This event is free and open to the public, with advanced ticket reservation.

Presented by SFCM's PDEC (Professional Development) team and New Century Chamber Orchestra, Cirque du Soleil Musicians on tour with ECHO (currently playing in San Francisco November 20, 2025 - January 18, 2026), will visit SFCM to share their expertise with students and offer career advice and experience. Guest musicians featured will include Nicole Sauder (violin, voice), Hua-Chu Huang (viola, voice), and Daniel O'Brian Phillips (voice). 

Guest Artist Profiles

Alex Wignall is the dynamic keyboardist and band leader for Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO. Originating from Australia, Alex plays keyboards while also contributing on vocals, working alongside Jonathan Stombres to deliver rich harmonic layers in the live band. His leadership brings cohesion to the ensemble's eclectic musical score, which blends pop, electronic, and classical influences to underscore the show’s thematic journey. 
Alex’s role in ECHO is part of a broader professional arc: a jazz-trained pianist, composer, and educator who studied at Indiana University Bloomington, now touring internationally.  In ECHO, he not only performs but shapes the musical narrative—guiding transitions, supporting vocal leads, and syncing seamlessly with the live acrobatics under the Big Top. His artistry helps embed the performance’s emotional depth and sonic sophistication.

Émilie Cleuver is a dynamic Dutch percussionist, backing vocalist, and band leader currently featured in Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO. Raised in a musical household—her mother is pop singer Bojoura and her father, Hans Cleuver, was a drummer in the progressive rock band Focus—Émilie honed her craft from childhood, studying drums and percussion at her family’s renowned DrumSchool Cleuver . Following academic studies in mathematics and econometrics, she embraced a broad musical journey spanning numerous genres: from funk, soul, and fusion to Cuban and West African rhythms. 
Émilie’s career with Cirque du Soleil began as the drummer for Amaluna (2019–2020), toured with big-top productions such as Fieri and Fuzion, and led the drum chair for the resident show Joyà in Mexico (20232024). In ECHO, she takes center stage not just behind the drums but also as a vocalist and backup band leader, weaving live percussion, multi-genre rhythms, and vocal harmonies into the show’s vibrant soundscape. Her versatility, deep sense of rhythm, and musical leadership lend ECHO a compelling sonic depth under the Big Top.

Elisabeth "Lizzy" Munson is a talented cellist, vocalist, and dancer from Calgary, Alberta, currently performing in Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO. She brings her dynamic musicality to the production, enhancing its live performances with her rich cello playing and expressive vocals. Lizzy’s journey with Cirque du Soleil began in 2016 when she joined KÀ in Las Vegas, followed by performances in the 2022 Saudi Arabian show, Fuzion. 
Beyond Cirque du Soleil, Lizzy has an impressive background in the music industry, having collaborated with renowned artists such as Shawn Mendes and Michael Bublé, accompanying Mendes at the 2016 Juno Awards and touring with Bublé in 2014 and 2022. Classically trained, she studied at Mount Royal Conservatory’s Academy Program, where she was principal cellist for four years. Her versatility allows her to seamlessly blend classical techniques with contemporary performance styles. 
In addition to her stage career, Lizzy is passionate about music education, offering private voice and cello lessons to help students build a strong technical foundation. Her dedication to her craft, both as a performer and mentor, makes her a standout artist in the world of contemporary performing arts.

A dynamic and versatile musician, Hua-Chu Huang brings a wealth of experience in solo, chamber, and orchestral performances to Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO. Passionate about both classical and contemporary works, he has collaborated with esteemed artists such as Carol Wincenc, Erika Raum, and Scott St. John. A dedicated advocate for new music, he has performed at premier festivals including Toronto’s 21C Music Festival and the Banff Centre. 
Huang’s exceptional musicianship has earned him numerous accolades, including first place in the Glenn Gould School Chamber Competition with Chu-Yi Duo and top prizes in the Canadian Music Competition and the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra Competition. He has performed as a soloist with Symphony Nova Scotia, the Chebucto Symphony Orchestra, and the Dalhousie Symphony Orchestra. 
A graduate of The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music, Huang studied under Paul Kantor and Barry Shiffman, following his Bachelor of Music from Dalhousie University with Philippe Djokic. Now, as a violist with ECHO, he brings his artistry to Cirque du Soleil’s breathtaking world of acrobatics and storytelling. 

Nicole Sauder is a distinguished violinist and vocalist currently performing with Cirque du Soleil's production, ECHO. In this role, she brings her exceptional musical talents to life, captivating audiences with her dynamic performances.  
Before joining Cirque du Soleil, Nicole was a member of the San Diego Symphony for seven years, where she honed her craft and contributed to numerous acclaimed performances. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Master of Music degree from UCLA. During her time at UCLA, she was a member of the VEM String Quartet, a graduate ensemble dedicated to the performance and study of Armenian music.  
In addition to her work with Cirque du Soleil, Nicole is a member of the New Century Chamber Orchestra, further showcasing her versatility and commitment to the arts. Beyond the violin, she enjoys playing instruments such as the bodhrán, mandolin, and ukulele, and has a passion for making her own clothes.

Kaja Mianowana is the lead vocalist of Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO, enchanting audiences with her cinematic voice and magnetic stage presence. A classically trained singer with a background in musical theatre, Kaja brings depth, emotion, and a distinct lyrical quality to every performance. Her voice helps shape the emotional core of ECHO, guiding audiences through the show’s journey with powerful vocals that soar under the Big Top. 
Before joining ECHO, Kaja built a rich and diverse career across live theatre, music collaborations, and film projects. Her ability to blend theatrical storytelling with vocal artistry has made her a standout in the production, earning praise from fans and colleagues alike. Whether performing solo or alongside the full ensemble, Kaja’s presence adds an unforgettable layer to the show’s soundscape, making her an essential voice in the world of ECHO.

Daniel O’Brian Philipps is a powerhouse Chicago-born vocalist currently shining under the Big Top as a featured singer in Cirque du Soleil’s ECHO. His global career began at Disneyland Paris, where he stepped into the iconic role of Rafiki in The Lion King — a role traditionally performed by female vocalists. Daniel became one of the very few male singers ever approved by Disney to interpret Rafiki, and his exceptional vocal range and emotional depth allowed him to bring a fresh, vibrant, and deeply moving dimension to the character. 
He later joined Hong Kong Disneyland as the vocalist for Simba, delivering passionate, high-energy performances that showcased his dynamic storytelling and signature power. Daniel further expanded his international presence through large-scale productions with Norwegian Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line, performing for audiences around the world and refining a stage presence that is both magnetic and heartfelt. 
Today, with Cirque du Soleil, Daniel brings his theatrical roots and global experience to the imaginative world of ECHO, offering a stirring vocal presence that heightens the show’s emotional landscape. With a career defined by versatility, global stages, and a rare vocal range, Daniel continues to captivate audiences and bring tremendous heart to every performance.
 

About Cirque du Soleil.

About New Century Chamber Orchestra.