More updates for June & July

This month’s newsletter starts with the previous composition feature, “From the Stone Age“, which is already available on the blog here. But we have more to share! View the whole newsletter here, and make sure you’re on the mailing list!

Upcoming Events

Registration now open

Calling all singers — The ZSR Singers Summer Choral Intensive is back!

(Reserve your spot ASAP!)

Join us July 13–18, 2026 at Church of the Good Shepherd in Arcadia for a week of harmonies, community, and just the right amount of musical mischief. Open to singers 15 and up, this intergenerational choral adventure will sharpen your skills, deepen your connections, and feed your soul with music by Zanaida Robles and Shawn Kirchner. All for $150 — because as one alum said, “It’s like summer music camp for grown-ups!” Registration is open now, so grab your sheet music (and maybe a water bottle) and get ready to sing your heart out.

Sign up now

For Fun

Here’s a photo of me with composer Hyowon Woo, whose work “SUM” was premiered on May 31 by the LA Master Chorale at Walt Disney Concert Hall. She’s one of my composer heroes – I LOVE her music and was completely star struck!

On Saturday May 30, I sang at the Greek Theater with the LACHSA Gospel Choir for LACHSAPalooza! – a gala fundraiser celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. As a member of the class of 1997 and as a music teacher there for 9 years, I will always cherish LACHSA with deep gratitude and joy.

And here’s a cat for good measure. (Hello, Archie!)

Happy summer! Hope you can join us in July!

Not Zanaida's real signature. (What are we, nuts?)

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From the Stone Age

I recently shared on social media how I often create demo recordings of new compositions so I can hear and feel what works in the piece and what doesn’t. The example I used was from my piece “From the Stone Age” for SSA choir, piano, cello, and flute.

Here’s my demo post on Facebook:

Here’s the link

Do you already use recording devices and apps to practice and test out new works you’re learning or writing? If not, whether on your phone or in a dedicated recording studio, record yourself. Then, play it back and harmonize with your own voice – it’s great practice, and it’s fun.

Click the button to order the score and listen the complete demo recording for “From the Stone Age.” I still love how this piece turned out.

Listen and order on Musicspoke

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Prime Time – It’s my 47th Birthday!

A quick Google search yields many fascinating points about the cultural and scientific significance of prime number 47. One of my favorite factoids is that it was often used as running gag or an easter egg found in dialogue, on tech displays, and in shield percentages in Star Trek episodes. Here I am, referencing Star Trek (TNG, always)! I mean, this is full-on middle age.

Turning 47 feels like entering a new era of life. It feels like a new beginning, like starting from scratch. As I refine and redefine myself and my purpose, I feel like a child in a big scary world. And yet, I can feel myself growing. 46 was one of the most difficult years of my life. Disappointment, loss, and despair seemed to increase around me daily. But I’m entering my 47th year with the knowledge and experience to weather storms like never before.

As the songs says, “the clouds grow thickest when the summit’s nigh.”

Conducting

Carnegie Hall, March 12-15, 2027

*Carnegie Hall, 2019 – Midtown Manhattan, NYC*

Become a ZSR Singer, and join me, along with other outstanding choruses from both school and community programs, for rehearsals and an unforgettable performance of Shawn Kirchner’s SONGS OF ASCENT, accompanied by professional orchestra and enhanced by stunning artistic projection.

Under the direction and artistic vision of yours truly, participating singers will take the stage at world-renowned Carnegie Hall (pictured) in New York City – an inspiring milestone that builds confidence, and strengthens musicianship.

READY TO SIGN UP TO SING WITH ME IN NEW YORK?

Register here

2027 ZSR SINGERS SUMMER INTENSIVE – ALMOST TIME!

We have a location! We’ll be hosted by Church of the Good Shepherd in Arcadia, and registration opens June 1. Here’s the updated flyer:

Singing

Here’s a snap shot of what it can be like to sing choir music together for fun with people you love!

For Fun

Happy May!

Shawn Kirchner and Zanaida Robles singing together in a home studio — Sing with Shawn and Zanaida at Carnegie Hall… (see above)

Sing with Shawn and Zanaida at Carnegie Hall… (see above)

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Resigning with Love

April 26, 2026 will be my final day serving as Director of Music for Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena. The decision to leave was truly difficult, as Neighborhood Church has been place of musical and spiritual nourishment to me for almost 8 years. The time seems right for this transition as my focus has shifted toward embracing new opportunities to compose, teach, sing and conduct on a larger scale.

I am deeply grateful for Neighborhood Church and for all the blessings that came with serving as its music director. To be able to conduct, sing, compose, and play handbells while serving this community has been a true blessing and a joy. The Neighborhood Church music community is special due to its rich legacy that extends many decades before my time here. And I know Neighborhood Church music programs will flourish long after I conclude my service as music director.

Composing

While I’m still reading and studying a lot about composition and orchestration, I’m starting to turn my attention toward summer publishing, hoping to get 4 new works out into the world: Winter Branches for SATB voices a cappella, premiered in December 2025 by Kantorei under Joel M. Rinsema; The Root for SATB voices a cappella, premiered in May 2025 by Sacred and Profane Chamber Chorus under Rebecca Seeman; Beautiful for SSA voices and piano, premiered in May 2025 by Spirito Singers under Carling FitzSimmons; and LA River Scenes for solo piano, premiered in December 2025 by Aron Kallay for Piano Spheres‘ “30 for 30” concert series.

Singing

Creating demos and doing session work remains a great joy of mine. More, please!

Conducting

Join the Facebook group to be notified about registration and more updates

Interns wanted

Apply here

Check out the Facebook group

For Fun

Our amazing Harvard-Westlake performance in Costa Rica

Ready for multiple rides on Ghost Rider at Knotts Berry Farm!

Visiting my alma maters:

First I visited Audubon Middle School to re-connect and learn about their current music programs.

Then I visited USC Thornton and heard the USC Concert Choir with beloved teachers and friends: L to R, Marisa Rawlins, Bruce Rogers, Cristian Grases, Paul Smith:

Also, hugs and deepest thanks to Dr. Tram Sparks (not pictured) for exquisitely conducting my “Veni Sancte Spiritus”.

And of course…

Shrimp cats?

Ollivander the Majestic

Ready for love

Looking forward to the next phase…

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MY MANTRA

Singers are athletes. Athletes are artists.

Say it again.
And again.
And again.

Actually, I think all performing artists are athletes. Think about the implications – the importance of health and fitness, the hours of practice and rehearsal, the training, the coaching, the performances, the injuries and ailments, the competitions, the tears of failure, the tears of triumph. What other parallells do you see? When I think about the parallells between arts and athletics, I feel more open to the possiblity of connection beyond my music circle. The possibility of deeper, broader connections in the greater community excites me and gives me hope for the future.

Singing

On Sunday, March 28 at 10am, I’m singing “Precious Lord” for a special Truth and Reconciliation service at Neighborhood Church. Being able to sing this special song from the bottom of my heart while in the context of my church work is a blessing I never take for granted.

Composition

While I’m working on 3 new commissions at the moment, orchestration and composition studies are occupying much of my time. Taking lessons, reading Piston and Adler, studying works by various orchestral composers, and working on foundational assignments to help improve my compositional process – it’s humbling but rewarding.