STACEY Y. KIKKAWA — Director of the Choral and Vocal Music Program at Fullerton Union High School
Stacey Y. Kikkawa's career encompasses diverse contributions aimed at further shaping and elevating the realm of choral and vocal music education. She currently serves as the proud Director of the Choral and Vocal Music Program at Fullerton Union High School. Since 2006, Ms. Kikkawa has demonstrated her leadership in high school music education across both Northern and Southern California. Her professional journey encompasses California Distinguished Schools such as Campolindo High School in Moraga, CA, and Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills, CA.
Ms. Kikkawa's educational background includes a Master of Music in Choral Conducting earned at California State University, Fullerton, where she had the privilege of studying under the baton of Dr. Robert Istad. Her academic accomplishments were recognized when she received the Elliot and Kathleen Alexander Memorial Scholarship in 2012. She graduated from Chapman University, earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Bachelor of Music in Performance, with a dual emphasis in Conducting and Voice under Dr. William Hall and Margaret Dehning.
In addition to her instructional roles, Ms. Kikkawa has made multiple contributions to the choral community through her involvement in prestigious professional organizations. From 2014 to 2018, she was elected as the Southern Region Representative for the California Choral Directors Association (CCDA). Subsequently, from 2018 to 2022, she was appointed to the position of Repertoire and Resources Chair for High School, further showcasing her dedication to advancing choral education. Notably, in 2022-2023, Ms. Kikkawa undertook the responsibility of serving as the State Choral Festival Coordinator for the California Music Educators Association (CMEA), emphasizing her commitment to enhancing the quality of choral experiences for students statewide.
In addition to her academic and administrative accomplishments, Ms. Kikkawa performs as a mezzo-soprano, having been a staff singer of the Grammy-Award winning Pacific Chorale since 2013 and the Long Beach Camerata Singers. Currently, she serves as faculty at the Arrowbear Summer Music Camp and is on adjunct faculty at Chapman University.
KES ROSE— Collaborative Artist/Assistant Director
Keyboardist and tenor Kes Rose collaborates with musicians across Southern California. He performs opera, art song, and musical theater with organizations such as the Pacific Opera Project, Vineyard Touring Opera Company, and One More Productions, and he plays organ and piano at Shepherd of Life Lutheran in Whittier. Mr. Rose spent years as a producer and music director organizing community opera programs creating opportunities for emerging young singers.
Mr. Rose emphatically believes in the arts as a practice to cherish our humanity and the world’s beauty. When not further exploring music, words, and storytelling through TTRPG’s, poetry, and improv theater, they explore local biomes as a volunteer bird surveyor and native plant restorer.