La Jolla Symphony & Chorus recently announced the appointment of Dr. Ruben Valenzuela as its next choral director after a recently concluded nationwide search. Valenzuela is artistic director and conductor of Bach Collegium San Diego, a music performance ensemble he founded in 2003. He also maintains an active career as a guest conductor, keyboardist and musicologist.

Valenzuela has led Bach Collegium in local premieres of historically informed performances of music of the Renaissance, early and high Baroque, and Classical periods. Under his leadership, the choral and instrumental ensemble has achieved local, national and international acclaim. He frequently appears as a guest director and performer with ensembles such as Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New York City, the Bach Experience at Marsh Chapel at Boston University, and Emmanuel Music in Boston. He also serves as Director of Music and organist at All Souls’ Episcopal Church in San Diego. Valenzuela holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from Claremont Graduate University.
 
Valenzuela will begin his tenure with LJS&C on July 1, 2019. As choral director, he will be responsible for preparing the chorus for the organization’s subscription series, leading concerts of choral music at community venues, and sharing conducting duties with Music Director Steven Schick. For more information about the organization, visit lajollasymphony.com.

AWARD WINNING WRITER/DIRECTOR STEPHEN CARPENTER OFFERING WORKSHOPS FOR FILM AND TELEVISION

Following the demand from the first four-week workshop, award-winning writer-director Stephen Carpenter is offering a limited, four-week series of advanced workshops, focusing intensely on perfecting the craft of acting for the camera. Carpenter brings his expertise as a director, writer, and cinematographer to deliver the instruction of a seasoned professional with a unique, hands-on experience. This class is only for serious aspiring actors and/or directors.

Must be 18 or older to participate. Held from April 30 to June 4 on Tuesdays from 7-10 p.m. at the White Box Theatre in Liberty Station. Cost is $225 for new members.

Visit pointlomaplayhouse.com for more information.

SAN DIEGO’S “TEDDY BEAR FUN RUN!” BEING HELD IN MISSION BAY 

• WHAT: Teddy Bear Fun Run, family-friendly 5K
• WHERE: De Anza Cove, 300 N. Mission Bay Drive
• WHEN: Sunday, April 28 at 7:30 a.m.

Every participant is encouraged to bring a new teddy bear that will be donated to children at various mission-based organizations supported by the Junior League of San Diego. 

Register today at jlsd.org/teddy-bear-5k/.

DO SOMETHING CHURCH CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON HIGHER OUTREACH EFFORTS

The Do Something Church Conference will bring together dozens of leaders involved in community outreach throughout the U.S. for a three-day conference on how to produce higher active engagement for outreach efforts and development. The conference will be held at the Rock Church East County, 808 Jackman, El Cajon from May 16-18, 2019.

Attendees at the Do Something Conference will learn how to turn their congregation into an outreach army, focused on impacting the community and growing not only church attendance but outreach participation in new and amazing ways while having the opportunity to participate in hands-on events. 

The conference will cover topics relevant to the pursuit of those wanting to maximize outreach potential by understanding the dynamics of how to maintain outreach ministries, community partners and manage major events.

For more information on the conference, visit dosomethingchurch.org.

LAURA WILLIAMS AFFILIATES WITH PB OFFICE OF COLDWELL BANKER  

Laura Williams has associated with the Pacific Beach office of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage as an affiliate agent. She comes to the office with 13 years of real estate experience.

Prior to affiliating with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, she was an agent with Gallery Properties. Before that, she worked in high-end retail sales and was an area manager for a staffing service. Furthermore, she holds a bachelor’s degree in management and a master of business administration from Arizona State University.