Rob Blaney is currently the Director of Vocal Music at University High School in Irvine, where he conducts 3 choirs including the University Choir, Canta Bella, and Madrigals. He also teaches classes in musical theatre, music technology, and serves as the Music Director (vocal and instrumental) for the Spring musical.
From 2010 -2021 Rob was the Director of Vocal Music at Woodbridge High School in Irvine. Under his leadership, the Vocal Music Program grew from 3 choirs to 6 (involving over 240 students), and in 2016 Woodbridge was named the National GRAMMY Signature School for excellence in music education.
Rob has enjoyed a career in musical theatre for the past 36 years, during which he has musically directed, conducted, and/or accompanied well over 300 productions, working with many leading theatre organizations including Theatre League, Sacramento Music Circus, South Coast Repertory, The Chance Theatre, South Bay Civic Light Opera and Musical Theatre West. More information about Rob's musical theater experience can be found here.
Rob is an arranger and composer, and works frequently on projects as a freelance musician. He can be heard on the soundtrack of America's Sweethearts starring Julia Roberts, and accompanying Harry Connick Jr. in the film Life Without Dick. Rob received a Kennedy Center award for his original soundtrack for the ghost play The Woman In Black at Concordia University, was the primary music arranger for Lift Up Your Hearts – Songs For Creative Worship published by Geneva Press, and his song Possibilities is used in training courses around the world by the WorldWorks organization. He is the composer of the rock-drama Here.I.Am available for license through Heartland Plays, and penned the radio jingle for the OC Auto Team. |
Before his time at Woodbridge High School, Rob was the Director of Choral Activities and Conductor at Lutheran High School of Orange County, and then spent 3 years as the inaugural Director of Performing Arts at Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine where he developed a flourishing program consisting of drama, choir, band, orchestra, musical theatre, and praise band.
He has taught classes in musical theatre at Concordia University and Santa Ana College, and has held staff accompanist positions at Santa Ana College, Cal State Fullerton, and several southern California churches. Rob is an active member of the California Music Educator’s Association (CMEA), Southern California Vocal Association (SCVA), and the American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA). In 2013 he was selected a quarterfinalist for the GRAMMY Educator-of-the-Year Award.
In 2019 Rob was selected out of 82,000 alumni from the University of Phoenix (Southern California Campus) for a Distinguished Alumni Award for "excelling professionally and for providing inspirational leadership to the community." In 2020, Rob was named Teacher of the Year at Woodbridge High School, and in 2023, he was recognized by the Greater Irvine Chamber as the Distinguished Educator of the Year for Secondary Education. The musicals at University High School have received numerous awards during his tenure. In 2022, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL was awarded "Best Contemporary Musical" and "Orchestra of the Year" by the MACY Organization. In 2023, URINETOWN was awarded "Top Orchestra" by the Orange County Cappies, and "Best Small Ensemble" and "The Childress Award" by the MACY Awards. In 2024, EVITA was named "Small Orchestra of the Year" by the MACY Organization. Rob received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Christ College Irvine, now Concordia University, and holds a Masters degree in Education. |