Leadership
Dr. Joe Stanford, Artistic Director
Dr. Joe Stanford is faculty emeritus of Palomar College where he taught vocal and choral music and served as chairman of the Music and Performing Arts Department for many years. He is an accomplished baritone and has performed oratorio, recitals and opera in the southwestern United States. Dr. Stanford holds degrees in music from Baylor University, University of Southern California, and the University of Colorado. While at Palomar College his choral ensembles toured the western United States, as well as Mexico, New York City, and
the New Czech Republic.
John Nettles, Center Chorale Assistant Conductor
San Diego native, John Nettles, has worked as a singer, actor, dancer, conductor and composer for most of his life. He has been resident music director/conductor/composer for City Ballet since 2006 where he has conducted original staging of such choral works as Carmina Burana and the Mozart Requiem. He has commissioned original works for City Ballet and the Arkansas Symphony. He serves as Artistic Director for Pacific Coast Chorale, most recently known for being the back up chorus for Andrea Bocelli's San Diego Concerts. He teaches music for Vista Unified School District and has been an Education/Outreach Teaching Artist for City Ballet and San Diego Opera. Locally, he performed the Tenor Aria for The Center Chorale's 2014 Performance of Carmina Burana. He will also be featured in Pacific Lyric Association's 2022 production of Bizet's Carmen.
Dr. Joseph Valent, Pianist, Accompanist
Dr. Joseph Valent holds degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music and Ithaca College in piano, and a Doctor of Arts in Music with a Primary Emphasis in Orchestral Conducting from Ball State University. He is currently the organist at St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Escondido, accompanist for The Center Chorale at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, and a member of the San Diego American Guild of Organists.
Children's Chorus Conductors
Dana Stanford, Children's Chorus Conductor, Choral Arts Coordinator
Dana Stanford teaches music and conducts children's choirs in area schools and has developed a choral program using the Kodaly teaching method for children. Along with her husband Joe Stanford, she founded the Escondido Choral Arts' Center Children's Chorus and coordinates children and youth choral activities. Dana holds a music and education degree, as well as Kodaly, Orff, and Education through Music certificates for music teaching. She is a vocalist, choral singer in the Center Chorale, a member of the Choristers Guild of America, and the American Choral Directors Association.