You've met Ivy, now meet Barbara...

Barbara is a singer/actress originally from San Jose, California, and, to this day, is a self-proclaimed “California girl”. Her parents enrolled her in dance lessons at the age of 6 and she was immediately enamored of all things stage related.  She discovered her love of musical theater at the ripe old age of 9 while performing with the San Jose Children’s Musical Theater, and has been officially “addicted” ever since.  Barbara began formal vocal training when she was 14, studying with a local professional vocalist, Polly Howard, who encouraged her to audition as often as possible and to try her hand at all vocal genres. 

In college, Barbara chose to study classical voice and graduated with Honors in ’91 with a BA in Music from San Jose State University. While at the University she studied under Professor Charlene Chadwick-Cullen, and Professor Jean Garcon, both of whom spent time on the operatic stage as featured soloists, as well as the award winning Choral Director, Dr. Charlene Archibeque. Having grown up in the culturally rich San Francisco Bay Area, Barbara has had the honor to perform in many of the incredible West Coast venues, such as Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and the beautiful Historical Montgomery Theater in downtown San Jose.  

Barbara has most recently been seen on the stage of Fauquier Community Theater as Fruma Sara in Fiddler on the Roof, Aunt March in Little Women, and Jo Stafford in Far From Home. Other favorite roles include: Maria from West Side Story, Sister Robert Anne from Nunsense, Antonia from Man of La Mancha, Aldonza from Man of La Mancha, Marian from The Music Man, and Laurie from Oklahoma!.

When not performing, Barbara enjoys spending time with her family and reading, reading, always reading. Her husband of 23+ years, Kevin, and children, David (20), Marisa (18), and Jackson (14), are all incredibly supportive and she is very thankful for the joy and love they bring into her life!