David Ball

Cathedral Organist and Head of Music Ministry

Juilliard-trained organist David La’O Ball (BM ’14, MM ’16) serves as Cathedral Organist and Head of Music Ministry at Christ Cathedral in the Diocese of Orange, California (formerly Crystal Cathedral). David completed both the Bachelor and Master of Music at The Juilliard School in New York City, studying under Mr. Paul Jacobs.

As Christ Cathedral Organist, David’s musical contributions underpin the Cathedral's vast array of weekly services and events, directing and accompanying the Diocesan, Cathedral, and Children's Choirs; conducting the Cathedral Schola; and supporting the parish's diverse congregation.

- Biography courtesy of Dr. Paula Harper.

For more information visit davidballorgan.com

Photo by Challenge Roddie.

Juilliard-trained organist David La’O Ball (BM ’14, MM ’16) serves as Cathedral Organist and Head of Music Ministry at Christ Cathedral in the Diocese of Orange, California (formerly Crystal Cathedral). David is a recognized and well-lauded young performer—The New York Times declared his appearance in Juilliard’s FOCUS! Festival “a rousing performance”; his performance of Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in a minor in Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall was broadcast on American Public Media’s nationally-syndicated radio program Pipedreams; and his segment of the 2014 WQXR Bach Marathon was streamed on WQXR-FM, New York City’s classical radio station. In recognition of his accomplishments, David was named one of The Diapason’s 2017 Class of 20 under 30, a peer-selected group of young people at the forefront of the organ field.

David completed both the Bachelor and Master of Music at The Juilliard School in New York City, studying under Mr. Paul Jacobs. As part of a wide-ranging musical vision for 21st-century collaboration—a vision cultivated during his time at Juilliard—David is committed to making the “King of Instruments” play well with others. He has spearheaded a number of “David and Friends” chamber recitals, commissioned many new works, and co-founded the ensemble duo corgano, a horn and organ duet featuring fellow Juilliard alumnus Trevor Nuckols.

David is an active member of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). As a winner of the AGO/Quimby Regional Competition for Young Organists, David performed as a Rising Star at the 2016 National AGO Convention in Houston where he "used the organ evocatively... displayed a wide palette of colors in his artistic registration and... brought Mozart's K. 608 to a thrilling close, earning an enthusiastic response from the audience." (The American Organist) David has additionally won AGO Competitions in Wichita, Denver, Kansas City, and St. Louis, and was the recipient of the rarely-conferred Outstanding Student Award from the St. Louis Chapter of the AGO.

The only thing that matches David’s passion for solo and ensemble performance is his commitment to creating liturgical music of the highest caliber. From his earliest days as the organ scholar under Dr. John A. Romeri at the landmark St. Louis Cathedral Basilica, David played and accompanied the Cathedral Basilica’s choirs in performances across the country and in Rome, Italy. As Christ Cathedral Organist, David’s musical contributions underpin the Cathedral's vast array of weekly services and events, directing and accompanying the Diocesan, Cathedral, and Children's Choirs; conducting the Cathedral Schola; and supporting the parish's diverse congregation.

For more information visit davidballorgan.com
- Biography courtesy of Dr. Paula Harper.


Dolores Gomez

Head of Hispanic Music Ministry

Email Dolores: dgomez@christcathedralparish.org

A southern California native, Dolores Gomez has been passionate about music for as long as she can remember. Working for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for more than 30 years in various churches throughout the San Gabriel Valley, she comes with an extensive background as a Liturgist and Music Director. She studied at the Los Angeles Academy of Music for Voice and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Film Composition from Musicians Institute in Hollywood. An active member of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM), Dolores currently serves on the Music Advisory Board of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission in the Diocese of Orange. She previously served the Liturgical Commission of Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Additionally, she coordinates music for the Religious Education Congress as a member of the RECongress planning committees.

