An experienced music conductor and pianist, Fullerton resident Mitchell Hanlon has accompanied high-profile artists at concert venues nationwide. and has coached voice and musical theater performances. His professional background extends to work as piano and organ soloist, performing at the Hollywood Bowl, as a union musician and Local 2 member in Los Angeles. At the Hollywood Bowl, he was also Assistant Conductor for the orchestra and first call vocal coach. His singing group, the Mitch Hanlon Singers, has contributed vocals to several performance and recordings, some nominated for Grammy Awards.
A successful educator, Mr. Hanlon served as the head voice teacher, musical director, and professor of musical theater at Cal State Fullerton for more than two decades. He has taught at the University of Southern California, as well as Cypress and Saddleback Colleges. He has served as vocal teacher and coach for many singers, famous and not yet famous. Many of his vocal students have gone on to work on Broadway and participated in national tours. As a piano teacher, he taught students who went on to successful college careers in music, and established the Orange County School of the Arts Pianist Program.
In addition, Mr. Hanlon is organist and music director with First Christian Church Fullerton. For the winter seasons 2022 through 2024, he served as the music director for the Broadway-type holiday performance “Winter Lights” at the Discovery Cube Children’s Museum of Orange County. Personally, Mr. Hanlon does philanthropic work, participating in charity fundraisers, and he assists with grant writing for the Elks National Foundation Community Investment Program. Through his efforts the Fullerton Elks lodge has been awarded thousands of dollars for homeless relief, veterans, and kids after-school programs.