Our name reflects the double entendre of the Italian musical term da capo,
meaning a return to the beginning, while coro means chorus.
Mission Statement
Coro da capo is a volunteer choir of exceptional caliber that performs a cappella repertoire and enables Philadelphia area musicians and audiences to benefit from a distinctive choral experience. Coro da capo is dedicated to providing outstanding free public concerts supported by donations and grants.
Vision Statement
Coro da capo strives to pursue excellence in choral performance, to connect our singers with the local community by performing diverse a cappella choral works, to inspire an appreciation for choral literature, and to encourage whole-hearted listening and peace within our community.
Board of Directors
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Marsha Core
Conductor
Marsha Core has been conducting choirs for more than thirty-five years in the Main Line area and has been directing Coro da capo for two years. She holds degrees from Bethany College and Westminster Choir College. Her choirs have been selected to perform at numerous State and Eastern conventions of both the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association for Music Education. Ms. Core has conducted choirs in prestigious American and European venues including the Cathedral of St. Patrick, New York; Naval Academy Chapel, Annapolis; National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.; St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna; Matyas Templom, Budapest; and the Bergkirche, Eisenstadt, Austria.Most recently she prepared Coro da capo for a collaborative performance of Faure’s Pavane for Orchestra and Chorus with local chamber orchestra, Orchestra Concordia.
Alicia Tomkowich
President
Alicia Tomkowich is a founding member of Coro da capo, beginning as Treasurer in the Fall of 2017. She is excited to step into the role of President and work with such a dedicated Executive Board. Alicia is a proud alumna of Haverford High School and is thrilled to be singing under the direction of Marsha Core once again. Alicia currently works as a Speech-Language Pathologist in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Her passions involve working with children and adults who utilize alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) and finding creative ways for others to maximize their ability to communicate. Alicia earned an M.A. from West Chester University in 2018 and a B.A. in History from The Catholic University of America in 2014.
Kimberly Tanz
Vice President
Kimberly Tanz is a founding member of Coro da capo, and proudly serves on its executive board as vice president. Originally the group’s graphic designer, she now helps craft the organization’s brand and maintains its mission to provide free, accessible a cappella performances to all. Kimberly, like many of Coro da capo’s members, is a choir alumna of Haverford School District. She began her musical journey at a young age and considers singing a major component of community. She is thrilled to be part of a talented, unique group of vocalists who lift each other up and sustain a happy and harmonious culture. Kimberly currently works as a geospatial analyst at a water utility company. She is rooted in the world of business intelligence solutions and strives to give back in her career and personal life through volunteering and partnering with local organizations. She earned an M.S. in Geospatial Technology for Geodesign in 2018 from Thomas Jefferson University, and a B.S. in Finance from West Chester University in 2014.
Rebecca Pennock
Secretary
Rebecca Pennock began singing with Coro da Capo in the spring of 2019. As an alumna of Haverford High School’s choral program, she is elated to be singing under the direction of Marsha Core again, as that is where her love of choral music really began. Rebecca sings as an Alto 2 and joined the executive board as the Secretary in the fall season of 2023.
Rebecca is currently the administrative assistant of a local church. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Taylor University.
Derik Velasco
Treasurer
Derik Velasco joined Coro da capo in January 2023 for the beginning of their Spring season, and soon after became a member of the board as section leader of the basses and tenors. He then became Treasurer, blending his passion for music with his background in finance. He began singing as an undergraduate as a member of the Villanova Singers, through which he had the opportunity to tour and sing in cities such as Montreal, Prague, and Saltzburg, as well as perform the National Anthem at many of his beloved college men’s and women’s basketball games (Go Cats!). He is excited to once again be a part of an organized choir and sing with a group as passionate and talented as Coro da capo. Derik earned a B.A. in Economics from Villanova University, with a concentration in Peace and Justice and a minor in Public Service. He currently works at Vanguard as part of their Clearance and Settlements team and has been involved in multiple committees within his organization, most extensively as a leader in his department’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Sarah Maxwell
Assistant Treasurer
Sarah Maxwell believes, like the NASA janitor who helped to put a man on the Moon, that supporting a worthy endeavor is critical to helping make the world a better place. Sarah has been a member of Coro da Capo from its inception and enjoys singing classically while also singing with the cover band Northern Lights and practicing guitar at the local Kelly Music Center biweekly Bluegrass Jam.
Sarah is a trained singer, actress, costumer, and massage therapist. She is an avid facilitator and speaker and was honored to be chosen by her organization to attend TED2019. She is the co-founder of the internal Project Management Institute's Toastmaster Club, PMI Speaks. Sarah is also a Project Management Institute Cultural Activator, and was recently chosen to present on Culture Transformation in Nairobi, Kenya.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts from George Mason University.
Executive Board At-Large
Megan Brust
Content Developer
Megan Brust is a founding member of Coro da capo, beginning as an alto singer. She sang with Coro da capo for two seasons before moving out of state. Megan currently works remotely as an I.T. Product Owner. She enjoys working with both developers and business leaders to produce comprehensive solutions to technical goals. She earned an M. S. in Software Engineering from Drexel University and a B. M. in Music Education with voice as her primary instrument from Ithaca College. She is excited to be able to contribute to her favorite choir from afar!
Shirley Fishburne
Charitable Giving Lead
I am Shirley Fishburne, a recent and happy transplant from South Carolina and a non-singing member of the board. Forty-five years ago I was a co-founder of a choral society that is growing and still making beautiful music together. I love the concept of an a capella group and hope to bring some experience in board development to CDC.
Alyssa Tino
Social Media Coordinator
Alyssa Tino is the Social Media Coordinator and a singing member of Coro da capo. She has
been a member of Coro da capo since their inaugural season began in 2017. She has been
singing her entire life and joined Coro da capo because she wanted to experience the joy of
singing in a community setting. Alyssa graduated from Saint Joseph’s University in May 2023
and currently works in public libraries, but desires to pursue a career in the museum field. She
is a graduate of Haverford High School (Class of 2014) and a lifelong Havertown resident.
Besides singing, she loves to read, do yoga, watch movies, and take nature walks.