MUSIC

Elena Correia holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from The Juilliard School and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from SDSU. With 15 years of experience as an opera singer, Ms. Correia has captivated audiences worldwide, earning 35 international awards, including an Independent Grammy Award. In addition to opera, [Your Name] has a deep love for all music genres, which led to the creation of the jazz band J.E.T. As an educator, Ms. Correia has 20 years of teaching experience in all genres of vocal performance. She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Ms. Correia is dedicated to providing joy and education through vocal art and guiding others to find their unique path in the world of music.

Chaz Cabrera's professional career started at the age of 18 when he formed a group named Jazz Avenue with five of his close friends. They competed in the national competition SchoolJam USA 2012 (sponsored by the National Association of Music Merchants), where they won the prestigious title of Best Teen Band and were given the opportunity to perform at the Musikmesse Convention in Frankfurt, Germany. Cabrera graduated with a high school degree from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts in 2011. He continued his studies at Grossmont College, originally as a Biology Major, but changed his major to music education in 2015, inspired by his professor, friend, and colleague Derek Cannon. He attended San Diego State University in 2017 and graduated in 2020 with a BM in Music Education. He earned his Career Technical Education credential in 2021 and achieved his Masters in Music for Jazz Performance from San Diego State University in 2024. Cabrera is now director of jazz studies at his alma mater, the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. He was recognized as Jazz Educator of the Year in 2021 by the Southern Board of California Music Educators Association. Cabrera notably arranges for the San Diego Gay Men's Chorus, San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Legoland, and SeaWorld. Cabrera directs his own big band known as the JazzKatz Orchestra and performs with San Diego's premier groups, such as the Gaslamp Quarter Jazz Orchestra, Bill Yeager Jazz Orchestra, Chameleons of the San Diego Zoo, The Legoland Brass Band, and SeaWorld.

Sarah Lehman is a dedicated choir teacher with a profound passion for music education. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Music (Magna Cum Laude) with a concentration in Vocal Performance from California State University at San Marcos and furthered her education with a Teaching Credential and a Master’s Degree in Teaching from San Diego State University. Having found solace and inspiration in choir during her youth, Sarah is committed to creating a supportive and enriching environment for her students, fostering their musical and personal growth.

Justin R. Hansen is an accomplished pianist, composer, and educator with a diverse background spanning classical performance, composition for film and television, and music instruction. Throughout his academic career, Justin explored a variety of instruments, including clarinet, saxophone, jazz piano, and percussion. His talent was recognized early, earning him a full scholarship to college, where he played piano, bassoon, cello, and percussion. During his associate’s degree studies, Justin had the honor of performing Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto with the Southwest Symphony Orchestra in Kyoto, Japan and Rhapsody in Blue with the university symphonic band. During his Bachelor’s studies, Justin expanded his focus to include composition and conducting, alongside his Piano Performance degree. One of the highlights of this period was co-writing the score for the original musical Nathan Hale. After completing his degree, Justin performed his senior recital in London and Oslo, and upon returning, was invited to perform Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto with the Southwest Symphony Orchestra. Following his degree, Justin was appointed as a faculty member at Utah Tech University, where he taught music theory, ear training, and private piano lessons. In addition, he served as a piano accompanist and vocal coach for music majors. It was during this time, under the mentorship of composition instructor Shannon Roberts, that Justin’s passion for writing music grew, leading him to pursue a Master’s Degree in Composition. With a lifelong admiration for film scores, Justin sought a graduate program specializing in writing for film and television. He was accepted to both the Berklee School of Music and the Seattle Film Institute, ultimately choosing the latter to further his education in a city he cherished. Under the mentorship of Emmy Award-winning composer Hummie Mann, Justin earned his Master’s Degree in Film Composition. During his time in Seattle, Justin was commissioned to compose a piece for women’s choir, strings, and piano. Titled The Myth, the work, inspired by poetry from Emily Dickinson, was premiered in 2019 by the Ancora Women’s Choir and the Northwest Corner String Quartet. Now based in San Diego, California, Justin is an active composer, performer, and educator. He collaborates with the Logos Trio, San Diego Opera, the San Diego Music Society, and the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. Additionally, he serves as the music director and instructor for WrightWay Coaching, based in New York City.

"Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be." -Rita Pierson Ms. Tamara Paige has been a music educator in the San Diego area for nearly 18 years directing a wide range performance ensembles and creating collaborative experiences within the community. Ten of those years were spent here at SDSCPA where Paige taught and directed several award winning ensembles and served as orchestra, jazz and band director from 2001-2012. She then worked at Francis Parker School where she built a robust strings program for students grades 3-12. Tamara was also instrumental in establishing a new music program at the Academy of Our Lady Of Peace where she served as choral and instrumental director. She is honored to return SDSCPA this year as strings and orchestral studies director for both Middle and High School students. Her music programs over the years celebrated for its professional level of performance, have received top honors and national recognition and have sent scores of students onto successful college and professional musical careers. Tamara’s own passion and energy for teaching and learning has led to many highlights her career including Site Teacher of the Year at SCPA in 2007. In 06’ and 09’ she was awarded the California Music Educators Association’s “Orchestra Educator of the Year” and in 2010 was guest conductor for San Diego Unified School District’s first Middle School Honor Orchestra. She conducted an all-student pit orchestra for the San Diego Repertory Theater’s professional productions of Hairspray: The Musical (2010) and Tommy (2011). Both productions won the prestigious Craig Noel Award in several categories including “Outstanding Musical” and Tommy received “Best Musical Direction”. Ms. Paige also had a unique opportunity to serve as Master Teacher for the Point Loma String Project, a program designed for Point Loma Nazarene University Music Majors seeking to gain real hands-on experience teaching elementary aged children. Under her mentorship, aspiring teachers were able to work weekly with nearly 100 students. Tamara’s commitment to serving the community also led her work with the California Youth Conservatory Theater by joining and recruiting young musicians from all over San Diego County to perform in several of their Productions. Their production of Les Miserables was awarded San Diego Bravo Award’s “Best Musical Production” (2013). Ms. Paige is excited to return to SDSCPA as the new chair of the music department. https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2018/apr/19/blurt-music-teacher/?amp&page=all

"Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be." -Rita Pierson Ms. Tamara Paige has been a music educator in the San Diego area for nearly 18 years directing a wide range performance ensembles and creating collaborative experiences within the community. Ten of those years were spent here at SDSCPA where Paige taught and directed several award winning ensembles and served as orchestra, jazz and band director from 2001-2012. She then worked at Francis Parker School where she built a robust strings program for students grades 3-12. Tamara was also instrumental in establishing a new music program at the Academy of Our Lady Of Peace where she served as choral and instrumental director. She is honored to return SDSCPA this year as strings and orchestral studies director for both Middle and High School students. Her music programs over the years celebrated for its professional level of performance, have received top honors and national recognition and have sent scores of students onto successful college and professional musical careers. Tamara’s own passion and energy for teaching and learning has led to many highlights her career including Site Teacher of the Year at SCPA in 2007. In 06’ and 09’ she was awarded the California Music Educators Association’s “Orchestra Educator of the Year” and in 2010 was guest conductor for San Diego Unified School District’s first Middle School Honor Orchestra. She conducted an all-student pit orchestra for the San Diego Repertory Theater’s professional productions of Hairspray: The Musical (2010) and Tommy (2011). Both productions won the prestigious Craig Noel Award in several categories including “Outstanding Musical” and Tommy received “Best Musical Direction”. Ms. Paige also had a unique opportunity to serve as Master Teacher for the Point Loma String Project, a program designed for Point Loma Nazarene University Music Majors seeking to gain real hands-on experience teaching elementary aged children. Under her mentorship, aspiring teachers were able to work weekly with nearly 100 students. Tamara’s commitment to serving the community also led her work with the California Youth Conservatory Theater by joining and recruiting young musicians from all over San Diego County to perform in several of their Productions. Their production of Les Miserables was awarded San Diego Bravo Award’s “Best Musical Production” (2013). Ms. Paige is excited to return to SDSCPA as the new chair of the music department. https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2018/apr/19/blurt-music-teacher/?amp&page=all