Emett Loera, Director of Music

Emett began studying piano in 1961, at the age of six. As a student at Sacred Heart Elementary in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, he began accompanying weekly student body Masses on the organ, receiving coaching from the Dominican Sisters who staffed the school.

In 1968, Emett was asked to become the organist of Sacred Heart Parish, his first official position. During his time there he established an English choir, and eventually a Spanish choir. (Also, during that time, Emett became involved with the Episcopal Church of theEpiphany, just down the street.)

Serious organ study began during high school under the tutelage of Frank Brownstead, at the church of the Blessed Sacrament in Hollywood, then, off to Cal State Los Angeles to pursue a Bachelor of Music Education degree. All during this time, Emett had organist / music director positions at Roman Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, before moving to the Roman diocese of Orange.

In 1982, under the guidance of the Rev. Roger Wood, Emett was received into the Episcopal Church at old St. Paul’s Cathedral in Los Angeles, but continued music positions at Roman Catholic parishes, until “retirement” in 2023. Starting out as a substitute at St. George’s in August of 2023, Emett remained here, and has just finished his second year as Director of Music at St. George’s.