Dr. Mary Lauren Buckley Schaer grew up in New Orleans. She received her BA in music from Princeton University, where she graduated with honors and was the first undergraduate to pursue a certificate in conducting. She received a Postgraduate Diploma in Choral Conducting from the Royal Academy of Music in London. In 2002, Dr. Buckley returned to New Orleans and became the Artistic Director of the Jefferson Performing Society Children’s Chorus, a program offering choral experiences to children ages 3-18. She was also the Music Director and Conductor of the Orleans Chamber Singers, specializing in Renaissance and other a cappellarepertoire.

 

Dr. Buckley moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to study at the USC Thornton School of Music and completed her Doctorate in Choral Conducting 2012. She has been leading the Hollywood Master Chorale since 2011. In addition, Dr. Buckley is the Classic Worship Leader of the Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church, Conductor of the Ebell Women’s Chorale, Associate Conductor of the Pasadena Master Chorale, Adjunct Faculty Member at Rio Hondo College, and vocal coach for the Los Angeles Daiku, as well as a private voice and piano instructor.