Music Faculty
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Dr. James L. Melton, jmelton@vanguard.edu. Chair of the Department of Music, Professor of Music, and Director of Music Activities. D.M.A., Arizona State University. M.M., Arizona State University.
In addition to teaching in the areas of music education and conducting, Dr. Melton directs the 90-voice University Concert Choir and the Vanguard Singers & Band, a select ensemble of 22 vocalists and instrumentalists. Each of these ensembles present major concerts throughout southern California and the western United States and tour each year, both nationally and internationally, most recently in the People’s Republic of China and South Korea, as well as Portugal, Spain, and Belgium. As a guest conductor for Carnegie Hall in New York City, he has recently conducted Vivaldi’s Gloria, and G.F. Händel’s Coronation Anthems for Carnegie Hall and Mid-America productions. His University Concert Choir has also presented command solo performances at Carnegie Hall and is frequently featured on the Crystal Cathedral’s Hour of Power. He recently conducted the Mädchenkantorei ensemble of southern Germany. His various ensembles have ten recording projects to their credit.
Dr. Melton earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree (DMA) in Choral Music from Arizona State University (1987), as well as the Master of Music degree (MM) in Conducting and received his Bachelor of Music Education degree (emphasis in piano and voice, BME) from Oklahoma Baptist University. While at OBU he won several artist scholarships and awards in addition to performing with the Oklahoma City Symphony. Dr. Melton has teaching experience in schools from high school through the college/seminary level, as well as over 25 years of experience leading music in churches of various denominations and sizes. He has composed and arranged music for several publishing companies including Brentwood, Tempo Music, and the John W. Peterson Music Company. Dr. Melton also produces sacred choral recordings for Hal Leonard Publications, Fred Bock Music and Pavane Music Companies. He recently served as a contributing editor for Barry Liesch’s (Biola University) new edition of The New Worship: Straight Talk on Music and the Church published by Baker Books.
Dr. Melton has a passion for cross-cultural teaching, teaching at East China Jiaotong University in Nanchang, China, and in several schools in Hong Kong where he has served as a guest lecturer and clinician. Summer, 2004, he was the keynote speaker for the International Worship Symposium held in Lisbon, Portugal. Dr. Melton is a frequent choral clinician and has served as guest conductor for California regional and district festivals as well as directing all-state choirs in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Texas.
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Dr. Susanne M. Reid, sreid@vanguard.edu, ext. 3004. Associate Chair of the Department of Music, Associate Professor of Music. D.M.A., University of Oklahoma. M.M., California State University, Fullerton. M.A., California Graduate School of Theology.
Dr. Reid's teaching areas include Voice, Intro. to Fine Arts, Music History, and Church Music Administration. Dr. Reid's extensive teaching experience includes work at California State University, University of Oklahoma, Golden Gate Theological Seminary and, most recently, as the Associate Dean of the School of Music at California Baptist University in Riverside, California.
Dr. Reid's numerous performances in Southern California and Oklahoma include: Musietta in La Bohème, Miss Pinkerton in Old Maid and the Thief, soloist for the Messiah and the Creation, soloist with Ballet Oklahoma and the Canterbury Choral Society of Oklahoma City, under the direction of Dr. Dennis Shrock.
Dr. Reid has served as vice president to the "Church Music Conference" of the California Southern Baptist Convention and received the Music Conference's "Joseph Daniel Award for superior leadership for the cause of Christ in California". She has served on the Advisory Council for the Dixon School of Music for Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.
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Dr. Greg Glancey, gglancey@vanguard.edu, ext. 3005. Assistant Chair of the Department of Music, Associate Professor of Music. Ph.D., Stony Brook University, New York.
Dr. Greg Glancey, received his Ph.D. in Theory and Composition from Stony Brook University in New York. His teaching areas include Music Theory, Music Composition, Orchestration, Arranging and Music Technology. Dr. Glancey is the founder and director of the Vanguard University Guitar Ensemble.
Dr Glancey’s music ranges from concert pieces for orchestra and chamber ensembles to rock/pop arrangements of original songs. His music is performed at a variety of venues throughout Southern California and he has had works commissioned and performed by noteworthy orchestras, such as the Stony Brook Orchestra in New York and the East Lansing Orchestra in Michigan. Some of his most recent work includes a song cycle of Dorothy Parker poetry and pieces for guitar ensemble. Greg is also active as a film composer recently scoring the short film “Stealing Home” by CBS and FX writer Benjamin Daniel Lobato.
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Dr. Kenneth R. Foerch, kfoerch@vanguard.edu, ext. 3007. Assistant Professor of Music. D.M.A., University of Southern California. M.M., Eastman School of Music.
