Rich Cook founded Men Alive in September 2001 after being inspired by a performance of the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles. Rich is an experienced director who comes to Men Alive and the gay choral family via the Christian/Gospel music world. His background includes serving as musical director/artistic director for several large Christian ministries, including Pat Robertson's Political Rallies, Trinity Broadcasting (TBN), and Melodyland in Anaheim, California. He also served on the Gospel Music Association's Board of Directors. Besides being a skilled director, Rich is also an accomplished ASCAP and BMI composer with numerous published songs and works.
Rich is the proud father of 3 daughters, Jodi, Jeni, Julianne and has 3 grandsons, Gabriel, Benjamin and Preston. He has long made Orange County his home, and resides with his partner, Chris Macaluso, in Aliso Viejo.
To contact Rich:
Bob Gunn, Assistant Director
Bob
Gunn is a founding member of Men Alive, and has served as Assistant Director
since early 2002. A professional musician with over 25 years of experience,
Bob holds a Bachelors Degree in Piano Performance, Music Theory and Education
from Azusa Pacific University.
Bob has had a broad musical career, with experience as pianist, keyboardist,
singer, producer, conductor, arranger, orchestrator and even recording
artist. In his "early days", after graduating college, Bob spent many
years on the road performing with several Christian rock groups. Today,
he has settled in Southern California and made his home with his partner in Aliso Viejo.
To contact Bob:
Carolyn De Freitas, Vice President of Marketing
Carolyn De Freitas and her husband Bob have been fans of Men Alive since their son Jon joined the chorus in Spring of 2002. He sings with Bel Canto as well. Their daughter Jill was a frequent guest performer with Men Alive, perhaps the most memorable performance being that of Santa’s Jewish mother-in-law in the 2008 Secret Santa show.
Being musical herself, Carolyn planned and directed shows and performances during her teaching years and subsequently directed a church choir. After leaving the classroom, she in was charge of marketing and sales of educational technology in the Western States. Now retired, Carolyn is pleased to have time to devote to a group of men she has come to love over the years. She lives with her high school sweetheart and husband in San Juan Capistrano.
To contact Carolyn:
Lester Ricks, Membership Director
Lester Ricks joined Men Alive in January 2005. After attending one performance he was sure that this was a group that he wanted to be a part of.
Lester was born in Georgia and moved to California in 1993 for a military assignment. He has sung with various church choirs and groups since his childhood. Music has been a vital part of his life.
As the membership director, Lester finds welcoming new members to be a joy filled assignment. He previously held the position of Section Leader for the Tenor 2 Section. “Men Alive is an inspirational group of people committed to bringing joy and awareness to the world around us through high quality musical performances. Caring for the members of this organization and sharing the mission of the chorus makes me proud to say that “I am a member of Men Alive.”
To contact Lester:
David Merrell, Chorus Life Director
David Merrell is an ardent supporter of Men Alive’s mission statement. A Southern California native, he has provided education, healing, and joy as an educator of special needs children for over fifteen years, and his degrees in Human Development and Counseling indicate the importance that communication has in his life.
Since joining the chorus in 2009, David has built bridges through his love of vocal and instrumental music. He enjoys the mutual respect and support of his family, friends and partner, tenor Charlie Harfouch.
David has worked with the “Men on a Mission” Outreach program and recently helped organize the transportation and logistics for the chorus performance at the Hollywood Bowl. He says it is a joy to be working with an organization that “provides a way to be around gay men in a healthy and creative way while educating our own community as well as the community at large.”
Vern Howard, Social Director
Vern Howard joined Men Alive quite unexpectedly in January of 2008. Only having heard about the chorus but never actually having seen a performance, he was literally driven to audition at the request of a good friend. The rest, as they say, is history. From his first appearance with the chorus in "Dancing In The Streets" he is still going strong and always looking forward to the fun, excitement, and challenge of each and every performance.
Vern moved to California in the latter part of his fifth grade year and has called it home ever since. While having only a brief formal training in music he found that singing was more to his liking than actually playing an instrument. He preformed in various school plays and musicals as well as singing with the chorus at Anaheim High School up to and including the graduation ceremonies.
Currently he has gone back to school to pursue his degree with the ultimate goal of achieving his PhD in Psychology.
This year he has accepted the role of the Social Director for the chorus. In this job he welcomes, both new and returning members, to events where keeping things simple and casual are the order of the day, or evening.
Read the Men Alive Story
During Men Alive's first year, the Chorus established the "Founder's Circle" for those supporters who shared the Men Alive vision and could assist financially. More than 50 persons, couples and businesses each donated $1000 or more to ensure the success of the newborn chorus. Read more ...
