Meet Our Staff
Kaylene Clark, Founder of Kids Can Sing, Director of the KCS Supreme Advanced Chorus and the KCS Elite Theatre Program
Email: KayleneClark@kidscansing.com
Kaylene Clark (mezzo-soprano) is an emerging young artist of 29 years from Fresno, California. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree Cum Laude in Vocal Performance from Fresno State in the spring of 2016. While at Fresno State, Kaylene received numerous awards, including the Dorothy Renzi Vocal Scholarship – A scholarship to recognize outstanding young singers and was continuously recognized, as she graduated with honors from the College of Arts and Humanities. She currently resides in Fresno, but is completing her Masters of Arts Degree in Teacher Leadership through San Diego State University. Her ultimate goal is to eventually establish her own Arts School both locally, and abroad.
Vocally, Kaylene made her Walt Disney Concert Hall debut with the Fresno Youth Orchestra in 2013, singing the role of Octavian in the Final Trio from Der Rosencavalier. She then returned to the Walt Disney Concert Hall as a Mezzo-Soprano Soloist in Symphony No.2 by Gustav Mahler in 2016. In addition to her return to Disney Hall, she has been accepted to numerous prestigious opera programs, such as the Berlin Opera Academy and the Brooklyn Opera Institute where she started as Mercédès in Carmen and Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro. Kaylene has also appeared in numerous opera productions with the Fresno State Opera Theatre program such as Toni in The Secret of Luca, Mercédès in Carmen, Florence in Albert Herring, Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, and Olga in Eugene Onegin.
Kaylene’s true passion lies with serving children and teaching music to students from diverse backgrounds. She hopes to utilize her performance experience and upbringing as motivation for students and educators for many generations to come.
Gina Peckfelder, Director of the KCS Premier Youth Chorus
Email: GinaPeckfelder@kidscansing.com
Gina Peckfelder is a passionate and credentialed music educator with just over a decade of experience connecting with students of all ages through the world of music. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Vocal Music Education and single subject teaching credential from California State University, Fresno where she graduated summa cum laude with a 3.9 GPA. Gina’s expertise includes teaching as a private vocal coach for the past 10 years both at her home and previously at a local music studio in Fresno, Patrick’s Music. During her undergrad, Gina also spent time teaching in San Diego at the Recreational Music Center for their summer camp series and later enjoyed being an assistant director with the Bach Children’s Choir in Fresno.
Most notably, Gina was the director for the choral programs at Selma High School and Abraham Lincoln Middle School in the Selma Unified School District, where she facilitated student attendance at ACDA regional and national conferences, organized community outreach performances, and led district-wide choral events. Gina is skilled in leading large ensembles, providing personalized one-on-one instruction and is dedicated to nurturing musical talent while also fostering a deep-seated love and appreciation for the arts. Her goal is to help create a well-rounded educational environment where all students have access to explore, grow, and develop a lifelong appreciation for music.
Katie La Blue, Vocal & Acting Coach, KC Summer Arts Academy Instructor
Email: KatieLaBlue@kidscansing.com
Katie La Blue has appeared in operas such as Madama Butterfly and Carmen with Fresno State Opera Theatre. She has also appeared in several musical theatre productions such as Godspell and Cinderella with Theater Arts Alliance Visalia and Les Miserables with the 2013 Broadway Touring Cast. Katie attended CSU Fresno for both her BA in Music Education and her MA in Vocal Performance. She is a soprano who enjoys repertoire from the Bel Canto era of singing, but she also loves to sing rock n roll & other genres! She is involved in the yearly Link Up! orchestra concert program with the Fresno Philharmonic. Katie currently works as a private voice/piano instructor in the Fresno/Clovis area.
Lindsay Heron, Reknown Muralist and Artist, KC Summer Arts Academy Instructor
Email: LindsayHeron@kidscansing.com
I began my career in the arts at an early age, and through encouragement and passion I was able to become a recognized artist in a variety of areas. I attended a private art school in Kennebunkport, Maine after high school where I had the opportunity to learn under professional artists who encouraged my ideas and growth in many mediums. I returned to California and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University at Monterey Bay in Visual and Public Arts & Color Theory. After 20 years of various work experiences and craft, I am a muralist, faux finisher, and jewelry maker and designer. My work in public places, jewelry in local businesses, and color and design in private homes are all personally gratifying. I am excited to encourage youth to explore their creativity this summer!
Miranda Barton, Choral Intern & Music Instructor, KC Summer Arts Academy
Email: MirandaBarton@kidscansing.com
Miranda Barton is a graduate student at Fresno State, pursuing a specialization in Choral Conducting. After graduating summa cum laude in 2023 and receiving their B.A. in Music Education with a Choral/Vocal Emphasis from Fresno State, Miranda is continuing her education by achieving her M.A. in Choral Conducting and, eventually, her teaching credential. As a Teaching Associate at Fresno State, Miranda directs University Singers, a beginning-level choir, while privately teaching young singers voice lessons. She has been studying vocal performance from Dr. Anthony Radford for the past five years, and she plans to continue expanding her horizons in vocal music as she builds her career in choral music education.