Our Staff
Stephanie Charbonneau, Artistic Director
Stephanie is the Artistic Director for Spectrum Choral Academy and Northwest Choir Camps. She has extensive experience and training as a choir director of children and youth ages 5 to 20. She is also a trained Music Together® instructor (early childhood music program for newborns through age 5). She has proven herself a creative and inspirational teacher and choral conductor, with her students frequently becoming section leaders of their school choirs, participating in honor choirs, holding lead roles in musicals, going on to major in Music Education, Music Performance and Theater Arts in college and becoming professional choir directors, music teachers and performers. Stephanie has a passion for both directing choirs and developing choir-related programs. Stephanie began studying piano and singing in choirs at the age of 3 and now has over 30 years teaching experience. She is a 2002 graduate of Pacific Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. She was the Founding Artistic Director of Cappella Choirs in Port Orchard, WA and served in that position for 10 years, from 1998 through 2008. Stephanie also served as Associate for Children's and Youth Choirs at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue from 2004-2012. In that position, she directed Good News Group (grades 4-7) and accompanied Bel Canto (grades 8-12), while planning tours for Bel Canto to California and Costa Rica. Stephanie also maintains an active studio of 40 private piano & voice students.
In 2007, Stephanie had thyroid surgery which inadvertently resulted in paralysis of her left vocal cord. An additional surgery was done to insert a prosthesis, allowing the paralyzed vocal cord to still function. While Stephanie's voice sounds different now, she is grateful to be able to sing and speak well enough to continue her work of inspiring youth through music.
Stephanie is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association. Her choirs have toured to Austria & The Czech Republic (2025), The United Kingdom (Scotland & England in 2018), Italy (2016), PICCFEST (Eugene, OR), the Pacific Rim Children's Chorus Festival (Honolulu, HI), the Manhattan Concert Productions Festival (Carnegie Hall - New York, NW) and multiple trips to festivals in California.
Stephanie has over 25 years experience planning successful choir camps, festivals and tours including the Fort Worden Children's Choir Festival, Youth Choir Festival Northwest, Northwest Choir Camps and Gig Harbor SINGS! She lives in Port Orchard, WA with her two musically talented teens who are also involved in Spectrum.
Stephanie is the Artistic Director for Spectrum Choral Academy and Northwest Choir Camps. She has extensive experience and training as a choir director of children and youth ages 5 to 20. She is also a trained Music Together® instructor (early childhood music program for newborns through age 5). She has proven herself a creative and inspirational teacher and choral conductor, with her students frequently becoming section leaders of their school choirs, participating in honor choirs, holding lead roles in musicals, going on to major in Music Education, Music Performance and Theater Arts in college and becoming professional choir directors, music teachers and performers. Stephanie has a passion for both directing choirs and developing choir-related programs. Stephanie began studying piano and singing in choirs at the age of 3 and now has over 30 years teaching experience. She is a 2002 graduate of Pacific Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance. She was the Founding Artistic Director of Cappella Choirs in Port Orchard, WA and served in that position for 10 years, from 1998 through 2008. Stephanie also served as Associate for Children's and Youth Choirs at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue from 2004-2012. In that position, she directed Good News Group (grades 4-7) and accompanied Bel Canto (grades 8-12), while planning tours for Bel Canto to California and Costa Rica. Stephanie also maintains an active studio of 40 private piano & voice students.
In 2007, Stephanie had thyroid surgery which inadvertently resulted in paralysis of her left vocal cord. An additional surgery was done to insert a prosthesis, allowing the paralyzed vocal cord to still function. While Stephanie's voice sounds different now, she is grateful to be able to sing and speak well enough to continue her work of inspiring youth through music.
Stephanie is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association. Her choirs have toured to Austria & The Czech Republic (2025), The United Kingdom (Scotland & England in 2018), Italy (2016), PICCFEST (Eugene, OR), the Pacific Rim Children's Chorus Festival (Honolulu, HI), the Manhattan Concert Productions Festival (Carnegie Hall - New York, NW) and multiple trips to festivals in California.
Stephanie has over 25 years experience planning successful choir camps, festivals and tours including the Fort Worden Children's Choir Festival, Youth Choir Festival Northwest, Northwest Choir Camps and Gig Harbor SINGS! She lives in Port Orchard, WA with her two musically talented teens who are also involved in Spectrum.
Julie Mandery, Accompanist & Music Theory Instructor
Julie is an experienced musician and educator who loves exploring music with kids of all ages. Julie grew up in Kitsap County, Washington, studying piano and participating in school band for many years. She went on to complete her BA in Music in 2003 at Thomas Edison State College. After teaching private piano lessons for many years, Julie completed her Masters degree in elementary education and currently teaches music at Discovery Elementary School in Gig Harbor. She has completed Orff Levels 1 & 2 and Kodaly Level 1.
