As a music teacher, Cheryl tries to create a nurturing environment where students of all ages are empowered to learn and grow not just as musicians who intend to pursue a career in music, but as human beings who appreciate and recognize the infinite beauty of music. She is a classically trained mezzo-soprano and pianist originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. She grew up in a musical family and has been playing the piano and singing since she was about four years old. She started playing the ukulele in elementary school and the guitar in middle school. As a professional singer, Cheryl is comfortable both as a soloist and as an ensemble member, working in many musical styles and eras, from medieval rondeaux to bel canto opera to musical theater. Favorite stage roles include Amneris (Verdi’s Aida), The Baker’s Wife (Sondheim’s Into the Woods), and The Sorceress (Purcell’s Dido and Æneas). As an ensemble performer, she has sung with many professional groups including Apollo’s Fire, Opera Cleveland, Opera San José, Schola Cantorum San Francisco, and Vajra Voices. In addition to teaching private lessons for about 30 years, Cheryl has also been a choral conductor, accompanied ballet classes, and taught a variety of high school performing arts and community college music classes. In her spare time, you’ll likely find Cheryl working in her garden, sewing, quilting, and knitting.

BA Music, Sonoma State University
MM Vocal Performance, University of New Mexico
DMA Early Music Performance Practice, Case Western Reserve University
Suzuki training, member SAA
Piano Safari training