Maestro Kim Roy
she/they
Kim is the Music Director and co-founder of Sonic Pops Northwest – Seattle’s hippest youth rock orchestra experience! She is also honored to wave a baton at the Seattle Rock Orchestra, Fauntleroy Chamber Orchestra, and Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra. As an enthusiastic educator, Kim works for Seattle Youth Symphony directing Music Youth Southeast and partnering with Seattle Public Schools to ensure an equitable and thriving musical experience for all.
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Recognized for her leadership in a variety of musical styles, Kim was named one of the “50 Women Who Rock” by Seattle Weekly for her work with the Seattle Rock Orchestra. With SRO, Kim has performed for sold out audiences and has collaborated with artists such as Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Stewart Copeland, Elvis Costello, Allen Stone, Sean Nelson of Harvey Danger, and DeVotchKa. As an in-demand studio conductor, Kim has recorded orchestral tracks for Macklemore’s “The Heist.” Her work with the Snohomish County Music Project has used the rock-orchestra model to raise over $400,000 for various charities.
Through inspired classical performances and the fusion of the rock and classical genres, Kim brings a high level of energy and excitement to the orchestral music scene.
Program Director
Daniel Mullikin he/him
Daniel Mullikin is the Program Director and co-founder of Sonic Pops NW. He is a multi-instrumentalist with a diverse professional and performance history ranging from orchestral and chamber performance, film and television scoring, composition and accompaniment for dance, private and group instruction, lutherie, and audio engineering. Daniel enjoys learning and performing in all musical genres and loves how the experience and knowledge of each enhances the others.
Daniel has worked and recorded extensively with Grammy Award winning film composer Mateo Messina, Jim Knapp’s Scrape, Sam Boshnak’s B’shnorkestra, and with artists The Dip, Amy Denio, Yukiko Matsuyama, Worried Minds, and Sean Longstreet.
Daniel believes that music is a tool for social and emotional growth and is intended to be shared and accessible to everyone. When not teaching or performing, Daniel serves Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra as their School & Community Partnerships Manager and is proud to partner with School Districts and Community Partners across the greater Puget Sound region to secure equitable access to music education.
Guest Vocalist/
Resident Rockstar
Kate Dinsmore she/her
Kate Dinsmore is a singer-songwriter based in Seattle, WA. A dynamic performer and vocalist, Dinsmore brings her songs to the stage with an undeniable presence.
Her music is powerful and emotional, with influences ranging from Jazz to Rock to Americana. Dinsmore’s performances quickly gained a following in Seattle, allowing her to open for notable artists such as Pat Benatar, Colin Hay, and the Dip.
Her voice is triumphant and intimate. The perfect soundtrack to dropping off the last of your ex’s stuff and driving off into the sunset.
Guest Vocalist/
Resident Rockstar
Cameron Lavi-Jones he/him
Cameron Lavi-Jones is the founder and frontman of the Seattle Based alternative rock band, King Youngblood. Cameron has led his band from house shows while in college studying Communications at the University of Washington all the way to playing National Venues across the USA. Sponsored by Ariel Rider eBikes and Jack Daniel’s, Cameron and his band believe when the water rises all boats rise together. In this spirit, Cameron founded the Black and Loud Fest which is now a national touring festival highlighting Black fronted bands and artists creating music left of center in alternative genres honoring the traditional Black music genres of Hip Hop and RnB. See www.blackandloudfest.com.
Cameron also founded his non-profit Hold Your Crown – fiscally sponsored by the 50 year old organization Allied Arts Foundation. Hold Your Crown focuses on lifting stigma about youth mental illness through musical testimonial and peer to peer communication. Hold Your Crown provides influence and inspiration as well as valuable resources to help youth move from mental illness to mental wellness without the burden of shame or stigma. See www.holdyourcrown.org.
Cameron is a songwriter, plays at least 10 instruments prolifically including cello, guitar, piano, drums, and bass. He's also a music producer and engineer, graphic designer and editor. There seem to be no limits for this young man. King Youngblood’s new album Out Run Your Shadow comes Spring 2025 on DICE LAB.
Drums/ Percussion Coach
Orchestrator
Em Westman they/them
Em Westman has been a highly regarded and prolific musician and artistic visionary for the last 25 years. From orchestrating large scale works for Seattle Rock Orchestra to Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra to bangin' out Indie Pop anthems with her former band, SISTERS, Em shows up for their craft full-throttle in all weather. They're a multi-instrumentalist who has a herculean understanding of music from top to bottom theoretically or in practice, and they do so on a large swath of instruments. They've lived their full professional life with one foot in rock world and the other in classical/theater world. They love to inspire kids and adults alike with their infectious love of music, art and sound. In their free time they love to wrestle their unwieldy puppy, Henry, alligators, cook wild food, build custom furniture, and tell dad jokes.
Upper Strings Coach
Kimmy Rosenberg she/her
Kimberly Rosenberg is a violinist and violist from the Seattle area with a passion for theatre and chamber music. She received her Bachelor of Music with Honours from The Royal Academy of Music, London, UK in 2011 and was a member of Southbank Sinfonia’s 10th anniversary year. Whilst in London, she performed as part of an on-stage string quartet, alongside actor Alex Jennings, in the West End production of, “Hymn” by Alan Bennett and was invited to be the sole violist in London Sinfonietta Academy’s debut year. Kimberly currently lives in Seattle as a freelance musician, where she can often be found playing at 5th Avenue Theatre, Auburn Symphony, Paramount Theatre, Seattle Music Inc, and with various chamber groups. When she's not performing, Kimberly loves to spend her time playing computer games and showing her Glen of Imaal Terriers in dog shows.
Low Strings Coach
Lauren McShane she/her
Lauren McShane is a freelance cellist and teacher in Seattle. She performs regularly with Portland Cello Project, Seattle Rock Orchestra, and Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra. In addition to performing, Lauren is passionate about teaching. She believes that curiosity should lead learning; and each student has a unique way of engaging with the world that can facilitate learning. She also believes music should be taught in a positive atmosphere, motivated by musical, emotional, and technical growth. She teaches a full private cello studio, alongside Holy Names Academy, Snoqualmie Strings, and is faculty at Icicle Creek Summer Symphony.
Winds/Horns Coach
Nicholas Franks he/him
Nicholas Franks (he/him) Nick is the band and orchestra director at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, WA. Prior to this position, Nick has worked with music students in Mercer Island High School, Islander Middle School, Canyon Creek Elementary School, Hazen High School, Lincoln High School, and Bellevue High School. As a dedicated member of the marching band community, Nick has served hundreds of high school drum majors across California and Washington with the United Spirit Association and with Washington Band Camps as a drum major and band leadership instructor.
Nick attended the University of Washington where he was a passionate member of the Husky Marching Band for 5 years, serving as music librarian, alto sax section leader, and ultimately as head Drum Major. He was also principal saxophone in the University's premiere Wind Ensemble, and has played various woodwind instruments in and directed musical productions for UW Stage Notes and Village Theater's KidStage Productions in Everett.
Nick believes that all young people deserve a culturally responsive music education in public schools, and hopes that he can play a small but influential role in the development of music education opportunities in the Seattle area