MARTIN GREEN

Martin Green won First Place in the Eisteddfod International Piano Competition in Wales at the age of sixteen. He studied piano and voice at the University of Southern California, then continued to earn his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education from Brigham Young University adding studies in organ and composition. While there, he performed roles in operatic productions and toured Europe with the A Capella Singers. He lived in France and Switzerland for two years and while there, performed with the male quartet Voices of Brotherhood. He completed his Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from California State University at Fullerton under the tutelage of Howard Swan. He has won numerous contests for his sacred choral and vocal compositions. He is currently director of the Citrus Vocal Ensemble and the Concert Choir and has taught a variety of choral, opera, and vocal music classes, as well as private voice lessons for over twenty years at Citrus College in Glendora, California. Mr. Green has sung with the Pacific Chorale and Opera Pacific and has recorded a solo CD entitled Classical Piano.

BRUCE LANGFORD

Bruce Langford holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from California Institute of the Arts (the Walt Disney arts conservatory in Los Angeles) and a Master of Music Degree from the Southwestern School of Music in Fort Worth, Texas.

Professor Langford joined the Citrus College staff in 1992 as an adjunct faculty member. He was hired full time in 1997. His current areas of instruction are Music Appreciation and Music History. In addition, he is the Faculty Coordinator for the Citrus College Distance Education Program.

Having taught on the college level for 30 years, Mr. Langford has also been active as a performer and conductor. He worked for several years at KUSC Radio and still does live broadcasts for KMZT Radio in Los Angeles. He has worked with vocal and instrumental ensembles throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia and has performed principle roles in over fifty productions. In addition he is a guest lecturer for several arts organizations around southern California and has hosted the Three Tenors Concert from Rome for KCET Television. Mr. Langford has also published numerous articles on music, literature, and the arts.

DOUGLAS AUSTIN (SHROPE)

Douglas Austin (Director of the internationally acclaimed Citrus College Singers) began teaching in the fall of 1985 and has devoted twenty years to the students in the Fine and Performing Arts Department at Citrus College. Drawing on his own impressive credentials as a professional performer, choral conductor, stage and musical director with well over 100 productions to his credit, Austin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Citrus College.

He is director of the Citrus Singers, creator of the Citrus College Women’s Ensemble, co-director of the musical theatre program and co-creator and director of the Citrus Summer Conservatory. He also supervises the Applied Music/Individual Study program in which over two hundred students participate each semester.

Besides his extensive work at Citrus College, Douglas continues to work as a stage and musical director for local theaters, as well as for corporate-sponsored events, and has enjoyed a successful performance career thoughout the country. He has served as Resident Musical Director at the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre in Claremont, musically directed numerous major events for the Los Angeles County Fair since 1991, including their 75th anniversary celebration, and serves as musical director for the Children’s Hospital of Orange County’s annual CHOC follies.

With over thirty years of professional and educational experience in the music and theatre industries, a passion for teaching and a consistent dedication to excellence, Douglas Austin has truly enhanced the educational development of the Citrus College Music Department.

CATHY IRELAND

Australian Soprano, Catherine Ireland has performed and covered many roles with the Los Angeles Opera and Opera Australia, including Micaela and Frasquita in Carmen, Gretel and the Dew Fairy in Hansel und Gretel, Violetta and Annina in La Traviata and the title role in Faure’s Penelope.  With San Diego Opera, Ms. Ireland sang Barbarina and covered Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro.  To great acclaim, she has also ventured into contempory repertoire with such modern scores as Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress and The Mistress in Thomas Ades' Powder Her Face.  Most recently Ms. Ireland was seen as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni.

After completeing her education at The Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Ms. Ireland won the prestigious Royal Opera House Covent Garden Scholarship to study at the National Opera Studio in London.  She has been a national finalist with The Loren L. Zachary Competition and a regional finalist in The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.  Catherine’s voice can be heard behind the US national television commercials for Skytel pagers and Volvo Automobiles.

VANGIE GUNN

Vangie has years of experience studio singing in LA, San Diego and Orange counties, and is currently working on many projects. She is a prolific reader and is great at coming up with head-charts on the spot. Not only will you be thrilled with the results vocally from her, but she can also help you find the right vocalist for any style of singing you need. You will not be disappointed.

Sample list of work: World of Warcraft- Featured soloist Video Games Live Concerts- Featured soloist Happy Feet- animated movie A Bug's Life- animated movie SCE- TV Commercial Jimmy Neutron- Nick Jr Cartoon Tommy Walker- Live recording and DVD Lou Rawls- Christmas CD More on request......

