Habermann is in his seventeenth season as Artistic Director of the Sante Fe Desert Chorale, one of the nation’s premier professional chamber choirs. He was director of the Dallas Symphony Chorus from 2011 to 2022, and previously taught on the faculties of the University of Miami and San Francisco State University. He is a frequent guest with symphonic and professional choirs, and has led honor choirs and choral festivals in North and Latin America, Europe and Asia. 

Joanna has a passion for community children’s choirs and has worked with such nationally recognized groups as the San Francisco Girls Chorus, Indianapolis Children’s Choir and Miami Children’s Chorus. She is the Director of the Cantilena Ensemble of the Hawai’i Youth Opera Chorus and helps organize the annual Nā Leo Pili Mai Middle School Choral Festival. Joanna is currently serving as your ACDA Western Region R&R Co-Chair for Jr. High/ Middle School.

Originally from the Houston area, Claire holds a Bachelor of Music degree and a Performer’s Certificate in Flute from Indiana University, with additional studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London and Rice University.  She began her teaching journey with a Kindermusik certification in 2006.  In 2007, she was hired as the Preschool Music Teacher and Children’s Choir Director at Central Union Church and Preschool, a position which she held until 2017, when she moved to Trinity.  Over the past eight years, Claire transitioned from directing mostly younger students to directing the Coram Deo Choir, a 50-member choir made up of students in grades 7-12, which she ran from 2022-2025.  In addition to teaching, Claire is also a flutist with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, which she joined in 2004. She is married to fellow symphony musician Mark Butin, and they have three fabulous daughters, all of whom love to sing! 

Ben received his Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi and his Bachelors of Music in Music Education from Susquehanna University. Originally from Swoyersville, Pennsylvania, he has worked on Kaua’i for 5 years promoting a passion for performing and choral education.
Ben is the Collaborative Pianist for the Kaua’i Chorale, a 50+ member community ensemble that has performed major choral works and pop classics. He has collaborated with several
performing arts groups on the island—including Sing Out Kaua’i, Kaua’i Performing Arts Center, Hawaii Children’s Theatre and Kaua’i Community Players—in roles such as soloist,
accompanist, and musical director.

In addition to his work in the classroom, Ben is deeply engaged in both local and international music communities. He has performed abroad in Japan and New Zealand and has volunteered
at the 2024 World Choir Games in Auckland. At Island School, he also serves as the Enrichment Department Chair, where he continues to advocate for the importance of arts
education in schools. He also serves on two executive boards here in the state of Hawaii. Here on Kauai, he is a part of the Kaua‘i Concert Association, an organization dedicated to bringing world-class musicians and cultural events to the island community. He currently serves as the Membership Chair of the Hawai‘i Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association where he promotes and connects members of the organization across all the islands. Both of these organizations benefit Ben’s love for important community bonding. In his free time, Ben enjoys going to the beach, hiking, playing Pokemon, and following the Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB.