VOICE FACULTY
Our voice faculty has outstanding credentials and years of diverse performing and teaching experience to offer the best instruction in classical/traditional, musical theater, youth voice coaching, and a variety of music styles.
Kim Obert
PIANO & VOICE INSTRUCTOR
Kim Obert graduated from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor’s degree in music. She has been teaching piano lessons, voice lessons and general music for over 20 years. In addition to teaching voice and piano at the Fox River Academy of Music and Art, Kim is currently the principal accompanist for the Dolce, Treble, and Lyric choirs of Young Naperville Singers, music director at the Kensington School of Naperville, and has been a piano accompanist for School District 308 for almost 10 years. She also serves as a worship leader at her church.
Kim Obert graduated from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor’s degree in music. She has been teaching piano lessons, voice lessons and general music for over 20 years. In addition to teaching voice and piano at the Fox River Academy of Music and Art, Kim is currently the principal accompanist for the Dolce, Treble, and Lyric choirs of Young Naperville Singers, music director at the Kensington School of Naperville, and has been a piano accompanist for School District 308 for almost 10 years. She also serves as a worship leader at her church.
Katie Jepson
VOCAL INSTRUCTOR
Katie has been involved in vocal education for a number of years, teaching vocal music to elementary students in the Davenport, Iowa public school system. She received her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and an additional degree in Music with a specialization in Vocal Performance from the University of Iowa, and has vocal experience as the former Music Director for the University of Iowa’s acapella group Take Note, as well as choir experience. In addition to her vocal background, Katie is proficient in piano and has participated as both a performer and assistant director in Handbell Choirs.
Heidi Van De Voort
VOICE INSTRUCTOR
An accomplished soprano, Heidi holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Illinois State University, and a Master in Music degree from Northern Illinois University, with an emphasis in juvenile vocal pedagogy. She excels at confidence-building and loves helping very young students see their own individual vocal potential! Heidi is a “Broadway baby,” and grew up on the community theater stage in central Illinois, performing in 30 productions by the time she graduated from high school. She taught grade school classroom music for ten years and has been a voice teacher since 2012. Heidi is a registered teacher with the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum, cheerfully encouraging students to achieve high levels of musical skill.
Jennifer Almaraz
VOICE & PIANO INSTRUCTOR
Jennifer is a dedicated teacher who has spent over 5 years in education, including over 2 years specializing in Voice and Piano instruction. She is currently pursuing her B.A in Music (Vocal Performance) from Aurora University, studying under the esteemed Dr. Lisa Fredenburgh, Parolini Distinguished Professor of Music and Chorus Master of the Fox Valley Orchestra. She has served as a student conductor for the Aurora University Choral and Women’s Chorus. Jennifer also studies Voice with Timothy Filliman, a Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Chorus Alumni who has received two Grammy nominations within his 12 seasons there.
Jennifer feels her heritage as a first-generation Mexican-American educator brings a unique perspective to her teaching, inspiring her students to reach for their dreams and achieve their full potential. Her focus on vocal health and technique ensures that her students develop a strong foundation and are able to express themselves through music in a healthy and sustainable way.