an elementary music teacher. She is also currently the choir director at St. Cecilia’s church in Tustin.
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