Faculty & Staff

Artistic Director and Head of Staff Martín Benvenuto is one of the leading choir conductors in the San Francisco Bay Area
and beyond who specializes in treble choral music.

Vivo Chorus Director Gemma Arguelles celebrates over thirty years of service as music educator and choir director in Bay Area institutions and in the Philippines.

Allegro Chorus & Arietta Singers Director Samantha Maas-Baldwin has been teaching music in the Bay Area for over 15 years.

Prelude Chorus and Dolce Singers Director Katie Jenks is a TK-5th grade music teacher in the Oakland Unified School District and has a master’s degree in Music Education with Kodály Emphasis from Holy Names University.

Managing Director Kaneez Munjee comes to YWCP with over a decade of experience in arts management.

Rehearsal Coordinator Celestine Ratsch-Rivera joins YWCP with over 15 years of experience as a choral singer.

Holding degrees in both Piano Performance and Choral Conducting, Joe Fanvu has over 30 years of experience in choral music.

Pianist Margaret Halbig holds a DMA from University of California at Santa Barbara and is part of the accompanying and vocal coaching staff at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Jefferson Packer has been active as a collaborative pianist and baritone since moving to San Francisco over two decades ago.