Moana Dherlin | Director of Choral Activities

Moana Dherlin is the Director of Choral Activities at Los Alamitos High School, where she is now in her twelfth year. Under her direction, the Los Alamitos Choirs have achieved consistent excellence, presenting acclaimed performances and earning numerous national championships as well as first-place honors at premier regional and local competitions. With a strong emphasis on vocal health and technical mastery, Ms. Dherlin has developed her students’ vocal abilities while cultivating artistry, confidence, and musical expression.

A graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston (magna cum laude, B.M. in Professional Music), Ms. Dherlin went on to complete her Kodály Graduate Certification in Music Education at the New England Conservatory. Before joining Los Alamitos, she directed the University Singers at New York University, a select graduate-level ensemble specializing in world and contemporary choral repertoire. She also served as Choral Director and Music Educator at Excel Charter School in Brooklyn, where her ensembles earned top distinctions at regional festivals and her students were frequently selected for ACDA Regional and National Honor Choirs.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Ms. Dherlin is an active clinician and adjudicator, working with choirs and festivals locally as well as throughout the country. As a performer, her credits include appearances with the Santa Cruz Symphony, Monterey Symphony, Santa Cruz Summer Music Festival, and at the ACDA Western Division Conference.

Ms. Dherlin is deeply committed to fostering excellence, inclusivity, and joy through music. She values her collaboration with the outstanding Los Alamitos directing team and the Xcite! Show Choir Summer Camps, and takes pride in inspiring students each day through her passion for choral music and education.

When not teaching or performing, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and their two young daughters.