MEET OUR TEACHERS
EMILY SENKOWSKY
FOUNDER • VOICE • TROUPE DIRECTOR
Emily (she/her) is the founder and creator of Sing with Emily. She studied vocal performance at NYU Steinhardt, where she learned the value of a strong foundation in vocal technique, as well as the importance of a supportive studio to learn and grow. As a performer, she has worked for various professional theatres around the country. She also runs The Chicago Carolers, a premier caroling group in the Chicagoland area. She can’t wait to see you!
LAUREN BOULT
STUDIO MANAGER
VOICE • PIANO
Lauren Boult (she/her) hails from the western suburbs of Chicago. She began taking classical voice lessons when she was 10 years old. In 2013, Lauren graduated cum laude from Columbia College Chicago with a Music degree with a concentration in Vocal Performance. She is well-versed in various musical styles including musical theater, rock, pop, blues, and jazz and also plays guitar, piano, and bass guitar. While being a part of everything from vocal jazz groups to rock bands, she has been fortunate enough to perform onstage at prestigious venues and events such as The Auditorium Theatre, Buddy Guy's Legends, METRO, House of Blues Chicago, The New Orleans Jazz Festival, and more.
Lauren has experience in the classroom as both a private instructor and as a group instructor of students ages 3-60+. Whether it be music directing for musical theater camps, preparing vocal students for auditions, or directing rock bands to hit the stage, she enjoys sharing her talents and knowledge with other inspired musicians.
SHÄNKA LA-VERNE PETTIS
VOICE
Shänka is a national recording artist, classical recitalist, and accomplished vocal coach and producer. Originally from Gastonia, North Carolina, she began her vocal training with Frances Shafter and earned a Bachelor’s in Voice Performance at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, with additional Master’s credits in Music Performance from U of I, Sacred Music from Chun University, and Education from Concordia University.
With over 20 years of experience, Shänka has maintained a successful private voice studio in North Carolina, Illinois, and abroad. She believes that everyone has a voice, and it deserves to be heard. Throughout her career, she has studied with esteemed mentors, including Grammy Award-winners Donald Lawrence and Cynthia Haymon-Coleman, and has held teaching and performance roles at institutions such as the Ravinia Family Music School and the South Shore Opera Company of Chicago.
Shänka has also released multiple music projects, including her debut EP Shänka La-Verne Falls, two collaborations with her husband, pianist, and producer Brian Pettis, and her book Beautifully Redeemed. She has performed at national memorials for President Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and she and Brian are set to release new music this spring.
NEHA ADKOLI
VOICE • PIANO
Neha is a classically trained soprano and music educator with a strong foundation in both performance and classroom teaching. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education and Vocal Performance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and holds a K–12 teaching license in the state of Illinois.
Neha has worked with students of all ages in private lessons, school choirs, and musical theater productions. She previously taught middle school choir and has directed several youth musicals, combining her love for teaching with her passion for storytelling.
Neha creates a supportive, joyful environment where students can build confidence, develop healthy technique, and express themselves through music. She is excited to help each student find their unique voice and connect with the music they love!
Eirene Stavropoulos
VOICE • PIANO
Eirene is a multi-disciplinary artist based in the Midwest. She earned a B.M. in voice performance from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music under the tutelage of Distinguished Professor Timothy Noble. She also completed a minor in theatre with a concentration in acting. An award winning soprano, Eirene was the 1st place winner of the 2022 Oscar Hammerstein Museum & Theatre Education Center International Youth Solo Contest, a 2022 recipient of the Georgia Sfondouris Mitchell Music and Arts Scholarship and a 2017 recipient of a Student Downbeat Jazz Award. Eirene has also been a recurring soloist for the IU Conductors Chorus, IU Student Composers Association, and in various student degree recitals as well. A strong ensemble singer, Eirene was a soprano in the acclaimed NOTUS Contemporary Vocal Ensemble and sang on both their 2025 and 2023 recorded albums. She also was a member of the professional IU Conductors Chorus. She currently sings with the Chicago Master Singers. On the stage, Eirene has appeared as Cinderella in IU Summer Theatre’s production of Into the Woods, and as Banquo/Lady Macduff and Emilia in IU Department of Theatre and Dance’s Shakespeare productions of Macbeth and The Winter’s Tale, respectively. A champion of new works, Eirene has performed in the premiere of two plays, I Love My Friends and Nice Jewish Boy, and in workshop readings of student new works in IU’s 11th Annual “Undergrad Shorts”. In addition to the stage, Eirene is a professional film actor and her work has been shown at several international film festivals. Passionate about giving back to her community through the arts, Eirene directed a youth Byzantine choir for three years and currently teaches voice and cello lessons in the Chicagoland area. Eirene is an advocate for interdisciplinary arts education, believing collaboration in the arts is key to fostering community-centered artists.
NICOLE RIORDAN
VOICE • PIANO • UKULELE
Nicole Riordan is a passionate and energetic music educator and multi-instrumentalist from the western suburbs of Chicago. A lifelong music lover, Nicole began teaching herself music from a young age and now enjoys working with students on piano, ukulele, oboe, voice, and more. She graduated cum laude from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Music Education and holds an Illinois Professional Educator License in K–12 music.
Nicole has performed in award-winning bands, choirs, orchestras, and mariachi and banda ensembles across the country, and has held leadership roles in many of them. She also leads worship at her church and has years of experience performing as a vocalist while accompanying herself on piano, guitar, and ukulele.
Known for her fun, high-energy teaching style and strong connection with her students, Nicole creates a space where learners feel safe, supported, and excited to grow. She believes in making music lessons joyful and empowering, helping students not only build their musical skills, but also confidence, creativity, and self-belief. Nicole is passionate about passing on her love of music to the next generation and guiding each student to discover their own voice.
COURTNEY TEDESCO
EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC
Courtney is so grateful to be a part of your musical journey! She graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor's degree in K-12 Music Education and holds a dual Masters degree in Special Education and English as a Second Language. Before choosing to stay home with her two kids, she taught elementary and middle school general music in the Chicagoland suburbs for 8 years. Courtney has experience teaching piano and voice lessons, 0-5 year old music classes, and is a former member of the Apollo Chicago Chorus. She is a strong advocate of learning through play and believes everyone is musical. Courtney is excited to continue her love of teaching and is so grateful to be making music within the community where she lives!
RACHAEL WILKINSON
EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC
Rachael Wilkinson (she/her) is a performer and educator with more than 15 years of experience. Rachael holds a B.A. in Theatre Performance from North Central College and an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from DePaul. As a performer, she has worked with professional theatres across Chicago and the midwest including Prairie Fire Children's Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, First Folio Theatre, Tibbits Opera House, and more. As an educator, Rachael has taught children of all ages in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, Dream Big Performing Arts, American Eagle Productions, the YMCA, and more. Rachael values supporting children in building their confidence, exploring their creativity, and fostering a lifelong love of the arts. In her freetime, Rachael enjoys going on adventures with her 3 year old daughter, bowling, and dancing.