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2022 ACDA Western Region Conference

P
Performing Choirsorming Choirs
f
r
e
The American River College Angel City Chorale
Vocal Jazz Ensemble

The American
River College Vo-
cal Jazz Ensem-
ble is entering its
23nd year under
the direction of
Arthur LaPierre.
The ensemble
has appeared in
performances for
the state, division-
al, and nation-
al conferences of the International Association of Jazz
Educators, ACDA, and JEN. These performances have Angel City Chorale represents the spirit and diversity
afforded American River Community College students of Los Angeles in its membership, music, and outreach

the opportunity to travel the United States. The Amer- activities. Artistic director Sue Fink founded the Chorale
ican River College Vocal Jazz Ensemble most recently in 1993, presenting a broad repertoire of classical, R&B,
received their 22nd DownBeat Student Achievement gospel, pop, and world music. Angel City Chorale has
Award. gained a worldwide audience with over 80 million views
of their performance of Toto’s Africa, 116,000 YouTube
Arthur LaPierre is a professor of music followers, and as Golden Buzzer-winning semi-fi nalists
and director of the vocal jazz ensembles on America’s Got Talent. The ensemble has toured inter-
at American River College, where he also nationally and released three acclaimed CDs. Hosting a
teaches studio voice, jazz history, jazz/pop yearly, local “Tour of Hope,” Angel City Chorale brings
styles, and voice class. LaPierre’s ensembles their holiday performances directly to L.A.’s under-
have performed at regional and international confer- served populations.
ences and jazz festivals. DownBeat Magazine has award-
ed his ensembles with 22 Student Achievement Awards. Sue Fink formed Angel City Chorale in
Previously, LaPierre directed vocal jazz ensembles at the 1993 with a mission of inclusiveness and
Berklee College of Music; California State University, community. As artistic director she has cre-
Long Beach; California State University, Los Angeles; ated a renowned ensemble with fans world-
Rancho Santiago Community College; and Long Beach wide and millions of online views. Prior to
Polytechnic High School. establishing Angel City Chorale, she founded the Ori-
ana Renaissance Ensemble and the Los Angeles Wom-
en’s Community Chorus. On America’s Got Talent, Fink led
ACC to the semifinals and winning the Golden Buzzer.

122 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2022 Volume 62 Number 5