Diane Simons, Artistic Director and Conductor of Bel Canto
Diane Simons is the Artistic Director of the South Bay Children's Choir and the conductor of Bel Canto. In 1996 she co-founded the choir together with Jane Hardester, who retired from the choir in June, 2000. Inspired by a vision of choral excellence for children and of bringing choral education to children in the South Bay and surrounding communities, they have built a highly successful musical program . Ms. Simons earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music at UCLA and has conducted choirs at both high school and elementary school levels, as well as teaching voice in her private studio. She presents workshops both for singers and for teachers and has been active as musical director for community theater. Currently she teaches music at Center Street School in El Segundo.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Wayne Bisbee, Composer-in-Residence and Conductor of Choraliers
Bud Bisbee is a widely published choral composer and serves as Composer-in-Residence for the South Bay Children's Choir as well as conductor of Choraliers. SBCC has performed eighteen of his compositions, nine of which have subsequently been published. He has taught vocal music at all levels, elementary through college. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in piano at the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati and his Masters Degree in Choral Studies and Composition at Occidental College. He presently teaches fifth through seventh grades at Sts. Simon and Jude School in Huntington Beach, in addition to teaching private voice lessons in his studio.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taryn Koch, Director of Meistersingers and Choraliers 1
Taryn Koch brings a youthful energy to our teaching staff. She directs the large choral program at Chaparral Middle School in Moorpark and serves on the Southern California Vocal Association's executive board as Vice-President of Junior High and Middle School Festivals. She graduated with honors from California Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ellen Steinmetz, Director of Minnesingers and Musicianship Training Teacher
Ellen Steinmetz is the conductor of Minnesingers and Meistersingers, the entry level choir in The South Bay Children's Choir. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and in German at Duke University and her Masters Degree in Music Education and Organ Performance at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. Ms. Steinmetz conducts the youth choirs at the Neighborhood Church of Palos Verdes and also teaches elementary music in Redondo Beach city schools. She brings expertise in the Kodaly system of ear training and sightreading to children in The South Bay Children's Choir.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pamela Blanc, Alexander Technique Teacher for Bel Canto
Pamela Blanc has been teaching the Alexander Technique to musical and theatrical performers, as well as to the general public, since 1979. Throughout her career Pamela has taught for numerous organizations and institutions, including:The Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute
UCLA Department of Music(presently working as Assistant Professor in the Music Department)
USC Department of Theater
Opera Works Summer Program 2000
The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
The New World Symphony
The International Festival of Movement and Dance on the Volga in Yaroslavl, Russia
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Alexander Technique is a method of working with singers, actors and dancers that is the most effective method for aligning the body (creating "good posture"), which is why it is used in the music and theater departments in so many universities, including UCLA and USC. Singers who practice the Alexander Technique improve their vocal sound and develop a posture that commands attention and respect. Creating this habit of good posture in the younger years will confirm a poised manner that will serve these young people well for the rest of their lives.

The Alexander Technique is like no other technique. It is a unique method of observing oneself in order to bring about change. The student learns to identify tension and how to release it. The South Bay Children's Choir is pleased to offer the Alexander Technique as part of an enhanced curriculum for our advanced singers.


Copyright © 1999-2004 by South Bay Children's Choir
url: http://sbcc.singer.net/sbccpg/faculty.html