Performers
2011-2012
Jacob Adams, violist, holds degrees from Oberlin and Yale, and made his solo debut with the Cincinnati Symphony at age 17. His performing career has taken him across the U.S. and throughout Canada, Europe and Korea, including performances with members of the Muir, St. Lawrence and St. Petersburg String Quartets. He has held teaching positions at Yale University - both coaching performers and classroom teaching - and has coached chamber ensembles at schools and festivals throughout the U.S. Jacob is currently pursuing his DMA Degree at UCSB, studying with Helen Callus.
Deborah Bertling, soprano, earned her Vocal Performance Degree from Bob Jones University, and recently earned a certificate from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (LA). She has sung with Opera Santa Barbara and Opera San Luis Obispo for over a decade, and is currently performing in Opera Lab (improvisational education outreach program for elementary and middle schools) with Opera SB. In addition to her opera and concert appearances, Deborah serves on the board of CAMA and is President of the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation, a non-profit organization providing assistance to young musicians through an annual competition.
Allen Bishop, pianist, is a former President and current Board Member of the Santa Barbara Music Club. His musical development has been supported by several excellent teachers including Glory Fisher, Betty Oberacker and Peter Yazbeck. Allen is a psychoanalyst practicing in Montecito and is the current Chair of the Depth Psychotherapy Program at Pacifica Graduate Institute, where his research focuses on the intersection of musical experience, emotional expression and the creative impulse.
Joshelle Conley, violinist, is 16 years old and a Santa Barbara Music Club Scholarship winner. A sophomore at Highland Preparatory High School, she studies with Nina Bodnar at the Granada Music and Arts Conservatory, where she plays with the Santa Barbara Virtuoso Strings as well as with several chamber music groups. Featured soloist in the Young Soloist's Showcase at the Granada Theatre, Joshelle is Concertmaster of the San Luis Obispo Youth Symphony and was winner of their 2011 Concerto Competition.
Christopher Davis, piano, earned his BA Degree in Music from UC San Diego, and his MM Degree in Piano Performance and Graduate Certificate in Advanced Instrumental Performance from the University of Arkansas. He has studied with renowned teachers and scholars in Germany, Austria and Portugal, and has been a prizewinner in competitions, including the California Young Artists Competition, San Diego Symphony Young Artist Competition, and Joanna Hodges International Piano Competition. Christopher is currently pursuing his DMA in Piano Performance at UCSB, where he studies with Paul Berkowitz.
Emma Lou Diemer, composer, organist and pianist, received degrees from Yale University (BM, MM) and Eastman School of Music (PhD). Her music encompasses choral works and hymns to solo, chamber music, and orchestral music, and has been recorded on Albany Records, Contemporary Record Society, Leonarda, MMC, and Vienna Modern Masters. Professor Emeritus at UCSB, Dr. Diemer has been honored with ASCAP Awards annually since 1962, and has been Composer-in-Residence with the SB Symphony. Her recent organ performances have included recitals featuring her own music at Washington National Cathedral, Grace Cathedral and St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco, and Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.
Andrea Di Maggio, flutist, earned her BM, summa cum laude, from San Jose State University, was Teaching Assistant and faculty performer at Arizona State University, and earned her MM at UCSB, studying with Jill Felber. Recipient of many Bay Area competitions, she has won awards from the Léni Fé Bland Foundation, Santa Barbara Music Club and SB Performing Arts Foundation. In addition to maintaining a private flute studio and performing in weddings and community ensembles, Andrea teaches history, theory and Orff ensemble at Artios Academy.
Neil Di Maggio, pianist, earned his BM, summa cum laude, from San Jose State University, his MM/Piano Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory, and his MM/Collaborative Piano from UCSB. He has performed for the Adderley School of Performing Arts and the Santa Barbara Master Chorale, and with SBCC and Westmont College faculty. Currently Assistant Director of Research and Prospect Management in the Office of College Advancement at Westmont, Neil is in demand as soloist and collaborative pianist, and maintains a private piano studio.
Dolci: Viva Knight and Ted Rust regard Dolci, their piano-oboe duo, as the after-careers dessert course (dolci) of their lives. They started giving home concerts for friends in 2009. Dolci now performs in public several times a year under the auspices of chamber music presenters in Santa Barbara and the San Francisco Bay Area. They were coached for this performance by Jeanne Stark and William Bennett.