Dr. Kenneth R. Foerch is a free-lance studio musician, performer and instructor in the Los Angeles area. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California, M.M., Eastman School of Music, and a B.M., Michigan State University. Director of the Vanguard University Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, and interim Director of the University Concert Orchestra, his teaching areas include woodwind studies, jazz studies, advanced instrumental conducting, and beginning music theory. Dr. Foerch also serves as adjunct faculty at both Pomona College in Claremont and Mt. San Antonio College. He also was the applied music instructor of saxophone, clarinet and flute at Cerritos College, where he also taught a class in music fundamentals. He performs as an extra saxophonist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and recently has appeared with the L.A. Master Chorale, Pacific Symphony, and the Pasadena Symphony. He has also appeared with some of today's leading jazz artists, including Shelly Berg, Carmen Bradford, Ndugu Chancler, and Bill Watrous. He continues his work with such composers as Andrea Morricone.
Other accomplishments find Dr. Foerch appearing at the Ninth World Saxophone Congress in Japan, performing with the All-American College Band at Disneyland, and a member of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band for eight years. While with the Marine Band, he served as principal saxophonist, soloist, and clinician. In 2005, Dr. Foerch began coordinating the ACSI Jazz Festival, which takes place on the campus of Vanguard University, served as music director and conductor for Vanguard’s Theater Departments musical productions. In April of 2008, Dr. Foerch took Vanguard’s jazz ensemble to New York City to participate in DCINY (Distinguished Concerts International New York). They were featured with legendary lead jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis. Dr. Foerch continues to enjoy a multifaceted career giving solo recitals, teaching, arranging, composing, recording and performing with numerous jazz and chamber groups throughout Southern California. He resides in La Verne with his wife Michele and daughters Sophia and Lauren.
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Dr. Joni Y. Prado, joni.prado@vanguard.edu, ext. 3009. Assistant Professor of Music. D.M.A., University of Southern California. M.M., California State University, Fullerton.
Dr. Joni Y. Prado holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Arts from the University of Southern California with fields of concentration in choral music, music education and jazz studies; a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from California State University, Fullerton; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and psychology from California Baptist University.
Dr. Prado is the conductor of Luminaria, the 50-voice University Women’s Chorus which travels throughout Southern California and the Western states, ministering in churches and schools, singing a variety of repertoire. Additional teaching areas include Basic Musicianship, Foreign Language Diction, Private Voice, and Music for Elementary Schools.
Dr. Prado performs throughout the Southern California area in concert, recital and oratorio. She has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic with Conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, and the Hollywood Bowl orchestra under the direction of John Mauceri, one of the most memorable being in his final performance of Verdi’s Aida. November 2006 marked Dr. Prado’s debut performance with the USC opera, singing the role of Duchess in Powder Her Face under the direction of composer Thomas Adès. In May 2009 Dr. Prado made her debut at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, singing the soprano solo in the Schubert Mass in G.
In addition to performing, Dr. Prado has also had success in vocal competitions including first place in the Los Angeles International Franz Liszt competition, 2009 for which she traveled to New York to perform a recital of his music at the Hungarian Consulate; first place in Opera 100; second place in the Orange County District of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions; and the Encouragement Award winner in the Palm Springs Opera Guild Competition.
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Gina Alm, galm@vanguard.edu, ext. 3010. Adjunct Professor of Music. M.M. Piano Pedagogy; M.M. Piano Performance, University of Oregon.
Ms. Alm's teaching areas include Class Piano, Private Piano Instruction, Introduction to Music and Conducting. Gina Alm began her studies at the age of six in Salem, Oregon. She won many local competitions and debuted with the Portland Youth Philharmonic at the age of sixteen. Ms. Alm went on to study at Biola University, earning degrees in both Piano Performance and Music Education. While at Biola, Ms. Alm studied with Jennie K. Wong and participated in Master Classes with Bela Siki and Menahem Pressler. She was also awarded the Outstanding Musician of the Year, Outstanding Pianist of the Year as well as other scholarships and competitions which include the Theodore Presser Scholarship and Sigma Alpha Iota competition. Ms. Alm continued her studies with Claire Wachter at the University of Oregon, where she was awarded a Fellowship in the Piano Pedagogy program. Currently, Ms. Alm is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California through which she maintains a private studio. She also accompanies for instrumental recitals and competitions and is involved in music ministry as a choir director and accompanist for The Rock in Anaheim.
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Mike Nigro, Adjunct Professor of Music, Guitar Studies. M.M. Guitar Performance. California State University, Fullerton.
Michael Anthony Nigro has been drawn to the sounds of the guitar since the age of 12. After several years of lessons with local teachers and self-study, he attended the prestigious Indiana University School of Music where he graduated with his Bachelor of Music Degree in 2000 under the direction of Ernesto Bitetti. After moving back to his native Southern California, he attended California State University, Fullerton and earned a Master of Music degree under the tutelage of David Grimes.
