Artistic Co-Directors
Othello B. Jefferson |
Christopher Street |
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Othello Jefferson is a native of San Francisco.
He received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a single subject music credential from San Francisco State University. As a singer, pianist, organist, composer, and arranger, Othello enjoys any and all opportunities to share his God given gifts with the world. At Sequoia High School, in Redwood City, CA, he serves as Piano Instructor, Chorus and Orchestra Director. He also serves as Minister of Music at First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in San Francisco. He is the recipient of awards from San Francisco’s Academy of Gospel and the Friends of Negro Spirituals, Oakland and has completed the first level of the American Guild of Organist’s examinations for professional certification (Service Playing Certificate). Othello conceived, provided original compositions for, and music directed the multi Theater Bay Area Award winning musical "I, Too, Sing America", which honors the perspectives and experiences of American artists of color with poetry, song, music and movement, featuring a diverse cast of singers, actors, poets, and performers (presented and produced by the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company). The CD of music from the show was released in 2022. He is also the featured singer on the African American Composers Initiative (AACI) recent CD entitled Good News. Othello is honored to participate and share in the wonderful vision of Vinjana Chorale San Francisco! |
Christopher, originally from Southampton, New York, has been performing with concert choirs and bands across the U.S. since the age of 16. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Theory and Choral Performance and has dedicated many years to advocating for and educating youth in the arts.
Since 2016, Christopher has been the founder of Street Sounds Productions, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, reaching audiences nationwide and internationally. This organization works with participants from diverse backgrounds, hosting festivals, youth arts and music programs, and live concerts to bring joy to the community. Over his career, Christopher has worked with various neighborhood youth programs throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area. He served as the Music Director at KIPP Academy from 2006 to 2011, and from 2011 to 2022, he was an Elementary & Secondary School Paraprofessional/Behavioral Specialist and Instructional Aide within the San Francisco Unified School District. Concurrently, he held leadership roles with the San Francisco Girls Chorus, directing Prep Choral Levels 1 & 2 and the Training Chorus at the Ruth Williams Memorial Theater, Bayview Hunters Point YMCA, and Kanbar Center for the Arts from 2018 to 2022. In 2022, he served as an Artist in Residence at the Ruth Williams Memorial Theater in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood. Christopher has also spent over 16 years as a resident lead teaching artist and composer with the San Francisco Opera and is currently with the San Francisco Opera Guild. He is excited to leverage his expertise and experience, alongside forming partnerships and collaborations, to establish Vinjana Chorale San Francisco as a beacon of choral excellence, expression, and camaraderie. His vision for Vinjana Chorale San Francisco is to create enduring connections that will last a lifetime. |
Board of Directors
Dr. Tiffani Marie,
Chairperson 
Victoria Guarracino,
Treasure |
Reverend Kaloma A. Smith,
Vice-Chairperson 
Vicki Cho,
Secretary |
Ruth Nott,
Advisory Board Chairperson
Advisory Board Chairperson