Polly Vasché has been active in the Modesto area music scene since coming to Turlock in 1972 to major in Piano and Vocal Performance at CSU Stanislaus. She had earlier earned degrees in History and Counseling & Guidance at Stanford University, after which she worked in Tokyo, San Diego and Walla Walla, Washington. In 1975 Polly followed Eleanor Haines’ legendary choral work at Downey High School, teaching five choirs, piano, guitar, and handbells over a 30-year career. The Downey Choirs were known throughout the state via annual choir tours and frequent performances at professional conferences. Retired since 2004, Polly judges choral festivals, conducts Centenary Methodist’s Handbell program, sings in the MSO Chorus, and remains active in ACDA.

Chelsea Foy, a Modesto native, has a deep passion for community and for the arts. After studying choral music with Polly Vasché during her high school years, Chelsea went on to earn her degree in Music Education from California State University, Stanislaus, and to lead the Downey High School Choirs for three years before moving to New York City. There, she pursued a career in musical theatre and performed onstage in regional productions and many national tours as a proud member of the Actors Equity Union. She is a Founding Board Member of the Modesto Children's Museum. A published author, she has been named one of Modesto Bee's 40 Under 40, as well as one of the Outstanding Women of 2023 by Stanislaus County Commission for Women.

Beth Holtan has been a music educator in the Central Valley for 28 years. She holds a degree from the University of the Pacific in Music Education and a Masters of Education Administration from California State University, Stanislaus. A multifacted educator, Beth has taught choir, band, orchestra, handbells, drama, musical theater, classroom music, and PE throughout her career. Beth is currently teaching elementary classroom music, choir, and strings in Turlock Unified School district. Having been named the Stanislaus County Jr. High School Teacher of the Year in 2020-21, and served for many years as the Coordinator for the Stanislaus County Music Educators Association (SCMEA) Junior High School Honor Choir.

Carl Morris is a retired CPA and CFO, and has been active in musical activities in the Modesto area for many years.  He sings in his church choir and performs with the MSO Chorus and Opus Handbell Ensemble.  He has also served as a volunteer for concessions and ushering at the Gallo Center for the Arts.  He is very pleased to be using his accounting and other skills to help the Central Valley Youth Chorus as it expands its outreach for young singers in this area.

Katie Carbajal grew up participating in “Ovation!” Choirs and Summer Theatre, Modesto Performing Arts, and Stockton Civic Theatre, all leading her into a career in Music Education.  She received her Bachelor of Music in Education, with a Choral Concentration, from the University of the Pacific’s Conservatory of Music in 2017.  Katie is currently teaching choir, piano, and guitar at Fred C. Beyer and James C. Enochs high schools.  Aside from CVYC, she also serves on the board for Stanislaus County Music Educators Association (SCMEA), the CA All State Music Educators Conference (CASMEC), as well as Co-Chair for the Central CA Region Honor Choirs for CA Choral Directors Association (CCDA). 

A native Modestan, Jeffrey Meanza is an actor, director, educator and arts leader who has spent the last 20 years working at two of the country’s most celebrated regional theatres. In 2024, Meanza became the new Executive Director of the State Theatre of Modesto. From 2015-2020, he served as the Guthrie Theater’s associate artistic director, overseeing the theater’s education and community engagement initiatives, the literary team, casting, and the theater’s professional training programs. In 2021, Meanza returned to PlayMakers Repertory Company as Associate Artistic Director and interim Managing DirectorHe holds an M.F.A in Acting from the Professional Actor Training Program at UNC-Chapel Hill and a B.A. in Theater and Performance Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.

Miranda is a dedicated insurance professional with Farmers Insurance, based in Escalon, California. Her strong commitment to community involvement and volunteerism has led to several leadership roles, including serving two years on the board of the Van Allen Parent Teacher Club, first as Vice President and later as President. She currently serves on the board of the Escalon Chamber of Commerce as the Membership Ambassador. Outside of work, Miranda enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, Chris, their daughter, Rowan, and their dog, Oaklee.

Janet is originally from Chicago and has called California’s Central Valley home for the past 10 years. Since moving to the area, she has become actively involved in the community through service on various local boards and is excited to support the mission of the Central Valley Youth Choir. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for 13 years and is a proud mom to Sheila (11) and George (9). In her free time, Janet enjoys needlepoint, reading, and spending time in the mountains with her family.

Artistic Director

Accompanist