Diana Landis Appointed Director of LA Children's Chorus' Apprentice Choir

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 into 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.

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, call (626) 793-4231 or visit www.lachildrenschorus.org.

Photo courtesy of LA Children's Chorus.

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