VMC Vocal Youth Scholarship Judges

Our judges have won acclaim as singers, teachers, and directors.  They are thrilled to adjucate and inspire the finest young singers in the area.

Sara Mayne graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Walla Walla University and has experience performing in a variety of choral, community, solo, and orchestral settings, including opera, jazz, and contemporary works. As a student, she performed with Walla Walla University’s traveling chamber choir, I Cantori, and was the resident jazz soloist for the Walla Walla University Jazz Band. During this time, she also served as a music coordinator for campus-wide events and sang with the Walla Walla Choral Society. Since graduation, she served as a worship leader and performed with the North Valley Chamber Chorale in Chico, CA. Sara currently sings with the Vancouver Master Chorale and was recently the soprano soloist for Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass in spring 2025 and was a featured soloist in the December 2025 concerts.

Dr. Scott Tuomi is a former Professor of Music, Director of Choral and Vocal Activities and Chair of the Music Department at Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR. He has been a featured tenor soloist throughout the United States with various choral groups, orchestras, opera companies, and also as a recitalist and recording artist.

Scott has conducted the Pacific University Chamber Singers in concert tours both nationally and internationally. He is also an established vocal teacher and frequently serves as a clinician, educator, and adjudicator for both choral and solo vocal music throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Scott has served as governor for the Cascade chapter of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing). He has also served as Collegiate Repertoire chair and as Oregon President for ACDA (American Choral Directors Association). Scott has also served on the boards and as a grant panelist for various performing arts organizations.  His students have gone on to careers in performing and teaching throughout the U.S.

He has directed the Balladeers at Multnomah Athletic Club who performed at Carnegie hall under his direction.  He has also served as conductor of Tsunami, a choir for young tenors and basses which is part of the Pacific Youth Choir choral organization. Scott’s vocal performances have been featured on the Freshwater, Narada, and Koch International recording labels.

Susan Pautz began her studies in music and voice at Clark College, Vancouver, WA, continuing on at Central Washington State University and ending with a Post-Graduate Diploma with Honors from the University of Toronto Opera School.

On her musical journey as a Lyric-spinto soprano, she has performed alongside numerous high profile opera stars on stages with The Portland Opera Company, Canadian Opera Company, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and the Mobile Opera.