Viva Knight studied piano with Stefan Bardas at the University of North Texas, Marina Young at Rutgers University, and Dr. Betty Oberacker in Santa Barbara. Ted Rust studied oboe with Walter Lehman, Louis Speyer, Eleanor Biondi and Raymond Dusté. He has been principal oboist of the Berkeley Bach Cantata Group for over twenty years, and published Music for the Love of It, a periodical for amateur musicians.
Suzanne Duffy, flutist, has performance degrees from Northwestern and Indiana Universities, and is an active soloist, chamber musician and orchestral performer throughout the greater Santa Barbara area. A member of the Opera Santa Barbara Orchestra, she has performed with the Florida Philharmonic, Florida West Coast Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Miami-based New World Symphony (Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas), Palm Beach Opera, SB Chamber Orchestra and SB Symphony. Suzanne was chosen as one of six performers for the 2011 National Flute Association Convention, and in January 2012 will perform recitals in France with pianist Sophia Vaillant.
Ann Dwelley, soprano, received a BA in Economics from Wellesley College, an MPA in Public Administration from Harvard University, studied voice with Greta Barot Milius and Martial Singher, and coached with Elizabeth Mosher. She has sung in choruses with major orchestras, including the Boston and London Symphonies, has been soloist with numerous choruses in the greater Boston area and in Santa Barbara (Choral Society, Master Chorale, Oratorio Chorale, Santa Ynez Chorus, and various churches), and performs at Tanglewood each summer. Currently, she is an officer of the Santa Barbara Music Club, UCSB Music Affiliates, Quire of Voices, and the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara.
Per Elmfors, clarinetist, began playing at age 10 and has performed with numerous wind/brass ensembles, including the Swedish Army Concert Band. For the last 15 years his emphasis has been on performing chamber music and orchestral repertoire with Swedish groups, and most recently took part in the premiere performance of the Clarinet Quintet by the Swedish composer Häkan Theorin. Per is currently performing in a woodwind quintet as well as in the Santa Barbara City College Concert Band.
Robert Else, pianist, graduated with honors from Humboldt State University, studying with Charles Fulkerson. He later studied with Gwendolyn Koldofsky and Brooks Smith at the University of Southern California, and also holds a degree in jazz piano from Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he graduated summa cum laude. He is an active ensemble and solo performer, and serves on the board of the Santa Barbara Music Club. Robert is President of Elseware, a computer software consulting firm. Please visit Robert at www.robertelse.com.
Ellen Feldman, pianist, is a former SBMC scholarship awardee. Currently a sophomore at USC, she is majoring in electrical engineering and double-minoring in music and mathematics. In SB, she studied piano with Lana Bodnar while also taking classes at the SB Music and Arts Conservatory, and now studies with Jessica Roderer in Los Angeles. A graduate of Dos Pueblos High School, she has been a member of the SBMC for the past six years. At USC, Ellen is helping to develop quantitative methods for analyzing human behavior and is Education Chair on the student board of Hillel, an organization for Jewish campus life.
Philip Ficsor, violinist, earned BM and MM Degrees from the University of Michigan, studying with Stephen Shipps, an MM Degree from Yale University, studying with Erick Friedman, and a DMA Degree from Boston University, studying with Lynn Chang. An enthusiastic advocate for contemporary American composers, he has recorded The Complete Works for Violin and Piano of William Bolcom, with pianist Constantine Finehouse, and Summer Day: The Complete Works for Violin and Piano of Emma Lou Diemer, with the composer at the keyboard. An editorial advisor for Bolcom's works with E. B. Marks/Hal Leonard Corporation, Dr. Ficsor is Assistant Professor at Westmont College.
Lynne Garrett, pianist, earned her BA Degree from UCSB, studying with Dr. Betty Oberacker, and later studied with Dusi Mura in SB. She earned her DMA degree from the Eastman School of Music, and has served on the faculties of Universities in Arkansas, Kansas and Texas, and at Humboldt State University. Currently, Dr. Garrett teaches at the St. Andrew Academy, plays in several regional orchestras as a freelance violinist, and is on the Board of Directors of the Santa Maria Philharmonic. She maintains a piano studio in Santa Maria, and her students have won numerous awards and concerto competitions.
