DMA, Choral Music, University of Southern California
MA, Music Education, Columbia University
BM, Music Education, Western Michigan University

John K. Russell, DMA, is an Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at Palomar College in San Diego, CA. He is also in his twelfth season as the Music Director of the San Diego Master Chorale. At Palomar College, he conducts the Chamber Singers and the Palomar Chorale, teaches applied voice, oversees the vocal music program, and leads the Palomar Choral Academy, an annual week-long immersive choral music experience for high school, college, and community singers. As Music Director of the SD Master Chorale, Dr. Russell conducts and coordinates all the Chorale's artistic activities, including programming an entire concert season with performances around the San Diego region. He also prepares the chorus for performances with the San Diego Symphony and regional orchestras.
Dr. Russell has previously served as the Director of Choral Activities at California State University, San Bernardino, and held similar positions at Albion College (Michigan), Los Angeles City College, Cypress College, and the San Diego Children's Choir. Before his tenure in California, Dr. Russell was the principal choral conductor at the LaGuardia School of Music & Art & Performing Arts (the Fame School) in New York City. At LaGuardia, he was the assistant chairperson of the Music Department, conductor of the symphonic chorus, and voice instructor for the school's top vocalists. During his time in New York, he conducted over twenty community engagement performances with the world-renowned Orchestra of St. Luke's. He served as a clinician for the New York Philharmonic's Education Department and was a guest conductor with the New York City National Chorale.
As a tenor soloist and professional chorister, Dr. Russell has performed with several renowned groups, including the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Res Facta, and Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity in New York City, Bach Collegium San Diego, and the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC. He is a current member of BWV: Cleveland’s Professional Bach Choir, the resident vocal ensemble at the annual Baldwin Wallace Bach Festival in Berea, OH.
Dr. Russell, a proud native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, is a Western Michigan University and Columbia University graduate. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Music from the University of Southern California, a testament to his dedication and expertise. Craig Arnold, Joe Miller, and Jo-Michael Scheibe are his primary conducting mentors. He has also studied voice with William Appel, Curt Peterson, Jeanne Goffi-Fynn, and Gary Glaze. He resides in San Diego with his wife, Jill, and son, Parker.