Julie and Stephanie have worked together for over 20 years - first with Cappella Choirs and now Spectrum Choral Academy, Northwest Choir Camps and Youth Choir Festival NW. Julie is the lead collaborate pianist / accompanist / advanced theory instructor for all choirs and takes on the role of Accompanist at Youth Choir Festival NW. Her daughter also sings in Spectrum Youth Chorus. Julie and her daughter, Maddy, also toured with Spectrum to Austria & The Czech Republic in 2025!
Julie is an experienced musician and educator who loves exploring music with kids of all ages. Julie grew up in Kitsap County, Washington, studying piano and participating in school band for many years. She went on to complete her BA in Music in 2003 at Thomas Edison State College. After teaching private piano lessons for many years, Julie completed her Masters degree in elementary education and currently teaches music at Discovery Elementary School in Gig Harbor. She has completed Orff Levels 1 & 2 and Kodaly Level 1.
Julie and Stephanie have worked together for over 20 years - first with Cappella Choirs and now Spectrum Choral Academy, Northwest Choir Camps and Youth Choir Festival NW. Julie is the lead collaborate pianist / accompanist / advanced theory instructor for all choirs and takes on the role of Accompanist at Youth Choir Festival NW. Her daughter also sings in Spectrum Youth Chorus. Julie and her daughter, Maddy, also toured with Spectrum to Austria & The Czech Republic in 2025!
Becca Kaaukai, Administrative Assistant
Becca is the Administrative Assistant for Spectrum Choral Academy, Northwest Choir Camps and Youth Choir Festival NW. A lifelong choral singer and musician, Becca sang soprano under the direction of Mike Allen as part of South Kitsap High School Concert Choir, Chamber Choir & Highlighters. During her time in Highlighters they attend the 2001 Montreax Jass Festival and won the Mt Hood Jazz Festival competition in 2001. She then continued singing with Olympic College in Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble 2, Chamber Choir and Jazzline. Becca also performed the role of Susanna in Olympic College's production of Marriage of Figaro in 2003, toured to Thailand in 2004 and was a Music & Academic Scholarship recipient from 2002-2004. Becca currently sings with Spectrum Accord!
Becca was accepted to University of Washington's Music Department for classical voice performance study, but decided to change her major, graduating with her Bachelor of Applied Science in Sociology in 2006. She then completed her MBA in Global Management in 2010.
Becca has worked with Stephanie and her choir programs, festivals and camps from summer 2000 to present. She has worked in every possible capacity as staff and volunteer including camp counselor, chaperone, volunteer, rehearsals coordinator, festival staff, voice coach, section leader, theory instructor and administrative. She worked for various companies in administrative support from 2002-2016, then left her fulltime career to be a stay-at-home homeschooling mama to her daughter who sings in Children's Chorus.
Becca is the Administrative Assistant for Spectrum Choral Academy, Northwest Choir Camps and Youth Choir Festival NW. A lifelong choral singer and musician, Becca sang soprano under the direction of Mike Allen as part of South Kitsap High School Concert Choir, Chamber Choir & Highlighters. During her time in Highlighters they attend the 2001 Montreax Jass Festival and won the Mt Hood Jazz Festival competition in 2001. She then continued singing with Olympic College in Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble 2, Chamber Choir and Jazzline. Becca also performed the role of Susanna in Olympic College's production of Marriage of Figaro in 2003, toured to Thailand in 2004 and was a Music & Academic Scholarship recipient from 2002-2004. Becca currently sings with Spectrum Accord!
Becca was accepted to University of Washington's Music Department for classical voice performance study, but decided to change her major, graduating with her Bachelor of Applied Science in Sociology in 2006. She then completed her MBA in Global Management in 2010.
Becca has worked with Stephanie and her choir programs, festivals and camps from summer 2000 to present. She has worked in every possible capacity as staff and volunteer including camp counselor, chaperone, volunteer, rehearsals coordinator, festival staff, voice coach, section leader, theory instructor and administrative. She worked for various companies in administrative support from 2002-2016, then left her fulltime career to be a stay-at-home homeschooling mama to her daughter who sings in Children's Chorus.