Marian Gilbert, pianist, received her BM Degree from UCSB, where she studied with Dr. Betty Oberacker, her MM in Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, and was also selected to participate in Music Academy of the West summer programs. Frequent piano soloist with the San Luis Chamber Orchestra, she is active as recitalist, concerto soloist, accompanist and chamber musician. Marian maintains a private teaching studio in San Luis Obispo, is currently faculty member and Choral Accompanist at Cuesta College, and is on the Board of Directors of the San Luis Obispo Symphony.
Sally Greenebaum, cellist, majored in music at Earlham College and earned her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University. A member of the Fox Valley, Longwood, and Richmond Symphony Orchestras, she has performed in many chamber music workshops as well. Currently, she is on the Board of the Chamber Music Society of Santa Barbara and is an Occupational Therapist at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, focusing on hand therapy. Sally has a special interest in giving talks on injury prevention for musicians.
Steven Gross, music director, is Professor of Horn and Director of the Wind, Brass, and Percussion Program at UCSB. Former member of the Atlanta Symphony, National Symphony, Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, and Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, he has appeared as soloist in Austria, Kenya, Prague, Russia, Switzerland and Taiwan, and has released four solo CDs with orchestra on the Summit label. Currently faculty member of the MasterWorks Music Festival (IN), Dr. Gross is Principal Horn of the Oregon Coast Festival Orchestra.
Renée Hamaty, pianist, majored in music at Occidental College, studying piano with Aube Tzerko and choral conducting with Dr. Howard Swan. She has concertized widely, and has collaborated with Stephen Sondheim in Chicago and Los Angeles and with Leonard Bernstein in West Coast premieres (Candide and Mass). In frequent demand as instrumental and vocal collaborative pianist, she maintains a Santa Barbara piano studio and is Music Director for the "Opera Under the Stars" summer dinner concert series at the Arts & Letters Café.
Mary Jo Hartle, flutist, earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Harvard University and did graduate work in anthropology at the University of Chicago. A student of Anne Diener Zentner, former Principal Flute of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, she pursues her love of chamber music as a member of the Firecat Trio and other chamber ensembles. An author of children's books and former anthropologist, she is currently President of the Chamber Music Society of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Music Club.
Thomas Heck, guitarist, received his PhD in Musicology from Yale University. As a scholar, he has been awarded Fulbright Fellowships in Austria and Italy and a Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship, and has published major contributions to the knowledge and understanding of the guitar's history and literature. A Santa Barbara resident since 2001, Dr. Heck is also a composer and arranger, is active in activities involving music as therapy, and is principal author and editor of the book, Picturing Performance: The Iconography of the Performing Arts in Concept and Practice.
Steven Hodson, pianist, holds a Bachelor's Degree from Lewis and Clark College, a Master's Degree from the University of Oregon, and a DMA Degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with all three degrees including piano or accompanying emphasis. Director of numerous honor choirs and adjudicator of choir festivals, Dr. Hodson is Music Director and Conductor of the Santa Barbara Master Chorale and President-Elect of the Western Division of The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Currently Professor of Music at Westmont College, his duties include teaching piano, organ and conducting, and leading a select vocal ensemble, New Sounds.
Linda Holland, flutist, holds degrees from CSU Sacramento, San Francisco Conservatory and UCSB. A freelance flutist and composer, her works have been performed internationally and have received awards from organizations including ASCAP and the National Flute Association. She is Director of the MERIT Program at the Music Academy of the West, does music outreach for the Ojai Music Festival's BRAVO! Program, and teaches at Santa Barbara City College. Dr. Holland has performed with many local ensembles and is a founding member of the Current Sounds New Music Consortium.
Christine Hollinger, soprano, earned her BM Degree from Southwest Minnesota State University and her MM Degree from UCSB. Currently soprano section leader for the Santa Barbara Choral Society, First Presbyterian Church and the Adelfos Ensemble, Christine has sung with the Opera Santa Barbara chorus for five seasons and will appear in their two spring productions. She is also Development Associate for the SB Symphony and gives private voice lessons.
