Kris Ornelas is an award-winning educator, singer, composer, and keyboardist. He holds a B.A. degree in Choral Music Education from Cal State Fullerton, an M.M. in Choral Conducting from CSULA, and an M.S. in Philosophy from the University of Edinburgh.

Mr. Ornelas directs the choirs at West Ranch High School and Rancho Pico Junior High. He is also an adjunct professor of choral music at College of the Canyons where he directs the "Just Jazz" Vocal Jazz Ensemble and the "Voices of the Canyons" Concert Choir. 

As a singer, Mr. Ornelas has performed with renowned artists such as Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, The Who, Debra Voigt, and M83 in venues such as The Hollywood Bowl, The Greek Theater, Carnegie Hall, Segerstrom Concert Hall, and The Walt Disney Concert Hall.

He has received several awards and recognitions both as a teacher and singer including the SCCEA Vocal Scholarship award (2009), the Gary Wright Memorial Scholarship (2012), the 1st place award for Solo Voice in the CSUF American Music Competition (2013), the "Outstanding Soloist" Award at the Reno Jazz Festival (2014), the Helen J. Walker "Future Educators" Scholarship award (2015), and the LAUSD Rookie Teacher of the Year Award (2018).

His hobbies include hiking, singing rock music, reading, composing, and hanging out with his amazing wife, Karen, and their 2-year old toddler, Levi. 

Amber Calhoun-Berger holds a BFA in Theatre with honors in Costume Design from the University of Denver, which included immersive studies in theatre and art at The Shakespeare Globe Education Center in London. Following graduation, she spent 15 years in the international touring music industry. She advanced from dressing room and wardrobe coordinator to production coordinator, and ultimately to band manager, touring globally with major artists including Sheryl Crow, Deep Purple, Beck, Metallica, and Barney.

Turning her talents toward hospitality, Amber spent 15 years with Princess Cruises, blending her love for cruise travel with her extensive background in live entertainment and guest services.

Today, Amber enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and listening to live music. Above all, she treasures spending time with her family: Michael and her daughters, Sophia and Julia.

David Tewksbury has built a career around music, sound, and technology — combining creativity with technical skill in the professional AV industry. David studied commercial voice and audio engineering at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. After college, he spent 25 years touring across the country as a professional musician and entertainer. Performing live gave him firsthand experience with sound systems, stage production, and what it takes to create great live performances.

As his career grew, David expanded into other areas of entertainment and production. He worked on film and music video sets as a transportation coordinator and later became a Senior Project Manager, leading large-scale audio and video installations for retail spaces and theme park attractions for over 13 years.

David eventually moved into the manufacturer side of the AV industry, where he worked as a sales representative for professional AV companies before becoming a Pre-Sales Engineer at Harman Professional Solutions. In his current role, he helps design and support professional sound and AV systems used in entertainment venues, public spaces, and live productions.

David also holds advanced industry certifications, including Dante Level 3 and CTS (Certified Technology Specialist) through AVIXA.

His career path shows that there are many ways to succeed in the AV world — whether through music, technology, live production, engineering, or project management. He looks forward to passing on his knowledge of the trade to students

Julie Lawson received her Master’s Degree in piano performance from CSUN in 1979.  After many years of accompanying throughout the greater Los Angeles area, she became the adjunct choral director at College of the Canyons in 1996 which led to her full time position as choral director in 2007 where she led her vocal jazz choirs, in particular, to numerous prestigious awards, festivals and national conventions.  She retired from College of the Canyons after 32 years and is enjoying life as a freelance accompanist once again. 

Jena Allen is an arts educator, professional performer, and proud alumna of the Hart Show Choir program. It was there that she discovered her passion for singing and dancing, leading her to earn a degree in Musical Theatre from Arizona State University.

Since graduating from college, Jena has performed professionally on stages across the country. For the past eight years, she has also choreographed for musical theatre productions and show choirs while teaching private voice lessons.

Jena is passionate about helping students build confidence, develop their artistry, and discover their unique voices both on and off the stage!

Since 2019, Ruthy Horak has served as a photographer for the West Ranch Choir, Instrumental Music, and Theater programs. What began with her oldest son's involvement in the music program quickly grew into a passion for capturing the energy and artistry of the performing arts—from marching band competitions and theater productions to choir festivals and concerts.

A proud West Ranch parent, Ruthy has two Wildcats graduate from West Ranch, with her youngest set to graduate in 2029. In addition to the performing arts, she has photographed West Ranch's promenades and commencement ceremonies, preserving memorable milestones for students and their families. Through her photography, Ruthy is honored to support the West Ranch community by documenting the talent, dedication, and achievements of its students