MUSIC- Accompanist Page
This page will introduce you to what you can expect when working with an accompanist and what will be expected of you.
Our Accompanists
LANCE MERRILL
Lance Merrill is a collaborative pianist, musical director and choral conductor.
Currently, Lance conducts the Towne Singers, an 80-voice community choir that performs in choral festivals hosted in San Francisco, Carnegie Hall, and Salzburg. Lance has also been the choir director at local high schools in Pasadena, Glendale, and Simi Valley and the Vocal and Musical Director for high school, college, and community theater productions.
Lance began his musical journey as a church organist. As Music Director, he has enjoyed leading worship in several churches in the Los Angeles area. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition and a teaching credential in Choral Music Education.
MICHELLE DO
Huyen Khanh (Michelle) Do is a solo and collaborative pianist based in Los Angeles. She earned a Bachelor's in Piano Performance at Cal State Fullerton, a Master's at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, and a Doctorate at the University of Southern California. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2014. She embarked on a concert tour in 2010 as part of the International Music for Institute and Festival, which allowed her to give solo performances across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York. She has attended and performed in festivals such as the International Institute for Young Musicians and the New York Summit Music Festival.
She has performed in concerts such as the Young Talents showcase and Stars of Tomorrow. She has appeared as a soloist with the La Mirada Symphony Orchestra, Orange County Collegiate Orchestra, the Indiana University Philharmonic, and the Southern California Philharmonic. She continues to be active as a soloist and collaborative artist.
Location
Guidelines
APPLIED MUSIC PROGRAM (AMP) AUDITIONS
Students looking to book appointments for AMP auditions may only book with Lance Merrill. Click HERE for Lance's sign-up page
CANCELLATIONS
If you need to cancel your appointment, you must do so with 12 hours notice to allow enough time for your slot to be available for someone else.
NO SHOWS
No-shows will result in forfeiture of your appointments for the next two weeks. Your professor will also be notified. Exceptions may be made for emergencies.
REHEARSAL PREP
Come early and bring something to record the session. Having a recording of the accompaniment to work with at home can be very helpful. Come as prepared as possible; you will get the most out of a rehearsal if you memorize your music and words.
MUSIC SCORES
Your accompanist needs music for the songs you sing and the pieces you play. The best kind of score you can provide is a "piano-vocal" arrangement of a song or a full score of the instrumental piece. You can find most music online nowadays, and although a lot of music is free, you should be prepared to pay for the music. If a piano-vocal version of a song isn't possible, we can also read from lead sheets; in this case, a YouTube link to a song performance is very helpful. Bring a paper copy on loose sheets. Here are some excellent websites to check for sheet music:
(this website often allows you to choose your key before printing)
NON-CREDIT STUDENTS
HOW OFTEN CAN YOU BOOK?
One 15-minute session every other week can be reserved. If a student accidentally books too many sessions, the extra sessions will be canceled, and you will receive an email confirmation of the cancellation of your extra appointments.
WHEN SHOULD YOU BOOK?
It is best to book an appointment after the student has rehearsed and knows their music. Time with the accompanist is meant to help the students fine-tune their pieces, so they must come prepared. If you are unsure how often you should meet with your accompanist, please ask your accompanist when would be appropriate.
OTHER THINGS TO NOTE
The last two weeks before finals (weeks 14 and 15, May 12th – May 25th) are reserved for credit students to prepare for their finals and final projects.