Band Members

David Badillo

Producer, Vocalist

David is thrilled to be on stage singing with the talented members of Under the Covers. A graduate of San Diego State University, David was a featured performer with In aChord’s Men’s Ensemble and the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego. David is proud to be the founding President of Encore Vocal Ensemble, which recently celebrated its ten-year anniversary. A technical writer by trade, David’s love of retrofuturism in dress, music, and architecture has found a perfect home with Under the Covers.

Jennifer Savion

Music Director, Vocalist 

Jennifer is an active member of the San Diego performing arts community, and is a music director, songwriter, singer, instrumentalist (piano/keys/hand percussion), and teacher (voice, piano, and dance). Jennifer has worked with several different local arts organizations over the years – onstage, on the podium, and in the pit. Past collaborations include Center Stage Productions, Coronado Playhouse, Diversionary Theatre, JCompany Youth Theatre, Young Actors’ Theatre, Pickwick Players, Motive Vocal Ensemble, La Jolla Symphony & Chorus, Encore Vocal Ensemble, and Daybreak Games.  Jennifer’s first original theatre work, “Falling on Track” debuted at the 2024 San Diego Fringe Festival.

Jennifer is an acclaimed audition coach (acting and musical theatre), and also teaches voice, piano, and music theory.  Additionally, Jennifer is the founder and Artistic Director of the San Diego Cabaret Project, a collective of highly skilled professional visual and performing artists who are committed to an ongoing collaboration to develop community, stage regular performances, and create new interdisciplinary art.

John Fairbanks

Pianist

John Fairbanks is a classically trained pianist and accompanist throughout the Southern California area. John has  35 years of experience in teaching performing and accompanying. John is a recent San Diego transplant from Valencia California. He received a  performance scholarship to the University of Miami, Frost School of Music, in Miami, Florida where he studied with Dr. Rosalina Sackstein. After finishing a degree in piano performance in 2004 John relocated back to his hometown of Santa Clarita, CA to be closer to family and because he preferred a more dry heat. The majority of his degree in classical piano has been put to use playing in show choir bands, church services, musical theater orchestras, all sorts of ensemble playing, teaching and now the universe has lead him to new friends and music with Under the Covers. Additionally he serves as accompanist for various other local school music programs, choir festivals, and churches and is involved in many musical organizations. Outside of music John loves both cats and dogs, urban gardening….and has recently taken up some casual sewing. 

Lauren Sleeper

Drums

Born near Toronto, Canada and raised in the small-town Midwest, Lauren Sleeper graduated from Northern Illinois University majoring in music education and performance. She currently instructs drums, percussion, piano, guitar and ukulele on both virtual and in-person lessons from her home studio in Escondido, CA where she resides with her wife and four foster-to-adoptive daughters who are all as equally creative and expressive. As an active member of San Diego’s music scene, Lauren has performed with church choirs, the San Diego Women’s Chorus, community orchestras, musical theater ensembles, the Broadway San Diego Awards, Encore Vocal Ensemble, community concert bands and rock bands. She’s had the honor of singing and/or playing drums at the House of Blues, Spreckles Organ Pavilion, Balboa Theater, Sea World, Lego Land, Disney Land, Petco Park, and the San Diego Pride Festival. She looks forward to sharing her love of music with Under the Covers at an event near you!

Krystle Hart

Vocalist, Bookings 

Krystle Hart is a lifelong music lover, performer, and dedicated arts advocate, committed to improving arts organizations and increasing access to the arts in the San Diego community. As a founding member of Under the Covers, Krystle is excited to embark on this new musical journey, bringing her extensive experience in event planning and entertainment booking to the group. When she's not working behind the scenes, Krystle loves spending time with her family and enjoying local theatre performances. Additionally, Krystle has been an integral part of Encore Vocal Ensemble for more than a decade, where her talent and passion have made a lasting impact in San Diego's musical theatre and choral communities. Her multifaceted career and dedication to the arts make her a dynamic and influential figure in the local arts community. Get ready to be enchanted by Krystle and Under the Covers at your next event.

Amanda Hibshman 

Vocalist

Born and raised in San Diego's Pacific Beach, Amanda has been passionate about theater since childhood. From ages 8 to 18, she honed her skills at San Diego Junior Theatre. Amanda's talent led her to perform at venues across the city, including Sea World San Diego. Since 2014, Amanda has been a member of Encore Vocal Ensemble, where she continues to nurture her love for musical theater. As a versatile vocalist, she also performs with the band Under the Covers, showcasing her range from soulful ballads to energetic rock anthems. When not on stage, Amanda works as a Registered Dietitian, balancing her dual passions for nutrition and performance. Her dedication to both fields highlights her commitment to excellence and her ability to connect with and inspire others.

Joey Landwehr 

Vocalist

An AEA, SAG, AFTRA, and DGA member, Joey was nominated for a Tony Award for the inaugural Excellence in Theatre Education Award. Most recently the artistic director for San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center and the artistic director for JCompany Youth Theatre. He has also been Artistic Director for The Broadway San Diego Awards since its inception. He moved to San Diego after being a professional actor and director in New York City working on and off Broadway, national tours, regional theater, and directing and soloing at Carnegie Hall. Joey received his M.F.A. in acting and directing from The Ohio State University and has worked with such greats as Ben Vereen, Betty Buckley, Marcel Marceau, Twyla Tharpe, Phyllis Diller, Harvey Fierstein, Kristin Chenoweth, Patti LuPone, and more. Joey has worked with Scripps Ranch Theatre, Diversionary Theatre, the San Diego Shakespeare Society, La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, San Diego REP, San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, San Diego Symphony, Orchestra Nova San Diego, and The Actors Alliance Festival, winning five different excellence awards.

Vivian V. Schmitz 

Vocalist

Vivian has a passion for all music. Everything from classic rock to classical. She received her B.A in Music from The University of Central Florida. She has most recently portrayed Norma in Hands On A Hardbody (Coronado Playhouse), Beatriz in Miss You Like Hell (Patio Playhouse), and Camila in In the Heights (Patio Playhouse). You can also see Vivian perform frequently with Encore Vocal Ensemble.

Gabe Trevino

Vocalist

Born and raised in Idaho, Gabe has always been involved with music. His life experience would grow from playing the saxophone in jr high to auditioning and singing with community, show choirs. Having performed in school dances, rodeos, a capela groups, and even singing for his own graduation. A core memory of his reflects on a duet in his early teens with his mother singing “Somewhere Out There” from the animation American Tail. 

Gabe’s heart and soul continues to connect to  San Diego since moving here in 2021. Within his first week here, he would audition and be welcomed as a tenor to the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus. Now his talent and joy radiates as bass/baritone with the amazing talent of Under the Covers.

Kevin Wright

Vocalist

Kevin is a San Diego local with a passion for storytelling and performance. As a UCSD student, he was music director and resident vocal percussionist for a cappella ensemble Acamazing, and appeared in such musicals as Rent, Sweeney Todd, Gypsy, and In the Heights. He joined the onstage choir for the La Jolla Playhouse premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Since then, he spends most of his time with Encore Vocal Ensemble, San Diego’s go-to choral group specializing in songs from the stage and screen. He is also the writer, director, and occasional scorer of Storm Runner - The Ezz Bennil Files, an audio drama by Space Shanty Productions. He is a lover of queer genre fiction, his dogs Kylie and Rain, and his human handler Toni.