Joseph Modica, M.M.

Joseph Modica is the Interim Director of Choral Activities at Chapman University, where he conducts the University Choir, University Singers, teaches conducting and choral methods. He has held adjunct teaching positions at Biola University and Chapman University.

Mr. Modica has earned a Bachelor of Music degree in conducting from Chapman University, a Master of Music degree from California State University Long Beach, and is currently finishing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Music at the University of Southern California. He has studied conducting with William Hall, William Dehning, Larry Livingston, Jonathan Talberg, Lynn Bielefelt and Magen Solomon. He has participated in masterclasses with Vance George and Rodney Eichenberger, in addition to a summer workshop in Varna, Bulgaria. Mr. Modica has studied voice with Louis Lebherz, Patrick Goeser, Margaret Dehning, Marvellee Cariaga, and Peter Lightfoot.

Having a passion for teaching and inspiring young artists, Mr. Modica taught high school choir for eleven years. He is formerly the Director of Choral Activities at Mater Dei High School, and he taught for 5 years at Redlands East Valley High School. His choirs consistently received superior ratings at festivals and competitions and have been heard at two CMEA State Conferences. Mr. Modica is active in many professional organizations such as ACDA, MENC, and SCVA, and enjoys serving as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the Western United States.

Mr. Modica is the Conductor of the Festival Choir at the Idyllwild Summer Arts Camp. He has also taught at the Summer Fine Arts Camp at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, where his duties included conducting the concert choir, middle school choir, jazz choir, private voice lessons, and conducting the musical. In 2002 Mr. Modica prepared the chorus for the American Ballet Theatre production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream, ” which was aired on PBS, as part of the Great Performances series.

Choirs under Mr. Modica’s direction have toured in Italy, Australia, Hawaii, New York, Washington D. C., Florida and the Bahamas. On a recent tour throughout Italy his choirs from Chapman University received multiple standing ovations at their performances in Venice, Florence, and Rome. The choir was honored to sing High Mass at Basilica San Marco in Venice and Basilica San Pietro in Rome, in addition to singing for Pope Benedict XVI.

Mr. Modica resides in Aliso Viejo, CA with his wife Tiffany, 2 year old son Jeremy, and one on the way!