Welcome!

Mission & Vision

The Mission of Cadence for Change is to raise musical aspirations in people of all ages and backgrounds by creating opportunities to deepen their enjoyment, engagement, and appreciation of music.

Our Vision includes broadening access to inspiring musical mentors and accessible facilities, which will enable greater participation, develop ensembles, inspire new music, nurture collaboration, delight audiences, and enrich communities.

Ensemble Values

Collaboration

Be supported at your current level while being encouraged to grow. Through shared effort and the guidance of the Artistic Team, you’ll be challenged, inspired, and propelled forward in your musical journey.

Curiosity

Approach learning music with openness and a spirit of exploration. Engage with diverse styles, eras, and cultures, embracing both tradition and innovation in performance.

Faith

Trust in your capacity to learn and evolve. Have confidence in the artistic process and in the Artistic Team’s experience to shape engaging, meaningful, and appropriately challenging repertoire.

Perspective

Value the richness that diversity brings. Commit to being part of an inclusive community where music is accessible, and where opportunity and participation continue to expand.

Trust

Lean into a culture of care, respect, and friendly encouragement. Growth takes time, patience, and vulnerability—embrace the process with humor, resilience, and a positive spirit.

Artistic Team

Alistair Hamilton
Artistic/Executive Director

  • For 23 years, Alistair Hamilton has inspired people of all ages and backgrounds to deepen their love, appreciation, and participation in music. As an educator, Alistair led music departments in public and private schools in the UK, Asia, and the US building robust 1-1 vocal/instrumental programs that have sustained - driving a culture of participation in ensembles, programming innovative concerts, collaborations, touring, competitions, and attending summer music festivals. Aware of the need to inspire young minds toward music education, he formed a startup, Music Wallcharts, which features 25 newly designed posters with QR-enabled digital content to make music theory visible, approachable, and supportive for educators. A passionate advocate for nonprofit work, Cadence for Change is the third music education organization Alistair has founded. A fierce proponent of equity and greater musical opportunities for all, Alistair is deeply committed to building a home for music education and performance in the Fillmore.

Chelsea Carminito
Assistant Conductor

  • Chelsea is honored and thrilled to step into the role of Assistant Conductor for Cadence For Chance, drawing on a lifelong passion for choral singing and vocal technique.

    Though trained as a research biologist, Chelsea has made music throughout her life, beginning on the violin at age seven before transitioning to classical voice study. Her choral foundation includes membership in Napa High School’s award-winning advanced concert and chamber choirs, classical art song performance in multiple languages, and higher-education ensemble work at Mills College in both large-scale works and small early-music chamber groups.

    While completing doctoral studies in Cincinnati, Ohio, Chelsea sang extensively with local ensembles Vox Veritatis, MUSE, and YPCC. She is excited to support Cadence for Change in building a vibrant and collaborative singing community. 

Monica Slater
Voice Coach

Close-up of Monica Rose Slater with dark curly hair, fair skin, wearing a burgundy top and silver jewelry outdoors.

  • Monica Rose Slater is a Brazilian-American singer, actor, and educator based in SF. She teaches private voice, helping students build technical confidence and connect to authentic expression. With a Master’s in Music from the San Francisco Conservatory, Monica draws from classical, musical theatre, and contemporary traditions. Her teaching is rooted in curiosity, care, storytelling, and a deep belief that anyone can (and should) sing.

    You may have seen her on stages all around the Bay Area—SF Playhouse, Berkeley Playhouse, Word for Word, Oakland Theater Project, and more. Check out her website www.monicaroseslater.com to keep up with current performances!

Chesley Mok
Accompanist

  • San Jose native Chesley Mok is a collaborative pianist and educator active throughout the Bay Area. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of California, Irvine, before completing a Master of Music in Collaborative Piano at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under the mentorship of Timothy Bach. 

    Active as both a performer and educator, Chesley has worked with organizations such as the Golden State Youth Symphony, California Youth Symphony, and Crystal Children’s Choir. She is currently a faculty pianist for the Pre-College division at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Premier Ensemble of the San Francisco Girls Chorus. With SFGC, she has worked alongside many notable artists, such as Bobby McFerrin, Chanticleer, and Céline Ricci. 

    In addition to her collaborative work, she teaches piano and violin to students across the Bay.

Yunyi Ji
Accompanist

  • I experienced the ins and outs of playing in a band for the first time with Blue Bear School of Music and the Community Music Center. During a Beatles workshop I was asked to sub on bass and had a revelation about that instrument's beauty, simplicity, and helpfulness in finding new people to play with.  I joined a band and began writing songs and playing them to audiences. Since singing in choir, I work everyday to remember to sing with breath and intention. Our band is composed of talented instrumentalists who love to sing and support other’s singing. As performers, it’s an honor to witness someone perform for the first time with a warm audience and spread their wings. Enjoy our prior performances here.

Gibson Verkuil
Band Development

A man playing an acoustic guitar outdoors with greenery in the background.

  • I experienced the ins and outs of playing in a band for the first time with Blue Bear School of Music and the Community Music Center. During a Beatles workshop I was asked to sub on bass and had a revelation about that instrument's beauty, simplicity, and helpfulness in finding new people to play with.  I joined a band and began writing songs and playing them to audiences. Since singing in choir, I work everyday to remember to sing with breath and intention. Our band is composed of talented instrumentalists who love to sing and support other’s singing. As performers, it’s an honor to witness someone perform for the first time with a warm audience and spread their wings. Enjoy our prior performances here.

Board of Directors

Brian Dunn
Strategy

Alistair Hamilton
Artistic/Executive Director

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Catherine Sullivan
Secretary

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Liz O’Donnell
Treasurer

Board Opportunities

We love to talk to individuals interested in learning more about our organization and potentially joining our Board. Whether you are a member or not, and would like to contribute to Cadence for Change's management, marketing, and success, please contact alistair@cadenceforchange.org

Artistic Advisory Board

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David Conte
Head of Composition, SFCM

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Tarik O’Regan
Composer

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James Parrish Smith
Musical Director, Organist