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The Rev. Kyle sears
Senior Pastor

Kyle Sears is the pastor of La Canada Congregational Church. He grew up in Texas and planted churches for most of his career. He has been the pastor at this church since September 2016.

 
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Christina Whitten Thomas
Director of Music

Christina Whitten Thomas was appointed the position of Music Director at La Cañada Congregational Church in May, 2021. Previously, she held the position of alto soloist and section leader since 2008. An award-winning composer, Christina has received commissions for new choral works from both professional and community choirs. A native New Englander, Christina studied music at Middlebury College in Vermont. A desire to study composition at USC brought her across the country to pursue a Master's degree. She also teaches privately and maintains a studio of voice and piano students. www.christinawhitten.com

 

Mallory Haney Loo
Pianist | Organist

Mallory Haney Loo is a pianist and organist who has performed several recitals in Chile, Europe and the United States. Her love for Church Music began when she was 12 years old playing for a local Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, Chile. At 15, she began her studies in the United States, graduating from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music under Dr. Janette Fishell. She is currently completing her M.M. degree at USC Thornton School of Music with Professor Cherry Rhodes. When she is not practicing, she enjoys going to the beach with her dog, Diesel.

 
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Brooke Iva Lohman
Section Leader

Hailed as “witty, adorable, and one to watch”, soprano Brooke Iva Lohman is an adept performer of coloratura repertoire. She received a MM from CSU, Northridge, and a BMus from California Baptist University. She was the 2020 NATSAA winner for the Western Region and received the Irvin Bushman Award.  

Role highlights: Monica (The Medium), Snow Maiden (Snegúrochka), Adele (Die Fledermaus), Queen of the Night (Die Zauberflöte), Olympia (Les contes d’Hoffmann), Atalanta (Serse), and Madame Herz (Der Schauspieldirektor).   

Concert highlights: Faure’s Requiem, Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Bach’s Ein feste Burg, Rutter’s Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah.  

For more info, please visit www.BrookeIvaLohman.com.  


Theresa Patten-Koeckert


Section Leader

A native of Los Angeles, Theresa Patten-Koeckert has sung professionally as a soloist in Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic. She has performed in over 20 opera productions as a member of the Bavarian State Opera chorus in Munich. Her choral experience includes the Backakademie's Gaechinger Kantorei (Stuttgart), the Bavarian Radio Choir (Munich), the Oregon Bach Festival (Eugene), and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. She currently divides her time as an animation production manager and professional singing engagements.

 
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Jacob Walters
Section Leader

Being skilled and flexible in his vocal delivery for a variety of genres and styles, Jacob Walters has performed in countless productions, gliding through the contemporary/classical music spectrum. Mr. Walters also recently placed 1st and 3rd in his divisions of Classical and Commercial Contemporary Music, respectively, at the 2019 NATS Competition. In addition to opera and musical theatre, Mr. Walters writes, produces, and performs his own music. He has performed his original works across Arizona, both as a solo artist and with alt-rock band Idle Lights, with a captivating stage presence that mirrors his theatrical and enigmatic songwriting. Mr. Walters recently graduated from The University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance, studying under Metropolitan Opera veteran Hugo Vera, as well as world-famous soprano Yunah Lee. Follow him on Instagram @khakijake and check out his website at www.jakewaltersmusic.com.

 
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Matthew Ian Welch
Section Leader

Matthew Ian Welch served as the bass section leader and baritone soloist for LCCC from 2011 to 2012, and at Oneonta Congregational Church from 2015 to July 2021. His singing experience spans both classical and contemporary genres. Matthew is also a commercial actor and voice over artist, with credits including: Dodge, General Motors, Porsche, and the audiobook trilogy, Keys of Life. In 2016, he was nominated for “Best Supporting Actor” in Los Angeles’ 48-Hour Film Festival. From 2020-2021, Matthew recorded and edited virtual content for churches and synagogues, as well as schools and nonprofit organizations. He loves to cook.

 

Grant Bolstad
Director of Audio/Visual Technology

Grant joined La Cañada Congregational Church in July of 2023, along with the installation of the new audio system around the same time. After graduating from California State University Chico with a bachelor's degree in Recording Arts, Grant returned home to pursue work in the live audio industry. He has worked on projects such as musicals, live streams, concerts, events, and more. 

 
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Samantha Henderson

Director of communication

Samantha has been working in Church Offices and in Church Communications for the past 20 years. She’s also a Fantasy and Science Fiction writer and the author of a number of published short stories as well as two books set in the Forgotten Realms/Dungeons & Dragons gaming world.