Jennifer Sparks - Voice, Flute, Harp, & Piano Instructor

Jennifer Sparks began her musical studies at age five on the piano. Ms. Sparks is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Degree with a specialty in performance. She also has a certificate in voice pedagogy from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio.

With over 30 years as a music educator, Ms. Sparks´experience includes working as a voice instructor at California State University, San Bernardino, a choral director at Pacific High School in San Bernardino and maintaining a private home studio teaching voice, flute and piano. 

She has taught many music programs for young people, including Triple Threat Academy and Stage Presence Academy in Redlands, Ca. Ms. Sparks has also music directed and coached many shows and musical productions for the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater in Claremont, Ca., The Sturges Theater in San Bernardino, Ca. and The University of Redlands Theater Department in Redlands, Ca. 

As a performing vocalist, Ms. Sparks has received recognition for her lyric voice and dramatic artistry performing in opera productions and on the oratorio stage in San Bernardino & Riverside counties, Ca., Los Angeles, Ca., Salt Lake City, Utah, the nation of Ghana in Africa, and Mexico City, Mexico. She has been a Guest Artist with the Southeast Symphony in Los Angeles, Ca. and also had the honor of performing Faure´s Requiem at Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York. Ms. Sparks received awards for participating in numerous competitions including First Prize at the 1996 NANM Voice Competition in Los Angeles and was a District Winner at the 2001 Metropolitan Opera Auditions for the San Bernardino Riverside District. 

Ms. Sparks is also a professional flutist. She has performed with many orchestras in the Los Angeles area, including the Westside Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Doctor´s Symphony, The Bellflower Symphony and The Southeast Symphony. She also was a guest soloist with The Lounging Shepherds Orchestra, a Jazz / Blues ensemble, at The Reality Ball 1992. 

As a professional pianist, Ms. Sparks has performed as an accompanist and a soloist. She accompanied many local High School choirs including San Bernardino, Bloomington and Arrowhead Christian Academy. Ms. Sparks also held the pianist / harpsichordist position with the Southeast Chamber Orchestra in Los Angeles. As a member of the Highland Avenue Lutheran Church in San Bernardino, Ms. Sparks served in the music ministry as the pianist / organist, the Worship Team leader and the director of the children’s choir for 9 years. 

Ms. Sparks furthered her talents in music to include the harp. Since her harp studies began, she has performed for many Weddings, Receptions and Special Events. In 2010, she was a featured musician in the Redlands Magazine.

She currently serves as The Director of Music Ministries at The First Congregational UCC in San Bernardino, where she directs the Chancel Choir, sings within the service, performs in the HandBell Choir, plays the majestic organ and performs on her harp and flute.

Ms. Sparks is also involved with many recording music projects. She has released two CDs - “Vibrations for the Soul” and just recently “A Sunday Afternoon” – both feature Ms. Jennifer as a vocalist, flutist, harpist, pianist and harmonium performer.

Diana Ross - Piano, Voice Instructor

Diana is currently the Music Director of St. Paul AME of San Bernardino and Bright Hope Evangelistic Center of Moreno Valley. She began playing and composing music on the piano at the early age of 3. Diana was able to learn the piano by watching her parents teach piano in their studio in Los Angeles. She performed in talent shows in elementary school. In 7th grade, while attending a Christian school in Los Angeles, Diana became the musician for the school choir. Throughout the remainder of her education, she enjoyed singing solo and playing the piano for school assemblies, playing in the Marching Band, performing in talent shows and singing in the High School Chorus. She has enjoyed playing many instruments such as a Hammond organ, saxophone, trombone, marimba, drums and bass guitar.

Diana was hired as a church pianist for the first time at the age of 12. She has played for various types of churches throughout the years. Diana has also provided music for stage plays, conducted Music Workshops, recorded on various artist CD projects, provided music on Dinner Cruises and have written her own piano books.

Diana has taught piano and has been a church Music Director for nearly 40 years. She has enjoyed every minute of it. Diana currently teaches Gospel music in the city of San Bernardino and the city of Redlands. She now looks forward to earning her degree in music.