Egle Januleviciute, pianist, was born in Lithuania and received her DMA Degree from UCSB, studying with Paul Berkowitz. She has toured in Europe, Japan and the former Soviet Union, and has recorded for Eroica Recordings, Hurstwood Farm Music Studios (UK) and Tembras Studios (Lithuania). Winner of several international piano competitions, Dr. Januleviciute has served on the piano faculty of UCSB and currently teaches piano at Westmont College.
Ervin Klinkon, cellist, received his musical training in Germany and New York City. He has performed as soloist and chamber musician in Europe and the U. S., and with orchestras in Houston and Washington, D.C. (Kennedy Center Opera House, National Gallery and National Symphony). He was Chair of the Music Department at Montgomery College (MD) and Conductor of its Symphony Orchestra for twenty years. Ervin now lives in Santa Barbara and performs in chamber music groups, teaches cello, and coaches chamber music.
Kary Kramer, pianist, holds a BM Degree in Piano from UCSB, studying with Dr. Betty Oberacker and Peter Yazbeck, an Artist Diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Anne Epperson, and was selected to study with Jerome Lowenthal at the Music Academy of the West. He was honored with several Corwin Awards and commissions for his compositions, and was a faculty member at The Walden School (New Hampshire). Active as a board member of the Music Teachers' Association of California, Kary frequently serves as adjudicator for MTAC competitions, festivals and conventions, and is Founder and Director of the Santa Barbara Studio of Music in Carpinteria.
Ted Lucas, violinist, received his BA and MA Degrees from San Diego State University, his Doctorate from the University of Illinois, and is a graduate of the Harvard Institute for Educational Management. A composition student of the renowned teacher Nadia Boulanger, he was Music Department Chair at Beloit College, (WI), Dean of Fine Arts at Southwestern University (TX), and Director of the School of Music and Dance at San Jose State University. Dr. Lucas is currently working for the CSU Chancellor's Office on statewide healthcare issues.
Carol Ann Manzi, soprano, received her MM Degree from the Yale University School of Music, and has been awarded prizes from the Banff, Chautauqua and Tanglewood Festivals and from the Rosa Ponselle, Jenny Lind, Sarasota and Connecticut Opera Vocal Competitions. She has been featured in major roles with the Abilene, Carolina, Connecticut, Eugene, Greensboro, New York City, Pacific Repertory, Santa Barbara and Sarasota Opera Companies, and regularly concertizes nationwide. Ms. Manzi currently lectures and performs for cancer causes worldwide, maintains a private voice studio in Santa Barbara, and is on the faculty of Santa Barbara City College. She will make her third appearance as soloist with the Santa Barbara Master Chorale on December 11.
The Maurice Faulkner Brass Quintet is the scholarship brass ensemble at UCSB, and is named for Dr. Maurice Faulkner, who established a significant brass program on campus. The Suzanne Faulkner Horn Choir is named for Maurice's widow, patroness and mentor of brass groups at UCSB. Both groups are directed by Dr. Steven Gross, Professor of Music, who organized them when he came to UCSB in 1995. The ensembles present innovative works for bass ensemble, as well as masterworks from the traditional repertoire.
Donna Massello-Chiacos, pianist, earned a BA in Piano Performance from UCSB, where she studied with Dr. Betty Oberacker, an MA in Music Education from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, and also coached with Dusi Mura in Santa Barbara. A certified Orff-Schulwerk specialist, she presents workshops for teachers and children at the international level, as well as teacher training nationally. Donna was the former Music Director of Montessori Center School and Music Specialist at San Roque School in Santa Barbara.
Nicole McKenzie, violinist, earned a BM Degree from Oberlin Conservatory, an MM Degree from Florida State University, and studied with Gary Kosloski at the Music Academy of the West. Winner of the Sutton Chamber Music Award, she has performed widely as soloist and chamber musician. Ms. McKenzie maintains a private violin studio, is Co-Director for and faculty member at Sandcastle Music Together, and also teaches at the Santa Barbara Charter School. She performs on a violin created for her by Michel Eggimann of Rome, Italy.
