Robert Istad is the new Artistic Director of the Long Beach Camerata Singers and the Long Beach Bach Festival, starting with the 2009-10 season. Istad also serves as Director of Choral Studies at California State University, Fullerton where he conducts the University Singers and Concert Choir in addition to teaching courses in conducting, advanced interpretation and literature. He has prepared choruses for EsaÐPekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Carl St.Clair and the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Bramwell Tovey and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Nicholas McGegan and the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, and Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, as well as conductors Sir Andrew Davis, Eric Whitacre, Giancarlo Guerrero, Marin Alsop, John DuPrez, George Fenton, John Alexander, William Dehning, David Lockington and Mark Manderano. Istad also holds the position of Assistant Conductor with the Pacific Chorale, where he conducts selected concerts in performance, provides artistic support and facilitates a pre-concert lecture series. Dr. Istad received his Bachelor of Arts degree in music from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, his Master of Music degree in choral conducting from California State University, Fullerton and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral music at the University of Southern California. He studied conducting with Dr. William Dehning, John Alexander and Dr. Jon Hurty. He is in demand as an adjudicator and guest clinician throughout the region.