Nick Benavides
Nick is a native of Albuquerque, NM and has been living in San Francisco since 2010. A graduate of Santa Clara University, he has studied composition under Jack Perla and continues to write and perform both classical and jazz music. Nick recently finished commissions by the California Catholic Women’s Forum for two pieces (including the title track) for their tribute CD to the Virgin Mary, Tota Pulchra, and has completed and recorded a senior recital at SCU consisting of his music.
He has also written music for Musae, a women’s vocal ensemble, and has had his music performed by members of the International Contemporary Ensemble. Nick has attended two levels of Walden School’s Teacher Training Institute and one summer of Walden School’s Creative Musician’s Retreat, and is a firm believer that musicianship can be just as fun as playing an instrument or singing (of which he does both). His music can be heard at www.nickbenavides.com
Erika Hight
Erika is a Bay Area native who recently graduated from the music program at Santa Clara University. Her studies there included solfege and rhythms training from Pat Plude and theory classes with Pam Quist, which she followed with three levels of the Walden School’s Teacher Training Institute.
Along with a BA in Music from SCU, Erika received her Level 1 Certification from Walden after completing a 10 month practicum on incorporating the Walden philosophy and musicianship into vocal pedagogy.
Erika has taught voice in some capacity for the past three years, and now has a small studio in the San Jose area. She is also currently directing a small Sunnyvale choir called Continental Harmony, and heading the sound design for her fiance’s upcoming video game.
