• Kathleen Hansen, Artistic Director of San Diego Women's Chorus
  • Calieanne Grossheim, Assistant to the Artistic Director
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  • Kathleen Hansen

    Artistic Director

    Kathleen Hansen has been working in the field of music education and performance since 1998. She has a Bachelor of Music degree specializing in music education and trumpet, a single subject teaching credential, a Master of Music degree specializing in conducting and is currently working on her PhD.

    Kathleen has broad and inclusive experience directing, teaching, and performing. She has worked with students ages 5 to 95 and has performed on a diverse array of stages from small courtyards in Italy to prestigious sold-out halls across the US. These experiences have shaped both her approach to making music and to helping others find their voice. Kathleen is passionate about creating an environment of belonging while helping singers discover their unique voice.

    Kathleen is a Master Director with the San Diego Chorus as well as Artistic Director of the San Diego Women’s Chorus. She serves as the Artistic 411 Advisor for the international GALA Chorus association. She is an active clinician, musical adjudicator, presenter, voice teacher and coach. Additionally, Kathleen serves on the International Faculty of Sweet Adelines International.

    Kathleen designs and edits virtual music ensembles, has a YouTube channel, gives online voice lessons, and has a vocal warmup app for singers on the go.

  • Calieanne Grossheim

    Assistant to the Artistic Director

    Caileanne brings an extensive music background to SDWC. A Florida native, Grossheim received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance degree from the University of North Florida and her Master in Choral Conducting from Texas State University. Throughout her educational career, Grossheim has worked with a diverse group of choirs, including high school students, university choirs, volunteer church groups, community choirs, and a chorus composed of refugees resettled in the Jacksonville area. “In the spirit of activism, creativity, and community, I am eager to make music with the San Diego Women’s Chorus,” Grossheim said. “I have always been drawn to thoughtful programming that leads singers and audiences toward their best selves.”

  • Tim McKnight

    Accompanist

    Tim originally hails from the Midwest where he received his Bachelors in Music Education and his Masters in Accompanying and Vocal Coaching from the University of Illinois @ Urbana-Champaign.  He now lives in San Diego where he is a private piano teacher, choral director, accompanist, vocal coach and music director.

    Tim has proudly served as the Artistic Director of San Diego’s Encore Vocal Ensemble since 2012.  He is also in his 20th year as the Director of Music at Chalice Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Escondido.  In 2022, Tim was hired as the accompanist for the San Diego Women’s Chorus.

    Tim has been a part-time faculty/staff member at University of San Diego, San Diego State University and Mira Costa College. He has received three National Youth Arts Awards for Outstanding Music Direction.  Tim has had the honor of being the Music Director for the Broadway San Diego Awards since their inception in 2014.

  • Kimberly Jenks

    Marketing Assistant

  • Kathleen Hansen, Artistic Director of San Diego Women's Chorus

    Kathleen Hansen

    Artistic Director

    Kathleen Hansen has been working in the field of music education and performance since 1998. She has a Bachelor of Music degree specializing in music education and trumpet, a single subject teaching credential, a Master of Music degree specializing in conducting and is currently working on her PhD.

    Kathleen has broad and inclusive experience directing, teaching, and performing. She has worked with students ages 5 to 95 and has performed on a diverse array of stages from small courtyards in Italy to prestigious sold-out halls across the US. These experiences have shaped both her approach to making music and to helping others find their voice. Kathleen is passionate about creating an environment of belonging while helping singers discover their unique voice.

    Kathleen is a Master Director with the San Diego Chorus as well as Artistic Director of the San Diego Women’s Chorus. She serves as the Artistic 411 Advisor for the international GALA Chorus association. She is an active clinician, musical adjudicator, presenter, voice teacher and coach. Additionally, Kathleen serves on the International Faculty of Sweet Adelines International.

    Kathleen designs and edits virtual music ensembles, has a YouTube channel, gives online voice lessons, and has a vocal warmup app for singers on the go.

  • Calieanne Grossheim, Assistant to the Artistic Director

    Calieanne Grossheim

    Assistant to the Artistic Director

    Caileanne brings an extensive music background to SDWC. A Florida native, Grossheim received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance degree from the University of North Florida and her Master in Choral Conducting from Texas State University. Throughout her educational career, Grossheim has worked with a diverse group of choirs, including high school students, university choirs, volunteer church groups, community choirs, and a chorus composed of refugees resettled in the Jacksonville area. “In the spirit of activism, creativity, and community, I am eager to make music with the San Diego Women’s Chorus,” Grossheim said. “I have always been drawn to thoughtful programming that leads singers and audiences toward their best selves.”

  • shot4plain

    Tim McKnight

    Accompanist

    Tim originally hails from the Midwest where he received his Bachelors in Music Education and his Masters in Accompanying and Vocal Coaching from the University of Illinois @ Urbana-Champaign.  He now lives in San Diego where he is a private piano teacher, choral director, accompanist, vocal coach and music director.

    Tim has proudly served as the Artistic Director of San Diego’s Encore Vocal Ensemble since 2012.  He is also in his 20th year as the Director of Music at Chalice Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Escondido.  In 2022, Tim was hired as the accompanist for the San Diego Women’s Chorus.

    Tim has been a part-time faculty/staff member at University of San Diego, San Diego State University and Mira Costa College. He has received three National Youth Arts Awards for Outstanding Music Direction.  Tim has had the honor of being the Music Director for the Broadway San Diego Awards since their inception in 2014.

  • Kimberly Jenks

    Marketing Assistant

A powerful show with music that provided just the magical, healing experience that so many of us need!

The music was wonderful and uplifting.

Impressive!

Loved the diverse music selections!

The sound of the voices were so healing after these long traumatic years of the pandemic.

Board of Directors 2025

Current as of June 2025

  • Kara Kuvakas President
  • Jo Davis Vice President
  • Preethi Chaudhari Treasurer
  • Lisa An Secretary

Board Members-at-Large

  • Carolyn Forte Director of Membership
  • Rajitha Narreddy Member-at-Large
  • Trish Stepanek Member-at-Large
  • Margaret TapiaFleck Member-at-Large
  • Linda Ullrich Member-at-Large

Join SDWC

For 35 years, SDWC has provided a safe space to encourage women’s creativity, celebrate diversity, and inspire social action. SDWC welcomes women, gender non-conforming, nonbinary and transgender individuals as singers.

Learn more about our mission and how you can become a member of SDWC.

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