Cast and Staff

Company

 

Southland Sings™ delivers educational programming for at risk youth at a variety of sites: the general education and special needs classroom, after school prevention programs, special education sites, incarcerated youth facilities and local theatres and performing arts centers. We also offer poetry, songwriting workshops and professional development for adults. Our concerts and full productions have been performed in theatres and special events all over Southern California for both youth and adult audiences.

Cast and Staff

photo of Ann Noriel

Ann Noriel, President and Co-Founder of Southland Sings™

Director, Singer, Vocal and Song Writing Teaching Artist

Ms. Noriel has performed in several local and national tours as a principal artist in both large productions and concert ensembles. She has also performed with San Jose Ballet, Los Angeles Opera’s Community Programs, Opera Pacific and several other Southern California arts organizations and orchestras. As a teaching artist she specializes in teaching at risk and high risk students as well as students with disabilities.

photo of Myrenna Ogbu

Myrenna Ogbu

Spoken word Teaching Artist, Storyteller, Poet, and Percussionist

Ms. Ogbu can currently be heard on KPFK-FM radio as a host of the Poets Café. She is known as, “The Voice”, and her voice has been heard all over the world making people young and old laugh, cry and ponder life through her poetic words and the characters she has portrayed.

 

photo of Anna Rosselli

Anna Rosselli

Theatre Teaching Artist

Ms. Rosselli can be seen in various commercials, short films and on stage. Credits include: June in West of Stupid, Holly in No Exit, Lady Bracknell in Importance of Being Earnest and Penny in You Can’t Take It With You. For the past several years, Anna has worked with severely disabled students at the Rowland Unified School District.

photo of Carol Winston

Carol Winston

Program Coordinator, Singer, Teaching Artist, Voice Instructor

Ms. Winston has performed most of the lead soprano Gilbert and Sullivan roles with Opera a la Carte She has worked with Los Angeles Opera, Opera Pacific, Southland Opera, Guild Opera and Orange County Opera in their outreach programs for students. She maintains a private vocal studio in Santa Monica, CA.

photo of Michael Upward

Michael Upward

Composer, Music Director, Accompanist

Mr. Upward is a composer, pianist and musical director who has a Master of Arts in Music Composition. As well as writing many choral works, he has written three full-length musicals, including his newest: Anne of Green Gables. He is the chief editor of Maestro Arts & Reviews and performs as pianist/vocalist in many Los Angeles area theaters and churches.