Elaine Kreston
Cellist Elaine Kreston has performed throughout the United States and Europe. Her talents are diverse: an inspired classical cellist most often featured in chamber music settings, she has also performed with such stars as Rod Stewart, Idina Menzel, and Peter Gabriel, and as a soloist on Broadway.
Blending her background of classical music with improvisation, Elaine has performed as soloist at the events of Krishna Das, Adyashanti, and Eckhart Tolle. She is co-creator of RumiCello: a collaboration that beautifully mingles the poetry of Rumi with the sounds of the cello.
Prelude Chorus
Prelude Chorus is YWCP’s beginning-level chorus, welcoming girls with no previous musical training. Through a Kodály-based music education curriculum, choristers will learn basic vocal techniques, sight-reading, and performance skills, and sing unison and two-part repertoire in many languages. Prelude Chorus is led by Kodály specialist Samantha Maas-Baldwin, and presents 2-4 public performances annually.
Anita Chandavarkar
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Chris Palmer
I am a firm believer in positive thinking and positive reinforcement. I've been teaching both privately and in the classroom setting for 6 years now and I've learned that a performer can have all the talent and skill in the world, but if they don't believe in themselves they won't reach their full potential. My job is to unlock that potential by teaching my students both the skills they need to succeed and the belief that they can succeed.
Christina Knudson
Violinist Christina Knudson has been an avid teacher and performer throughout the Bay Area since moving to San Francisco in 2008. She has experience teaching students from age 3 to adult and from absolute beginner to college-level students. As a conservatory trained violinist, she teaches a solid foundation in violin technique, theory and repertoire. As a violin teacher, her goal is to create a positive learning environment while cultivating the student’s love for music.
Jessica Siegel
I love to teach! It is wonderful to watch students develop musically and personally over the years. I have been an active performer and teacher for over 20 years. My priority is to develop a love of music based on a solid foundation of a healthy technique and understanding of musical principles. While several of my students have gone on to create professional careers as a harpist, most of my students learn for the joy and fun of making music. I teach students of all ages and from all walks of life. Everyone learns differently.
Anette Skloot
Anette Skloot began studying, performing and teaching music while still living in her native Sweden. She earned her degree in music at UC Berkeley where she studied with Janet Maestre, and has spent over 20 teaching flute and piano in her private studio, teaching in various after-school programs, including the Crowden School, and has occasionally worked as an accompanist. She has recorded on two widely released CDs and lives in El Sobrante with her classical guitar playing husband and violin playing son.
Ann Lam
Violinist Ann Lam has performed in major concert venues across the country, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center. Dedicated to music education, Ann has over a decade’s worth of experience in outreach work as a solo, chamber, and orchestral musician. She strives to joyfully impart music fundamentals while fostering a curiosity for lifelong learning. Ann has had extensive experience and success with starting young children on violin, utilizing her Suzuki training and her own educational methods.
Solmaaz Adeli
Solmaaz Adeli gave her European debut as Flora at the Vienna Chamber Opera.
She debuted the title role in François Pierre Descamp’s new opera "Zumurrud" as well as Subaida in Harun und Djafar by René Clemencic for the festival “11 aus 1001 Nacht” in Vienna in 2011.
She sang the American National Anthem for US Embassy of Vienna's Commemoration Ceremony of 9/11 which was recorded by ORF television.
In the 2012/13 season Solmaaz Adeli performed in concert at the Vienna State Opera's Marmorsaal as well as for the patrons of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.