In Memoriam.

With profound sadness, we remember Joseph Huszti, Professor Emeritus of Music at the University of California, Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts. A visionary choral conductor, educator, and mentor, Huszti dedicated his life to the transformative power of music, inspiring generations of singers and musicians.

During his tenure at UC Irvine, Huszti led 27 international concert tours, earning prestigious awards at renowned competitions, including the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition in Hungary, and the World Choir Games in China. Under his leadership, UC Irvine choirs graced the stages of Westminster Abbey and the great cathedrals of Europe, as well as concert halls across Asia and North America.

In 1998, Huszti founded Men in Blaque, an ensemble devoted to performing the finest TTBB choral literature. His belief in the power of diverse voices—united by a shared passion for song—defined the ensemble’s artistic excellence and international acclaim.

Before his time in California, Huszti served as the head of choral activities at Boston University’s School of Music, College of Fine Arts and directed the Young Artists Vocal Program at the Tanglewood Music Festival. Over the course of his illustrious career, he collaborated with some of the most esteemed composers and conductors of our time, including Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, and Norman Dello Joio.

Joseph Huszti’s legacy endures in the voices of those he mentored, the music he championed, and the profound impact he had on the choral world. His artistry, passion, and unwavering dedication to excellence will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Andy holds an MM in Choral Conducting from CSU Fullerton, and both a BA in Music and Teaching Credential from University of California, Irvine. Andy has had the privilege of studying with notable conductors such as Professor Joseph Huszti and Dr. Stephen Tucker (UCI), Professor Christopher Gravis (CSULA), plus Dr. Robert Istad and Dr. Chris Peterson (CSU Fullerton). Andy is currently based at Corona del Mar High School, where he is the Director of Vocal Music and conductor of seven different vocal ensembles including the Corona del Mar High School Madrigal Singers, which has performed under his direction in France, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

In addition to his time teaching, Andy serves as co-conductor of Men in Blaque. He has performed with MiB at international festivals and competitions including China, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom.

In the summer of 2014, Andy made his international conductor debut at the International Youth Music Festival in Bratislava, Slovakia, and has since conducted performances at notable venues like la Madeline and Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, and the Archduke’s Hall of Mirrors in Olomouc, Czech Republic. He is regularly asked to present lectures at University of California, Irvine and Vanguard University, where he discusses music education at the primary and secondary levels.

Mike Ushino received his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the Bob Cole Conservatory at California State University, Long Beach in 2013. His conducting mentors have included Professor Emeritus Joseph Huszti (UCI), Dr. Jonathan Talberg (CSULB), and Keith Hancock (Chapman University).

Mike serves as the director of the Choral/Vocal Arts Department at San Juan Hills High School and heads the program's Vocal Music Conservatory. He has also led concert tours to San Francisco, New York, France, Luxembourg, and Germany with performances in notable venues including Carnegie Hall in New York City, Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, and La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. As the vocal director for the musical theatre productions at San Juan Hills, Mike has helped produce multiple shows since 2014.

Mike currently serves as co-conductor for Men in Blaque. He has sung with the ensemble since 2007 and competed in numerous prize-winning tours including 2010 World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China and 2017 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales.

Mike currently serves as the 2022–2024 President-Elect, Southern California Vocal Association. He also presents at workshops and reading sessions for SCVA, universities, and school district music programs.

Katie Franklin Ledsinger earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of California at Irvine and her Master of Arts degree from the City University of New York, Queens College. Active as a collaborative pianist, piano instructor, vocal coach, and organist for more than twenty years, Katie has served on the faculties of several institutions, including the City University of New York at Queens College, Orange Coast College, the Orange County High School of the Arts, and Orange Lutheran High School. Her private studio includes students ranging from four years old to sixty-five years old, of all skill levels. Katie provides in-home, studio, and online lessons, covering all aspects of piano technique (in particular, the Taubman Technique), music theory, and music history. As a performer, her sensitive accompanying and her particular proficiency in contemporary music have made her a popular and respected collaborator on both coasts. Her concerts in New York City and southern California include performances with operatic artists such as Mark Thomsen and Metropolitan Opera headliner, Erika Sunnegardh. Katie has also been a featured pianist with the South Coast Symphony, the Long Beach Chorale, and the Orange County Women’s Chorus. Outside of music, she has been a librarian, a preschool teacher, and a horse wrangler.