Jamie Sutta, Founder and Artistic Director of The Children’s Voice, is a living example of the transformative power of music education in overcoming adversity, promoting good citizenship, and encouraging personal growth that transcends all aspects of life. Two strong threads have consistently woven throughout the fabric of her life: the platforms of singing and teaching as means to create expression, meaning, and connection with others. These are at the heart of what drives her as a leader, a creative individual, and a person dedicated to serving others through music.

Mrs. Sutta’s pathway to teaching began in 2003, when upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education from Florida State University, where she received a full scholarship, she landed her first teaching position. At Ocoee Middle School in Orlando, she not only first combined her passion for self-expression and teaching, but also developed the highly successful choral development model she now uses at CVC by directing four choral groups. Under her guidance, each chorus achieved a high level of personal and musical excellence, earning superior ratings for three consecutive years at the Florida Vocal Association's Music Performance Assessments. Mrs. Sutta also served as an adjunct voice professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University in the Popular Music Department. During her time at PBA, she founded and directed a children's chorus in the Preparatory Department.

Passionate about singing since her teen years, Mrs. Sutta has had the opportunity to perform nationally and internationally as a vocalist. While still at Florida State University, she joined Dr. Andre Thomas as a member of the University Singers, one of the first American choirs to sing in Vietnam since the end of the war.  As a performer, she has shared the stage with Ellis Marsalis, Billy Taylor, William Warfield, Tierney Sutton, Maria Conchita Alonzo, Nicole Yarling, and many others. With the band GDO Soul, she has performed at a wide range of venues including Miami Heat's Chris Bosh's wedding, and the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In 2010, her work in the music video Gotta Keep Reading was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Mrs. Sutta earned a master's degree in Vocal Jazz Performance from the University of Miami.

Mrs. Sutta established the Children's Voice Chorus in the Fall of 2011 out of a desire to bring the joy of vocal music and group singing to any child who wanted to sing. Through CVC, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, Mrs. Sutta continues to uphold the organization's mission of providing young singers of all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in Miami-Dade County with superior choral music education, emphasizing musical and personal growth as well as diversity. As a woman of color and someone for whom music played a powerful role in her own growth as an individual, artist, and leader, Mrs. Sutta recognizes the indelible impact of not only making opportunities available to all youth to study vocal music, but also serving as a role model for students who might not think that choral music is for them. Mrs. Sutta is thrilled to work with such talented young musicians and looks forward to the continued positive impact that CVC has in the lives of all participants, and which continues to ripple out into the whole community as alumni become adults, parents, and community members, bringing with them what they learned and who they became as a result of being part of CVC.

Maya Fisher was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia, and has been a musician ever since joining her middle school band at twelve years old. She is passionate about making music more accessible through means of education and communal efforts, particularly for historically excluded populations. 

Maya received her Bachelor's degree from George Mason University and a Master's degree from Frost School of Music in clarinet performance. Throughout her time at George Mason University and at the Frost School of Music, she was a member of the university orchestras, symphonic bands, and chamber ensembles. She has had the opportunity to perform with or under artists such as Maestro Gerard Schwartz, Renee Fleming, Anthony and Demarre Mcgill, and Andy Hudson.

Maya worked for the Center for the Arts at George Mason University and with the Mason Community Arts Academy. Most recently, she was a data manager at the Greater Miami Youth Symphony. In her spare time, she is an independent music curator who works as a freelance writer and project artist and an active freelance clarinetist.

Dr. Alicia Romero-Sardiñas is a dedicated and accomplished educator, currently serving as an adjunct professor of Music Education at Florida International University. As a first-generation American with roots in Cuban immigrant heritage, Dr. Romero-Sardiñas brings a unique perspective to her role. Her academic journey includes earning degrees in Music Education from Florida International University (B.S.), Florida State University (M.M.Ed), and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Florida International University.

With over two decades of experience in public school teaching, Dr. Romero-Sardiñas has demonstrated a passion for enriching the educational experience through her commitment to culturally responsive pedagogy, constructivism, music literacy, teacher empowerment, mentoring, and community music. Her expertise extends to presenting research at prestigious conferences such as the Florida Music Education Association (FMEA) and the College Music Society International Conference.

Dr. Romero-Sardiñas serves as a valuable board member of the Florida Vocal Association, where she has successfully spearheaded programs aimed at nurturing and promoting student composers. Her reputation as a sought-after adjudicator for events across the state reflects her standing in the music education community. Furthermore, she is recognized as an esteemed clinician, contributing significantly to honor choirs statewide.

Beyond her academic and research pursuits, Dr. Romero-Sardiñas plays a pivotal role in rebuilding the children's choir program at the Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ. Her transformative work underscores her commitment to providing music for people of all ages and creating a vibrant musical community.

Laurah Merisier is the product of the Florida Public School system and an example of what is possible when students are exposed to quality music education resources. Growing up in South Florida, Ms. Merisier sang in the choir at Everglades High School in Miramar under the Direction of Shanpatrick Davis, the current Director of Choirs at Coral Reef Senior High School, and took private piano lessons from Broward County local piano educator, Susana Malnati. She has taught in the public school system at Bridgeprep Academy of Arts & Minds, a public arts charter high school in Coconut Grove, and at Mater Academy of International Studies in Allapattah.

