Meet The Music Teachers
Dr. Christoph Tietze
Dr. Christoph Tietze
Choir Director
Dr. Tietze has been directing childrens' choirs for 38 years, both on the East coast and in California. He is currently Music Director/Organist at St. Mary’s Cathedral and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from SJSU, a Master of Music and a Master of Musical Arts from Yale University Institute of Sacred Music, and a Doctor of Sacred Music from the Graduate Theological Foundation. His choirs have performed throughout the United States and Europe, and his books on the Introits are published by World Library Publications and Liturgy Training Publications.
Choir Director
Dr. Tietze has been directing childrens' choirs for 38 years, both on the East coast and in California. He is currently Music Director/Organist at St. Mary’s Cathedral and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from SJSU, a Master of Music and a Master of Musical Arts from Yale University Institute of Sacred Music, and a Doctor of Sacred Music from the Graduate Theological Foundation. His choirs have performed throughout the United States and Europe, and his books on the Introits are published by World Library Publications and Liturgy Training Publications.
Benjamin DeShazo-Couchot
Mr. Benjamin DeShazo-Couchot
Music Teacher
Mr. DeShazo-Couchot is a Bay Area native lyric baritone, conductor, and music educator from Santa Rosa. He has directed parish music programs and children's choirs for the past decade and has spent six of his past seven years in K-12 music instruction serving Bay Area Catholic Schools. He holds a BA in Music (Liberal Arts Music; Voice) from Sonoma State University and an MA in Music (Church Music and Liturgy; Conducting) from St. Joseph's College, Indiana. He is currently pursuing his doctorate (Ed.D; Professional Leadership, Inquiry, and Transformation) at Concordia University, Portland. In addition to his studies and his work at St. Brigid School, Benjamin serves as Music Director at All Saints Lutheran Church, Novato and performs as a classical soloist throughout the Bay Area in operas, musicals, and recitals. In his spare time, Mr. D-C enjoys hiking Marin, creating visual art, reading (with a good cup of coffee), and songwriting at the piano, in both contemporary and traditional styles.
Music Teacher
Mr. DeShazo-Couchot is a Bay Area native lyric baritone, conductor, and music educator from Santa Rosa. He has directed parish music programs and children's choirs for the past decade and has spent six of his past seven years in K-12 music instruction serving Bay Area Catholic Schools. He holds a BA in Music (Liberal Arts Music; Voice) from Sonoma State University and an MA in Music (Church Music and Liturgy; Conducting) from St. Joseph's College, Indiana. He is currently pursuing his doctorate (Ed.D; Professional Leadership, Inquiry, and Transformation) at Concordia University, Portland. In addition to his studies and his work at St. Brigid School, Benjamin serves as Music Director at All Saints Lutheran Church, Novato and performs as a classical soloist throughout the Bay Area in operas, musicals, and recitals. In his spare time, Mr. D-C enjoys hiking Marin, creating visual art, reading (with a good cup of coffee), and songwriting at the piano, in both contemporary and traditional styles.
Whitney Steele
Ms. Whitney Steele
Music Teacher
Ms. Steele is a mezzo-soprano and alto who performs and teaches regularly throughout the Bay Area. Originally from Portland, Oregon, she holds her Bachelor of Music degree from Portland State University School of Music and Master of Music degree from San Francisco Conservatory of Music, both in voice performance. She has spent the past few years as a teaching artist for several Bay Area opera companies, bringing opera and classical music to schools. In addition, Ms. Steele has a private music studio where she is a voice instructor to a variety of ages and skill levels. She is an alto section leader in the St. Mary's Cathedral Choir and can been seen performing opera, choral, musical theatre, and chamber works in and around the Bay Area.
Music Teacher
Ms. Steele is a mezzo-soprano and alto who performs and teaches regularly throughout the Bay Area. Originally from Portland, Oregon, she holds her Bachelor of Music degree from Portland State University School of Music and Master of Music degree from San Francisco Conservatory of Music, both in voice performance. She has spent the past few years as a teaching artist for several Bay Area opera companies, bringing opera and classical music to schools. In addition, Ms. Steele has a private music studio where she is a voice instructor to a variety of ages and skill levels. She is an alto section leader in the St. Mary's Cathedral Choir and can been seen performing opera, choral, musical theatre, and chamber works in and around the Bay Area.