Chelsea Roo Faro Dolinar-Hikawa

Chelsea Roo Faro Dolinar-Hikawa passed away unexpectedly on March 12, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois, as the result of a stroke. Born to Sunnie Hikawa and John Dolinar on July 4, 1974, Chelsea was convinced the fireworks that day were in her honor. A proud member of the Francis W. Parker School class of 1992, she went on to graduate from Vassar College and earned a Master’s in Vocal Performance from Roosevelt University.

Chelsea’s love of music and performance defined her life. An effusive and vibrant artist, she was universally beloved by all who knew her. She directed the Christ Church of Chicago and Francis Parker Encore choirs, sang with the C21 Women’s Ensemble, and performed in operas, operettas, musicals, theater productions, and choirs throughout the Chicagoland area, the United States, and internationally.

Her greatest love and pride was her family. She was devoted to her husband Nick and their three children, Atreyu, Anoki, and Suniya, who share her musical gifts. She was eagerly anticipating Atreyu’s lead role in his upcoming musical, Anoki’s continued mastery of the steel drums, and Suniya joining her brothers at Parker in the fall. Chelsea was surrounded by a loving family that included her parents Sunnie Hikawa (Randolph Tressler) and John Dolinar (Sarah Dolinar), her sister Courtney Dolinar-Hikawa, half-siblings Susannah and Johnny Dolinar, aunts Chris Hikawa (David Windreich), Dale Hikawa Silverman (Scott Silverman), and Sharyn Park (Bill Park), and cousins Bailey Hikawa, Skyler Silverman, Nicole and Rachel Windreich, Jayme Miller, and Colin Park.

Chelsea prioritized family in its broadest sense. She and Nick shared a deep, respectful, and devoted partnership of more than 25 years, evident in their daily affection and the warm community of friends they built together. A passionate traveler who spoke five languages, she had recently learned Elvish for her role as soprano section leader in a planned Lord of the Rings live-in-concert performance. Her generosity of spirit drew people together, and her home was the heart of countless gatherings filled with food, laughter, music, parlor games, and late-night conversations. The community she nurtured will continue to honor her memory. Chelsea was effervescent, magnanimous, and selfless—a light to everyone who knew her. She was always singing, but to her family and friends, she was music itself.