ORCHARD CITY COMMUNITY CHORUS
40th Anniversary
Est. 1985
We Love To Sing!
orchardcitychorus.org
TaTax ID # 77-0214313
OCCC Staff and Members
Director -- Michael Taylor
Michael comes to OCCC with thirty years of experience in managing and building music programs in the community and at religious institutions. While his background includes choral as well as instrumental conducting, he was primarily trained as a vocalist earning a Master’s Degree from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and has been teaching voice for thirty-plus years. In addition to his experience as music director for opera, oratorio, and musical theatre, he is also a composer. His works include the music and libretto for a fully orchestrated opera (produced and staged); a symphonic suite for the 2019 Bear Valley Music Festival; and arranging and composing vocal, choral, and instrumental pieces for various religious and secular occasions. Beyond his experience as a leading soloist with opera companies, symphonies and choral groups, Michael has also sung in the choruses of both the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Symphony for over fifteen years working with world class conductors.
Accompanist -- Crista Alvey
Crista has been doing piano accompanying for 20-plus years. She spent 10 years as the piano accompanist and vocal coach of Broadway musicals at South Mountain High School. She has also accompanied Corona del Sol High School, Mesa Community College, Ginni Alvey Music Studios, and the LDS Church. She holds degrees in Psychology and Desktop Publishing. She moved to San Jose from Tempe, Arizona in 2015 after being the Creative Director of Green Living magazine. She is enjoying playing piano and singing for Sunday Assembly Silicon Valley and raising her son Kaiden.
Accompanist -- Glenda Rasmussen
Born and raised in Sacramento, CA. At the age of 7, I was given a toy piano for Christmas. For my first birthday the following year, my grandfather gave me a Wurlitzer piano, which I still have, and began taking lessons. My musical lessons continued through high school and into adulthood. I attended college and eventually moved to San Jose, where I worked in the semiconductor field as Admin. Assistant to the CEO and five VPs for a number of years and then another 33 years in Moreland School District. I also own"Let's Talk Dolls", a doll and collectable shop run as a home-based business. I am currently employed by the Diocese of San Jose as a Liturgical Minister and play for and direct two church choirs. I was married to Ralph, now deceased, for 47 years and we had 6 children, 6 grandchildren and 1 great grand-daughter.