Media Kit
About SDWC
The San Diego Women’s Chorus (SDWC) is a lesbian-identified, feminist family of musicians that welcomes members and volunteers from the vastly diverse LGBTQ+ and straight ally communities. Founded in 1987 by community activist Cynthia Lawrence-Wallace, SDWC has grown from a group of 14 lesbians gathered around a piano to a thriving community with over 150 diverse members who believe in the power of music, the power of women, and the power of marginalized voices.
San Diego Women’s Chorus is a non-profit community chorus that strives to entertain and inspire audiences with music that speaks to issues as diverse as human rights, love, world peace, religious freedom, environmental harmony, inclusion, and cultural diversity. SDWC supports and affirms the music of women, LGBTQ+, feminist, and BIPOC composers and arrangers.
SDWC Media Information
Press Releases
- In Harmony (May 2024)
In The News
- Dec 2023 – Joyful noise: From San Diego Symphony to Gay Men’s Chorus, concerts to get you in the spirit of the holidays
- Dec 2023 – California Arts Council delivers $2.2 million in grants to 61 local organizations
- July 2023 – LGBTQ San Diego County News Volume 4 Issue 19
- June 2023 – 15 ways to celebrate Pride this month in San Diego
- July 2022 – Louder Than Words: San Diego Women’s Chorus’ Annual Pride Concert July 14
- July 2022 – She Fest kicks off a week of San Diego Pride events
- April 2022 – Uniting The World In Song: San Diego Sings! Festival Returns
- April 2022 – ‘OUT At The Park’ This Friday At Petco Park!
- May 2021 – Best Bets for the Break: A quick guide to online entertainment and virtual experiences
- July 2020 – San Diego Pride Parade celebration goes virtual amidst pandemic
- July 2020 – As pandemic forces festivities online, San Diegans get creative to celebrate Pride
- Dec 2019 – Over $340,000 granted to LGBTQ organizations from San Diego Pride
- May 2019 – San Diego Women’s Chorus raises its voice with ‘Quiet No More’
- March 2019 – San Diego Sings takes center stage in Balboa Park
- April 2017 – San Diego Women’s Chorus celebrates 30 years of communion through song
Awards & Recognition
- 2022 Larry T. Baza Arts & Culture Award – Spirit of Stonewall
- 2018 Best Musical Contingent – San Diego Pride
- 2014 Spirit of Pride Award – San Diego Pride
Media Contact
Tiffany Spence
Marketing Assistant
tiffany@sdwc.org
General Info at a Glance
- Founded: 1987
- Artistic Director: Kathleen Hansen
- Memberships: GALA Choruses, San Diego Choral Consortium
- Non-profit status: 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization
Guest Artists & Collaborations
Quick Links
Photos
Artistic Staff Bios
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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, and a Master of Music degree specializing in conducting.
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.
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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.”
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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.