Ricardo Soto

Ricardo Soto, D.M.A., received his doctorate in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern California in 1993, graduating magnum cum laude and receiving the Department Award for Excellence.  Master's and bachelor's degrees were earned from California State University, Fullerton.  Ric retired from Orange Coast College in 2020, where he taught theory and music history.  From 2006 to 2015, he served as conductor for the OCC Orchestra.  2014 Ric was voted Orange Coast College's Faculty of the Year. Previously, he has served on the faculties at Cal State Fullerton, where he conducted the Men's Chorus and Opera Orchestra, and at the University of Irvine, where he led the Men's and Women's

Ric began his professional church work in 1980 as the music director at St. Joseph's Church in Long Beach.  He has previously served as music director at St. Polycarp and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in the Diocese of Orange.  From 2013 to 2019, Ric directed the music ministry for the Hispanic Community at the Christ Cathedral in the Diocese of Orange.  He has also worked for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office for Worship.  His great interest lies in developing choral music that reflects his Hispanic heritage.