Who We Are

Artes Vocales, established in 2018, is an auditioned community chorus conducted by Dr. Steven Kronauer. Artes Vocales brings innovative choral programming to diverse Los Angeles communities, provides rigorous vocal training, and offers career-enhancing opportunities to gifted musicians, music teachers, and composers. We are committed to enriching the musical breadth of our membership and audiences through partnerships with LA-based composers and orchestral musicians, and providing musical education and artistic programming that prioritizes equity, inclusion, and diversity.

Artes Vocales plays a unique role in the musical ecosystem of greater Los Angeles as a training ground for vocalists of all experience levels in an accessible, community-focused context. We perform three major concerts each season; our varied, innovative repertoire includes choral masterworks, music reflecting LA’s multicultural communities, and works by contemporary local composers. Our Professional Mentorship Program for Teachers of Singing, launched in 2022, embeds professional singers within the choir as section leaders and coaches, and provides professional-caliber solo performance opportunities.  This program serves as a springboard for future artistic leaders, including those from communities of color that remain marginalized and underrepresented in classical music. Mentors also support novice choir members with personalized vocal coaching and the educational rigor of academic ensembles, without the typical barriers to entry. We also offer a Young Musicians Fellowship for students and singers in need. 

We serve the diverse communities of greater Los Angeles as both audiences and participants, providing high-caliber, engaging vocal performances of varied musical repertoire; accessible opportunities for creative practice as an ensemble member; and, for emerging musical professionals, supportive pathways for career advancement that help diversify and invigorate the classical music world.

Artistic Director Dr. Steven Kronauer holds a doctorate in choral and operatic conducting from UCLA. His expertise provides unique performance and learning opportunities for aspiring professionals in singing, conducting, and music education, as well as a profoundly enriching experience for singers of all ability levels. Dr. Kronauer also oversees the Young Men’s Ensemble of the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, which is committed to helping young men sing healthily throughout the voice change. He is a voice professor at CSU Long Beach and was the head of the voice and opera program at UC Santa Barbara from 2005 to 2008. As both a celebrated voice teacher and an acclaimed conductor, Dr. Kronauer is dedicated to educating singers about healthy technique and supporting their vocal growth. Artes Vocales is unique among community choruses in having an artistic director who is equally accomplished in the fields of conducting and vocal training.  

You can learn more about our artistic team here