Kathryn Mendenhall, cellist, earned undergraduate degrees in both Music Performance and Physics from Cal State University, Fullerton, and an MM Degree from UCSB. She studied with Ben Hong, Bongshin Ko, Daniel Rothmuller, and Geoffrey Rutkowski, and has performed as soloist and chamber musician across New York state and Eastern Europe as well as in Indonesia, Italy and Korea. Currently, Kathryn teaches privately and for Cate School, the Incredible Children's Art Network (ICAN), the Santa Barbara Symphony Strings Workshop, and Westmont College.
Adam Neiman, pianist, studied with Trula Whelan, Hans Boepple, Herbert Stessin, and Fanny Waterman. He made his concerto début at the age of eleven in Los Angeles' Royce Hall, and in 1995 became the youngest winner of the Gilmore Young Artist Award. Two-time winner of Juilliard's Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, Neiman was honored with the Rubinstein Award upon his graduation in 1999, the same year in which he received an Avery Fisher Career Grant. His career has brought performances throughout the world in collaboration with leading orchestras and conductors, in chamber music and in recitals, and in recordings and broadcasts.
Betty Oberacker, pianist, has concertized as soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe, Israel, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and the U.S. Internationally acclaimed for her interpretations of both traditional and contemporary repertoire, her appearance with the National Symphony in the East Coast Premiere of the Emma Lou Diemer Piano Concerto, composed for her, elicited a standing ovation from the Kennedy Center audience. She has recorded for Century, Klavier, MMC, Orion and VMM Records, and has been Artist-in-Residence worldwide. A distinguished Artist-Teacher, Dr. Oberacker enjoys an active concert, teaching and chamber music coaching schedule.
David Potter, pianist, earned his BFA Degree at California Institute of the Arts and studied piano at the Music Academy. He has conducted, directed and performed in over 228 musical productions, and has won several Drama-Logue Awards and five Independent Theatre Awards. Music Director for Man of La Mancha at the Ventura Rubicon Theatre and for Bat Boy, the Musical, Violet, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Spitfire Grill for SB City College, David is presently Director of Music and Liturgy for San Roque Catholic Church.
Sofiya Prykhitko, violinist, is 16 years old and a Santa Barbara Music Club scholarship winner. A student at San Marcos High School, she studies with Nina Bodnar at the Granada Music and Arts Conservatory. Co-concertmaster of both the Virtuoso Strings Chamber Orchestra and the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, Sofiya has been featured concerto soloist with both groups, and recently performed Brahms Trio in B major, Op. 8, at the prestigious Killington Music Festival, Vermont (www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rfDtA20mL0).
Diana Ray-Goodman, violist, received her BA from CSUN and did graduate study at Arizona State University. She has performed in the Conejo Valley, Phoenix and SB Chamber Orchestras, SB Symphony and Thousand Oaks Philharmonic. A faculty member at CSUCI and Moorpark College, she is a member and evaluator for the Music Teachers Association of California. A member of the American String Teachers Association, Diana is a registered teacher with the Suzuki Association and has a studio of violin and viola students.
Joseph Richter, pianist, arranger, coach, composer/lyricist and vocal teacher, holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Boston University and a Master of Arts Degree from Columbia University. He has penned seven full-length musicals, including Eastchester Green, which was produced Off-Off Broadway in 1982.
Musical Director for numerous touring productions, including Bells Are Ringing, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (with Godfrey Cambridge) and The Sound of Music (with Giselle MacKenzie), he was also Musical Director for Chicago's longest running revue, Medium Rare (with Diane Ladd, Anne Meara, Donna Mills and Jerry Stiller). Joe's television experience includes dance arranging for the Steve Allen Tonight Show (he was hired by Skitch Henderson) and The Garry Moore and Patti Page TV shows, and he was rehearsal pianist for Ed Sullivan's renowned June Taylor Dancers.
As far as singing is concerned, Joe has always rejected the ubiquitous defensive claim, offered by so many people, that they are "tone deaf." Ever resistant to such pronouncements, he formed a chorus at a White Plains (NY) Continuing Education Center - no auditions, mind you, but open only to those music lovers who were traumatized into silence early on by being told they could only be "listeners." Twenty-eight intrepid souls showed up and bravely and willingly accepted the challenge, with the result that their lives were never again the same: after working hard with their new mentor, they presented a concert of Broadway and Hollywood songs which thrilled the audience. Needless to say, Joe would be very interested in undertaking a similar project here in Santa Barbara!
