Meet the teachers
Cindy Cress has taught KidCo since it's first year in 1998. She graduated from HSU with her BA in Music and a minor in theater. Cindy has directed the program and multiple of its main stage productions, including Alice in Wonderland Jr and Once Upon a Mattress. She has appeared in many HLOC productions including her performance of Minerva (stepsister) in Cinderella, Ruth in Pirates of Penzance (20), the Dragon in Shrek (2013) and Mad Margaret in Ruddigore (2017). Cindy teaches with KidCo because it combines the three things that she loves most; musical theater, children, and community values. Inspiring children to do great thing through the arts is her passion. Cindy shares her amazing life journey with her six beautiful daughters!
IN addition to teaching KidCo classes, Cindy does teach privately!
*Private music lessons-ages 5-7
An hour fun combined with piano basics, vocal training and theory
*Private voice lessons-ages 8+
An hour of vocal training, ear training and theory
Amy Chalfant, Instructor/Accompanist/Music Director
Born in Fresno California, Amy has a B.A in Music Education with a vocal emphasis and a Single Subject Teaching Credential in music from Humboldt State University. During the day, she teaches music at North Coast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy in Arcata. Amy has been with KidCo since 2009 as a lead teacher, music director, and accompanist. She has been the music director for several KidCo productions, most recently The Little Mermaid Jr. Amy loves being on stage herself with recent roles such as Diana in HLOC’s I Love You Because and Lucy in NCRT’s You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Amy teaches private voice lessons from her home in whatever time she has to spare. She loves the work she does with KidCo and enjoys seeing children build confidence and be able to express themselves and show off their talents on stage.
Private Voice- all levels- Ages 8+up
Contact: amychalfant87@gmail.com or (707) 627-4756
Carol Ryder, Instructor/Private Voice
Carol has taught voice and choir at both HSU and CR , as well as in the community. She has directed over 35 musicals including Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Pirates of Penzance and the classics Little Women and Jane Eyre. Most recently she has directed Shrek and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Carol holds degrees in theatre (MA) and music (BA) focusing on music theatre performance and production. Before returning to Humboldt County, she worked with the San Francisco Opera Merola Program, Music Academy of the West, and Roundabout Theatre in NYC. Carol has been HLOC’s Artistic Producing Director since 1995.
Private Voice-previous voice experience required-Ages 12 +up
Contact: mcryder@humboldt1.com
Katri Pitts, Instructor
Katri received her B.A. in Music Education and Vocal Performance in 2003 and her teaching credential in music in 2004 (HSU). Katri received her Level 1 Orff-Schulwerk training at the Vandercook College of Music in Chicago in 2014. Katri directs a full time music program at the Cutten-Ridgewood School District where she teaches K-6 general music as well as band, orchestra, and choir. In 2014 she received the Music Educator of the Year Award for the North Coast Section of the California Music Educators Association. Katri has been an instructor with KidCo and the Humboldt Music Academy since 2001. She directed the KidCo program from 2005-2010. Katri directed “Honk! Jr.” in 2007 and “Sleeping Beauty” in 2013. She was the choreographer for “Seussical the Musical Jr.” in 2009. Katri has also served as musical director for many HLOC shows. Katri has appeared as a performer with HLOC since 2000. Her most recent performances have been as Cinderella in “Cinderella” (2012) and a dancer in “Shrek the Musical” (2013). Katri has provided private voice instruction for youth in the community since 2002. Katri has training in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance and currently dances at Trillium Dance Studios.
Contact: musikat6@yahoo.com
Fiona Ryder, KidCo Administrator/Private Voice
Fiona was a KidCo student in its first 10 years and is delighted to help make the KidCo experience possible for new generations. Over the years, she has been seen as Dorothy in Wizard of Oz (2008), Clara in Light in the Piazza (2009), Mabel in Pirates of Penzance (2010), and Mary in Mary Poppins (2015). After attending Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute and receiving her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon in 2012, she returned to the area to continue her involvement with the loving arts community she feels lucky to call home. She is honored to foster the magic of musical education by taking care of KidCo communications and assisting and guest teaching in classes.
