OUR TEACHERS
Emily Senkowsky
Founder • Voice • Troupe Director
Emily (she/her) is the founder and creator of Sing with Emily. She studied vocal performance at NYU Steinhardt, where she learned the value of a strong foundation in vocal technique, as well as the importance of a supportive studio to learn and grow. As a performer, she has worked for various professional theatres around the country. She also runs The Chicago Carolers, a premier caroling group in the Chicagoland area. She can’t wait to see you!
SHÄNKA LA-VERNE PETTIS
Voice
Shänka is a national recording artist, classical recitalist, and accomplished vocal coach and producer. Originally from Gastonia, North Carolina, she began her vocal training with Frances Shafter and earned a Bachelor’s in Voice Performance at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, with additional Master’s credits in Music Performance from U of I, Sacred Music from Chun University, and Education from Concordia University.
With over 20 years of experience, Shänka has maintained a successful private voice studio in North Carolina, Illinois, and abroad. She believes that everyone has a voice, and it deserves to be heard. Throughout her career, she has studied with esteemed mentors, including Grammy Award-winners Donald Lawrence and Cynthia Haymon-Coleman, and has held teaching and performance roles at institutions such as the Ravinia Family Music School and the South Shore Opera Company of Chicago.
Shänka has also released multiple music projects, including her debut EP Shänka La-Verne Falls, two collaborations with her husband, pianist, and producer Brian Pettis, and her book Beautifully Redeemed. She has performed at national memorials for President Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and she and Brian are set to release new music this spring.
Katie Rose Ford
Voice • piano • Troupe Music Director
Katie Rose (she/they) is a professional performer from the Chicagoland area. They earned their Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre from North Central College while also earning their two minors in Psychology and Spanish. Katie Rose started playing piano when they were 5 years old and has continued to accompany choirs, performers, and themself ever since. Trained in both classical and musical theatre vocal techniques, Katie Rose has been singing in ensembles and on their own since they were 7 years of age. On top of voice and piano, they are quite proficient with the flute, piccolo, ukulele, percussion, music directing, and music production. Katie Rose firmly believes that music and theatre are great ways to share our universal human story, connect with others, and incite social change. They believe that lessons are not only beneficial to grow as a musician and performer, but as a person as well. And through everything, Katie Rose strives to find laughter in learning.
Lauren Boult
STUDIO MANAGER
VOICE • piano
Lauren Boult (she/her) hails from the western suburbs of Chicago. She began taking classical voice lessons when she was 10 years old. In 2013, Lauren graduated cum laude from Columbia College Chicago with a Music degree with a concentration in Vocal Performance. She is well-versed in various musical styles including musical theater, rock, pop, blues, and jazz and also plays guitar, piano, and bass guitar. While being a part of everything from vocal jazz groups to rock bands, she has been fortunate enough to perform onstage at prestigious venues and events such as The Auditorium Theatre, Buddy Guy's Legends, METRO, House of Blues Chicago, The New Orleans Jazz Festival, and more.
Lauren has experience in the classroom as both a private instructor and as a group instructor of students ages 3-60+. Whether it be music directing for musical theater camps, preparing vocal students for auditions, or directing rock bands to hit the stage, she enjoys sharing her talents and knowledge with other inspired musicians.
ashton gregory
GUITAR • ukulele • Songwriting
Ashton is a singer/songwriter, guitarist, and producer based in Chicago. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Theory from Columbia College Chicago. Her favored genres include alternative, rock, singer/songwriter, experimental and pop. Ashton started playing the guitar when she was 9 years old and began singing and writing songs shortly after that. She enjoys nothing more than bringing her musical ideas to life producing her own recordings, as well as the autonomy of being an independent musician. As a teacher, Ashton wants to help students get their musical skills to where they want to be and make sure they are feeling encouraged and confident along the way. She is looking forward to being a part of the start of someone's musical journey.
Kendra Carrillo
piano • voice •
mini singers
Kendra is a classically trained mezzo-soprano and music educator. She has her Bachelor's degree in K-12 music education with special focus on choral education and vocal pedagogy. She also has her Illinois Professional Educator License in K-12 music. She has studied voice with Dr. Elizabeth Thompson and Carol Mastrodomenico with plans to continue studying with Carol in the coming year. Kendra has performed Manuel De Falla's Siete Canciones Populares Españolas in recital and plans on performing more Spanish Art Songs from the same era.
Kendra is excited for each student to explore and blossom in their musical abilites. She takes a holistic approach to her teaching where the student's goals and health are kept as a center focus in each lesson along- side the teacher's expertise. Kendra embraces music power to telling the emotions and stories that cannot be told through the spoken word alone. She hoped that each student will also embrace music as a tool to help them express their own stories.
COURTNEY TEDESCO
EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC
Courtney is so grateful to be a part of your musical journey! She graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor's degree in K-12 Music Education and holds a dual Masters degree in Special Education and English as a Second Language. Before choosing to stay home with her two kids, she taught elementary and middle school general music in the Chicagoland suburbs for 8 years. Courtney has experience teaching piano and voice lessons, 0-5 year old music classes, and is a former member of the Apollo Chicago Chorus. She is a strong advocate of learning through play and believes everyone is musical. Courtney is excited to continue her love of teaching and is so grateful to be making music within the community where she lives!
taylor weisz
TROUPE DIRECTOR• ACTING & AUDITION COACHING
Taylor graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University and the Chicago Performing Arts Academy, and she's performed in over 70 musicals and plays. She's been teaching acting and vocal performance for years, working for Barbizon Acting and Modeling School, managing talent for a Chicagoland agency, and leading TV/Film workshops. Currently, Taylor sits on the Board for Naperville’s Summer Place Theatre. Taylor's blend of stage experience and teaching know-how makes her a great at creating well rounded performers.
Rachael Wilkinson
Early childhood music • Broadway Babies
Rachael Wilkinson (she/her) is a performer and educator with more than 15 years of experience. Rachael holds a B.A. in Theatre Performance from North Central College and an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from DePaul. As a performer, she has worked with professional theatres across Chicago and the midwest including Prairie Fire Children's Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, First Folio Theatre, Tibbits Opera House, and more. As an educator, Rachael has taught children of all ages in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, Dream Big Performing Arts, American Eagle Productions, the YMCA, and more. Rachael values supporting children in building their confidence, exploring their creativity, and fostering a lifelong love of the arts. In her freetime, Rachael enjoys going on adventures with her 3 year old daughter, bowling, and dancing.
LAURYN MOTTO
VOICE
Lauryn graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s degree in K-12 Music Education and has a Master’s degree in Special Education. In her 12 years of teaching, she had the opportunity to work with all different age groups as well as start and direct a Choral and Musical program.
She began taking private lessons at the age of 10 and has experience singing and teaching many different musical styles including: classical, musical theater, jazz, pop, rock, country and blues. She was the founder of the first mixed A Cappella group at Illinois State University where she had the role of music director during her time there.
Lauryn believes in the power of music and supports each and every one of her students in achieving their individual singing goals. She knows first-hand the impact lessons have on building confidence, connecting with yourself and others and growing as a vocalist and person. She is thrilled to be part of this wonderful community and cannot wait to meet and work with you!