Ms. Merisier graduated from the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music in 2014 with a Bachelor’s Degree of Music in Music Education. Throughout her time at the University of Miami, Ms. Merisier was given two opportunities to give back to her community through her love of music. First, as a music mentor at North Miami Middle School working with the outreach program, Guitars Over Guns, teaching hip-hop band after school to underserved middle school students; and as a general music teacher with Frost MusicReach, now called Shalala MusicReach, a music outreach organization, teaching music skills to underprivileged students in Coconut Grove community centers.

Ms. Merisier is the founder of Miami Sound Space, a community music education organization, where she directs Miami Sound Choir, an adult community choir, and the Bluebirds, a men’s Choir at the Everglades Correctional Institution. She is also an Adjunct Professor of Contemporary Voice at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and a private vocal coach virtually and out of her home studio in South Miami. 

Maya Davis was brought up in a musical family and has been making music since early childhood. Throughout her schooling, she was heavily involved in musical theater and took piano, voice, and cello lessons weekly. When she joined her Northern Virginia high school's choir in 10th grade, she knew she had found her place, her passion, and the medium through which she was meant to continue her musical journey into adulthood.

In 2017, she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Performance from James Madison University, where she was one of the youngest students ever to be placed in the School of Music's premier choral ensemble, The Madison Singers. She was featured in JMU's HolidayFest Concert in 2015, singing the mezzo-soprano solo in Bach's Magnificat. She also performed in numerous operas throughout her time at JMU, including Candide, The Merry Widow, La Boheme, and Il Barbiere di Siviglia. She attended summer vocal programs in Bethesda, MD, New York, NY, and Salzburg, Austria, where she performed a wide range of operatic and art song literature.

In 2019, she graduated with her Master's Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Miami, where she studied under mezzo-soprano Robynne Redmon and performed leading operatic roles including Le Prince Charmant in Cendrillon and Margaret in The Light in the Piazza. She also joined the University's premier choral ensemble, The Frost Chorale, for their annual Winter Wonderful concert in 2018.

As a teacher, Maya is passionate about paying forward all that her musical journey has given her. Entering her 3rd year as a Program Instructor at CVC, she shares the organization's vision of bringing high quality music education to students of all backgrounds, knowing firsthand that being given a voice through music can shape and change lives. In addition to her work with CVC, she has worked as an early music education teacher with the Frost Preparatory program, and is currently a private voice and piano instructor.

Born and raised in Miami, FL, Patricia Losada has been actively involved with music and the arts throughout her life. She graduated in 2003 from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, where she sang with the Lourdes Singers under the direction of Dr. Candace Wicke. After graduation, Patricia went on to study at Florida State University, where she received her Bachelor’s in Music Education. While there, she studied voice with Dr. Wanda Brister and was very active in her school and community, participating in many organizations.  

Patricia was involved with the Corazon Dancers, a non-profit student organization, whose main goal is to spread Latin culture through salsa dancing. She was on the Executive Board for 4 years, and during her last year, she acquired the role of President. She was also very active in the FSU College of Music Board of Advisors (BOA) program, becoming Assistant Student Coordinator after a year in the program, and later becoming Student Coordinator in 2007. She also assisted with the Capital Children’s Choir and interned at Fellowship Presbyterian Church Choir in Tallahassee, FL. Before graduating from FSU, she interned at Coral Reef High School in Miami, FL where she assisted John Rose in teaching multiple choirs and coordinating events, such as the Fall Opera and Holiday Concert. After graduating, Patricia went on to teach Music Theory at South Miami Middle School and Musical Theatre at the after-school program for The Roxy Theatre in 2009. Patricia also acquired some music business experience after working part-time for Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2009-2010. 

In October of 2010, Patricia returned to the education community and began teaching General Music and Musical Theatre at Christi and STEPSS Academy – a school geared towards students with learning disabilities in Sunrise, Fl. She continued working with special needs students until her talents were called for at Doral Academy Charter Elementary School and Just Arts & Management Charter Middle School in 2013.  

From 2013-2021, Patricia headed the music program at DAC/JAM where she taught music for grades 2nd through 5th along with directing the DAC Elementary Chorus and JAM Vocal Ensemble. She has held various leadership roles, such as lead teacher for the Special Areas department at DAC/JAM from 2014-2021. She was very active with the music education organization DCMEA from 2014-2021, serving on the Executive Board through various positions, such as President from 2019-2020 and Past-President from 2020-2021. She also was selected as the MDCPS Superintendent’s Honors Elementary Chorus Coordinator in 2018 & 2019.

While in Miami, Patricia has continued to study voice under various private instructors including Tracy Brighty, Misty Bermudez, and FIU’s professor of voice, Dr. Kathleen Wilson. 

Patricia currently is a stay-at-home mother, teaching voice privately to students ages 11 and older and singing for various weddings and church events, as well as actively participating in the Temple Beth Sholom High Holy Days Professional Chorus.

Beiyao Ji is a professional pianist based in the Miami area. He has received his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles.  He continued his studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he received his Master of Music and Artist Diploma.  He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts at the Frost School of Music under the instruction of acclaimed pianist Kevin Kenner. Additionally, Beiyao has received numerous accolades for his piano playing, including the opportunities to appear as a soloist with the Torrance Symphony orchestra, the Colburn Orchestra, and the Brentwood-Westwood Symphony Orchestra.  Aside from performing, Beiyao has been teaching piano for seven years and enjoys working with students from various levels. He looks forward to the opportunity to continue serving the community through his passion for music.