Music Director

Music Director Fall 2019-Current

LORI MUSICANT is the new Wind Ensemble director at Los Angeles Valley College.  She has taught many courses as an adjunct faculty member in the LA Community College District, including Applied Clarinet, Current Musical Events, Fundamentals of Music, Wind Ensemble, and Woodwinds Instrument Instruction.  Currently the Director of Instrumental Music at John Muir Middle School in Burbank, Ms. Musicant has previously been the director of band programs at Olive Middle School and Crestview Preparatory School, and has taught on faculty at Arrowbear Music Camp, Cazadero Music Camp, the Claremont Clarinet Festival, and the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra.  An active freelance clarinetist/bass clarinetist, Lori was a founding member of the Avenel Chamber Players, former principal clarinetist with the Los Angeles Clarinet Choir, and has played with many other ensembles in the Los Angeles area, including the South Coast Symphony, Chorale Bel Canto, Belfry Symphony, Golden State Pops Orchestra, New Valley Symphony, Santa Monica Symphony, Observatory Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Players, and the Hour of Power Orchestra.  She received her Bachelor in Music Education from Michigan State University and her Master in Clarinet Performance from Florida State University, where she was awarded a graduate teaching assistantship in clarinet. 

Music Director 2016-Spring 2019

CHAUNCEY MADDREN is the latest addition to the full-time faculty in the Music Department at Los Angeles Valley College. Prior to that, Mr. Maddren was both Instructional Assistant and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Los Angeles Valley College since 1995. Mr. Maddren is a Valley College alum, having received his A.A. degree in Music from LAVC in 1988. He attended California State University, Northridge majoring in clarinet performance and was awarded a bachelor’s degree in Music in 1990. He then went on to major in Music History at University of California, Riverside, receiving his master’s degree in 1993. His area of specialization was tonal theory of Renaissance polyphony.Professor Maddren has been playing in wind ensembles since his high school days. When he began majoring in music at Los Angeles Valley College, he played in the LAVC Wind Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Irwin Pope. During his tenure at CSUN, he played in the Wind Ensemble under Dr. Gary Pratt and the Wind Symphony under the direction of Dr. David Whitwell. During his early wind ensemble days at Valley College, Mr. Maddren occasionally conducted pieces performed by the LAVC Wind Ensemble. While working as an adjunct faculty member, he organized and conducted a band for the Valley College graduation ceremonies from time to time.

In addition to directing the LAVC Wind Ensemble, Professor Maddren teaches Harmony I, II & III, Musicianship I, II & III, Fundamentals of Music, and the occasional Music Appreciation course.

Mr. Maddren is very involved in the Music Association of California Community Colleges. He is Treasurer on the Executive Board of MACCC. Prior to that, he served as Curriculum Representative for 12 years. Every year, he organizes the MACCC Scholarship Composition Competition. He has been a presenter at several MACCC Conferences presenting on issues such as: applied music, theory pedagogy, and the implications of legislation for music transfer programs.

Music Director 2015-2016

Timothy Herscovitch is a music professor, Webby Award-winning app developer, published author, composer, and musicologist. After completing his Masters degree in music education from the University of Southern California, Tim was hired by Classical KUSC to help their new media team engage the next generation of music lovers. Tim believes strongly in the ability of interactive media and technology to empower musicians and help bring the rich world of classical music to previously untapped audiences. Drawing his pedagogy equally from his experience teaching a diverse array of music students, as well as knowledge gained as a veteran of several successful development cycles of digital music apps, Tim continues to break down barriers and reframe the art of music to capture the imagination of 21st century listeners and students.

Music Director 2003-2014

It is truly a homecoming for Music Director Dean Immel as he takes the reins of the Los Angeles Valley College Wind Ensemble. After graduating from Van Nuys High School, Immel earned his AA Degree at LA Valley College. He received his BA in Music and General Secondary Teaching Credential from UCLA and Masters Degree in Conducting from CSUN. He taught at Simi Valley High School and Mt. Miguel High School (San Diego County) and developed award winning bands and orchestras at both schools before moving to Washington State. Both Auburn High School and Kennewick High School, where he taught, have since received Grammy Awards for Musical Excellence as a result of his groundwork. Returning to California in 1994, Dean rescued the Instrumental Music Program at Burbank High School from near extinction and it now enjoys the reputation of being one of most outstanding and complete programs in the state. Burbank High School, was also recently nominated for a Grammy Award for Musical Excellence. Wherever he has gone, Mr. Immel has been a highly respected clinician and adjudicator and he has conducted many local and state honor bands and orchestras. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association and the Washington Music Educators Association.

Music Director 1995-2003

Michael Mertens received his undergraduate degree in music from UCLA and masters degree in conducting from the University of Oregon. Active in the music education community of Southern California, he has participated in educational programs of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Los Angeles Unified School District, as well as state and national musical organizations. He also clinics and adjudicates in Southern California. Prior to his arrival at Valley College in 1995, he was a founding faculty member of the Hamilton High Academy of Music for Los Angeles City schools.