Executive Board

Carolyne DalMonte, President

I BEGAN TEACHING VOICE IN 2012 AND HAVE NOT STOPPED SINCE. THROUGHOUT MY TEACHING CAREER IN NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK CITY METRO AREA AND SAN DIEGO, I HAVE TAUGHT AND SUNG IN MANY DIFFERENT ATMOSPHERES. THESE EXPERIENCES HAVE GREATLY BENEFITTED MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A TRULY BENEFICIAL TEACHER. AMONG THE VALUES THAT I PRIZE THE MOST IN A TEACHER AND SINGER IS HUMILITY; THERE IS NO ONE PERSON THAT POSSESSES ANSWERS TO EVERYTHING. I TRY MY BEST TO BE A HUMBLE SERVANT TO THIS TIMELESS ART FORM, BOTH THROUGH PERFORMING AND TEACHING. I AM THANKFUL TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS EVERY DAY!

Contact me: sandiegonats@gmail.com or www.carolynedalmonte.com

Katherine polit, vice-President

I have lived in San Diego since 2018 and have been a member of SD NATS since I moved here. Teaching at San Diego State University and Villa Musica, I am grateful that my students have the opportunity to participate in our local student auditions. I have been especially impressed with how SD NATS pivoted to online auditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, when opportunities for singers were much needed. I have also been personally enriched by the masterclasses and educational offerings presented by our chapter. I know that none of these events would be possible without the dedication and service of our board members and committee chairs. I would like to be of service and contribute to continuing this wonderful organization. I know it will take teamwork and I look forward to collaborating with the board and chair members on the chapter’s future.

Contact me: katiepolit@gmail.com or www.carolynedalmonte.com

Jennifer Paterson, Treasurer

When I started piano lessons at the age of six I had no idea that the most interesting, inspiring and joyful people and experiences I would have in MY life would be through those connections I haVE made through music. I feel fortunate to have degrees from The Royal Conservatory of Toronto, a Masters of Music from Boston University, and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of British Columbia.

I performed with The Vancouver Opera in Offenbach’s, The Tales of Hoffman. I was the recipient of the Canada Council Award to study at the Royal Opera house in London (Covent Garden) where I studied opera repertoire with Robert Keyes and Madeline Finden. While in England, I originated the role of Sophie in The Philidor Opera, Tom Jones, conducted by Sir Nicholas McGegan, at Cambridge University.

In Boston, I was the principal soprano for the New England Chamber Opera where I had leading roles in Argento’s, The Boor and Verdi’s Ballo In Maschera. I have performed classical and popular music throughout the United States, Canada and Europe and have released several recordings. I have performed in almost every genre of music. My Musical Theater leading roles include Maria in West Side Story and Carrie in Carousel among many others. I originated the role of Phoebe in the world premiere of Le Devin du Village by Rousseau with the Boston Early Music group, The Friends of Doctor (Charles) Burney.

After moving from Boston to San Diego, I created California Music Studios, an organization that grew from 1 student to more than 1900 weekly students, and more than 350 teachers. I produced 65 concerts and recitals each year throughout Southern California. I teach piano lessons, guitar lessons and voice lessons to music students of all ages in all styles. The solid technique I works with, serves my students who perform in all genres of music. I work quickly and am very goal oriented with every student, whether they are studying music for the sheer fun of it, or if it is to perform in major venues throughout the world. I makes music fun!
Contact me: jen@sddiva.com or https://www.jenniferpatersonmusic.com

Jennifer D'Onofrio, Student Auditions

I am passionate about working with people who love to sing. As a classically trained singer with a love of musical theatre, I have taught private voice, general music and musical theatre to children, teens and adults for the past 20 years. My greatest pleasure is working with students who choose to purse their own passions outside of the studio, yet continue to study voice for personal enjoyment and improvement! My students have gone on to study classical voice, musical theatre and CCM at top colleges across the U.S., earned roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in regional theatre, started recording careers in pop, acoustic and new age styles, and become teachers themselves.

I hold a degree in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire and continue to supplement my training by keeping abreast of the latest pedagogical research in both voice and education theory. As Student Auditions Coordinator, it is my goal to offer an inclusive, instructive and inspiring SA experience to all of our San Diego area singers. I believe encouragement, feedback and community support is vitally important for emerging singers of any age!
Contact me: jen5@donofriomusic.com

Kimberly Moller, Publicity Chair

I AM EXCITED TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN THE TEACHING COMMUNITY AND CONTRIBUTE TO MAKING NATS A RESOURCE FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS THAT IS CURRENT, INCLUSIVE, AND ENGAGES WITH IT'S MEMBERSHIP REGULARLY IN SAN DIEGO! I BRING AN UNCONVENTIONAL BACKGROUND WITH MY OWN PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HOW THE VOICE WORKS OUTSIDE THE (VOICE) BOX INCLUDING MY CONTINUING EDUCATION IN PHYSICAL TRAINING AND MOBILITY, THE OCULAR, VESTIBULAR AND AUDITORY SYSTEMS, TRENDS AND DISCOVERIES IN NEUROSCIENCE, As well as AN MFA IN MUSICAL THEATER and MM IN VOCAL PERFORMANCE PEDAGOGY. I'M INTERESTED IN CONTINUING HOW TO BETTER TACKLE THE BEST BALANCE OF TEACHING, LEARNING, AND PERFORMING FOR MYSELF AND THE COMMUNITY.

