Meet the Team
"Teamwork is the secret that makes common people achieve uncommon results."
-Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha
Artistic Team
Artistic Director
Irene Brink (She, Her)
Born and raised in Las Cruces, Irene Brink has performed musically on stage, as a solo performer and in choirs throughout the area since early childhood. Since receiving a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and a Master's in Music from NMSU she has been active in the local musical community. She has maintained a private voice studio for fifteen years and is currently the Director of Choirs at Vista Middle School. Since 2014 she has been able to enjoy the musical outlet and fellowship of SInging Out Las Cruces from both sides of the stand, first as a singer, then as the Artistic Director.
Collaborative Pianist
Chris Martinez (He, Him)
Bio coming soon.
Media and Marketing Manager,
Program & Website Designer
Liz Brink (She, Her)
Liz Brink is originally from El Paso, Tx. but after years of going to school, working, and volunteering as a Dramaturg at the local theatres here in Las Cruces and basically just sleeping in El Paso, she fully embraced life in Las Cruces. She recently retired after a 20 year career in Early Childhood Education where she worked diligently to teach tiny humans how to be accepting, compassionate, resilient, and most importantly, unapologetically themselves. She's an avid reader, writer, artist, and gamer. She also loves spending time with her amazing wife and son, who are her favorite collaborators in both mischief and Minecraft.
Now with a little more free time, and a lot more coffee, Liz pours her energy into the creative side of life. For Singing Out Las Cruces, Liz is the one-person Media & Marketing Department. She's responsible for Singing Out's new logos, the website, concert programs, promotional materials, merchandise, and social media content. If it's from Singing Out and it's online, then chances are Liz made it.
With a deep love of community, creativity, and queerness, Liz is proud to support Singing Out Las Cruces' mission, vision, and commitment to creating a safe inclusive space for everyone to make music.
President
Katalina Elizabeth Hadfield (She, Her)
Katalina Hadfield was born and raised in Las Cruces, and thinks of this beautiful city as her artistic home. Growing up, Katalina was in voice lessons with SOLC's Artistic Director, Irene; she was also in many choirs under the direction of Irene's mom, Geri. Today, Katalina works as a public defender here in Las Cruces. In her spare time, she is involved with local theatre and drag performances. Since she went through her gender transition, Katalina has struggled to find a place where her presence and voice can be accepted--until she found SOLC! She's so grateful to help corral such a magical, open-hearted, and congenial group of talented singers!
Board Secretary
Adara Walker (She/Her)
Adara is a biochemist by trade and a showgirl at heart. After growing up in a small conservative town where queer community was nonexistent, discovering Singing Out Las Cruces felt like finding the future she once dreamed about. This choir has been her reassurance, her strength, and her chosen family.
Now in her fourth season, Adara is so very proud to serve on the Board and help keep SOLC loud, loving, and beautifully queer. Whether in the lab at NMSU or under stage lights, she moves through life with the same conviction: loud joy, big heart, and unapologetic queerness.
Board Member at Large
Shari Abramowitz (She/Her)
Shari was born and raised in Abington Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. Music has always been a central part of her life. She started playing piano at the age of eight and sang in choir, District choir and Madrigal singers throughout Junior High and High School. Shari also was very involved with music theater, playing Rizzo in the High School production of Grease and then went on to have various small parts in the community theater for 10 years following.
When Shari and her wife moved to Las Cruces in 2022, she was so incredibly blessed to find such a welcoming community like SOLC. After singing with the choir for several seasons, Singing Out became her "Chosen Family". After moving to Denver mid 2025, being on the Board keeps SOLC close to her heart where they will remain for a lifetime.
Board Member at Large
Juli Thomas (She/Her)
Juli has been singing since she could talk, and has enjoyed participating in choruses from elementary school to college and beyond! Juli is honored to serve as a board member and she is very excited to give back to the community that has given so much to her. In her professional life, Juli is a registered nurse home visitor for first time moms in Southern New Mexico. At home Juli cares for and TNRs community cats in her neighborhood- a certified Cat Lady!
Treasurer
Steven Romero (He, Him)
Steven Romero was born and raised in Las Cruces. Having learned piano at a young age, music has been an important part of Steven's life and he's grateful to use his business management skills to help support Singing Out. He received both his Bachelors of Business Administration and Masters of Business Administration from New Mexico State University. He has worked for both New Mexico State University, and the University of New Mexico in various business administration capacities in addition to Los Alamos National Laboratory and currently works as the Chief Financial Officer for Conservation Voters New Mexico. In his spare time he enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, biking, camping, playing music, painting, and gardening.
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Board Member at Large/Concert Manager
Brandon Contreras(He/They)
Originating from El Paso, Texas, Brandon Contreras has always been a supporter and active participant in the Arts. He has been part of many artist's galleries, markets, and events in El Paso such as: Las Artistas, Chalk the Block, and Experience the Bosque. After receiving a Bachelors of Studio Fine Arts from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2021, he moved to Las Cruces to find new opportunities and connections. Joining SOLC in 2023, he worked as a 5th Section member for every major concert and event. As a 5th Section member he assisted in ticket sales, fundraising initiatives, pride week events, and more. Now he is ready to be promoted from a Volunteer to a Board Member, using his abilities to help this amazing organization flourish for even more years to come!
Board Member at Large
Abby Prawitz (She, Her)
Abby Prawitz is from a small town in Southern Oregon. She has always been involved in music in some way, starting in violin lessons at 5 years old and choir and voice lessons at 11. Abby is so grateful for the space SOLC makes; not only to create music with others, but to open a joyful queer space that's needed more than ever. After several amazing seasons with SOLC, Abby made the difficult decision to move to Oregon to be closer to family, but is immensely grateful for the opportunity to stay connected through the SOLC Board. Abby is a doctor of audiology and deeply enjoys helping people hear better, in both adult and pediatric populations.