Dolores has directed English and Spanish adults and children, Young Adult Contemporary Groups and handbell Choirs. She has released 4 albums. Her debut solo Christian album in 1997, I Will Praise You, O Lord; a Christmas album Gift of Love released in 2009 - Gift of Love is a collection of bilingual Christmas songs we long to hear during this beautiful time of year; In 2013, Dolores released her EP Praying in Communion; 2014 brought the release of “Romance con Jesus.” An album with the songs that Spanish speaking communities have loved to hear throughout the years. This is a must-get for not only for all of Latin origin but everyone who loves good Christian music.

An accomplished singer/song writer, liturgical composer, performer, voice and piano teacher, Dolores lives in Glendora, CA. She previously served in ministry at St. Mariana de Paredes in Pico Rivera.

Lauren McCaul

Cathedral Music Administrator

Email Lauren: lmccaul@christcathedralparish.org

Lauren McCaul is delighted to serve as Cathedral Music Administrator for Christ Cathedral in the Diocese of Orange, California. Ms. McCaul is a native of Southern California and has been involved in music ministry throughout the Diocese for over 20 years. She was the Administrative Assistant for the Director of Music Ministries at Holy Family Cathedral in Orange, Mission Basilica in San Juan Capistrano and was the Assistant to the Director of Choral Music at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana. Ms. McCaul has served on the Music Advisory Board for the Diocese of Orange since 2005 and was a founding member of the Board of Directors for de Angelis Vocal Ensemble.

In addition to her work as Administrator, Ms. McCaul has sung for many years at various parishes in the Diocese of Orange. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Chapman University in 1999 where she performed with the University Choir, University Singers and Chapman Vocal Jazz Ensemble. She has sung as soloist and ensemble member in various choral ensembles throughout Southern California including Zephyr: Voices Unbound, Legacy and de Angelis Vocal Ensemble. Ms McCaul has performed in many of the beautiful churches and music halls in Europe and has toured with a number of ensembles as soprano soloist. Ms. McCaul has been featured as a soloist for various choral works including Mozart’s Sparrow Mass, Schubert’s Mass in G, Finzi’s In Terra Pax, Bach’s Magnificat, Mozart’s Solemn Vespers, Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Haydn’s Heiligmesse and Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise. She currently sings at Christ Cathedral and for many of the liturgies and events for the Diocese of Orange.


Dr. Emma Whitten

Associate Organist

Email Emma: organist.emma@gmail.com

Dr. Emma Whitten is an accomplished organist and church musician based in Southern California. Emma has performed on historic organs in Germany, Spain, Colombia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, as well as frequent concerts throughout the Southwest. Emma maintains a private teaching studio, and she is an active member of the American Guild of Organists. Emma Whitten is represented by Seven Eight Artists.

Find out more at: https://www.emmawhitten.com/

Dr. Patricia Lamb

Sub-Organist

Hektor Pitstick

Sub-Organist

Charles Raasch

Sub-Organist

Tom Leonard

Sub-Organist

Ty Woodward

Sub-Organist

Lois Holdridge

Sub-Organist


Kevin Cartwright

Cathedral Organ Curator

Kevin Cartwright has dedicated his career and life’s work to superior pipe organ building, restoration, and maintenance. Kevin began working as an apprentice in 1998 while studying organ performance. After an extensive period of apprenticeship and a career as a maintenance technician with the A.E. Schlueter Pipe Organ Company, Kevin continued to work as a contractor for various organ builders including Rosales Organ Builders where he joined the Rosales team in 2015. Kevin began studying the organ at the age of fourteen with Dr. Harold Rohlig, a former student of Marcel Dupré, and further studied organ at the University of South Alabama and Huntingdon College. Kevin has served as Organist-Choirmaster at various churches throughout his career and uses his training and knowledge as an organist and church musician combined with work-study experiences in the United States and abroad to guide his work. Kevin currently serves as Dean of the Los Angeles Chapter, A.G.O. and President of the Los Angeles Theatre Organ Society.



Francesco Ruffatti

Piero Ruffatti