A Santa Barbara resident since 2001, Joe taught music at Santa Barbara Charter School and served as Choral Director at Cold Spring School in Montecito and Laguna Blanca School in Hope Ranch. In 2003 his original song, Santa Barbara, was presented at a Lobero Theater benefit for the community-oriented organization, Young at Heart.
Community service is of vital importance to him, and he is dedicated to returning people to the songs with which they grew up; he organized and directed a chorale at Casa Dorinda, and performs regularly at Friendship Manor, Maravilla and Wood Glen Hall. With teaching his passion, he has taught piano, vocal music, choral singing and music appreciation for over forty years, and currently maintains a private piano and voice studio.
Adelle Rodkey, oboist, earned her BM, magna cum laude, from Wheaton Conservatory of Music (IL), where she studied with Carl Sonik, and also studied oboe with Anne Anderson and piano with Lana Bodnar and Marilyn Clemons in Santa Barbara. She received the President's Award from Wheaton College, as well as awards from the Music Teachers National Association and the Pillsbury Foundation. Adelle is currently a member of the Santa Barbara City College Orchestra and the Hope Ranch Woodwind Quintet.
Carol Roe, cellist, holds an MA in Marine Biology from New York University, and studies with Ani Aznavoorian. Founding member of the Gramercy Arts Ensemble (New York/New Jersey) and The Aurora Ensemble in Santa Barbara, Carol has served as Assistant Principal Cellist with the Summit Symphony (New Jersey), currently is Principal Cellist with the Santa Barbara City College Orchestra, and is a Board Member of the Chamber Music Society of Santa Barbara and the Breast Cancer Resource Center.
David Roe, cellist, began music in the New York City public schools, and has studied with Naomi Greenberg and Sharon Robinson. He has performed with the Showcase String Quartet and the Duke Collegium Musicum, and has been Principal Cellist of the St. Olaf College Orchestra, the Monmouth Symphony, and the New Jersey State Orchestra. In Santa Barbara, David enjoys performing in several chamber music groups, as well as playing cello and percussion in the Santa Barbara City College Orchestra.
Geoffrey Rutkowski, cellist, has performed concerti and recitals in major European and Southeast Asian cities. Following his London debut, he appeared in France, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland and Portugal, and also toured Southeast Asia as a representative of the United States Government. Professor Rutkowski has made three recordings for the Italian Ermitage label: Samuel Barber: Cello and Piano Sonata, Brahms: Cello Sonatas Opp. 38 and 99, and the Complete Works for Cello and Piano of Shostakovitch. Currently Distinguished Professor of Cello and Director of the String Program at UCSB, he plays a Mateo Gofriller Venetian cello dated 1689.
Pascal Salomon, pianist, was born in Israel, studied at the Conservatoire National de Musique de Paris, and earned the Virtuosity Degree at the Conservatoire Supérieur de Musique de Genève, Switzerland. Recipient of numerous honors, including "Best French Pianist" at the Senigalia International Competition in Italy and winner of the Maria Canals International Competition in Barcelona, he has concertized in China, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Spain and the U.S., and taught piano at the Geneva Conservatory for nine years. Pascal is currently pursuing his DMA Degree at UCSB, studying with Paul Berkowitz.
The San Marcos High School Madrigal Singers consistently receive "superior" scores at festivals in California, New York and Seattle. They earned First Place at the invitational "2006 National Festival of Gold" in New York City, and in 2008 they performed the Brahms German Requiem at Carnegie Hall as part of the Carnegie Hall National Choral Festival: they were one of only four choral groups invited (over seventy choirs auditioned for this honor). The Advanced Women's Choir, Enchanté, consistently receives top scores at festivals in Anaheim, San Diego and San Francisco. In 2008, Enchanté toured to London and Paris, performing at festivals and concerts, most notably in Nôtre Dame Cathedral. We are proud of our alumni earning music degrees from both East and West Coast schools, including Boston University, Mannes School of Music, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, UCLA, and USC.
