Chans

A San Diego native Filipino – American, Chans grew up surrounded by an influence of cultures: her parents love for rock and motown classics plus the expressive hip hop and r&b scene of her hometown in the Southbay. As a practicing Catholic, she began accompanying choirs at the impressive age of 12. While attending the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), she had the opportunity at 15 to play Keyboard I at her first professional show with the SD Repertory Theatre for the West Coast stage premiere of “Hairspray” (2010) where she got to meet award winning composer Marc Shaiman. Inspired by Marc and the many artists she met during shows and playing violin for orchestras, she took her talents to SDSU graduating Magna Cum Laude with a B.M. in Jazz studies piano while double minoring in Counseling & Social Change and International Studies. During her time at SDSU, she had the privilege to record a Jazz album entitled “Jazztecs” at the highly praised Studio West. Aside from playing in big bands and jazz combos, she would often accompany vocal lessons and her instrumental peers for juries and auditions. Her experiences led her to play for the San Diego Festival Chorus in 2018 under Tony Mostardo’s last year as conductor before retiring. She is a former director of music at Summit Universalist Unitarian church in Santee, former accompanist with SUHSD, and currently works directing church choirs and coaching after school programs with SCPA.