Natalia Romero Arbeláez

Originally from Colombia, Natalia is an experienced performer, educator and musician. As an educator, she thrives in the intersection of contemporary music education and culturally relevant teaching. She is passionate about equity and musical citizenship in her classroom and performing practices. Natalia’s strength lies in her ability to connect and engage learners across all settings, although she is particularly fond of working with and learning from teenagers.

Natalia works as the Upper School choir director at the Blake School where she directs three curricular ensembles and two extra-curricular groups. Before that, she taught choir, piano and EL world music at Harding High School in St. Paul.

Natalia is an active performer and vocal coach. As a coach, she has worked with the Guthrie Theater, Ashland Productions, and the Ordway Center for Performing Arts. She can be found singing with the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, and Border CrosSing, where she also directs a bilingual community choir called Heritage Choir.

Natalia holds a Bachelor of Music from Saint Olaf College and a Master of Music Education at the University of Saint Thomas.

Jared Miller

Nacido en San Diego, California, Jared descubrió su pasión por la colaboración musical mientras participaba en el coro de su preparatoria. Se graduó de St. Olaf College con una licenciatura en artes musicales y en estudios asiáticos, estudiando con Dr. Ananda-Owens, y recientemente terminó su maestría en piano y música de cámara en la Universidad de Minnesota con el Dr. Lovelace. En St. Olaf trabajó extensamente con los departamentos vocales, corales, de ópera lírica, y teatro. Durante su tiempo en la Universidad de Minnesota tocaba piano para los University Singers, escenas de ópera, y una producción de "The Consul" de Menotti bajo la dirección de Lara Bolton.

Como pianista en las Ciudades Gemelas, Jared ha trabajado con Calliope Women's Chorus, Border CrosSing, Schubert Club, Mississippi Valley Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Mill City Opera, Arbeit Opera Theatre, y Journey North Opera Company. Una de las pasiones musicales de Jared es el estudio e interpretación de la música latinoamericana y de la península ibérica.