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A native of Kansas,
Sonja Palmer maintains an extensive background in vocal music
education, performance and management. Sonja received her
Bachelor of Music degree from Bethany College and Master's
degree from Wichita State University. She was the vocal/choral
instructor for Butler County Community College and Kansas
Newman College for five years while maintaining a private
voice studio. Her past performing credits include soloist/performing
member with the Wichita Chamber Chorale for five years and
made additional solo appearances with several other Kansas
choral organizations. Notably, she was the soloist for the
United States premiere of Alice Parker's cantata, That
Sturdy Vine and soloist in Poulenc's Gloria under the direction
of San Francisco Symphony Chorus director Vance George. In
2000, Sonja was one of three featured soloists in a professional
recording of Debussy’s Printemps – Suite
Symphonique with San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, recorded on Arabesque
Records. Sonja sang professionally with both the San Francisco
Opera Chorus (2002) and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus
(1997-2005), participating on the following symphony recordings
and productions: Symphony No. 2, Mahler
/ Michael Tilson Thomas, SF Symphony Label, 2004; Charles
Ives, An American Journey / Michael Tilson Thomas, RCA Red Seal, 2002; Sweeney
Todd, Sondheim, PBS and home video release, 2001 (Emmy award);
Voices 2000, Delos, 2001; Stravinsky
/ Michael Tilson Thomas,
BMG Entertainment, 1999 (3 Grammy Awards); Berlioz
/ Michael Tilson Thomas, BMG Entertainment, 1998; Christmas
by the Bay, Delos, 1998.
Sonja is a member of the American Guild of Musical Artists
with whom she was a contract labor negotiator and a former
member of the Board of Governors. Additionally, Sonja serves
on the Education Committee of the San Francisco Chapter of
the Recording Academy and a former Board of Governors from
2004-2006 for the San Francisco Chapter.
Sonja was the Executive Director for Cantabile Choral Guild
from 2002-2006 and now works as a non-profit management consultant
for various Bay Area performance organizations, currently working
as the Executive Director for Cantabile Choral Guild and
the incoming Board Chair for the Cantabile Youth Singers, past
Interim Executive Director and current consultant for Midsummer
Mozart Festival and consultant for Music at Kohl Mansion.
Sonja makes her home in San Carlos with her husband Olin, a
medical device engineer and business executive, and their 18-month
old daughter, Lena, a budding mezzo-soprano, thespian and dancer.
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