PANEL OF JUDGES
David McKee
A former Associate Dean of the College Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, Dr. McKee began his early music training as a soloist at St. James Cathedral, Toronto, Canada. He continued studies in classical piano, organ and voice a the Royal Conservatory of Music. Professionally a member of Actor’s Equity and AGMA since the age of sixteen he has appeared with choral, theatre and opera companies including Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, and Santa Barbara – on stage and in concert.
He holds MBA and PhD degrees in Economic Marketing and Management from the University of Washington in Seattle. He is a recognized leader in organization and gift development. In addition to consulting, he enjoys music as a veteran performer with Opera Santa Barbara and Quire of Voyces.
“As a young person, I enjoyed the support of family and many adjudicated scholarships. Later as an academic, I gained interest in the training and success of young artists. Finding resources for these young people led me to scholarship funding and management which was subsequently broadened from the Arts to other areas of the nonprofit world.”
Deborah Bertling
As President of Performing Arts Scholarship since 2002, Ms. Bertling has worked with the Board of Directors on advancing the cause and scope of PASF for the Santa Barbara community. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Voice Performance from Bob Jones University in South Carolina. Her voice teachers include Frances White, Christa Gingery Habegger, Agatha Carubia, Val Underwood and Victoria Hart. Her vocal coaches include John Ballerino and Armen Guzelimian.
She has studied acting with The Frisch Studio (2007-2018), American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles (2010) and John Randle Actor’s Bootcamp. She has had coachings and master classes with Chuck Hudson (NYC and LA) in movement and acting for opera.
Ms. Bertling has extensive stage experience and has sung in concerts and operas with Opera Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Opera. Locally, she is a part of Out of The Box Theatre Company, performing in many musical theater shows with them. She has also performed with Ensemble Theater Company, Santa Barbara Theatre Company and Speaking of Stories. She has several film credits, has done voice over work for commercials, film and podcasts.
Ms. Bertling is also Vice President of CAMA (Community Arts Music Association), President of CAMA’s Women’s Board and serves as a docent in area schools with CAMA’s Music Matters.
Kristine Pacheco-Bernt
Ms. Pacheco-Bernt is a local violin teacher with private students, as well as training in the El Sistema style of music education. Her experience includes ICAN (Incredible Children’s Art Network) of Santa Barbara, 2014-2016, Music Director for Mariachi Monarquitas de Goleta (2014-2018), and Violin Teaching Artist with Santa Barbara Symphony Music Education Center (2013-present).
She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Premedical Studies from UC Berkeley in 2008, then went on to earn her Masters of Music degree at San Francisco State University in Violin Performance 2012. She has performed with Bay Area Rainbow Symphony, UCSB Symphony Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony, Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale Orchestra, Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo Symphony, and Santa Maria Philharmonic.
Neil DiMaggio
As a professional and collaborative pianist, Neil DiMaggio has enjoyed performances with many local professional groups. He is a performer and private piano instructor, an instructor for Westmont Academy for Young Artists, Collaborative Pianist for Santa Barbara Music Club and Westmont College Choir. He is an active member of Music Teacher’s Association of California (MTAC) a nd Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA).
DiMaggio earned his Bachelor of Music, Piano Performance (Summa Cum Laude) from San Jose State University. He earned his Master of Music, Piano Performance degree from San Francisco Conservatory of Music, focusing on Solo Piano, Harpsichord, and Musicology. He then earned his Master of Music, Collaborative Piano from University of California, Santa Barbara, focusing study in Collaborative Piano, Solo Piano, Ensemble for Contemporary Music, Musicology, and Diction.
DiMaggio is Children’s Church Leader for Santa Barbara Community Church, a Scoutmaster for Boy Scouts, Troop 4, Goleta, and serves the community as a pianist for hospitals, retirement homes and the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission.
Erin Bonski-Evans
Erin Bonski is a prolific pianist and collaborative artist, serving on the faculties of Westmont College and Santa Barbara City College in California. Erin is the resident coach and repetiteur for Ensemble Theatre Company, and Assistant Conductor for the Santa Barbara Master Chorale. She frequently works with the Santa Barbara Symphony and has performed internationally with the award-winning Forever Tango Orchestra for Dancing with the Stars. Her students win top prizes in local and regional competitions. Erin has recorded the piano works of Dr. Earl Louis Stewart, and performs regularly in concerts along the Central California Coast. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music at Bowling Green University, her Master’s of Music in Piano Pedagogy and Accompaniment at Bowling Green and her Doctorate of Music in Piano Performance at University of California, Santa Barbara.
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