Raymond Woods

Artistic Director/Vocal Music

Mr. Raymond P. Woods has taught at Dana Hills High School since 1981, serving as SOCSA's Artistic Director since 2002. As Artistic Director, Mr. Woods coordinates the educational efforts and planning of 8 faculty members, as well as professional teachers and coaches, and makes a difference in the lives of more than 400 students pursuing their passion for Theater, Voice, Dance, Instrumental Music and Visual Arts. With his support and guidance, these students have won numerous awards and recognition, and their performance experience goes far beyond that of the typical high school student.

But his efforts are not confined to the stages of Dana Hills High School, where SOCSA makes its home. Under his direction, SOCSA vocal groups, including the Vocal Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Opera students and Madrigals, perform at 50 or more events in and around Orange County each year. In the past year, Mr. Woods has fearlessly trekked through Switzerland, Italy, London, New York and several other cities with dozens of choir students, braving tight schedules, inclement weather and countless other challenges and successfully competing in international festivals.

In addition to choir trips, the production of "Hot Mikado," the annual Jazz Night, Opera Night at Casa Romantica, and choral concerts this year, Mr. Woods had the task of directing the highly successful Showcase 2007: An Artistic Celebration, SOCSA's annual celebration of student achievement in performing and visual arts. The gala was held for the first time at the Orange County Performing Arts Center's Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall and attended by more than 1,100 people.

Mr. Woods received his Bachelor of Music degree from Whittier College and Master of Arts degree from Occidental College and has done extensive doctoral studies at the University of Southern California. He has been involved in church work since 1968, currently serving as Director of Music at the United Methodist Church of Garden Grove, CA. He is also the Musical Director of the South Coast Singers, a community chorale based in South Orange County and is an accomplished pianist, organist, and harpsichordist.

Mr. Woods goes far beyond the requirements of his job to broaden the experiences of his students and enhance the role of the arts in the community. He was named Educator of the Year in 2004 by the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, has been the recipient of "Teacher of the Year Award" by the Capistrano Unified School District. He received additional commendations from the city of Dana Point, CA; the State of California; and the United States House of Congress, and in 2007, was named Educator of the Year in Vocal Music by the Orange County Department of Education's and the Orange County Music and Arts Educators' Association.

He motivates and inspires his students with his love of music and makes a lasting impression on every one of them, as evidenced by the tears of the senior students as they gave their Senior Goodbyes before heading off to continue their education at UCLA, USC, Stanford, UC San Diego, AMDA, and other world-renowned universities and conservatories in the U.S. and abroad.

DOWNLOAD HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTO OF MR. RAYMOND P. WOODS.