I HAVE HAD A STUDIO FOR 10 YEARS AND MY BACKGROUND INCLUDES CLASSICAL SINGING, AND CONTEMPORARY COMMERCIAL MUSIC STYLES INCLUDING RESEARCH THROUGH ATHLETICISM WITH Z-HEALTH FITNESS. I FIRMLY BELIEVES SINGING IS A SPORT AND EVERY SINGER SHOULD TRAIN LIKE AN ATHLETE. MY MENTORS INCLUDE: ANDREW BYRNE (NEW YORK), MARY SAUNDERS BARTON (PENN STATE) ,PENELOPE BITZAS (BU) CHRISTINE ARMISTEAD (WASHU). SHE HAS TAUGHT FOR SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN DIEGO MUSICAL THEATRE, OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL THEATER SAN DIEGO, NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY PREP, CONCORD CONSERVATORY, THE BEDFORD YOUTH PERFORMING COMPANY, AND BOSS ACADEMY OF THE PERFORMING ARTS.
Contact me: moller.kimberly@gmail.com or https://www.kimberlymoller.com

Megan Theodorou, Member at large

I am very excited to be a new member of San Diego NATS, and am also a member of NATS LA which I have been actively involved in for the past 6 years. I have been teaching private voice in San Clemente for 19 years. I hold a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from UC Irvine and a Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and attended The Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara and OperaWorks. After graduate school, I was an AGMA chorister with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, and performed professionally in opera and musical theatre with regional companies around the country.

I PERFORMED THE ROLE OF CHRISTINE IN THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA ON BROADWAY, AS WELL AS WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO COMPANY AND NATIONAL TOUR. FAVORITE ROLES INCLUDE EMILY IN OUR TOWN WITH OPERA IDAHO, NANETTA IN FALSTAFF WITH WEST BAY OPERA, THE TITLE ROLE IN RODGER'S AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA AND SHARON IN TERRENCE MCNALLY’S MASTER CLASS WITH SIERRA REPERTORY THEATRE. NOW MY FOCUS IS PRIMARILY ON MY TEACHING STUDIO, AND I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING STUDENTS FIND THEIR MOST EFFICIENT AND AUTHENTIC SOUND! I LOVE LEARNING AS MUCH AS I CAN ABOUT THE VOICE AND PEDAGOGY, AND READ EVERY BOOK AND TAKE EVERY ONLINE COURSE I CAN GET MY HANDS ON! I AM A MEMBER OF TOTAL VOCAL FREEDOM, AN ONLINE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE LEARNING COMMUNITY, AND THE SPEAKEASY COOPERATIVE FOR INDEPENDENT VOICE TEACHERS. I ATTENDED THE VOCAL PEDAGOGY PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP AT BOSTON CONSERVATORY, AND THE LOVETRI INSTITUTE FOR SOMATIC VOICEWORK™ AT BALDWIN WALLACE CONSERVATORY. I AM ALSO A PROUD MOM OF TWO SWEET BOYS WHO LOVE MUSIC. I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING A PART OF THIS WONDERFUL COMMUNITY OF VOICE TEACHERS, AND TO SERVE IN ANY WAY I CAN TO GIVE ALL OF OUR STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED SOAR! Contact me: https://mtheodorouvoicestudio.mymusicstaff.com/About

Linda Eng, Social Chair

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Additional Board Support

Stephanie Sabin, Past President

I HAVE BEEN TEACHING SINGERS OF ALL LEVELS FOR 25 YEARS PRIVATELY AND IN GROUP SETTINGS. A PERFORMING VOCALIST MYSELF, I AM WELL AWARE OF WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A SUCCESSFUL SINGER. I HAVE DEVELOPED A METHOD OF TEACHING THAT FOR THE YOUNG STUDENT, PROVIDES A HEALTHY BASE FOR VOCAL GROWTH AS THE STUDENT MATURES. FOR THE ADULT SINGER, MY PEDAGOGICAL KNOWLEDGE MAKES IT EASY FOR ME TO ADJUST MY TEACHING TO FIT THE PARTICULAR NEEDS OF THE STUDENT, IN WHATEVER STYLE OF MUSIC THEY SING. MY WORK WITH THE MATURE ADULT (60+ YEARS OF AGE) HELPS TO RESTORE VOCAL CORD STRENGTH AND BREATH SUPPORT.

As past Board President, I am an active member of the NATS San Diego chapter (the National Association of Teachers of Singing) as well as a member of The Speak Easy Cooperative which is a magnificent resource for the Independent Vocal Studio. I continue to have a working relationship with San Diego Opera, Coronado Playhouse, as well as many high schools throughout San Diego. I maintain a thriving private voice studio serving San Diego proper (North Park), North San Diego (Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Rancho Penasquitos) and NE San Diego (Rancho Bernardo/Poway) communities.
Contact me: stephanie.sabin@gmail.com or www.sabinstudio.com