Sing to
the Lord!
"Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world."
- Martin Luther
Richard Cook
Director of Music
Rich Cook is a published composer of major works, individual songs and hymns.
His background includes serving as Composer in Residence, musical director, conductor, TV Show host, and producer of concerts and musical productions in the US, Europe, Latin American and Asia.
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As well as working with Disney in creating "Night of Joy" at Disneyland, he has served on the Gospel Music Association in producing the Dove Awards.
Rich has conducted and staged concerts with Liza Minnelli, Michael Feinstein, Bernadette Peters, Pat and Debby Boone, Art Linkletter, Andre Crouch, Little Richard and several others.
Rich founded A Cabbello, a premiere local singing group; before that Rich founded Men Alive, the Orange County Gay Men's Chorus. He is an alumnus of Evangel University, Springfield, MO and studied choral conducting with persons at Yale and the Boston Conservatory.
Rich and his husband, Chris, have been together for 23 years.
Upcoming Events:
Meet the Artists
JESSAY MARTIN (SOLOIST)
Jessay is a well-known artist throughout the Valley and beyond. He is an often-featured singer in our concert series. Jessay sang in A Cabello under Rich’s direction and currently sings in the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus. He has sung throughout the country including at The White House and has performed in London. His beautiful tenor voice will lift your spirits and move you to tears. He enjoys singing for his SDA church. As one of the “Old Gays,” he is a celebrity on social media. Jessay resides in Cathedral City.
MELANIE PEDRO (SOLOIST)
Soprano Melanie Pedro is a newcomer to Coachella Valley, relocating this year to Bermuda Dunes from San Diego County. Melanie completed her undergraduate studies in Vocal Performance at California State University Fresno and earned a Master’s degree also in Vocal Performance from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her favorite operatic roles include Mimi in La Bohème, Pamina in DieZauberflöte, and Micaela in Carmen. Ms. Pedro has traveled with chorale tours through Europe, Russia, Poland, Austria, and the United Kingdom. Melanie currently cantors at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and is an 11-year member of the Pacific Chorale in Orange County. Ms. Pedro is an artist with Coachella Valley Classical Voices. When not singing, she enjoys healthy living and plant-based cooking.
DARRYL KOZAK (SOLOIST)
Darryl resides in the Inland Empire but frequents Palm Springs, offering his musical talents to A Cabello and occasionally to carry out duties associated with his vocation. He is a Lutheran parish pastor and also an Assistant to the Bishop of the Pacifica Synod of the ELCA. Darryl has sung in many groups including “Men Alive,” the Orange County Gay Men’s chorus. Darryl brings his beautiful rich vocal tone as another gifted artist in the ensemble. He is married to Johnny.
EVAN BOOMER (SOLOIST)
Evan is a relocated Bay Area native who is extremely blessed to be a man of God, husband, and the father of four amazing children. He is an elementary engineering educator in Palm Springs and the worship leader and guest speak of his LGBTQU+ affirming church, Desert Oasis Chapel.
KATHERINE CASH (VIOLINIST)
Katherine’s motto is “Inspired By Music.” She brings a unique and revolutionary musical approach to the chamber music genre. As a Julliard-trained artist with a pedigree that includes Grammy, Tony and Emmy award winning recordings and performances, as well as the Mon-on Award for Artistic Excellence, she has performed with multi-platinum artists from Pavarotti to Streisand to Bernstein. From film scores to church services to concertmaster for Broadway shows to orchestra work to solo recordings at Capitol Studios, she performs jazz, popular and cross-over music. She continues to utilize her USC Executive MBA as President of Neurobotics in Tokyo.