Our staff includes musicians with a variety of backgrounds in education and business, and we regularly provide opportunities to local area musicians and students to showcase their talents and share their music with God and our community.
Meet the Team
Director, Jim Stayton
Jim Stayton brings a wealth of experience and passion for sacred music to St. Ambrose Parish. With a career spanning over twenty-five years in music ministry, education, campus ministry, and school administration, he has dedicated his life to inspiring worship through music.
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A graduate of Florida Atlantic University, Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts in choral conducting and a Master of Arts in composition. His musical works encompass a diverse range of styles, including classical choral works, contemporary Christian music, congregational hymns, and instrumental arrangements for band and orchestra. His music has been featured in documentaries on The History Channel, and his Mass of Joyful Hope is performed nationally and internationally.
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As an accomplished educator, conductor, composer, and director, Mr. Stayton has led state and nationally recognized high school, college, and community orchestral and choral ensembles in both New York and Florida. He currently serves as the director of fine and performing arts at Cardinal Gibbons High School, where he continues to mentor and develop young musicians.
Cantors
Matthew Bischoff
Matt is in his seventh school year on faculty at Saint Mark’s Episcopal in Fort Lauderdale, where he serves as their middle school’s academic counselor and high school placement coordinator. Matthew is also in his fifth year as the musical director and vocal coach of the school’s spring musical. He is a native of South Florida and performs as lead cantor for Saint Ambrose Catholic Church. Matthew received a Master of Music in vocal performance and pedagogy from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Florida. His professional opera performance credits include: Carmen, Tosca, La Traviata, Cosi fan tutte, Die Fledermaus, The Merry Widow, Pirates of Penzance, and many more! While at University of Southern Mississippi, Matthew made his musical theater debut as Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins. Other professional credits include Palm Beach Opera Chorus, Chatham Opera, Natchez Festival of Music, Mississippi Symphony, Opera Fusion’s Emerging Young Artists program, Orchestra Miami. Matthew also proudly sings the National Anthem at Florida Panther hockey games.
Inspirational Quote: “Bach gave us God’s word, Mozart gave us God’s laughter, Beethoven gave us God’s fire, God gave us Music that we might pray without words.” -attributed to an inscription the Frankfurt Opera House
Dietta Slayton
Dietta has enjoyed making music since she was tall enough to reach the piano keys as a toddler. Singing in church and school choirs came shortly there after where her mom would would often remind her to sing "loud & proud." In addition to singing and playing piano, she joined band in middle school and clarinet became her primary instrument. Dietta continued music studies through college and has always incorporated music into her life, teaching private lessons, leading and serving in church music ministries, and performing in concert bands and small ensembles. She now plays and serves as section leader with the Symphonic Band of Palm Beaches, along with cantoring at St. Ambrose Church.
In addition to her work in music, Dietta is a strategic communications professional, currently serving as the manager of CEO stakeholder engagements for Allstate. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Texas and a master's degree in business administration from Florida Atlantic University.
ADDITIONAL CANTORS:
Monica Hidalgo
Sophia Spencer
Jillian Flaherty
Jillian was born and raised in South Florida. Currently finishing her Bachelor of Music at Florida Atlantic University, and pursuing a masters degree in nonprofit management, Jillian has been singing for most of her life and grew up listening to her local church choir. It wasn’t until 2020 when Jillian took interest in classical music, then began her training in school. Thanks to the amazing facility and mentors at Florida Atlantic University, she has been gifted wonderful opportunities like becoming involved in church cantoring. Jillian is so grateful to be a part of this wonderful ministry, sharing her love of music and the Lord with the amazing St. Ambrose family. Getting to serve alongside our parish has been a great blessing as she strives to follow her calling and passion for worship through music.
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Inspirational Quote: “To sing is to double pray. At once in our hearts and in our tongues. We offer double prayer; sent heavenward on winged notes” St. Cecilia
Therese Anello
Church music has been part of Therese's life since her early days living in Chicago and attending Catholic grade school where she began piano lessons. Ultimately Therese earned a Bachelor of Science in music education from the University of Illinois and then taught high school chorus where she met her husband. After public school teaching Therese became a pastoral liturgical and music director, leading adult and children's choirs along with teaching guitar and piano. In 1990, her church choir was selected by audition to sing for St. John Paul II at the weekly audience held in Rome - the only American choir chosen to sing not only for the audience but for a Papal Sunday Mass. Therese moved to Florida in 1994, where she continued to work in music ministry, eventually landing in Deerfield Beach where she led music for Sunday Mass at Holy Cross Hospital before joining St Ambrose to lead the music for the 6 pm Mass in 2022.
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Inspirational Quote: "There is only one thing that matters that wherever we go and however we go we hear the Music of Life."
Our Choir
All are welcome! Our choir is made up of parish members who want to use music in community and prayer. Members come from a variety of backgrounds and span all demographics. We do not require any musical experience to join the choir, and we sing a wide variety of styles so there is sure to be something for everyone.