Artistic Director:
Nadari Hockenhull
Nadari Hockenhull is the Artistic Director of the Kona Glee Club and a Neo-Classical Vocal Artist
known for her seamless blend of operatic, R&B, gospel, and contemporary styles. A vocalist,
educator, choreographer, and holistic vocal therapist, she brings a rare combination of musical
excellence and healing-arts insight to every space she leads. With a background in ballet, jazz, and hip hop choreography, Nadari creates performances that unite powerful singing with expressive movement—offering audiences an experience that is both emotionally rich and visually captivating.
Nadari spent 15 years teaching in the Departments of Education in California, Arizona, and
Hawaiʻi, shaping her philosophy of inclusive, creative, whole-child learning. Her commitment to
emotional well-being and artistic growth continues to influence her work with singers of all ages.
She serves as a Performer and Board Member with the Kona Choral Society and is a Worship
Leader at the Kona International Christian Church, where she’s known for uplifting communities
through music, encouragement, and spiritual inspiration.
Nadari works at The Arc of Kona as a Services Supervisor, supporting adults with
developmental disabilities through compassion, creativity, and connection. Her background in
music, breathwork, and therapeutic vocal practices enriches her service, helping clients build
independence, emotional resilience, and meaningful daily rhythms.
Through her healing-arts practice, Resonate Vocal Wellness Sanctuary, she offers private voice
study, sound therapy, and emotional wellness sessions. Her approach is rooted in the belief that
the voice is a powerful instrument for regulation, release, and restoration—helping individuals
reconnect with their most authentic selves.
Before moving to Hawaiʻi, Nadari was a Professor of Voice at AMDA College and Conservatory
of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles and a Teaching Artist with the Arizona Opera, expanding
arts access for students and underserved communities. Her performance credits include a solo
appearance at Carnegie Hall honoring Kathleen Battle, the rap-opera Graffiti Blues at the Presidential Inaugural Ball for Bill Clinton, a regional award from the Metropolitan Opera, and a tour with Houston Grand Opera’s Porgy and Bess. She also trained in Austria with the Tyrolean Opera Program and was recently recognized as a 2025 Hawaiian Idol Finalist. Nadari has released both a gospel album and a classical recording featuring soulful interpretations of beloved arias.
Today, Nadari is honored to lead the Kona Glee Club—a community built on joy, collaboration,
inclusivity, and artistic excellence. She believes music is medicine, harmony is healing, and
when people come together to sing, they create something truly transformative.
Corinna Sloan:
Assistant Artistic Director/Choreographer
Corinna Sloan is the Assistant Artistic Director and Choreographer for Kona Glee Club, bringing a lifelong background in dance and a deep passion for vocal performance, choreography, and artistic direction to the group. She has trained in multiple dance styles including hip hop, jazz, lyrical, and ballet since early childhood. Her extensive dance background has been instrumental in her developing expertise in movement, musicality, and performance.
Corinna danced competitively for many years, earning multiple national titles, and later danced professionally in San Diego and Los Angeles. Her professional work includes background dancing for artists, appearances in music videos, and providing artistic direction and choreography for aspiring pop performers.
Teaching has become one of her greatest joys, and she loves empowering dancers of all ages to grow in skill and expression while developing a genuine love for movement and artistry. She currently teaches hip hop, jazz, lyrical, and technique/conditioning classes as a teaching artist at Kona Dance and Performing Arts. Additionally, she assists with choreography for Konawaena Cheer.
Alongside her dance career, Corinna has always loved singing and creative direction, and she brings her passion for that blend of disciplines into her work with the Kona Glee Club. Her choreography is known for being expressive, accessible, and engaging. It is designed to help performers feel connected, and to leave the audience feeling moved, uplifted, and thoroughly entertained.
Corinna is passionate about creating a rehearsal space that feels joyful, encouraging, and inspiring and is committed to cultivating a supportive and fun environment where performers of all ages can express and grow, both as individuals and ensemble members.
Corinna is honored to be part of the Kona Glee Club team and excited to bring fresh creativity, movement, and heart to each performance.
Piano Accompanist:
Vaina Barton
Vaina Barton is from the beautiful island of Tahiti. After high school, she attended BYU-Hawaii and graduated with a Bachelor of Art degree in Piano Pedagogy. In college, she met her husband, a local Hawaiian boy. They are raising three amazing boys and one sweet girl in Kona where she divides her time between composing, teaching piano, photography, baking, crafting and other artistic pursuits. She loves music and recently wrote, from her heart, a collection of beautiful compositions.
