Sally Husch Dean, Artistic Director, Director Caprice
Sally Husch Dean is the founding Artistic Director of the San Diego North Coast Singers Youth Chorus and
has led this prestigious ensemble on national and international tours. She also directs choral ensembles at Palomar College
in San Marcos, California. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Voice Performance from the University of California, San Diego,
and is currently a Master of Music: Choral Conducting candidate at California State University, Los Angeles.
Ms. Dean has studied conducting with Dr. David Chase in San Diego and Donald Brinegar in Los Angeles. She has directed local
honor choirs, and worked as a music consultant for the Encinitas Union School District. in 1997 Ms. Dean was one of six choral
directors in the country selected for a fellowship program with the well-known composer/conductor, Alice Parker.
Michelle Risling, Director Capella
Michelle Risling, Director of Capella, is earning her BA in Music Education, choral emphasis, at California
State University, Fullerton. There, she has studied conducting with Dr. Robert Istad and voice with Janet Smith. She
is the alto section leader for CSU Fullerton’s Concert Choir and was a Women’s Choir section leader for several
semesters. She is a member of the American Choral Director’s Association student chapter, and has helped organize several
high school and collegiate choral festivals at Cal State Fullerton. Michelle is an alumnus of the North Coast Singers
Youth Chorus, in which she sang in multiple ensembles from 1994 to 2004. Michelle composes and arranges choral music, and
was honored to have an original song cycle performed by the North Coast Singers in 2004 and 2007.
Janessa Anderson, Director Brioso
Janessa is originally from San Diego, but has spent the last 12 years continuing her education and working
in various states around the country. She has a Bachelors of Music Education from Arizona State University, where she
was honored as an outstanding conductor on several occasions. After Completing her undergraduate degree Janessa taught
High School choir for 5 years.
After working for several years Janessa went on to complete a Masters in Choral
Conducting from Oklahoma State University, where she taught the university women’s choir and assisted in 3 other university
choirs. In 2010, Janessa began a Doctorate in choral conducting at the University of Washington, where she was able
to study music education research, and further her choral conducting skills. She is currently the director of choirs
at Ramona High School, the elementary music teacher at Mt. Woodson, and is working with NCS as the director of Brioso!
Paul Hayes, Director Giocoso
Paul's desire is
to pass on his love for music to the next generation. He found a vehicle to teach music to children through the Kodaly
methodology under the tutelage of Martha Rosacker, Diane Geller, Pam Wade, and Dr. Katherine Hickey at Palomar College.
Paul interned with the Palomar Youth Chorale as he completed his Kodaly certification. After a career as a regular education
second grade teacher in Vista and then a business coach with Buffini and Companyin Carlsbad, he recently returned to
complete his second undergraduate major in Music at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. There he studied conducting with
Dr. Rene Clausen and sang with The Concordia Choir. He also holds a Business Administration degree from California Baptist
University and a Masters in Education from Golden Gate Seminary. Paul is a member of the American Choral Directors Association
(ACDA), Chorister's Gild, and is a lifetime member of the Organization of Kodaly Educators (OAKE).
Support Staff
Miel Burnett, Program Director
