About | Encore Vocal Ensemble

About Us

Encore Vocal Ensemble reimagines the choral experience with a bold theatrical twist, empowering a diverse community of artists through authentic storytelling and artistic growth.

Our Mission

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Who We Are

Encore Vocal Ensemble reimagines the choral experience with a bold theatrical twist, empowering a diverse community of artists through authentic storytelling and artistic growth.

Through mainstage and community performances, Encore members share their love of live performance with the San Diego region while expanding their capabilities as performers. Beyond the stage, Encore fosters a vibrant and inclusive community, bringing people together through a shared passion for music, collaboration, and artistic growth.

Non-Profit Status

Encore is committed to contributing to the arts community in San Diego. We are a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tax ID# 45-2038760.

Artistic Team

Tim McKnight

Artistic Director

Tim McKnight has proudly served as Encore Vocal Ensemble’s Music/Artistic Director since 2012. Tim originally hails from the Midwest where he received his Bachelors in Music Education and his Masters in Accompanying & Vocal Coaching from the University of Illinois @ Urbana-Champaign. Over the past 17 years, he has also served as the Director of Music at Chalice Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Escondido. Tim is a private piano teacher, accompanist, vocal coach, and award-winning musical theatre director & conductor. He has received 3 National Youth Arts Awards for Outstanding Music Direction as well as 4 nominations for his work at J*Company Youth Theatre in La Jolla. In addition, Tim has had the honor of being the Music Director for the Broadway San Diego Awards since their inception in 2014.

Zachary Manlapid

Assistant Music Director

Zachary Manlapid (he/him) is a conductor, music director, singer, and violist who was born and raised in San Diego. He attended Palomar College before transferring to UC Berkeley, earning his BA in Music. He later earned his Master of Music (MMus) in Choral Conducting at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. He currently works as the Director of Choirs at Mt. Carmel High School. When he's not stuck in rehearsal, Zach loves playing video games, cooking/baking, and riding rollercoasters. He’s happy to be working as the Assistant Music Director for Encore Vocal Ensemble.

Kim Grogg Marin

Staging Director

Kim has worked professionally as an actor, singer, director, choreographer, teacher and print model for over 40 years. Kim obtained a degree in theatre from Indiana University and is a proud member of AFTRA/SAG and EQUITY. Kim spent most of her performing life in NYC where for many years she was involved in the cabaret community as a singer and on the board of the Manhattan Association of Cabarets. As a cabaret singer Kim performed at Cole Porter's 125th birthday celebration at Carnegie Hall and at the 2022 Cabaret Convention at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Kim serves on the board of Singnasium, a NYC based non-profit singing school. Kim performed with ENCORE for many seasons and now is very happy to be working as ENCORE’s Staging Director.