Biographies
Cassandra Leisher is a conductor, vocalist, and music educator pursuing a Master of Music in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance. She received a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from University of California, Irvine in 2022. This past year, Cassandra served as assistant conductor for CBU’s Magnolia Singers, while also participating in CBU’s Camerata as a vocalist. Cassandra has given three recitals this school year: one conducting recital, a lecture voice recital, and a graduate vocal recital.
In 2022, Cassandra made her Carnegie Hall debut, and performed there again in 2024. In 2025, she performed the music of Ola Gjielo at Cadogan Hall in London, England. In the same year, she also participated in the Barcelona Festival of Song summer music program. Most recently, she performed on tour in Italy with Camerata. Cassandra is grateful for these God-given opportunities, and intends to continue serving Him through her love for music.
Ruiyu Wang, originally from China, is a conductor and vocalist currently pursuing a Master of Choral Conducting at California Baptist University. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education with a voice emphasis from Biola University. Ruiyu has served in a range of musical leadership roles in university, church, and educational settings. Including assistant conductor, section leader, rehearsal assistant, and choir member. His work has included conducting selected repertoire in university performances, assisting with ensemble preparation. Bilingual in Mandarin and English, he brings a collaborative spirit and deep commitment to artistic excellence to every ensemble he serves.
Joshua Tessler is an accomplished collaborative pianist and tenor. He holds a Master of Music in Keyboard Collaborative Arts from Chapman University and a Bachelor of Arts in Performance from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. As a pianist, he is a former student of GRAMMY-winning artist Nadia Shpachenko and has been mentored by Shawn Kirchner. A dedicated educator affiliated with the Music Teachers’ Association of California, his piano students consistently achieve state honors in the Certificate of Merit program.
A versatile musician, Joshua has performed as a harpsichordist for collegiate early music ensembles and participated in the Berkshire Choral International and Impulse New Music Festivals. He frequently accompanies for Festivals, Recitals, and Masterclasses. Vocally, he sings with Pacific Chorale and serves as a section leader for the Mountainside Master Chorale and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Joshua currently studies choral conducting with Dr. Joshua Golden at California Baptist University.
O Magnum Mysterium
Program
Magnolia Singers
Juan Castaneda, Conductor
Evan Ramos (b. 1983)
Pulchra es Jaakko Mäntyjärvi (b. 1963)
Morgan Parker, Graduate Assistant Conductor
Forever Music
Ubi Caritas
My God Fights for Me
Exsultate justi
The Ground
Song of Miriam
Siobhan Lawrence, Graduate Assistant Conductor
Mark Hayes (b. 1953)
Dan Forrest (b. 1978)
Charity Gayle / arr. John Tebay (b. 1957)
Camerata Recital Concert
Three Graduating M.M. Choral Conducting Students
Cassandra Leisher
M.M. Choral Conducting
Lodovico Grossi da Viadana (c. 1560-1627)
Ola Gjeilo (b. 1978)
Elaine Hagenberg (b. 1979)
Peace Davin Chaffin (b. 2004)
In the Middle
Go Where I Send Thee
Dale Trumbore (b. 1987)
Spiritual / arr. André J. Thomas (b. 1952)
Joshua Tessler
M.M. Choral Conducting
Ave Verum Corpus Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
Loch Lomond Ralph Vaughan-Williams (1872-1958)
O Love Elaine Hagenberg (b. 1979)
The Road Home Stephen Paulus (1949-2014)
Ruiyu Wang
M.M. Choral Conducting
Cantate Domino Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Agnus Dei from Mass for Four Voices William Byrd (c. 1540-1623)
Dixit Maria Hans Leo Hassler (1564-1612)
Let My Love Be Heard Jake Runestad (b. 1986)
In Which Direction the Wind Blows Ran Tian Hao
Mo-Li-Hua Chinese Folk Song / arr. Hyo-Won Woo (b. 1974)
Let Everything that Hath Breath Jeffery L. Ames (b. 1969)
