Biography

DAVID LOZANO TORRES

CONDUCTOR |TEACHER |LEADER

David Torres began conducting fourteen years ago, creating his own wind ensemble and concert series in Los Angeles. Leaving his native Southern California to pursue collegiate studies, Mr. Torres earned a BA in music with a conducting emphasis from Brigham Young University, Idaho and then returned to earn an MM in Choral Conducting from Azusa Pacific University. He has studied conducting with Dr. Rebecca Lord (BYU Idaho), Diane Soelberg (BYU Idaho), Dr. Donald Neuen (UCLA), Dr. John Sutton (Azusa Pacific University), and Dr. Nicole Lamartine (Central Washington University), Dr. Maxim Kuzin (UC Santa Barbara).

While at BYU Idaho, Mr. Torres served as an assistant conductor for various choirs and teaching assistant for conducting courses. He formed the BYU Idaho Chamber Singers which performed for dignitaries, commencement, devotionals, department concerts, and much more. Following graduation, he was hired as an adjunct instructor to teach Men’s and Women’s Choir, basic and advanced conducting courses, and maintain a private conducting studio. Additionally, he served as a substitute conductor for instrumental and orchestral ensembles. He was a head conductor and contributor for the University’s televised (PBS) guest artist productions in the 15,000-seat I-Center.

Mr. Torres has conducted the music and choirs for two 2018 worldwide televised broadcast events of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints (Annual General Conference and Young Adult Fireside). He was the artistic director of the first South-Eastern production of Rob Gardner’s oratorio Lamb of God, which involved a 150-member chorus, orchestra, and professional soloists from Idaho and Utah.

During his graduate studies at APU, Mr. Torres served as an assistant conductor for the APU Choral Scholars (graduate choir), University Choir, Symphonic Band, and as graduate teaching assistant. In the community, he held the position of artistic director and conductor of the Los Angeles-based Echo Luminos. He also served as Associate Conductor to Southern California’s reputed Angeles Chorale. Mr. Torres graduated Summa Cum Laude, earning high honor recognition for his scholarship and excellence in music during his graduate studies.

Mr. Torres has advanced to Candidacy (ABD) for the Doctoral of Musical Arts Degree in Conducting at the University of California Santa Barbara. During his time at UCSB, he served as the conductor for UC Santa Barbara Treble Ensemble: Lumina Choir, growing the program from its inception of 7 singers to over 80+ singers in 2 years. He also served as the conductor for the Tenor-Bass Ensemble: Singing Gauchos, and as the assistant conductor for the flagship Chamber Choir, and as graduate teaching assistant for the choral department.

In June of 2023, Mr. Torres launched the Santa Barbara Premiere of Rob Gardner’s Oratorio Lamb of God, which involved a 125-member chorus, large orchestra, and professional soloists from all around the States. The concert was hailed by the community with over 850+ people in attendance at the historic, renowned Granada Theater.

Current appointments for Mr. Torres include service as artistic director, founder and conductor of the elite choral ensemble Vocal Affinity, which was recently featured at the Western American Choral Directors Association Regional Conference in 2022 for the Stories of the Pandemic and as a performing choir at Northwest ACDA Regional Conference in 2020. Mr. Torres also conducts the newly formed ensemble under Vocal Affinity Corporation: The Scholars. Recently, Mr. Torres has been hired to serve as an advisor of the Education and Conducting area of the Student Academy of Musical Leaders (SAML), an organization dedicated to the advancement of the instrumental marching and music performing arts. He also serves as the Artistic Director & Conductor for the prominent Santa Barbara Master Chorale, and the community-inspiring Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale, two organizations which are dedicated to performing major choral/orchestral works and music from the 16th century to the present.

Mr. Torres continues to work toward a long career in collegiate choral music and hopes to mentor future conductors.

Credentials

Bachelor of Arts

Conducting

2017

Master of Music

Conducting

2020

Doctor of Musical Arts

Conducting

2023

People trained

years of experience

Performances/Workshops/Adjudications

64 +

My Conducting belief

Conducting lessons

Conducting is a lifelong skill that one must continuously develop.

Clarinettists, violinists, singers, even banjo players must master basic, critical techniques that include scales, arpeggios, placement, etc. In companionship with their technical development, they are given solo and ensemble repertoire to apply their technical skills and further develop their abilities. A composer also learns foundational technique of part writing, musicianship, theoretical aspects, etc., and then they compose in different genres and for various ensembles. As they all strive to become professionals in their craft, they become pedagogues.

Is this not true for the art of conducting? Are we not an integral part of the music making process?

We must develop our skills in the same manner that the rest of our colleagues do. A semester or two of undergraduate conducting classes is only the start, not the end to the technical foundation in one’s conducting journey. As leaders, we too must walk the path other musicians walk and join hand in hand with them. It is my firm belief that we strengthen our conducting technique, our leadership skillsets and attributes, always nurture our musicianship, and become the master teachers we should be.

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My services

Conducting Lessons

One-on-one lesson time to strengthen gesture technique, score study, lesson planning, and whatever else you need!

Guest Conductor/Speaker

If I can impart some knowledge, I am happy to do so! From guest-lecturing in a classroom to conducting honor choirs/bands, I am here to serve.

Adjudicator/Panelist

In order to strengthen our ensembles, we must identify areas of improvement. I believe in the power of honest, positive feedback to build an ensemble. Let's uncover more of your potential together!