Amplify Staff
Our Amplify instructors bring with them years of experience in singing, performing and vocal instruction. It is important for each of our instructors to hold students to a high standard of excellence. We are committed to providing a fun environment that develops musicians and performers, while also teaching the values of hard-work, resilience and teamwork.
Jake Tesch: Owner/Director
Jake Tesch has been performing musically since he was young. He was shaped by his experiences in the Ogden-based choirs, Kids are Music and Choral Edition, where he was taught about excellence in music and performance by Mark and Janette Bischoff. He performed in school choirs and musicals through Jr. High and High School, earning awards and reaching new heights with his talent. For nearly 18 years, he has performed in and managed the a cappella group, Vocalocity. Having twice competed in the NW Harmony Sweepstakes Competition, Vocalocity took home 1st & 2nd places, as well as earning the highly coveted “Audience Favorite Award” both times. Vocalocity has produced two studio albums, “Rejoice” and “Up in the Clouds,” as well as several music videos that of thousands of views. They continue to perform for venues across the country. Jake’s invaluable experience in music has helped Vocalocity rise to new levels, both with their live sound and studio recordings. His ability to take a vision for a song or music video and see it through to completion is a talent and skill that he has honed in his years with Vocalocity and other performing opportunities. He has studied music under local greats: Mark & Janette Bischoff, Evelyn Harris, Mishy Kirby, Derek Furch and Chris Harmon.
He plans to take all of this experience and apply it to Amplify Choirs — striving for excellence, connecting with our community and forever chasing the joy that comes with musical performance. He lives in Layton with his wife Amanda and their 5 children.
Amanda Tesch: Owner/Director
Amanda Tesch is a current member of the vocal group, Vocalocity. She grew up singing and performing from the age of 3, starting in Sunshine Generation. Her family of girls, all singers, sang together for church and community functions her entire life. In High School, she learned to play the guitar and began singing and songwriting for the next decade. She has been the alto in Vocalocity for the last 5 years, which has pushed her vocal range, her comfort level in performing, as well as her creativity in song artistry. What Amanda lacks in formal training, she makes up for with her natural ability for music. She is a “mash-up genius,” and always finds a way to make a fantastic song even better with her creativity. Amanda is also the founder of Amplify Benefit Concerts, which is a 501c3 charity that produces benefit concerts for individuals and families facing hardship. This charity has helped raise thousands of dollars for people in need.
Her hope for Amplify is that everyone in the choir can experience the happiness and joy that comes from singing FUN and INSPIRING music. Really, she just likes to party. She lives in Layton with her husband Jake and their 5 children.
Natalie Wigginton: Director
Natalie is a graduate of Weber State University with a Bachelor of Integrated Studies in Music, Education and Spanish. She attended WSU on a vocal scholarship as well as a WSU Ambassador Fellowship. She was selected as to sing in WSU’s prestigious “Concerto Night”. She loves all kinds of singing! To her credits: Winner the State National Association of Teachers of Singing competition and Sterling Scholar for Music. Some of her stage roles include: Kathy in "Singin' in the Rain", Emma in "Jekyl and Hyde", and Gertrude in "Suessical the Musical". In addition to teaching MELODY MAKERS and CLASS ACT, Natalie enjoys teaching private lessons. She is the mother of 3 darling children.
Angela Flamm: Instructor
Angela has always had a love for music and is excited to be teaching our Tiny Tones class. She had previously been an accompanist for our other choral groups. Angela attended Weber State University on a music scholarship, playing violin in their orchestra. She has also played in the Mormon Youth Symphony. Angela has taught piano and violin lessons privately and has accompanied elementary school choirs for over 20 years. Angela has 5 children who have participated in groups in KIDS are MUSIC. And she is now the grandmother to 2 grandchildren.
Shae Whitaker: Dance Instructor/Choreographer
Shae is an experienced dance teacher who has taught Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop Dance and Tumbling at several dance studios. Shae was the President of the WSU Folk Dance team. She danced with them for 3 years, learning dances from all nationalities around the world. She continues to perform as a guest dancer in their shows. Shae is a student at WSU Majoring in Nursing and Minoring in Dance. She also works in Surgical Services at McKay Dee as a Surgical Tech. Shae absolutely loves working with kids. She loves watching them grow and learn to love dance as much as she does, and they certainly love her, too! Shae has 2 darling little boys, Leo and Jack and a sweet little girl, Lulu!
Danielle Shenefelt: Piano Accompanist
Danielle joined the KIDS are MUSIC family in 2012 as an accompanist for the Tiny Tones and Kids are Music Concert Choir. She attended WSU receiving her associate degree in Clinical Laboratory Science. She has been playing the piano for over 25 years, was selected as Sterling Scholar of Music, and teaches private lessons. Danielle is the mother of 3 amazing children.
Serenity McFarland: Piano Accompanist
Serenity has been playing the piano for 15 years. She has always had a love for music and she enjoys sharing her talents. Serenity has accompanied choirs at church and at school. She also plays the violin. She graduated from Bonneville High School and plans to continue her education.