International choral director joins music faculty

The Simpson College Department of Music is pleased to announce the hiring of Loida Pineda as the Interim Choral Director for the 2019-20 academic year. Her primary duties include leading the Chamber Singers and the College Choir as well as teaching coursework in music education and conducting.

Pineda brings a variety of experience to the position, having lived and studied in both Mexico and the United States. She comes to Simpson from Indiana State University, where she served as an adjunct faculty member. She is also concluding work on her doctorate degree at Indiana University.

“We could not be more pleased to have Professor Pineda joining the music faculty,” said Dr. John Benoit, Chair of the Department of Music. “She is a talented musician as well as a dynamic conductor and teacher. Given her broad range of musical and life experiences, having lived and studied in both Mexico and the United States, she brings a unique perspective that her students and colleagues will find stimulating.”

Pineda’s experiences include leading choral ensembles in educational, church, and community contexts while working with singers of all ages. She has taught private voice and diverse courses in music to children, youth and adult students. She has additional training and experience in the areas of vocal jazz and world music.

Given her broad range of musical and life experiences, having lived and studied in both Mexico and the United States, she brings a unique perspective that her students and colleagues will find stimulating.

Her research focuses on the preparation of music teachers for multicultural choral music education. 

“I am very happy and extremely excited to be joining a school with such an excellent music faculty who are passionate about bringing the highest quality of experiences to their students,” Pineda said. “I am privileged to be part of that wonderful and warm group of people.”

Biography

Pineda holds a diploma in music from Escuela Bíblica Presbiteriana “Priscila” (Merida, Mexico), a Master of Music in conducting from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is nearing completion of a Doctor of Music Education with a choral education specialization and a minor in voice from Indiana University. 

She also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in marketing. While finishing her doctorate, Ms. Pineda has served as adjunct faculty at Indiana State University, where she directs the Sycamore Singers and teaches graduate conducting.

Music at Simpson is widely recognized as offering a premier education for instrumental, vocal and piano students. Whether you’re a music major or would simply like to continue singing or playing, Simpson develops the unique gifts of each student through a combination of one-to-one music instruction, classroom teaching and generous performance opportunities.

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