About

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 edcuation sites, incarcerated youth facilities and local theatres and performing arts centers. We also offer poetry, songwriting workshops and professinal development for adults. Our concerts and full productions that 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 Benito Galindo

Benito Galindo

Singer, Vocal and Song Writing Teaching Artist

Mr. Galindo has established himself as a baritone whose singing and performing encompasses an exceptionally varied repertoire. Mr. Galindo has several years experience teaching in the classroom and also devotes a considerable amount of his performing and teaching schedule to presenting opera and classical music to students throughout California.

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 Diane Sawyers

Diane Sawyers

Singer, Teaching Artist, Voice Instructor

Ms. Sawyers has been singing professionally and teaching voice for over 20 years. She has a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of California Irvine. She actively performs in Opera, Oratorio and Musical Theater. She tours nationally with Opera a la Carte, the renowned Gilbert and Sullivan repertory company. Diane maintains a private voice studio in the city of Orange.

photo of Sara Campbell

Sara Campbell Svastics

Singer and Song Writing Teaching Artist

Ms. Campbell is fluent in Spanish and works extensively with English Language Learners focusing on language acquisition through the Southland Opera music composition program. She has over a decade of experience teaching in Los Angeles Unified. As a concert soloist, she has performed with various companies including LA Opera and Opera Pacific.

photo of Meg Teran

Meg Terán

Dance Specialist

Meg Terán is a dance-teaching artist currently working with The Wooden Floor, All the Arts for All the Kids, and VSA California. Her students create, perform and respond to each other, building dance vocabulary while developing discipline and teamwork.

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.