Tyler Stojack, Children's Chorus Accompanist & Theory Instructor
Tyler comes from a large family of musicians, and has always exhibited a persistent love for music. He attended his first Fort Worden Children’s Choir Festival at 9 days old. Singing before he could speak, he started music classes at 9 months and after begging to play the violin, began private lessons at the age of 3 years. Tyler started singing in choir at the age of 4 as part of Choir Club (the precursor of Spectrum Choral Academy). Tyler was a founding member of Spectrum Children’s Chorus and has been singing in choir ever since, working his way through all four choir levels. He has attended every Fort Worden Children’s Choir Festival, Youth Choir Festival NW, NW Choir Camps Honor Choir Summer Camp, Spectrum Day Camp since 2007. Tyler was also selected to sing with the NW ACDA Honor Choir in Portland in 2018 and toured with Spectrum to Italy (2016), the United Kingdom (2018), and Austria & The Czech Republic (2025).
Tyler was a member of Tacoma Youth Symphony throughout highschool and studied private violin lessons with Mary Manning of Gig Harbor. Tyler is also a lifelong pianist, having played piano from the moment he could walk, and now accompanies the choir. He is also bass section leader for Youth Chorus, sings in Accord and plays in the Spectrum “ukulele choir” as needed for concerts and special events. In addition to his many musical pursuits, Tyler has also coached for Harbor Aquatics Club (his favorite stroke is butterfly!), teaches beginning swim lessons, teaches private piano lessons and is currently working towards his Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering Degree through WSU Bremerton campus. Tyler has a passion for fitness, nutrition and researching topics pertaining to political history.
Tyler comes from a large family of musicians, and has always exhibited a persistent love for music. He attended his first Fort Worden Children’s Choir Festival at 9 days old. Singing before he could speak, he started music classes at 9 months and after begging to play the violin, began private lessons at the age of 3 years. Tyler started singing in choir at the age of 4 as part of Choir Club (the precursor of Spectrum Choral Academy). Tyler was a founding member of Spectrum Children’s Chorus and has been singing in choir ever since, working his way through all four choir levels. He has attended every Fort Worden Children’s Choir Festival, Youth Choir Festival NW, NW Choir Camps Honor Choir Summer Camp, Spectrum Day Camp since 2007. Tyler was also selected to sing with the NW ACDA Honor Choir in Portland in 2018 and toured with Spectrum to Italy (2016), the United Kingdom (2018), and Austria & The Czech Republic (2025).
Tyler was a member of Tacoma Youth Symphony throughout highschool and studied private violin lessons with Mary Manning of Gig Harbor. Tyler is also a lifelong pianist, having played piano from the moment he could walk, and now accompanies the choir. He is also bass section leader for Youth Chorus, sings in Accord and plays in the Spectrum “ukulele choir” as needed for concerts and special events. In addition to his many musical pursuits, Tyler has also coached for Harbor Aquatics Club (his favorite stroke is butterfly!), teaches beginning swim lessons, teaches private piano lessons and is currently working towards his Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering Degree through WSU Bremerton campus. Tyler has a passion for fitness, nutrition and researching topics pertaining to political history.
Kimberly Schneider, Accord Accompanist
Kimberly has been playing the piano since the age of 4. Along the way she also learned to play the violin, percussion, and organ on a fabulous pipe organ in her hometown in Northern California, and as a teen started playing piano and organ for my church. She attended Southern Adventist University in Tennessee where she had the opportunity to accompany voice students in the school of music department, and has continued to accompany musicians over the years. Kimberly worked for many years as a dental hygienist and currently homeschools her two boys full time. She also plays percussion with the Gig Harbor Civic Orchestra, and piano and organ for her church. She also taught music theory classes for our 2025 Gig Harbor SINGS! camp. Music is her favorite way of connecting with people!
Kimberly has been playing the piano since the age of 4. Along the way she also learned to play the violin, percussion, and organ on a fabulous pipe organ in her hometown in Northern California, and as a teen started playing piano and organ for my church. She attended Southern Adventist University in Tennessee where she had the opportunity to accompany voice students in the school of music department, and has continued to accompany musicians over the years. Kimberly worked for many years as a dental hygienist and currently homeschools her two boys full time. She also plays percussion with the Gig Harbor Civic Orchestra, and piano and organ for her church. She also taught music theory classes for our 2025 Gig Harbor SINGS! camp. Music is her favorite way of connecting with people!
Becca Balstad, Music Theory Instructor
Megan Edmonds, Music Theory Instructor & Section Leader
Megan has a passion for the arts. She’s taken part in several plays and musicals, and she’s been singing in choir since 2015. In 2022, she joined Spectrum Youth Chorus, then Ensemble the following season. In addition to performing at every concert and festival throughout the season, Megan has staffed the Gig Harbor SINGS! day camps and worked as a counselor at the NW Choir Camps Honor Choir Summer Camp the last two years. Megan also toured to Austria and The Czech Republic with Spectrum in 2025!