Private Voice - All levels - Ages 9 +up
Contact: kidco@hloc.org
Melissa Hinz, Dance Instructor
Melissa grew up training and performing with the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre in Montana before earning a full scholarship to study at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. After two years in Chicago she spent seven years in New York City working professionally as a dancer and musical theatre performer. Favorite performance credits include the national tour of Will Rogers Follies and the following regional productions: Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), 42nd Street, Crazy For You, South Pacific, Mary Poppins, Annie Get Your Gun, Damn Yankees, Gypsy Love, Kismet and many dance performances in NYC. While in NYC Melissa continued her training at Steps on Broadway, The Broadway Dance Center, Circle In The Square, and The Broadway Theatre Project directed by Ann Reinking. She also received her yoga-teaching certification from Laughing Lotus NYC.
Since moving to Humboldt County to live with the love of her life she's become a choreographer, teacher, producer, and director. Favorite choreography, credits for the Humboldt Light Opera Company: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Mary Poppins, and Damn Yankees; for North Coast Dance: The Wizard Of Oz, West Side Story Excerpts, and many original works; and a flash Mob for a birthday surprise. She won best in her category at VIBE 2016, Vienna International Ballet Experience, where she was also on the teaching faculty. She’s the co-producer for Dancing Stars of Humboldt and is looking forward to choreographing Singing in the Rain at Arcata High. For private lessons contact KidCo.
Julie Eccles-Benson, Instructor
Julie is a professional actor and an Associate Artist with the California Shakespeare Theatre. She received her B.A. in Theatre Arts from U.C. Davis and did her post graduate work at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She has worked for professional theatres companies up and down the West Coast including Seattle Rep., American Conservatory Theatre, Berkeley Rep., and San Jose Rep., as well as theatres on the East Coast and in England. Julie has taught acting for the California Shakespeare Theatre and Colorado College.
Rosie Sharkey
Rosie began performing in musicals at 6 years old. She studied jazz and tap dance at Marie Stinnett Dance in Campbell, CA for more than 10 years in addition to participating in many productions with Children's Musial Theatre of San Jose, and American Musical Theatre of San Jose (formerly SJCLO). Rosie eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. In the Los Angeles area, she continued her dance education at many studios, including Millennium Dance Complex, where she was a regular substitute teacher for tap and jazz dance classes. Rosie performed and choreographed professionally around California until her career as a reality television producer eclipsed dance in her life. After moving to Humboldt in 2016, she is thrilled to find a return to her favorite art form and is excited to pass strong technique and deep performance knowledge on to others. For more information check out her website at www.fearlessfootwork.com.
IN addition to teaching KidCo classes, Cindy does teach privately!
*Private music lessons-ages 5-7
An hour fun combined with piano basics, vocal training and theory
*Private voice lessons-ages 8+
An hour of vocal training, ear training and theory
Amy Chalfant, Instructor/Accompanist/Music Director
Born in Fresno California, Amy has a B.A in Music Education with a vocal emphasis and a Single Subject Teaching Credential in music from Humboldt State University. During the day, she teaches music at North Coast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy in Arcata. Amy has been with KidCo since 2009 as a lead teacher, music director, and accompanist. She has been the music director for several KidCo productions, most recently The Little Mermaid Jr. Amy loves being on stage herself with recent roles such as Diana in HLOC’s I Love You Because and Lucy in NCRT’s You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Amy teaches private voice lessons from her home in whatever time she has to spare. She loves the work she does with KidCo and enjoys seeing children build confidence and be able to express themselves and show off their talents on stage.
Private Voice- all levels- Ages 8+up
Contact: amychalfant87@gmail.com or (707) 627-4756
Carol Ryder, Instructor/Private Voice
Carol has taught voice and choir at both HSU and CR , as well as in the community. She has directed over 35 musicals including Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Pirates of Penzance and the classics Little Women and Jane Eyre. Most recently she has directed Shrek and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Carol holds degrees in theatre (MA) and music (BA) focusing on music theatre performance and production. Before returning to Humboldt County, she worked with the San Francisco Opera Merola Program, Music Academy of the West, and Roundabout Theatre in NYC. Carol has been HLOC’s Artistic Producing Director since 1995.
