Stephen Gothold -- Founder of Chorale Bel Canto, Stephen Gothold has been the group's conductor and music director since its inception in 1981. A graduate of Whittier College, Dr. Gothold was director of Choral Activities there from 1977 until his retirement in 2003. He served the past two years as visiting professor of choral music at USC and just accepted an appointment to direct the choral program at Scripps College. He received his Masters of Arts degree from Occidental College and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Gothold studied under Helmuth Rilling at the International Bach Academy in Stuttgart, Germany. He is also is past president of the American Choral Directors Association, Southern California Chapter.
For more than twenty years, Dr. Gothold has combined careers in concert music, education, and musical theatre. He has served as musical director for more than 100 musical productions in educational, community and professional theatre on both coasts and was twice recipient of the Dramalogue Critic's Circle Awards for The Desert Song and Damn Yankees at Musical Theatre West.
Dr. Gothold is Director of Music Ministries at the First United Methodist Church of Pasadena.
Write to Dr. Gothold.