In addition to her creative endeavors, Megan has always been active. She has been swimming since kindergarten and was proud to letter during her very first year on the South Kitsap High School swim team. She’s also had fun playing volleyball and soccer throughout middle and high school. Having lived in Indiana, Florida, Hawaii, and now Washington, Megan has gathered a wide range of experiences that shape who she is today—bringing energy, creativity, and heart to everything she does
Megan has a passion for the arts. She’s taken part in several plays and musicals, and she’s been singing in choir since 2015. In 2022, she joined Spectrum Youth Chorus, then Ensemble the following season. In addition to performing at every concert and festival throughout the season, Megan has staffed the Gig Harbor SINGS! day camps and worked as a counselor at the NW Choir Camps Honor Choir Summer Camp the last two years. Megan also toured to Austria and The Czech Republic with Spectrum in 2025!
In addition to her creative endeavors, Megan has always been active. She has been swimming since kindergarten and was proud to letter during her very first year on the South Kitsap High School swim team. She’s also had fun playing volleyball and soccer throughout middle and high school. Having lived in Indiana, Florida, Hawaii, and now Washington, Megan has gathered a wide range of experiences that shape who she is today—bringing energy, creativity, and heart to everything she does
Maggie Kapes, Music Theory Instructor & Section Leader
From the age of 8, Maggie has been involved in the world of music, beginning with her first choir experience that ignited her passion for singing and performing. Maggie joined Spectrum in 2017, and has sung in Youth Chorus, Ensemble and Accord over the years. She has also participated in the Fort Worden Children's Choir Festival, Youth Choir Festival NW and attended NW Choir Camps Honor Choir Summer Camp as a camper and counselor. Maggie also staffs the Gig Harbor SINGS! camp as a music theory instructor and lead counselor.
Alongside her musical pursuits, Maggie finds joy in her role as a swim instructor at the YMCA, where she instills confidence and water safety skills in young children with enthusiasm. Her years of musical training combined with her nurturing spirit as a swim instructor reflect her commitment to both arts and education. Maggie enjoys sharing her love of music with younger singers and campers - fostering creativity, and inspiring the next generation of young musicians. Maggie is currently working towards a degree in education.
From the age of 8, Maggie has been involved in the world of music, beginning with her first choir experience that ignited her passion for singing and performing. Maggie joined Spectrum in 2017, and has sung in Youth Chorus, Ensemble and Accord over the years. She has also participated in the Fort Worden Children's Choir Festival, Youth Choir Festival NW and attended NW Choir Camps Honor Choir Summer Camp as a camper and counselor. Maggie also staffs the Gig Harbor SINGS! camp as a music theory instructor and lead counselor.
Alongside her musical pursuits, Maggie finds joy in her role as a swim instructor at the YMCA, where she instills confidence and water safety skills in young children with enthusiasm. Her years of musical training combined with her nurturing spirit as a swim instructor reflect her commitment to both arts and education. Maggie enjoys sharing her love of music with younger singers and campers - fostering creativity, and inspiring the next generation of young musicians. Maggie is currently working towards a degree in education.
Olivia Stojack, Music Theory Instructor
Olivia grew up as the Spectrum "mascot" - attending every choir rehearsal, festival and camp since before she could walk. She started out as the youngest Children's Chorus member - performing on stage at age 4 - and currently helps staff or sing in all four Spectrum choirs! She loves to travel - especially with choir friends - and has been part of all three international Spectrum choir tours to Italy, the UK and Austria & The Czech Republic. She began teaching music theory at the 2025 Gig Harbor SINGS! Camp. In addition to her passion for choir, Olivia plays the piano, ukulele and is teaching herself guitar. She also loves art and photography. Olivia rides her horse, Fraulein Emerelda, at least five days a week. They love jumping obstacles, taking trail rides through Banner Forest and going fox hunting as members of the Woodbrook Hunt Club.
Olivia grew up as the Spectrum "mascot" - attending every choir rehearsal, festival and camp since before she could walk. She started out as the youngest Children's Chorus member - performing on stage at age 4 - and currently helps staff or sing in all four Spectrum choirs! She loves to travel - especially with choir friends - and has been part of all three international Spectrum choir tours to Italy, the UK and Austria & The Czech Republic. She began teaching music theory at the 2025 Gig Harbor SINGS! Camp. In addition to her passion for choir, Olivia plays the piano, ukulele and is teaching herself guitar. She also loves art and photography. Olivia rides her horse, Fraulein Emerelda, at least five days a week. They love jumping obstacles, taking trail rides through Banner Forest and going fox hunting as members of the Woodbrook Hunt Club.