Elaine Schott, violinist, studied with Stefan Krayk and David Stockhammer, and has a BA in English Literature from UCSB. She has been an enthusiastic participant in Glory Fisher's chamber music class at SBCC, an active member of the Santa Barbara Chamber Music Society, and for nineteen years a participant at workshops at Humboldt State University. Elaine has taught violin since the 1970's, and is a member of the Firecat Trio and the SBCC Orchestra.
Steven Schneider, pianist, studied with Robert Prichard at Occidental College and Bela Nagy at Boston University, and Dolores Stevens in Los Angeles. Although he has a full time law practice, he is a regular chamber music performer at the Hart Museum, Los Angeles Valley College, Pasadena Library, and for the American String Teachers Association and Los Angeles Violoncello Society. He has also performed as concerto soloist with the Pierce College Chamber Orchestra, and has presented a series of duo recitals with cellist Jerome Kessler.
Andre Shillo, baritone, was born in the Ukraine and earned his Associate in Arts Degree in Music from Santa Barbara City College. Honored with awards from the Léni Fé Bland, Pillsbury, John C. Profant, SBCC, Santa Barbara Music Club and Santa Barbara Performing Arts Foundation, he has sung with Opera Santa Barbara, was featured soloist in the Puccini Festival, and has performed in the Adriatic Chamber Music Festival in Bonefro, Italy. Most recently, Andre appeared in Bizet's Carmen and Verdi's Un ballo in maschera with the Pacific Repertory Opera of San Luis Obispo.
Mandee Sikich, pianist, received her BM Degree from The Master's College, studying with Dr. Kenneth Mays. She also studied with Dr. Rob Watson in the Master's program at California State University, Fullerton, and now studies with Lana Bodnar. Musical Director for Out of the Box Theatre, she has accompanied The Master's College Choir on tour to Italy and Russia. Currently accompanist for the Westmont College Choir, she serves on the board of the newly formed Santa Barbara Chamber Singers and maintains a private teaching studio.
Michael Sikich, pianist, is 18 years old and a Santa Barbara Music Club Scholarship winner, including the Sergej Rakhmaninov Award for Outstanding Virtuosity. A homeschooled high school senior, he studies with Lana Bodnar at the Santa Barbara Music and Arts Conservatory and has three times been featured concerto soloist in the Young Soloist's Showcase at the Granada Theatre. Bandleader for the jazz combo Cut Time, Michael plans to be a Music-English double major in college, and plans a career as collaborative pianist.
Adrian Spence, flutist, was born in Northern Ireland and studied at the London College of Music. He came to the U.S. at the invitation of the renowned flutist Geoffrey Gilbert, and continued his studies with Thomas Nyfenger and David Shostac. An ardent advocate of musical education, he has developed outreach programs for both children and adults. Founder and Artistic Director of Camerata Pacifica, Spence has performed as soloist and with orchestras in the U.S. and Europe, and has been heard on BBC and National Public Radio. He has participated in the Aspen and Bach Aria Music Festivals and has appeared with such distinguished artists as Jean-Pierre Rampal, Eliot Fisk and Ransom Wilson.
David Stone, violinist, studied with Heiichiro Ohyama at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and has served as Concertmaster of the Santa Barbara City College Symphony since 1990. David enjoys a variety of musical genres including bluegrass, jazz, and rock and roll, and currently performs numerous pro bono engagements annually with the Arroyo Boyz. He is an archaeologist and environmental planning consultant in Santa Barbara.
Harrison Sulit-Swalley, trumpeter, is 17 years old and is a Santa Barbara Music Club Scholarship awardee, currently studying with Rob Roy McGregor. He began playing at age five, and at age seven was taking lessons from famed jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. Harrison later studied with New York Philharmonic trumpeter Brad Siroky at the Special Music School in NY, and at age 12 he was soloist in the Haydn Trumpet Concerto with the Santa Barbara Symphony. Harrison is currently a student at Santa Barbara City College, and is planning to transfer to a music conservatory in preparation for a performing career.
