Kyla Williams, Executive Director
Kyla Page Williams has always had a passion for music. She began her formal training at the tender age of 6, when she started singing in her school’s choir. All throughout grade school, she seized every opportunity to raise her voice and share her love of music. Eventually, she refined her technique at Westminster Choir College, earning a B.A. in Music, with a concentration in Voice. As a classically trained opera singer, she has graced many stages in recitals, operas, and musicals. Notable opera performances include Carmen in Bizet’s Carmen, Dorabella in Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte, and is a part of the prestigious LA Opera Chorus.
When not on stage, she participates in growing programs dedicated to the Arts. She has made considerable behind-the-scenes efforts with programming, fundraising, and marketing, most notably during her internship with the Princeton Arts Council. She has honed her managerial skills as a staff manager and client liaison for many events in and around Hollywood. Her love of music has also inspired her to help others find their own voices. She ran a very successful preschool program, Music with Kyla for over 5hrs, she currently coaches singers in all stages of their careers. Kyla has a gift for working with children and supporting them as they grow into vocal maturity. She is looking forward to continuing the rich legacy of the San Fernando Valley Youth Chorus.
Samuel Avila (he/they),
Artistic Director
Samuel Avila is a professional vocalist and choral conductor based in Los Angeles. Samuel received his Bachelors of Music in Choral Music at the USC Thornton School of Music. Since graduating, Samuel has had the opportunity to perform around the world on tour and sing with notable artists that include Pentatonix, The Eagles, VOCES8, and David Archuleta. Last year, Samuel was a featured vocalist on the Grammy-nominated single by Scott Hoying titled, “Rose Without a Thorn”.
Currently, Samuel is contracted vocalist for several ensembles including Tonality, Long Beach Camerata Singers, and San Gabriel Valley Choral Community. As well as serves as the Tenor section leader for Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church and the National Children’s Chorus. Finally, Samuel made his opera debut in the world premiere workshop presentation of Sally Ride, composed by Dana Kaufman.
When Samuel is not performing, he is a full time choir teacher who works with several different children’s organizations and schools including the National Children’s Choir Senior division, New Academy in Canoga Park, Compton High School, and of course, the San Fernando Valley Youth Chorus.
Samuel is so grateful and ECSTATIC to serve as your Artistic Director for the 25/26 season and to give back to the amazing community that has given him so much. Cheers to incredible music-making and community building this year!
Marla Lowrey,
Choral Director & Vocal Coach
Soprano Marla Lowrey has studied music from a very young age, learning piano, flute, and guitar before discovering the beauty of choral and solo singing. She has performed with a wide variety of vocal and theater ensembles, including opera, musical theater, chamber choir, liturgical, and acapella ensembles. Most recently, she was a featured soprano soloist for Carmina Burana, in collaboration with the LA Winds, as well as a highlighted soloist for Cabaret in the Valley! Gala Night, and the world premiere of Nightmare and the Dream. She is the Assistant Executive Director of the San Fernando Valley Master Chorale and regularly performs with SFVMC and their outreach ensemble, the Cadenzas. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, she was a soloist and section leader with the prestigious Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble, in Austin, Texas, for many years, as well as numerous other vocal, choral, and theater groups. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music (Vocal Performance) at Boston College in 2000 and her Master’s Degree in Music Education at the University of Texas - Austin, in 2004.
Originally from New Haven, Connecticut, she is thoroughly enjoying working here in the Valley with SFVYC. She is honored to serve as the Director of Kinder Choir and Vocal Coaching for SFVYC. During the pandemic, she spearheaded the Vocal Coaching program to extend SFVYC’s mission of providing opportunities for artistic growth through music to children of all backgrounds. She relishes introducing all ages to the beauty of vocal music and building confidence in young singers. This year she created a new Tiny Tunes class for our littlest singers at SFVYC, where she engages young children through music, movement, and song! She also enjoys teaching community and preschool music classes, individualized voice lessons, as well as university-level introductory courses in Music Theory, Piano, and Musicology.
John Bergquist,
Collaborative Pianist
Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, John migrated to the San Fernando Valley in 2020 amidst the chaos of the Covid-19 pandemic. He holds a BM in Choral Education and an MM in Choral Conducting from the University of Utah. He is currently the Associate Artistic Director of the San Fernando Valley Master Chorale and sings with the Pacific Chorale, the Contemporary Choral Collective of Los Angeles and Tonality. John is the Director of Music and Technology at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Studio City. He is excited to be the new collaborative keyboardist for the San Fernando Valley Youth Chorus. His portfolio is available at JohnBergquistMusic.com.
Seth Bowser,
Music Teacher & Collaborative Pianist
Seth Bowser is a vocalist and pianist who has taught both privately and in the classroom setting. He has degrees in music performance, music composition and music theory, and he has directed and accompanied choirs in the LA area for the past 11 years. He lives in NoHo with his wife, Katya, their two daughters Melody (8) and Marisol (14 months), and their dog and cat. He is very excited to make music with the San Fernando Valley Youth Chorus community!
