Our Performers
26-27
Robin Fisher, soprano
Robin Fisher is a soprano and former music professor who studied in Europe as a Fulbright Scholar and went on to perform over 15 leading operatic roles internationally. After teaching at Sacramento State for nearly two decades and leading summer programs in Italy and Germany, she transitioned to early retirement to focus on youth arts education. She currently serves as the Education Program Manager at CLARA Studios, where she manages a teaching company that brings music, theater, and dance classes to local public elementary schools.
Shinae Kim, pianist
Pianist Shinae Kim is an active soloist and collaborator who debuted with the Seoul Symphony Orchestra at age eleven. She has appeared as soloist with orchestras of Puerto Rico, California, and North Carolina, and has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, Merkin Hall, and the Mondavi Center. Dr. Kim holds degrees from The Boston Conservatory, New York University, and Stony Brook University, and studied at the Franz-Schubert-Institut. As an experienced educator, she has taught in New York City schools and universities. She founded An die Musik NYC, and now resides in Sacramento, performing widely as a collaborative pianist and chamber musician.
Joe Gilman, piano
Dr. Joe Gilman is an accomplished jazz pianist and educator who currently serves as an adjunct professor at CSU Sacramento and is a retired full-time professor from American River College. Throughout his performance career, he has toured internationally as a two-time International Jazz Ambassador and has performed or recorded with jazz legends like Bobby Hutcherson, Joe Henderson, and Chris Botti. He holds degrees from Indiana University, the Eastman School of Music, and the University of Sarasota, and he also owns Twin Lotus Thai, a local restaurant featuring live music.
Igor Veligan, violinist
Professor Igor Veligan is an accomplished violinist, violist, and educator who serves as the concertmaster for the San Francisco Choral Society Orchestra and the principal viola for both the Reno Philharmonic and the Lake Tahoe Summer Festival. He performs actively with several prominent ensembles, including the Chamber Music Society of Sacramento and the Argenta Trio, and previously served as concertmaster of the Sacramento Philharmonic. A dedicated teacher, he holds a Master of Arts from the Odessa State Conservatory in Ukraine and currently serves on the faculties of the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music and American River College.
Mike Dahlberg, cellist
Michael is an accomplished chamber musician praised by The New York Times who has focused his career on using music for learning and community-building. Throughout his career, he has launched innovative classical music projects in unconventional venues, earned prestigious arts awards, and designed over 80 interactive events across the US for NPR’s From the Top. He currently resides in the Sacramento area with his family and cat, balancing a dynamic triple life as a tech startup product manager, musician, and father.
Natsuki Fukasawa, pianist
Steinway Artist Natsuki Fukasawa is an internationally acclaimed pianist who has performed in major venues worldwide, earning prestigious accolades like the Danish Music Award for Best Chamber Music Recording. Her extensive performance highlights include touring as an orchestral soloist across California and Italy, recording multiple albums and film soundtracks, and appearing in the documentary 36 Views of Mount Fuji. As a dedicated educator, she serves on several prestigious festival and college faculties—including American River College and the University of the Pacific—while nurturing award-winning young talent in her private studio.
Alice Lenaghan, flutist
Alice Lenaghan is an acclaimed flutist who currently serves as the Principal Flute of the Oakland Symphony and has performed with numerous prestigious orchestras and operas across the United States. Her versatile career spans multiple musical genres and venues—ranging from recording at Skywalker Sound and playing at the Hollywood Bowl to touring historic cathedrals in Ireland. In addition to her extensive performance and chamber music career, she holds a doctorate in flute performance from the University of Michigan and resides in Sacramento.
John Cozza, pianist
Dr. John Cozza is a highly sought-after California educator, chamber musician, and accompanist who currently serves as the Staff Accompanist at Sacramento State University and President of the Sacramento Saturday Club. A graduate of USC, Northwestern University, and Vienna's Hochschule für Musik, he previously designed and led the graduate piano accompanying program at Baylor University. Throughout his extensive career, he has collaborated with international artists and performed as a soloist and chamber musician in major European cities like Vienna, Milan, and Budapest.
Joyous Brass
Joyous Brass is a British style brass band that provides a unique musical fellowship for Christian brass musicians. Founded in the spring of 2001 by Mike Welling, their mission is to serve as an ambassador of Jesus Christ through the performance of sacred and uplifting music. They are comprised entirely of volunteer musicians from various churches across the Sacramento region, and are led by Music Director Daniel Prince.
Theresa Keene, pianist
Theresa Keene is an accomplished pianist, organist, and educator who spent 15 years as the principal keyboardist for the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, earning a Certificate of Achievement from U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer. Her extensive 50-year career includes international performances in Vienna and Switzerland, serving as the company pianist for the Sacramento Ballet, and working as an organist and choir director for 25 years. She holds both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and currently offers private lessons while performing at weddings and elite events.