Middle School

Lyric Soprano, Emily Thebaut is currently living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Emily runs her own private voice and piano studio, is an avid performer in the Bay Area and is the artistic director of a pop-up opera troupe, Opera on the Spot. Emily's most recent performance engagements have included performing the role of Laetitia from Menotti's The Old Maid and the Thief, Bianca, from Puccini's La Rondine at Oberlin in Italy, and the Governess from Britten's The Turn of the Screw at Bay Area Opera Theater.

Lenora Warkentin received an MFA from UCLA where, in addition to winning a number of competitions, she was a Teaching Assistant for Music History classes and the Wind Ensemble. Her students have performed in the San Francisco Youth Orchestra, Young Peoples Symphony Orchestra, Berkeley Youth Orchestra, Young Peoples Chamber Orchestra, the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival, local theater orchestras, and the Junior Bach Festival.

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Angela Solis is a violin and viola teacher with more than 12 years of experience.

She started her music studies in Spain where she earned her bachelor’s degree in music in 2004. During this time, her performance and teaching experience was forged between the classical, contemporary and regional styles. Her experience in performance includes playing in several orchestras, ensembles, recording studios and as the lead singer and founder of the band “Costellas”.

Beginning in New York with his group Music Without Walls and continuing in San Francisco, Jack Perla has forged a reputation for his unique cross-fertilization of jazz, improvisation and classical music. He’s been commissioned by the Los Angeles Opera, Opera Theatre St. Louis, Houston Grand Opera, Seattle Opera, The Paul Dresher Ensemble, TwoSense, MATA, and many others. Jack’s latest opera Shalimar the Clown, based on the novel by Salman Rushdie, premiered in June 2016 at Opera Theater St. Louis.

Glenda Bates is a multi-faceted musician and teacher whose specialties include chamber music, orchestral repertoire, jazz, historical performance, and contemporary classical works for oboe and English horn. She is an active freelancer in Baroque, Classical, Contemporary, and Jazz ensembles, and is frequently sought out by contemporary composers to perform new works for oboe and English horn.

Natalie is a dedicated teacher and currently holds her own studio in San Francisco. She is currently on faculty at the SFCM Pre-College coaching chamber music. Additionally, she has coached chamber music to young groups through the Lyceum Music Festival in Utah as well as Summer Music West in San Francisco.

English-born composer and international concert guitarist Ross Thompson (b. 1967) spent his childhood in Puerto Rico before moving with his family to the United States. Mr.

“As a teacher, I focus on students’ individual needs in order to help them realize their full potential as musicians. Technique, musicality, body posture and relaxation awareness are all integral pieces of the learning process. Helping students adhere to a productive daily practice schedule is also essential. I believe these are the keys to growth, opening infinite doors physically, mentally and musically.”

Lucas Chen, cellist, received his B.A. from UC Davis. He received his M.M. and Post-graduate diploma from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying with Jennifer Culp. Upon finishing his studies, Lucas has been enjoying a diverse career teaching and performing/recording both classical and mainstream music. He has served as mentor and coach for The Oakland Youth Orchestra and Summer Music West. He is principal cellist of the Bear Valley Music Festival and was a featured concerto soloist in August of 2016.