Private Voice-previous voice experience required-Ages 12 +up
Contact: mcryder@humboldt1.com
Katri Pitts, Instructor
Katri received her B.A. in Music Education and Vocal Performance in 2003 and her teaching credential in music in 2004 (HSU). Katri received her Level 1 Orff-Schulwerk training at the Vandercook College of Music in Chicago in 2014. Katri directs a full time music program at the Cutten-Ridgewood School District where she teaches K-6 general music as well as band, orchestra, and choir. In 2014 she received the Music Educator of the Year Award for the North Coast Section of the California Music Educators Association. Katri has been an instructor with KidCo and the Humboldt Music Academy since 2001. She directed the KidCo program from 2005-2010. Katri directed “Honk! Jr.” in 2007 and “Sleeping Beauty” in 2013. She was the choreographer for “Seussical the Musical Jr.” in 2009. Katri has also served as musical director for many HLOC shows. Katri has appeared as a performer with HLOC since 2000. Her most recent performances have been as Cinderella in “Cinderella” (2012) and a dancer in “Shrek the Musical” (2013). Katri has provided private voice instruction for youth in the community since 2002. Katri has training in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dance and currently dances at Trillium Dance Studios.
Contact: musikat6@yahoo.com
Fiona Ryder, KidCo Administrator/Private Voice
Fiona was a KidCo student in its first 10 years and is delighted to help make the KidCo experience possible for new generations. Over the years, she has been seen as Dorothy in Wizard of Oz (2008), Clara in Light in the Piazza (2009), Mabel in Pirates of Penzance (2010), and Mary in Mary Poppins (2015). After attending Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute and receiving her BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon in 2012, she returned to the area to continue her involvement with the loving arts community she feels lucky to call home. She is honored to foster the magic of musical education by taking care of KidCo communications and assisting and guest teaching in classes.
Private Voice - All levels - Ages 9 +up
Contact: kidco@hloc.org
Melissa Hinz, Dance Instructor
Melissa grew up training and performing with the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre in Montana before earning a full scholarship to study at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. After two years in Chicago she spent seven years in New York City working professionally as a dancer and musical theatre performer. Favorite performance credits include the national tour of Will Rogers Follies and the following regional productions: Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), 42nd Street, Crazy For You, South Pacific, Mary Poppins, Annie Get Your Gun, Damn Yankees, Gypsy Love, Kismet and many dance performances in NYC. While in NYC Melissa continued her training at Steps on Broadway, The Broadway Dance Center, Circle In The Square, and The Broadway Theatre Project directed by Ann Reinking. She also received her yoga-teaching certification from Laughing Lotus NYC.
Since moving to Humboldt County to live with the love of her life she's become a choreographer, teacher, producer, and director. Favorite choreography, credits for the Humboldt Light Opera Company: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Mary Poppins, and Damn Yankees; for North Coast Dance: The Wizard Of Oz, West Side Story Excerpts, and many original works; and a flash Mob for a birthday surprise. She won best in her category at VIBE 2016, Vienna International Ballet Experience, where she was also on the teaching faculty. She’s the co-producer for Dancing Stars of Humboldt and is looking forward to choreographing Singing in the Rain at Arcata High. For private lessons contact KidCo.
Julie Eccles-Benson, Instructor
Julie is a professional actor and an Associate Artist with the California Shakespeare Theatre. She received her B.A. in Theatre Arts from U.C. Davis and did her post graduate work at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She has worked for professional theatres companies up and down the West Coast including Seattle Rep., American Conservatory Theatre, Berkeley Rep., and San Jose Rep., as well as theatres on the East Coast and in England. Julie has taught acting for the California Shakespeare Theatre and Colorado College.
Rosie Sharkey
Rosie began performing in musicals at 6 years old. She studied jazz and tap dance at Marie Stinnett Dance in Campbell, CA for more than 10 years in addition to participating in many productions with Children's Musial Theatre of San Jose, and American Musical Theatre of San Jose (formerly SJCLO). Rosie eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. In the Los Angeles area, she continued her dance education at many studios, including Millennium Dance Complex, where she was a regular substitute teacher for tap and jazz dance classes. Rosie performed and choreographed professionally around California until her career as a reality television producer eclipsed dance in her life. After moving to Humboldt in 2016, she is thrilled to find a return to her favorite art form and is excited to pass strong technique and deep performance knowledge on to others. For more information check out her website at www.fearlessfootwork.com.