2001 Swan Award Winner: Perla Warren

Perla Warren was born Perla L. Zulueta in Quezon City, Philippines, and graduated from the University of the Philippines Conservatory of Music in 1957. She later came to the United States to continue her music education, receiving degrees at the Jordan Conservatory of Music, Butler University. Perla, was a choral teacher and conductor since 1960, and was frequently sought as a conductor, clinician and adjudicator in jazz and concert choir festivals, and music conferences throughout the US. In the three decades leading up to her death in 2012, she conducted all-state honor choirs and managed many music conferences. Her awards include “Instructor of the Year” at American River College in 1984, “American River College Patron’s Chair” in 1989, “Outstanding Choral Director of California” in 1991, and the California ACDA was honored to bestow upon her the Howard Swan Award in 2001.

During her years in Sacramento, Perla conducted the American River College Chamber Singers and Jazz Choir who received numerous awards under her direction. In addition to her college choirs, she also acted as the interim Chorus Master of the Sacramento Symphony Orchestra in 1992 – 1993 and conducted the Sacramento Master Singers during Ralph Hughes’ sabbatical in 2001. She is much beloved among countless singers and musicians in Northern California who have sung or studied with her.

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