It’s been over a month since I have been the Director of Music Ministries at OCUUC and I could not have asked for a more inclusive and more welcoming congregation and staff! As always, the first day at a new job comes with the first day jitters and nerves. It’s been a journey of discovery: learning new things, new processes and meeting new people. It’s been a journey of excitement: finding new music, planning future services and music sundays. It’s been a journey of New Beginnings.
Having just graduated with my music degree in May, I never expected to be getting on a career path this soon. I grew up in a family of teachers, specifically math. My mom teachers high school math, my grandma taught middle school math for 21 years before retiring and both my aunts taught middle school math as well, one of them is now a principal at an elementary school. I was the only one who pursued music in my family, and I wasn’t formally trained in music until I enrolled in community college. That’s where I started getting formal voice lessons and where I started my love of conducting choirs. The road has been long and tough, but it has also been rewarding.
I never thought at the age of 23, I would be the founder of a community choir in Irvine, where there are now over 50 singers. Now at the age of 26, I have my first “big boy” job, being a Director of Music Ministries at a very welcoming and opening congregation. Here’s to many new beginnings in the near future. Don’t be afraid to look for me after services on Sunday and talk to me about anything, I would love to meet you all!
Jakob Swetland was Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church's Director of Music Ministries from October 2023-April 2025.