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 16 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 welcome Inga Swearingen to our fantastic 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! 
Erin Noble, Director (Brio & Music Makers)
Erin Noble is also new to our Artistic team. She is a San Luis Obispo native with 30 years of experience teaching and directing children’s music classes, theatre groups and choirs throughout California. Erin began singing and playing violin publicly at the age of 13. Her first starring role was with the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre as Cinderella! She went on to attend Cuesta College in the 80s where she sang and travelled with Warren Balfour’s vocal jazz ensemble. As a professional vocalist, Erin performed original music locally with her then-partner, Mark Welch. They created an interactive musical assembly for elementary schools and travelled throughout California promoting healthy self-esteem and safe choices regarding drugs and alcohol. In 1991 the pair wrote and recorded an original children’s music album entitled Hello World. During this time, Erin was also the choir and music director at Unity Church in San Luis Obispo. She and her mother, Margie Noble Englund, co-created the Joy of Music Children’s Programs, touching the lives of many for decades! More recently, Erin has been teaching music in public and private schools; she is in her natural element when in ‘circle’ with young children. Erin’s history with CCYC began when her eldest daughter participated in the early 2000s, followed by her youngest just recently. Erin is very excited to be part of the future of the CCYC!  ​
Danna Dumandan, Director (Cadence)
Danna Dumandan is originally from Santa Clarita, California; she came to San Luis Obispo to study vocal music at Cal Poly; she is an incoming, fourth year, and plans to graduate in 2023. At Cal Poly, Danna practices vocal performance under Katherine Arthur, choral studies under Dr. Scott Glysson, and jazz studies under Dr. Arthur White. She sings in the Cal Poly Chamber Choir, Polyphonics, and the Student Opera Theatre, as well as sings Vocal Jazz. Danna is very active in her many roles in Cal Poly’s music program; she serves as the President of the choral program at Cal Poly and was also the Social Events Chair. Danna is also a Band and Social Media Manager for the Cal Poly jazz program. This year, Danna acts as assistant-conductor and alto section leader for Polyphonics. Through Cal Poly in August, she attended a choral conducting workshop in Kenya. She is so excited and looking forward to working in the music education field and teaching the art of music and singing. Danna is ecstatic to work with the lovely singers at CCYC, and she cannot wait to share her love and passion for choir with them.  
Katelyn Caron, Director (Cadence)
Katelyn Caron’s hometown is Trabuco Canyon, CA but she currently resides in San Luis Obispo as a full-time student studying music and psychology at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Her passion for music stemmed from her childhood, as she grew up singing in choirs and musical theater shows. As a result of private voice lessons and singing in various ensembles throughout high school and college, Katelyn has years of performance and leadership experience. Katelyn is in her fourth year at Cal Poly and has been an active member of Cal Poly Choirs since 2019, singing in both Polyphonics and Chamber Choir under the direction of Dr. Scott Glysson. Katelyn is currently serving as the Polyphonics Soprano Section Leader and an assistant-conductor for the 2022-2023 school year. She studies vocal performance with Amy Goymerac and sings in the Cal Poly Student Opera Theatre, as well. Katelyn also works as a Choral Scholar, singing soprano for St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Arroyo Grande. With a strong passion for both music and working with kids, Katelyn is thrilled to be a part of CCYC. She cannot wait to build on and share, with the young singers in Cadence, the exciting musical experiences that she had as a child.   
JoAnne Stoddard, Accompanist (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 Accompanist 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 accompanying for CCYC.
 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 second-year student at Cal Poly as a double major studying Psychology and Music. Josh serves as an assistant 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 join the CCYC family as an accompanist. Let’s make music together!  
Stephen Vojta, Accompanist (Brio & Music Makers)
Hey everyone! My name is Stephen Vojta, I am a second-year Economics major at Cal Poly and am from the Walnut Creek area originally. I am involved with many of Cal Poly’s musical ensembles, including the Polyphonics choir, the Chamber choir, and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Being the oldest of 10 kids, music for kids at an early age has always been a big thing at home and extremely important to me as well. I seriously look forward to working with everyone at CCYC!!