“We are delighted that Annette has joined the Board,†says LAMC Chair Mark Foster. “She brings strong leadership skills, a passion for choral music and is committed to the Chorale’s bright future.â€
“I am pleased to be a part of this exceptional organization, which is truly one of the world’s leading professional choirs,†states Ermshar. “Its visionary and dedicated Board of Directors, singers and staff, virtuosic and compelling artistic product and innovative education programs put it in a league of its own.â€
Ermshar holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, an M.S. in clinical psychopharmacology and is a diplomate in forensic psychology, certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology. Affiliated with Arroyo Psychological Associates, Inc. in Pasadena, Ermshar specializes in the treatment of Bipolar Spectrum Disorders, substance abuse and serious mental illnesses. Her practice also includes family, criminal and civil forensic psycholegal evaluations, expert testimony in Federal Court, California Superior Courts and Juvenile Courts, neuropsychological assessment and cognitive evaluations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. In addition, she is a court-appointed medical expert in forensic psychology and is the Director of the Psychology Clerkship/Practicum Training Program at Patton State Hospital, a 1,200 bed maximum-security forensic psychiatric hospital housing mentally disordered offenders and judicially committed patients found not guilty by reason of insanity, or not competent to stand trial.
Among her community involvements, Ermshar sits on the Board of Directors for Pepperdine University’s Board of Visitors, serving on its steering committee, and is a board member of the Glendale Adventist Medical Center Healthcare Foundation. Previously she served on the Pepperdine University Alumni Board of Directors.
In addition to Ermshar’s appointment, the Los Angeles Master Chorale Board’s 2011-12 slate of officers has been announced. Mark Foster (Pasadena) continues as Chair, David Gindler (Hancock Park) is Vice Chair of Development and Chair-Elect, Susan Reardon (South Pasadena) is Vice Chair of Strategic Initiatives, Ted McAniff (Pasadena) is Vice Chair of Music Center Relations for the Chorale, Cheryl Petersen (Los Angeles) continues as Treasurer and Stephen Kanter (Pasadena) is Secretary. Foster notes that in response to the Chorale’s tremendous artistic and institutional growth during Grant Gershon’s tenure over the past decade and to position the chorus for continued artistic expansion, the Board of Directors has conducted an in-depth assessment of its roles and responsibilities, structure and recruitment process, among other areas. A new streamlined leadership plan has been implemented to maximize the Board’s impact and ensure that the Chorale continues to thrive.
Giving a voice to Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Grammy-nominated LOS ANGELES MASTER CHORALE (LAMC), is led by Music Director Grant Gershon. The New York Times calls the choir “inspired,†and The New York Observer declares it “a superb vocal ensemble.†The Chorale is currently in its 48th season as a resident company of the Music Center of Los Angeles County and its 9th as the resident chorus at Disney Hall. Presenting its own concert series each season, it performs choral music from the earliest writings to the most recent contemporary compositions. To date, the choir has commissioned 27 and premiered 69 new works, of which 44 were world premieres, and has been awarded three ASCAP/Chorus America Awards for Adventurous Programming. Additionally, the Chorale has performed in more than 270 concerts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at both Disney Hall and the Hollywood Bowl and has also appeared at the Ojai Festival, the Great Performers series at Lincoln Center, and at Overture Center in Madison, Wisconsin, as well as in leading venues throughout the Southland. Its discography includes four CDs under Gershon’s baton. A fifth CD with Gershon, to be released in Fall 2012 on Decca, will feature three works by Polish composer Henryk Górecki. LAMC previously released three CDs under Music Director Emeritus Paul Salamunovich on RCM, including the Grammy-nominated Lauridsen-Lux Aeterna. The Chorale is also featured with Gershon on the soundtracks of such major motion pictures as Charlie Wilson’s War, Lady in the Water, and License to Wed. Serving more than 30,000 audience members of all ages annually, the Los Angeles Master Chorale also provides education outreach to some 6,000 students each year.
