Page 24 - NWS January 2025 Digital Playbill

ABOUT the ARTISTS

LOS ROBLES CHILDREN’S CHOIR
EMMA ROCHE Director
The mission of Los Robles Children’s Choir is to
strive for excellence in choral singing by awakening
and encouraging the artistry in each child. This
exploration of the children’s artistic essence takes
place in an atmosphere of mutual respect and
encouragement. The performances give the singers an opportunity to share their
musical achievements and artistic sensitivities with an audience under artistic
direction of Emma Roche.
Emma Roche holds music degrees from both Westminster Choir College and the
USC Thornton School of Music. In 2017, Emma became a Roster Chorister and
soloist with the Los Angeles Master Chorale performing in their regular season at
Walt Disney Concert Hall with additional performances at the Hollywood Bowl and
with the LA Philharmonic. Equally passionate about music education, Roche has 15
years of experience teaching at both the elementary and high school levels.

STATE STREET BALLET PROFESSIONAL TRACK
MEGAN PHILIPP Artistic Director
CECILY MACDOUGALL Director
State Street Ballet is a renowned international dance
company based in the vibrant city of Santa Barbara,
California. Established in 1994 by Founding Director
Rodney Gustafson, the company embodies artistic
excellence, drawing exceptional dancers from around the
globe to create captivating performances that push the boundaries of traditional
ballet. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Megan Philipp and Executive
Director Cecily MacDougall, State Street Ballet has become a hub for dance on
the Central Coast, providing a home for 20 international artists, professional
trainee program, annual summer intensive and educational outreach initiatives.
The Ballet’s focus on exceptional artistic and educational programming ensures
that each season presents a dynamic blend of timeless classics and innovative new
works, both in Santa Barbara and abroad.

JIM MESKIMEN Narrator
As a professional actor for 30+ years Jim has appeared in the
films Apollo 13, The Grinch, Frost/Nixon, The Punisher, Not
Forgotten, There Will Be Blood and many others. Some of Jim’s
TV credits include Friends, Whose Line is it, Anyway?, Fresh
Prince of Bel Air, Castle, Lie to Me and Rules of Engagement.
In the 1980s & 90s, he had a thriving career as a man-on-the-street interviewer for
improvised TV and radio campaigns for various clients that won awards for several
major advertising agencies.

24 | New West Symphony