Carolyn Teraoka-Brady is enjoying her twelfth year as Director of Vocal Music at San Marcos High School, where she conducts the A Cappella Choir, Girls' Chorus, Royal Knights Men's Ensemble, Madrigal Singers, and Women's Ensemble. Prior to her teaching at San Marcos, she taught instrumental and choral music for 18 years at Goleta Valley Junior High. Named "Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year" in 1999 by the California Department of Education, she is an active member of the American Choral Director's Association, California Music Educator's Association, and Southern California Vocal Association.
Annie Thompson, soprano, is pursuing her DMA Degree at UCSB, studying with Benjamin Brecher. She has sung with numerous opera companies both in the U.S. and abroad, and most recently was soloist with the Orchestra Sinfonica Rossini in Pesaro, Italy (The Professional Advantage Opera Program), performed as a Mark Elardo Young Artist in Bruges, Belgium (Intermezzo Foundation), and was featured in the production, "Afternoon of Italian Arias" at the Music Academy of the West. Ms. Thompson is also an accomplished pianist, coach and arranger, and currently teaches voice at the Santa Barbara School of Music.
Eric Valinsky, pianist, studied piano and composition at Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the University of Illinois, and earned his DMA in Composition from Columbia University. He has been Music Director/Composer-in-Residence for several prominent dance companies, including The New American Ballet Ensemble in New York City and The Storie-Crawford Dance Theatre Ensemble in Los Angeles. He currently maintains dual careers in music and computer systems design: Music Director/Composer-in-Residence for Ballet SB, he is founder and partner of Plainwrap Solutions, an internet consulting company.
Nik Valinsky, trumpeter, is a graduate of San Marcos High School, has studied with Paul Merkelo (Principal Trumpet of the Montreal Symphony) and currently studies with John Ernest. Deeply interested in historical music performance, he is involved as a natural trumpet player and a countertenor singer. He has performed as member of and as soloist with the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, and in addition to his musical pursuits is an accomplished actor and has been given accreditation for his poetry and formal writing as well. Nik plans to audition for major music schools in the spring in preparation for a performing career.
Takako Wakita, soprano, studied with Martial Singher and Jack Metz, and has appeared in concerts and operas locally and abroad. Her solo performances have included Madama Butterfly with the Japanese Philharmonic at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. In addition, she has sung with Opera Santa Barbara, the Pacific Music Society of San Francisco, Santa Barbara Choral Society, Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera, and Ventura College Opera. Takako currently serves on the faculty of the Santa Barbara City College Language Department.
Irving Weinstein, violinist, received his MA Degree from DePauw University and an Artist Diploma from Los Angeles Conservatory, where he studied with Toscha Seidel. Violinist with the Oceano Chamber Players and violist in the Roth String Quartet, he taught violin and viola in the Los Angeles school system. Irving has been Administrator for the LA Community College District, Academic Vice President at two of its colleges, and retired as Vice Chancellor of the college district. He currently performs in local orchestras and chamber music ensembles.
Richard Weiss, pianist, received his Masters Degree from UCLA. He subsequently took a detour into the antique dealer world of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara for 30 years, but always kept close to his love of music and theater, directing many plays and musicals as well as working as accompanist for professional lieder and opera singers. He recently returned to the Santa Barbara area from Las Vegas, where he served as Musical Director/Coach for Opera Las Vegas and Nevada Opera Theater, and is currently directing productions of Annie and Gigi at local venues as well as working with the SB High School Theater Department.
Laury Woods, violist, studied with Myron Sandler and Milton Thomas at CSUN Northridge. Lifetime member of AFM local 47, she worked in studios as violist and music copyist from 1973-2000, performing in movies, TV shows and recordings. She has performed with major artists, including Ray Charles, Earth, Gladys Knight, Madonna, Rod Stewart, John Williams and Wind and Fire. A member of the SB Symphony since 1973, she is active in local chamber groups.
Anthony Ybarra, guitarist, earned his MM Degree from the University of Southern California, studying with Adam del Monte, David Oaks and Scott Tennant. He has performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), the Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland) and at festivals in Hong Kong, Mexico and Spain, and has recorded six CDs of music ranging from Classical to Flamenco and Jazz. His music has been featured in TV and film productions, and he has performed with Tony Danza, Adam del Monte, Doc Severinsen and Maria Schneider. Currently Instructor of Guitar Studies and Jazz Improvisation at SBCC, Anthony lectures on Brazilian music on the UCTV network.