Our Singers

Molly Pease, soprano, currently attends American River College as a Vocal Jazz Music Major. She has served as a member of the multi national award winning American River College Vocal Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Art LaPierre for two years, and is entering her third year with the group. She also sang with the Sacramento Children’s Chorus for 13 years. She plans to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston to complete her BA in Music Performance, and aspires to work as a jazz performer and voice teacher. She’s excited to be singing in her first year with Vox Musica..

Alison George Steiner, soprano, received a Bachelor of Arts in music from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. At Westmont, she was part of the Chamber Singers and College Choir, and was a featured soloist for several major works including Mozart’s Requiem and Haydn’s Mass in Time of War. She spent her final fall semester in Europe studying music, art and history.  In addition to classical singing, Alison enjoys vocal jazz and also participates in the music at her church. She recently got married and is having  fun exploring the great city of Sacramento with her husband. She is delighted to be in her fourth season with Vox Musica.

Valerie Dickinson, soprano, began her musical training as a violinist, but after 9 years gave up the violin to pursue voice full time in college. She recently completed two AA degrees from American River College in both traditional music and jazz studies. For four years she served as a member of the multi national award winning American River College Vocal Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Art LaPierre and sang with the ARC Chamber Singers. Valerie is continuing her studies in both jazz and classical music at California State University, Sacramento.  She is excited to be singing with Vox Musica for her third season and aspires to teach and direct groups of her own.

Molly Balestreri, soprano, started singing in elementary school, performing in many community and school musical productions. She studied multiple varieties of music at St. Francis High School, including four years of choral training in the chamber singers ensemble, two years as the leader of the arts department’s jazz band, and three years in an elite a cappella ensemble which she led and directed her senior year. This upcoming year will be her first season with Vox Musica and her first year at American River College, where she begins her advanced studies of music and music theory.

Hallie Jean Wootan, soprano, has been performing in the Sacramento area for 12 years. Originally a piano student of Clara Furnoy, eventually her love for singing surpassed all other musical endeavors. This season will be her fourth year with Vox Musica. Hallie has studied voice with Sean Bianco and Zvonimir Hačko. She has sung with the Village Opera Theatre/Madrigal Ensemble and the Choir of Saint Cecilia. Her performance roles include the solo in Mozart’s Laudate Dominum and the soprano part in Pergolesi’s duet Stabat Mater. Some of her other stage appearances include works by Britten, Fauré, Handel, Bach and Barber. 

Naomi Peterson, soprano, recently relocated to Sacramento from Los Angeles, California. She received her Bachelors Degree in Music from California State University, Los Angeles, where she studied with Dr. Susan W. Kane. Naomi has been a soloist at The Church of the Lighted Window in La Canada, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Glendale, and Pacific Palisades Presbyterian in Pacific Palisades. She has recenlty appeared in the Sacramento Opera’s performances of Othello  and Tosca. Naomi is very excited to be singing her fourth season with Vox Musica, and is looking forward to continuing to make music in Northern California.

As a student, Lara Pucik Johnson, alto, sang with the U.C. Berkeley Women’s Chorale as well as the independent mixed a cappella group, Vocal Outlet.  She continued to foster her love of a cappella music at Rice University in Houston, where she co-founded and performed with the Lager Rhythms, an eclectic mixed folk/pop octet.  Since coming to Sacramento, Lara has focused on classical and sacred music.  She sang for several years with the Choir of Saint Cecilia and is pleased to be continuing her tenure as a founding member of Vox Musica.  She moonlights professionally as an environmental scientist.

Kathryn Brothers, alto, has been a member of Vox Musica since its inception.  Kathryn comes from a very musical family and started singing at a young age.  Prior to joining Vox, she sang with Dixon United Methodist Church Adult Choir, Dixon Community Choir, and Dixon High School Choir as well as playing the clarinet throughout High School.  Currently she sings in Vox Musica as well as a vocal quartet based in Dixon.  Kathryn is also our textiles design coordinator, drawing our fabric and color choices from our concert themes.  Kathryn holds a degree from the University of California at Davis in Costume and Textile Design (2003).

Anna Elzeftawy, alto, started singing where many Americans do — at church. When her family finally settled in Las Vegas, she moved on to study the viola in school, performing and competing with the middle school orchestra throughout the Las Vegas area. In high school she performed with her school’s nationally-competitive madrigal choir, the Nevada All-State Choir, and in various musical theater productions. She moved to Sacramento to pursue a career in chemical engineering, but continued discovering music through the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra. She is honored to be singing her second season with the talented artists of Vox Musica.

Jennifer Crawford, alto, is honored to be in her fifth season with Vox Musica.  Her musical upbringing includes singing in church, school and community choirs.  Besides singing Jennifer also plays the piano, oboe, and soprano and tenor recorders.  She has sung and soloed with the Dixon United Methodist Adult Choir for over ten years and has served as conductor and arranger of the Dixon United Methodist Recorder Ensemble.  Jennifer holds a degree from the University of California at Davis in Nutrition Science (1991). 

Dana Protsenko, alto, is a voice major at American River College, where she sings with the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, as well as with the Jazz Collective and Big Bands. Recent engagements include a performing stint with a local indie band, The Whiskey River Renegades, and soloing for the Sacramento Master Singers in a concert featuring Duke Ellington’s Sacred Songs. From funk, blues, jazz, pop and classical, Dana is known for her ability to perform in many different styles and genres. She is excited to be singing in her second season with Vox Musica.

Amy Sagraves, alto, has has performed in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary with the Sacramento Choral Society under the direction of Dr. Donald Kendrick. She is returning to vocal performance after a sabbatical to start a family, and is excited about starting her first season with Vox Musica. A Sacramento native, she is a Life Coach in private practice and would like to thank her husband for his unfailing support. 

Tonya Arnold, alternate, has been singing both chorally and as a soloist since a very young age. She has previously sung with the Sacramento Choral Society and the University of Washington Master Choir, and has performed at such prestigious venues as Benaroya Hall, Mondavi Center, and Disney Hall. Currently, Tonya is studying music and chemistry at Sacramento City College. This will be her first season with Vox Musica.