About

WINNER – Beverly Hills National Auditions (2022)

“Meltingly beautiful… a new vocal ensemble worth watching” – Fanfare (2022)

Celebrating that which is true, beautiful and good, Seraphour was formed as a response to the isolation of the Covid pandemic. The Southern California based group is on a mission to create beauty and light out of a dark and quiet time.  The all-female quartet  is dedicated to the preservation and proliferation of the sacred canon – highlighting unaccompanied classical sacred gems that celebrate the beauty of the female voice. Presenting pieces from the Renaissance to present day and commissioning new works for sacred contemplation, their music celebrates the tradition of beauty that spans centuries and inspires souls. Seraphour’s debut album, “Angele Dei,” was released in October 2021. It has since been featured on classical radio stations and syndicated NPR and PBS programs across the country. In addition to terrestrial radio, “Angele Dei” can be heard and downloaded on all streaming platforms including, but not limited to Amazon Music, iTunes, Spotify and Pandora.  In addition to their debut album, Seraphour’s live performances feature music that highlights the Liturgical year. The ladies of Seraphour are also currently working on a series of audio/visual projects featuring Music in Inspired Spaces and getting started on their second Album  – a Christmas offering centered-around the “O Magnum Mysterium” text. For more information about the group, see their website (www.seraphour.com) or follow them on social media @seraphour. 

Emma Grace Roche

“Emma Grace Roche has performed with companies across the United States including the Los Angeles Master Chorale, San Diego Opera, The NY Philharmonic, The Pacific Symphony, Utah Festival Opera, Los Angeles Opera and Ash Lawn Opera. Her favorite roles include Kathie in The Student Prince, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, Servilia in La Clemenza di Tito, Josephine in HMS Pinafore, and Belinda in Dido & Aeneas. As a soloist she has performed Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s Magnificat, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Fauré’s Requiem. 

Emma has received several honors and awards including an encouragement award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She was also named the Gwendolyn Roberts Young Artist of the Year as part of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition in Los Angeles and has been a finalist in both The Long Beach Mozart Festival Competition and the Burbank Orchestra Young Artists Competition. 

Emma received a Masters of Music degree in Voice Performance from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College. 

Passionate about music education, especially for young children, Emma leads the K-4 music program at St. Patrick’s Day School in Thousand Oaks and is a guest teacher with the choral department at Newbury Park Highschool. She also maintains her own private voice studio. 

When she isn’t singing or teaching, Emma can be found wrangling her toddler son with coffee in hand.” 

Melissa Birch

Melissa Birch is a Mezzo-Soprano who received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Vocal Performance from Valparaiso University. Throughout her university career, Melissa was music director and vice president of the VU Acabellas (an all women ensemble that performed acapella music) and a member the Sigma Alpha Iota. She has also enjoyed performing in multiple choirs throughout her life including Valparaiso University Chorale, Anglia Ruskin Chamber Choir, The Church of the Epiphany’s Schola, Los Robles Master Chorale, and Areté Vocal Ensemble. Melissa has performed both nationally and internationally in countries including England, Germany, Italy and throughout the United States. She has collaborated with groups such as the Leipzig Baroque Orchestra, the New West Symphony, and the San Bernardino Orchestra. Melissa currently conducts her own private music studio, teaching children both voice and piano, and is working on continuing her degree in Education.

Dana Rouse

Dana Rouse, Mezzo-Soprano, has been teaching and performing for over 25 years and has held teaching positions at SUNY Fredonia, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School, Oaks Christian Middle School and California Lutheran University. Rouse also performs regularly both as a chorister and soloist. She sang with the Eastman Rochester Chorus, Cincinnati Opera Chorus, Los Robles Master Chorale, and is currently a member of the Arete Vocal Ensemble in residence at CLU.

Ms. Rouse has performed in concert with the New West Symphony, Eastman Philharmonic, and Westlake Village Symphony. She regularly collaborates with Peace in Concert, Fall of Ai Productions, and the Westlake Chamber Society as a soloist. Dana also serves as the worship leader for the traditional service at Montevista Presbyterian Church in Newbury Park. 

A native of Agoura, Rouse received a Bachelor’s Degree in vocal performance from Biola University. She earned her Master’s Degree in operatic performance and literature from Eastman School of Music. She also studied in the DMA program at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in vocal performance and pedagogy. 

In demand as a vocal adjudicator and master teacher, Dana has presented numerous workshops and master classes to church choirs, high school vocal ensembles, and voice students of all ages. 

Heidi Vass

Soprano, Heidi Valencia Vass, has performed and recorded extensively in Musical Theatre, Opera, Oratorio, and Crossover genres.  She received her dramatic acting/speech training at Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting in New York City and has performed extensively in repertoire and summer stock theatre. She has sung with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, St. Luke’s Orchestra and New Jersey Symphony. She has been a featured soloist with The Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra, New West Symphony, New Rochelle Opera, Palm Springs Opera Guild, Masterworks Chorale, Vox Consort, Amherst Early Music Festival and the Concordia Master Series. Ms. Vass has performed extensively on the recital stage and is a member of the Areté Vocal Ensemble. She has placed first in numerous vocal competitions focusing on both musical theatre and classical singing. Her studio albums, Reflections (recorded with the Budapest Symphony) and Shades are available on iTunes and can be heard on Spotify and Pandora. Ms. Vass earned her Bachelor of Music degree at Westminster Choir College and her Master of Music degree at the University of Southern California (where she began her teaching career).  Her interactive textbook, “Foundations in Singing; A guidebook for singers” can be found on iBooks. Ms. Vass is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Recording Academy, ASCAP, and the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.  Her musical/stage direction experience includes over 30 productions, spanning the Opera, Musical Theatre, Sacred and Cabaret Genres. Ms. Vass has prepared and led musical groups for multiple performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and conducted multiple European concert tours. She is the music director at La Reina High School and is currently on the voice faculty at California Lutheran University where she teaches studio voice and Vocal Pedagogy, directs the Opera Program and often collaborates with the Theatre Department on Musical Theatre Productions.