Our Artistic Director

Dr. Joseph J. Amante y Zapata began musical studies as a piano major at Westminster Choir College, where he became interested in choral and church music.  He holds a B.A. in Church Music from Point Loma Nazarene University, a M.M. in Choral Conducting from New England Conservatory of Music, and a D.M.A. in Choral Music from the University of Southern California.  He has studied with Joseph Flummerfelt, Rodney Eichenberger, Gustav Meier, and the late Leonard Bernstein at Seranak, Tanglewood Music Center.

Dr. Amante resides in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.  He is assistant professor of music and Director of Choral Activities at Community College of Rhode Island.  In the few years he has been at CCRI, his choirs have performed the Beethoven 9^th Symphony before the Music Educators National Conference, recorded Vivaldi’s “Gloria” both under the direction of Ann Danis, and was awarded a plaque at an international music festival in Montreal, Canada.  He was chosen Harvard University Library Scholar (2002) by the Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, and the following year he was selected Choir Director for the U.S. Scholar-Athlete Games.  He was named to the board of directors of Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra in 2006.  He has just been listed in Who’s Who in American Education.  Dr. Amante’s memberships include Mu Phi Epsilon, MENC, National Association of Schools of Music, the Administrative Fellowship of Harvard University, National Council of La Ruza, and Vice President for Rhode Island chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.