Chris Kimbler, Accompanist
Chris Kimbler earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a piano performance concentration from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix where he worked with such companies as the Arizona Theatre Company, Music Theatre of Arizona, Actor’s Lab and Phoenix Theatre. After working extensively in Phoenix, Tucson, and Las Vegas, Chris moved to Santa Barbara where he was the resident rehearsal and performance pianist for the Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera for seven seasons. Chris has worked with Actors Co-op (Hollywood), The Fringe Theatre Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland), Rubicon Theatre (Ventura), Cabrillo Music Theatre (Thousand Oaks), Beverly Hills Playhouse, Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities (Redondo Beach), Theatre League, Musical Theatre West, and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
James Antunez – Drums & Percussion
James Antunez is a full time second generation professional musician from Santa Barbara, California. Accomplished percussionist, vocalist, songwriter, performer, producer, engineer, and teacher, he has performed in casinos, clubs, theaters and venues local and abroad. With colorful textures, tone and phrasing, James brings his own arrangements and interpretations to listeners. He is at home with a traditional jazz standard or a back-beating R&B classic. His drumming is very musical, and dynamic. His band mates say he has “good ears”.
His company, A to Z Musical Services provides many local venues with talented musicians, artists and services for their programs. With many resources for entertainment including musicians, sound services, lighting, back-line, recording lessons, engineering, event planning, commericial production and voice-overs, A to Z does it all.
James is currently on the music staff at Ojai Presbyterian Church. He provides services for Morongo Casino Resort, Paseo Nuevo Mall, La Cumbre Plaza, Ojai Playwrights Conference, Ojai Community Chorus and the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa as well as many restaurants and schools in the Ojai-Ventura area.
Contact : (805) 566-6645 or mojotunz@roadrunner.com
John Boyd – Bass/Vocals
John Boyd is a familiar presence around Ojai in several artistic capacities. Nine months of the year he teaches music and photography at the Ojai Valley School where he also conducts the band at its annual musical production. As a graphic artist, John designs advertising materials for school events and is the designer for all Ojai Community Chorus advertising and programs.
John serves as a multi-instrumentalist at the St. Thomas Aquinas Church where he also is a Christmas and Easter cantor. For the past 28 years, John has played in orchestras for musical productions at The Thacher School, Villanova Preparatory School, the Ojai Art Center, and the Music Theater at St. Norbert College in Green Bay, Wisc. Some of John’s favorite musical productions have been “Guys and Dolls”, “Into the Woods”, “Evita”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “South Pacific”, “Grease”, “Hello Dolly” and “Godspell”.
John has sung baritone with the Ventura County Master Chorale, where he also played guitar, bass and piano. A few years ago, he and his wife, Lisa, were commissioned by the director of the chorale to write a Christmas carol. They wrote and arranged “When Christ was Born”, which debuted with the chorale and the following year with the Ojai Community Chorus.
John plays bass with the Ulysses Jazz Band, regularly entertaining at the James Joyce on State St. in Santa Barbara. He and wife Lisa have also provided entertainment at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, the Jester, and as part of various musical events in the Ojai area.
John is a regular in the Ojai Community Chorus combo band as bass and guitar player. He has also been a soloist with the chorus. His versatility as musician, performer, composer and all round “nice guy”, makes him a favorite with our chorus.
Ojai Community Chorus 