SFYCA Prepares Alum for World Stage
Celebrated for his rich tone and thoughtful artistry, Harrison Hintzsche reflects on the early experiences that helped shape his career—and the mindset that keeps him grounded.
Celebrated for his rich tone and thoughtful artistry, Harrison Hintzsche reflects on the early experiences that helped shape his career—and the mindset that keeps him grounded.
Dr. Joseph Kemper’s musical journey began in Portland, Oregon, where a passion for choral music and an early connection to the Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy (SFYCA) helped launch a remarkable career.
Lisa Forkish (SFYCA alum, 2001-2003) is a queer singer-songwriter, teacher and artivist, whose vocal arranging and music directing work has been showcased alongside Kehlani, Ben Harper, Michael Franti and Pentatonix. A SFYCA alum, raised in Eugene, OR, Lisa’s stint as director of her college a cappella group Divisi was the inspiration for the film Pitch Perfect and she was previously …
SFYCA Activity Directors are the glue that hold everything together as they interface with SFYCA’s talented faculty and SFYCA’s up-and-coming participants. Katie Simon is SFYCA’s one of the longest-serving AD as she has held the AD title for over 7 years. As a member of a musical family, Katie is the fourth Simon sibling to …
Read more “Katie Simon: SFYCA Activity Director Extraordinaire”
A native of Springfield, Oregon, Gina was born to sing and raised in a home full of music. She started training classically at the age of 8 in the Oregon Children’s Choir and had her first paying gig at the age of 11. By the age of 15 she was putting together her own groups …
Over the last two decades, Sarah has enjoyed a varied career of opera, oratorio, choral and recital performance. As part of the OBF 2020 Radio Festival, we are excited to feature this lovely tribute by Sarah Brauer, SFYCA alumna (2000, 2001) and now professional classical singer. Sarah earned her Master of Music degree from Rice …
SFYCA alum, Maddie Smoot (2017-2018) shares her musical journey and how SFYCA had such an impact on her desire to become a vocal music educator Maddie Smoot grew up in Longmont, Colorado and attended her first season with SFYCA in 2017 as a junior in high school. Like many others before her, she was immediately …
SFYCA alum, Jack Barton (’10, ’11) along with his brother Dan share their joys of working together and how SFYCA helped shaped his path to success Classically trained pianists and self-proclaimed childhood choir nerds, brothers Dan and Jack grew up sharing stereos, piano teachers, and bunk beds. Growing up in Fort Collins, Colorado they developed …
Read more “The Barton Brothers bring Classic Showtunes to Colorado Audiences”
SFYCA alum, Nicholas Meyer (’04, ’05, ’06) shares the importance of staying positive, maintaining a good attitude, and having fun – in music and in life! SFYCA alum Nicholas Meyer (’04, ’05, ’06) is an in-demand baritone, artistic co-director of Opera Theater Oregon, and teacher of a flourishing voice and piano studio of 40+ students …
SFYCA alum, Jack Barton (’10, ’11) along with his brother Dan share their joys of working together and how SFYCA helped shaped his path to success Classically trained pianists and self-proclaimed childhood choir nerds, brothers Dan and Jack grew up sharing stereos, piano teachers, and bunk beds. Growing up in Fort Collins, Colorado they developed …
Read more “The Barton Brothers bring Classic Showtunes to Colorado Audiences”