Moorpark College’s newest faculty member Brandon Elliott is young, passionate, and incredibly optimistic for his position as Director of Choral Activities.

Elliott joined the faculty a week before the first day of school in August, and is already foreshadowing a bright future for choral activities on campus.

Elliott was raised in Orange County, California. Growing up, he always wanted to go in to law enforcement. He became a cadet for Irvine Police Department at the young age of 13 and was there for seven years. Since he had family in law enforcement, Elliot was always pushed in that direction. He, however, always had a love for music, never thinking he would later pursue that as a career.

“I fell into music by mistake”, said Elliott.

After a horrifying on-stage moment in middle school, he vowed to give up performing arts. Not knowing where to fit in, and needing classes to fill his schedule he turned to the vice principal, who then put him in a men’s chorus and a keyboarding class because those were the only classes available. In the beginning, choir wasn’t something that interested Elliott, but he gave it a chance and now he can’t thank that vice principal enough. To this day, Elliott maintains a close friendship with his high school choir teacher.

Elliott later went on to earn his undergraduate degree in Choral Music Education at California State University Fullerton and his graduate degree in Choral Conducting from Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Music is a passion for Elliott, and it shows when he speaks about it. He is incredibly eager to get started with the choral program at Moorpark College. For him, teaching is about the outcome of the students and their success.

“I’m very big on helping students self-discover their own potential, talent, and self-worth,” says Elliott.

He does this by simply letting them explore creatively while being there to guide them, constantly reassuring students that they do have a voice.

“I would love to see this program thrive particularly in numbers,” said Elliott. “Right now we’re just over 65. I would love to see this choir program have 100 to 200 people.”

Elliott believes that every single student has a voice, and it is his goal to let that voice grow.

“Singing is for everyone,” said Elliot. “Please come and experience choir with us.”

Currently, he is working on the Choral concert which will feature both ensembles, the concert choir and vocal ensemble. The show will be held in the Performing Arts Center on Nov. 2 at 4 p.m.

For upcoming events and ticket information please visit: www.moorparkcollege.edu/PAC