Melody Svennungsen, Artistic Director

Melody Svennungsen is a “local” and loves her hometown of San Luis Obispo. She has over forty years of experience in vocal and theatre performance and appears as soloist for local choral groups including Cuesta Master Chorale and the San Luis Obispo Vocal Arts Ensemble. A member of SLOVAE since 1986, Melody is Gary Lamprecht’s Assistant Director. Melody’s official conducting career began with the CCYC 17 years ago this fall, shortly before she received her Vocal Performance degree at Cal Poly in 2007. While earning her degree, she served as assistant conductor for Dr. Davies and studied voice with both Katherine Arthur and Jackie Kreitzer. Melody is grateful for the richness and meaning that music brings to her life, and for the opportunity to facilitate the love of music and the deep bonding among the CCYC singers that results from singing together. 
Inga Swearingen, Director (Cadenza)
​We are thrilled to once again have Inga Swearingen on our dynamic Artistic Staff. Following her love of music, Inga sang in choirs and studied voice at San Luis Obispo High School, Cuesta College, Cal Poly University, and the Musik Hochschule in Lucerne, Switzerland. Eventually she earned her master’s degree in choral conducting from Florida State University. During that time, Inga received her first invitation to appear on Garrison Keillor’s renowned radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, an opportunity that led to over a dozen appearances on the show. Currently, Inga teaches jazz voice at Cuesta College, performs with her band, and spends time with her family, which includes keeping up with her 10-year-old son and 5-year-old niece, who are both singing with CCYC today! 
JoAnne Stoddard, Director (Cadence)
JoAnne Stoddard has been involved with CCYC in various valuable roles over the past several years—Co-Artistic Director, Apprentice Choir Director, Accompanist to several choirs, and special guest instrumentalist, to name a few! She is now serving as Director for our Cadence Choir. Originally from Montana, she graduated from the University of Idaho and studied Music Education, K-12, with an emphasis on flute. She began her career as an elementary music teacher in Elko, Nevada. Since moving to the Central Coast, she has taught music in several local districts, including San Miguel, Pleasant Valley, Atascadero and Templeton schools. During her tenure in Templeton, she helped develop a comprehensive choral music program incorporating grades 4-12. JoAnne has been recognized as Templeton Elementary School Teacher of the Year (1993-1994) and TUSD Teacher of the Year (2003-04). She has been an active member of the California American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA), serving as Central Coast Representative as well as Chairperson for Children’s Choir Repertoire and Standards. After 29 years of teaching music, she is now “retired” and enjoys gardening, hiking, traveling and reading. JoAnne is delighted to be directing for CCYC again.
Susannah Fletcher, Director (Brio)
Susannah Fletcher has grown up on the Central Coast. She has had a wide variety of musical experience, from musical theater, playing the Arabic accordion at Cal Poly, singing in the San Luis Obispo Vocal Arts Ensemble, and serving as accompanist on organ and piano for St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. The first choir she sang in, however, was the Central Coast Children's Choir, which is now CCYC!  She is honored to be able to come back as a Director and teach music to children. Her passion for singing started with this organization, and she hopes she can share that same passion with the children in Brio. Susannah met her husband Westley when they were 7, and is happily married along with being a mom to their 6 year old son Christian, who is singing in CCYC's young Music Makers group this year.  ​
Stephen Vojta, Director (Music Makers); Accompanist (Brio)
Stephen Vojta is a third-year Quantitative Economics major at Cal Poly with a minor in Music. Originally from the East Bay, he grew up playing in jazz bands, orchestras and performing solo piano. He is involved with many of Cal Poly’s musical ensembles, including the Polyphonics Choir, the Chamber Choir, and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Stephen is also Secretary for the American Choral Directors Association at Cal Poly, and teaches private piano and bass lessons. Being the oldest of 10 kids, music at an early age has always been a key essential for growth. He seriously looks forward to working with everyone at CCYC this season!!
Joshua Tarica, Accompanist (Cadenza)
Joshua Tarica is a home-grown native of Atascadero, California. Josh came up through the CCYC program and was a valued member of the Young Men’s Ensemble. Currently, he is a third-year student at Cal Poly as a double major studying Psychology and Music. Josh serves as tenor section leader in the Cal Poly Choir, Polyphonics. Beyond being an experienced and passionate pianist and singer, Josh teaches private piano lessons and plays gigs throughout SLO county. Josh is always eager to share his love of music with children and is excited to be a part of the CCYC family as an accompanist. Let’s make music together!  
Megan Rivera, Accompanist (Cadence)
Megan Rivera has been involved with Central Coast Youth Chorus for over a decade, both as a singer in AVE and Vivace and as an accompanist for all choir levels. She accompanied the Atascadero Fine Arts Academy choirs for a number of years, as well as other choral groups and soloists. She taught piano locally for seven years. During those years, she also sang with Cuesta Voce, Cuesta Chamber Choir, and the Cal Poly joint choir. Megan has a B.S. in Liberal Studies and a multiple subject teaching credential from Cal Poly. After teaching for two years, Megan is delighted to be at home, raising her daughter with her wonderful husband.
Photo coming soon!
Catryna Benander, Asst Director (Music Makers)