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

Media Contact

Tiffany Spence
Marketing Assistant
tiffany@sdwc.org

General Info at a Glance

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SDWC Performance
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Artistic Staff Bios

  • 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, 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.

  • 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.

  • 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, 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.

  • 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.

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