KEELY MILLIKEN

Keely Milliken, the current director of the Women’s Ensemble, is pleased to continue the dedicated work of Mr. Douglas Austin Shrope, creator and director of Rhapsody in Rhythm.  Mr. Austin Shrope has devoted over seventeen years to the students in the Fine and Performing Arts Department at Citrus College.  He is now currently the successor to Mr. Ben D. Bollinger as the Director for the highly acclaimed Citrus Singers.

Mrs. Milliken is a former Citrus Singer and a graduate of Azusa Pacific University with a degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance.  She is also the founder of Centre Stage, Inc., Centre Stage Studios/private vocal instruction and teaches private voice in the Citrus College Music Department. With over 13 years of professional experience in the music and theatre industries, she has directed/ musical directed over 25 musicals and Broadway reviews.  Her passion for musical theatre can be seen in various theatres throughout Southern California.

Keely Milliken is a dynamic teacher that strives to challenge her students to reach for musical excellence which develops their talents, broadens their knowledge and strengthens their commitment. She is dedicated to inspiring young people both on and off the stage.  Mrs. Milliken is truly an asset to the educational development of Rhapsody in Rhythm, the “hidden jewel” of the Citrus Music Department.

VONNETTA MIXSON

Vonetta Mixson is an educator and entertainment professional who considers teaching one of her life’s greatest rewards. Her journey has been far from conventional and she attributes much of her success to the role performing arts has played in her life. As an alumnus of the Citrus College Vocal Music Department she is thrilled to be on staff as a private voice instructor. She continues a successful career of 15 years on stage and in recording. Her heart warming and stylistic performances captivate audiences and allow her the privilege of traveling the world sharing her gift as an entertainer. Mrs. Mixson’s love for learning is demonstrated in her passion for education. As a graduate of California Baptist University (BA, Human Development) and University of Phoenix (MBA), the power of strong networking and communication skills have proven consistent factors in her long-term business relationships and a catalyst for her personal growth and improvement. She is honored to mentor amazing students and to be in the company of such outstanding professionals.

INGRID PRANIUK

Ingrid Praniuk has been teaching voice for over 17 years. She incorporates a blend of vocal pedagogy, vocal medical research and stress-relieving techniques from Speech Pathology, Alexander Technique, and Bodywork: Acupressure/ Holistic methods/massage for singers. Her wealth of vocal training and research includes working and training with voice mentors/teachers (Linda Minto-Corwin, Su Harmon and Christy Cook), speech pathologists, ENT (ear /nose/throat) specialists, vocal coaches, professors of vocal medicine, certified instructors/doctors in Acupressure/Reflexology/Therapeutic Massage.

Ingrid Praniuk has completed the Hans von Leden, MD Symposium on Voice Care Program, administered by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She is a member of The Voice Foundation, a prestigious medical research foundation. Her vocal medical research has gained attention of the British Voice Association.

Her areas of expertise include improving and preserving the singing voice without changing the singer’s signature sound and vocal health. As a professional vocal instructor and vocal caregiver, Ingrid Praniuk is often found backstage of concert venues teaching, coaching and using vocal stress relieving techniques on professional rock singers signed to record labels. Ingrid has taught music students in the California public schools for over 14 years as well as college students at Citrus Community College. Her monthly vocal column in ANGST magazine provides practical vocal advice that is medically based. Ingrid is featured in the Music Connection 15th-19th Annual Directory of Vocal Coaches.
She sings across the music spectrum, from classical to rock. She has performed in several local rock bands as lead singer, songwriter, background vocalist and keyboardist. Ingrid Praniuk has also performed classical and musical theater showcases at Covina Valley Playhouse, Cal Poly Pomona and Stageworks.

FRANK VALVERDE

Frank Valverde received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California in Music Business with an emphasis in Voice. He has performed with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra at the Alex Theatre under the direction of the internationally acclaimed conductor Hilmut Rilling. One of the highlights of his vocal career was singing at Carnegie Hall under the direction of John Rutter. Along with his classical choral experience he has been seen in musicals including Phantom, West Side Story & Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Frank has been teaching voice for 10 years, both privately and in the classroom. Frank and his wife own and operate Valverde School of Performing Arts (www.VSPA.net) in the City of Rancho Cucamonga where Frank has music directed, produced and directed their shows for the past 4 years at venues such as the Rancho Cucamonga’s Lewis Family Playhouse and Fontana’s Center Stage Theater. Frank also music directs Valverde School of Performing Arts performing troupe “Expressions” and has taken them to locals such as Catalina Island, L.A. County Fair, Knotts Berry Farm, and Disneyland. One of his greatest joys was sharing his love of music & singing with the youths & teens of inner cities in Los Angeles.