OUR STAFF
JUAN CARLOS ACOSTA, M.M.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, CHORAL MUSIC INSTRUCTOR
Juan Carlos Acosta has been serving as the principal conductor of SACRA/PROFANA since 2015 and has continued the legacy of visionary programming and musical excellence founded by Krishan Oberoi. Under his leadership the ensemble has given notable premieres of works by composers such as Sarah Kirkland Snider, Kim André Arnesen, Ola Gjeilo, Saunder Choi, Sarah Rimkus, and was featured in the live world premiere of the film “Star Trek Beyond” with a score by Michael Giacchino.
Active nationally, regionally, and locally as a speaker and presenter, Juan Carlos has made presentations or served as clinician for the Choristers Guild, the American Guild of Organists, the San Diego Arts Mega conference, the California and American Choral Directors Association. Together with composer Brandon Waddles, Juan Carlos and SACRA/PROFANA were awarded the inaugural Diverse Voices Collaborative Grant through of the ACDA, which will be premiered at the Summer Choral Intensive in July 2023.
In addition to his role with SACRA/PROFANA, Juan Carlos is the Director of Music Ministries at the Village Community Presbyterian Church, where he directs the Chancel Choir, the Village Community Chorale, and Youth Choir, and has led two international tours. Juan Carlos has previously served on the music faculty of the University of San Diego, Cuyamaca College, and the Chula Vista School for the Creative and Performing Arts.
Email: acosta@sacraprofana.org
KRISHAN OBEROI, D.M.A.
FOUNDING DIRECTOR & PRINCIPAL GUEST CONDUCTOR
Musical artist, teacher and entrepreneur Krishan Oberoi has received widespread critical acclaim for his innovative leadership. Ensembles under his direction have been praised for their “impressive warmth and verve” (Boston Globe), “startling depth” (Variety magazine) and “clear diction, perfect pitch and clear purpose” (San Diego Union-Tribune). Oberoi is the Founder & Principal Guest Conductor of SACRA/PROFANA, a critically acclaimed, San Diego-based chorus described as “a divine vocal canopy” by The Los Angeles Times.
Hailed for his “visionary direction” (San Diego Story), Oberoi has championed the music of living composers, as well as seldom-performed works from earlier centuries. In 2018 he founded the Boston-based Analog Chorale, which released its first album, Explorers, in 2019. Analog Chorale’s first live performance was given in October 2019, when the group performed the Monteverdi 1610 Vespers in its entirety. As Artistic Director of SACRA/PROFANA and Analog Chorale, Oberoi has conducted world premiere recordings of music by such composers as Shawn Kirchner, Sarah Kirkland Snider, and Pulitzer-Prize winner David Lang. SACRA/PROFANA’s 2017 collaboration with composer Stephen Feigenbaum was described by Time magazine as “a sharply orchestrated piece of futuristic pop.”
A passionate recruiter and advocate for choral singing, Oberoi has engaged diverse populations through innovative education and outreach programs. These efforts include a month-long after-school program at San Diego’s Monarch School, an institution devoted to students impacted by homelessness.
Oberoi's musical projects have received support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Krenek Forum in Krems, Austria. He holds degrees from Yale University, Boston University and New England Conservatory. Since 2020, he has served as Director of Choral Activities at Providence College, and Artistic Director of the Falmouth Chorale on Cape Cod. He currently lives in Medway, Massachusetts with his wife Kirsten and their two Golden Retrievers, Chester and Charlie.
AARON BURGETT
ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR
Aaron Burgett—an active director, composer, and performer— received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from PLNU, his Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from SDSU, and now enjoys teaching and performing in a variety of styles. He has taught at schools and churches throughout San Diego County, working with students anywhere from the age of five to eighty-five. Currently, Aaron is the Director of Choral Worship at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, as well as the Assistant Conductor of SACRA/PROFANA. When not making music, Aaron can be found filming weddings with his wife (Madeleine), playing fetch with their dog, or enjoying the Southern California sun on various outdoor adventures.
BECCA UNG
CHORUS MANAGER, CHORAL MUSIC & PIANO INSTRUCTOR
Born and raised in San Diego, Becca graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s in Music Education, specializing in Voice. She has had the honor of singing with SACRA/PROFANA since its debut performance in 2009. Since then, she has continued to be involved as a core soprano, section leader in the Summer Choral Intensive (SCI), educator through the outreach program, and Chorus Manager.
Becca has been involved in music education throughout San Diego since 2008, teaching in various elementary schools in the San Diego Unified School District as well as her private studio. She had the privilege of establishing and pioneering the Keys of Inspiration program by the Lang Lang Foundation at High Tech Explorer Elementary, teaching group keyboard to students in grades 2-5. Becca currently serves as a worship leader at Reservoir Church and when she’s not singing or teaching, is raising her three young boys.
Email: cm@sacraprofana.org