Vocal Faculty
Megan OBrien
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Megan O'Brien is a classically-trained soprano, with experience leading song in churches across the United States and European festivals. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Performance from the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at Catholic University of America, and continued her studies in New York and performed with the Amalfi Coast Music Festival. Megan has been a member of the St. Patrick's Cathedral (New York) choir, Baltimore Symphony choir, and the soprano soloist in churches from New York, Baltimore, to San Francisco. Most recently she has led the men's Catholic choir at San Quentin Prison. When she's not singing, she homeschools her children and is a private tutor, so she brings various pedagogical methods and supportive demeanor to her voice teaching.
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Jennifer Gapasin
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Jennifer is a musician/actress based out of the SF Bay Area, and she's excited to be teaching piano, voice and drum at Amabile. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance from Sacramento State where she studied opera with Michael Sokol, and since then has been involved in the performing arts for over a decade as an educator and performer. She studied acting/movement at Michael Howard Studios in New York, Waterfront Conservatory in Berkeley and Yat/Bentley Centre in Oakland. She began her career in music as choir director and piano accompanist for St. Anthony Church in Winters, and following that taught voice and piano at Natomas School of Music in Sacramento. She has performed onstage in many different modes, from rock, R&B and funk (as singer/drummer/keyboardist) to operas, plays and musicals. Notably, she was the drummer for the Beatles cover band, the Peptones. Favorite theatre credits include: Sue (Fefu and Her Friends), Leila (Iolanthe), Susanna (The Marriage of Figaro), Sophie (Der Rosenkavalier), and Satirino, Destino, and Echo (La Calisto). She is grateful to be joining the team at Amabile.
In her own words: Music is a great outlet to express oneself and develop practical skills such as focus, listening, coordination and timing. There is nothing quite like music that combines fun, complexity and discipline all at once. I am happy to share that experience with others as a performer and teacher. |
Olga Korolev
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Olga Korolev is a classically trained singer, pianist and theater artist. Coming from a musical
family, she officially started her musical journey by beginning to learn the piano at 8 years old. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a voice concentration and a Theater and Biblical Studies Minor from Biola University. While at Biola, she sung with the Biola Chorale at the 2016 Western Division ACDA Conference and continued her piano studies as well. She has served as a choir accompanist for church and was a Conservatory Fellow at the American Conservatory Theater working with the Young Conservatory and Studio A.C.T. programs. Before moving back to the Bay area, she taught Suzuki piano to students ranging from 3 years to adult in the Sacramento region. She is certified with the Suzuki Association of Americas in the ECC (Every Child Can) course and Book 1 where she received her training under Caroline Fraser and Annette Lee. She is also a member of the Suzuki Association of Americas. She is passionate about building up students as well-rounded musicians and also as individuals where ever they go in life. |
Hilary Thompson
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“My parents always had classical music blasting on the record player and we all went to lots of concerts,” Hilary says. “I loved singing in school and church choirs when I was young.” In grade school, Hilary’s grandmother gave her a tiny little electric organ with a book, and Piano lessons followed, continuing through high school. Hilary went on to UC Santa Cruz, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Music, with an emphasis on piano and performance. She’s taught piano both privately and at the San Francisco Community Music Center for over 24 years. She was even a church music director for a number of years in Point Richmond.
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Isabelle Otillio
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Since 2020, Isabelle has been teaching piano to students ranging all ages. As a passionate music educator, Isabelle hopes to inspire the next generation of musicians by fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment. With her diverse musical background, Isabelle brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep appreciation for various musical styles into her teaching approach. Her aim is to not only impart technical skills but also to ignite a lifelong love for music in her students. Through her guidance, she hopes to empower them to explore their creativity, develop their musical abilities, and discover the joy of self-expression through music.
Isabelle has been playing the piano as long as she could sit at the piano bench. She took classical piano lessons for over 10 years, dedicating her later years studying the colorful compositions of Debussy, George Winston, Yann Teirsen and Vince Guaraldi to name a few. At 14, she taught herself guitar, fueled by the rich dimensions of jazz chords and began studying music theory in high school. Isabelle attended Cal Poly Humboldt where she pursued a Minor in Music in addition to her degreed focused in Education. She had the opportunity to perform in several ensembles including the renowned Calypso band, Jazz band, University Singers and the World Percussion ensemble. Isabelle also formed her own trio, Tessoulation, inspired by jazz-soul fusion and world percussion, performing as the lead singer and songwriter, guitarist, and keyboard player. Apart from her involvement in her band's performances, she also ventured into the realm of event planning, taking on the role of organizing and hosting monthly Ladies Nights' showcases that shined a spotlight on women in music and the arts. If you or your child is ready to embark on a musical journey, Isabelle welcomes you to join her in a collaborative and inspiring musical experience. Get in touch to schedule a lesson and embark on an exciting path of musical discovery together. |
Tamara Haskin (online only)
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American Soprano, Tamara Haskin, made her international stage debut in 2009, at the Macedonian
Opera in the title role of Verdi’s Aida. Since that time, she has earned critical acclaim as a Verdian soprano singing close to 100 performances of AIDA, as well as other important verismo roles on the national and international opera and concert stages throughout the USA and Europe. Tamara earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at Wichita State University, with Master’s work at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, and intensive vocal studies at the DeJean International Institute of Vocal Arts in Paris, France. For 16 years of her career life, Tamara lived in Paris, France and Berlin, Germany, where she traveled and sang extensively throughout Europe. She speaks both French and German. As a voice teacher, Tamara enjoys working with beginners, intermediate, advanced singers and established professionals. She has maintained private voice studios in the United States and Europe throughout her singing career. She has held Adjunct Teaching positions at North Central College and Music Tech in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In her 18-year of extensive vocal training and mentorship from the noted international vocal pedagogue David Jones, Tamara has developed important teaching skills necessary to remedy various vocal issues, by employing concepts from the Swedish-Italian school of singing. These concepts are geared toward developing freedom and balance of voices of any age, genre or musical style. Working both as a vocal technician and a vocal coach, Tamara is passionate in helping singers discover vocal freedom in a fun, positive and nurturing environment. Ms. Haskin currently teaches online only. |