Artistic Directors

The board of directors and members of MSOC are extremely proud to have Artistic Directors of such talent and accomplishment.

Jeffrey A. Spenner
Orchestra Artistic Director

Jeffrey A. Spenner joined the United States Coast Guard in June 2019 as the Assistant Director of the United States Coast Guard Band, one of the nation’s premier military bands. As one of two conductors in charge of this world-renowned ensemble, he helps manage all aspects of the 55-member ensemble’s multifaceted mission – including concerts, ceremonies,recordings, and the band’s annual national tour. Previously, Spenner has been a member of the 399th Army Band, Assistant Conductor and Operations Manager with the Battle Creek Symphony in Michigan, Artistic and Education Coordinator for the Lexington Philharmonic in Kentucky as well as held music directorships with numerous community orchestras, bands, and choirs. Originally from Essexville, Michigan, he received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Illinois, and holds a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from Western Michigan University. He has conducted such groups as the Baltimore Symphony, Battle Creek Symphony, Berlin Sinfonietta, Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Filharmonica “Mihail Jora” Bacau, Fort Worth Symphony, Lexington Philharmonic, Sinfonia da Camera, and members of the Berlin Philharmonic and Philharmonia Orchestra of London.

Dr. Carolina Flores
Chorale Artistic Director

Carolina Flores grew up in Zaragoza, Spain, a city with a long history of musical traditions. There she learned how to play the organ and also attended the Superior Conservatory of Music obtaining a degree in piano pedagogy. She was fortunate to have had the opportunity to sing with a choir lead by a remarkable conductor, who influenced her life in many ways, although she would only realize the extent many, many years later. Dr. Flores continued her piano pedagogy studies at the Royal Superior Conservatory of Music in Madrid, and after that, moved to New York City, where she earned her Bachelor and Master degrees in piano performance at the Manhattan School of Music. During those years in the city, she obtained jobs as organist and choir director at several churches. After graduation, she continued performing solo recitals and chamber music, teaching, and directing church choirs. Dr. Flores enjoyed working with choirs so much that it made her reconsider her career, leading to her decision to pursue a doctorate in choral conducting at the Hartt School. She has served in many capacities at the Connecticut chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (CT-ACDA) including as president from 2013 to 2015, and has lead choral tours in Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

Currently, Dr. Flores is a Professor of Music at Manchester Community College, CT, where she teaches a wide variety of courses in the nationally accredited music program. In addition to this position at MCC, she is the Director of Music and Choirmaster at St. Theresa R.C. Church in Trumbull, CT, and a frequent lecturer, adjudicator, and clinician. Before teaching at MCC, she taught at The Hartt School, University of Rhode Island, and Notre Dame High School (West Haven). Dr. Flores was awarded the 2015 Excellence of Teaching Award at MCC and the national 2016 NISOD Excellence in Teaching Award.

Past Conductors of the MSOC