His debut recording, “Homage to Piazzolla,” (Music & Arts CD1149) has received critical acclaim from the American Record Guide and Classical Guitar Magazine.
"It’s a pleasant collection of spiky Argentine rhythms interspersed with soulful milongas. Nigro has a big sound, a smooth tone, and sure-footed interpretive instincts. The production is clean and the sound clear...The notes include brief biographies of the composers, many of whom will be unfamiliar to most listeners. Nigro is to be commended for recording their music."
American Record Guide
Nigro’s second recording titled, “Guitar Sudamericana,” (Balcon Records 62607) features compositions by Jose Luis Merlin, Jorge Morel, Eduardo Falu, Villa-Lobos, and many others.
In 2009, Michael and flutist Lisa Schroder collaborated as “Noteworthy Duo” and released their debut CD, “Between Flute and Guitar.”
Since 2004, Michael has been touring regularly as a soloist and as part of Noteworthy Duo. He has performed in 29 states, giving concerts and master classes at many esteemed universities, guitar societies, libraries, museums, and community concerts. Some of the colleges he has performed and given master classes at are; Bates College in Lewiston, ME, Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, Amarillo Community College, TX, Glendale Community College, AZ, Marylhurst College in Portland, OR, and William Jessup University in Rocklin, CA. Michael is an active member of the guitar community; he is co-founder of the Long Beach Classical Guitar Society, independent reviewer of new music publications for the GFA (Guitar Foundation of America) periodical, Soundboard Magazine, and sought after teacher and performer.
Michael has been on the faculty of Vanguard University of Southern California since January 2006 where he teaches class guitar, is co-director of the guitar ensemble, and hosts a studio of about 15 students. www.nigroclassicalguitar.com
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Adjunct Faculty and Private Music Instructors
Rich Chasin, Private Music Instructor, Trumpet Studies. B.M., University of Michigan.
Elizabeth Johnson, Private Music Instructor, Violin Studies. G.P.D., Peabody Conservatory.
Ellen Jung, Private Music Instructor, Violin Studies. M.M., Yale University. (Artist-in-Residence)
Jenny Jung, Adjunct Professor of Music, Music History. D.M.A., The Julliard School. (Artist-in-Residence)
Julie Jung, Private Music Instructor. M.M., New England Conservatory of Music, Boston. (Artist-in-Residence)
Phil Keen, Private Music Instructor, Trombone and Tuba Studies. M.M., University of Michigan.
David Kress, Private Music Instructor, Voice Studies. M.M., University of Southern California.
Yun-Ju Lai, Private Music Instructor, Voice Studies. D.M.A., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Jung-A Lee, Adjunct Professor of Music, Organ and Accompanying. D.M.A., Boston University.
Rich Messenger, Adjunct Professor of Music, Secondary Vocal Methods. Graduate Studies, University of Iowa.
Jenny Jee-El Park, Adjunct Professor of Music, Private Music Instructor, Piano Studies. M.M., Manhattan School of Music.
Robert Reno, Adjunct Professor of Music, Composition, D.M., University of Indiana, Bloomington.
Bill Schlitt, Private Music Instructor, Percussion Studies. B.A., Cal Poly, Pomona.
Bill has performed 27 years as a freelance percussionist in various ensembles and orchestras throughout Southern California. He has served as principal percussionist with Music Theater of Southern California for 10 years. He is currently the timpanist with the Redlands Symphony Orchestra and performs as an extra percussionist with Los Angeles Philharmonic. He is an accomplished percussion educator, clinician, and author of the drum set method book Rock Connection.
Lisa Schroeder, Private Music Instructor, Flute Studies. M.M., California State University, Long Beach.
Lisa is an Instructor of Flute at Vanguard University of Southern California, Cerritos College, and Golden West College. As a Solo Artist with Altus Flutes, and as flutist with Noteworthy Duo, Lisa has established herself as an artist and teacher, performing in Concerts and giving Master Classes across the United States and Europe. Recently, she had the honor of being chosen to perform at the 2008 National Flute Association’s Convention in Kansas City. Lisa holds a Master of Music degree from California State University Long Beach and a Bachelor of Music degree from Middle Tennessee State University, both in flute performance. Her primary teachers include John Barcellona, Yvonne Chavez Hansbrough, Julie Stone and Ann Richards. She has performed in Master Classes for Gary Schocker, Peter Lloyd, Debora Harris, Jim Walker, Angeleita Floyd, Michel Debost, and Sir James Galway.
Sarah Scott, Adjunct Professor of Music, Intro to Fine Arts, Music and Worship. M.A.C.L., Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena.
Martin Torres, Private Music Instructor, Bass Studies. M.F.A., University of California, Irvine.
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