LESSONS
@ Tenam

Nancy has been performing in plays and musicals since before she knew how to read and feels very honored to have turned her life long passion into her profession. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. She started teaching in high school when she served as music director for a community theatre production of Annie. The company of actors was made up entirely of individuals with a wide spectrum of physical and mental disabilities. In College, aside from appearing in many of the University’s musicals, Nancy taught private piano, was the lead vocalist in a local Jazz combo – The Furlough Sextet - and taught Jazz Dance to adults with Down Syndrome.

Since moving to San Diego in 2016, Nancy has worked as an educator of the performing arts in conjunction to being a professional actor in the area. She is currently a teaching-artist at Kalabash School of Music + the Arts where she instructs voice lessons to private students of all ages and directs handmade musical theatre productions for kids. Nancy also runs her own preschool dance program - Movers & Groovers and is the co-creator of Lucy Loop’s Journey through the Land of Lost Things.

Nancy continues to be humbled and inspired by the wonderful and authentic community of artists in San Diego, and is beyond thrilled to be be a part of it all. When she’s not teaching little humans how to squash their grumps, dance about and sing their hearts out, you can find her performing in the 8 piece, all female Kate Bush Tribute Act Baby Bushka.

Michelle Gallardo-Arias is a multifaceted vocalist with a passion for various art forms, cultivating a unique artistic path. She holds a Vocal Performance Degree from San Diego State University and recently completed her first season with the San Diego Opera Chorus. During this season, she performed fully staged productions of Puccini's Suor Angelica and Tosca, as well as the world premiere of Gabriel's Anne Frank's El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego.

Over the years, Michelle has performed with numerous ensembles and productions, appearing on renowned stages such as Carnegie Hall and the San Diego Civic Theatre. Her vocal talent and expertise, combined with proficient musicianship, have earned her a prominent position within the San Diego classical music scene. As a private voice instructor, Michelle mentors over 15 students weekly, emphasizing self-confidence, technical expertise, and an overall enjoyable approach to music-making.

Carol “la Champi” has recently relocated to the San Diego area from Sevilla, Spain where she lived for 5 years. In addition to formally studying and performing flamenco, Carol immersed herself in flamenco at tertulias held at various peñas and bars in Sevilla and Jerez, at juergas/jam sessions as well as in the streets where she saw that there is room for absolutely everyone in flamenco. She is available for private lessons as well as group classes where she loves sharing her unique approach. She dances regularly at the flamenco tablao at Cafe Sevilla in San Diego.

Lexipulido.com

Lexi Pulido is a vocalist, music teacher, composer and owner of Tenam Studio based in San Diego, California. In the local music community, she is known for her versatility with improvisational vocals and music incorporating jazz vocabulary, classical technique, and a wide spectrum of influence from a diverse repertoire of Brazilian, groove, jazz, and experimental music. As a workshop creator and mentor, Pulido shares her philosophy of art as a practice of noticing accessible to anyone willing. Behind her work floats the subtle creed, “everything is art.

Peter Lee is a multi-instrumentalist from SD CA. As a Bassist, performing a wide range of styles with acts such as Sierra Ferrell, Joshua White, Doreen Ketchens, and the San Diego City Ballet.

“I’m constantly exploring the space between action and reaction. Chance and chaos are reflections of the self, and show us where our gifts hide.”

Batya MacAdam-Somer is a violinist and violist specializing in collaboration and experimentation. Her work spans across classical, avant-garde, folk, and popular music practices, taking her to venues throughout the United States, Mexico, The United Kingdom and Europe. She has performed with ensembles and organizations including Project [BLANK], The Art of Elan, wasteLAnd, Bang on A Can All-Stars, Hutchins Consort, San Diego Symphony, and the Reno Philharmonic. She is also a member of Baby Bushka, an all-female band celebrating the music of Kate Bush. Batya is a dedicated student of The Alexander Technique, a method for cultivating mind/body awareness and connection. She enjoys bringing an embodied approach into teaching, where she focuses with her violin/viola students on developing a grounding practice in which individual expression can emerge.