Being a Vivan requires regular attendance at rehearsals, diligent work on music, selling tickets, and giving our best at concerts. Who in the world signs on for such a demanding volunteer activity!? All kinds of people who love music and enjoy the unique esprit de corps that is Viva. The family of Viva includes a physicist who had never sung in a choir before, a home-schooling mom, grandparents, students, corporate trainers, artists, a composer/conductor, techy types, a massage therapist, and a speech pathologist to name just a few. We love singing together, deriving huge satisfaction from what we are able to give our audiences each season.
And we enjoy each other’s company—sharing stories and laughter, building new friendships, traveling together on exciting adventures to places far from home, and celebrating the end of each season with a post-concert party replete with high-fiving fun.
Section Leaders
Carla von Merz – Soprano
I am a Texas twister, a sangin’ and a swangin’– ballroom dancing, that is. This is my third season with Viva. As Viva’s soprano section leader, I focus on technique and projection.
Terri Cook – Alto
Choral music is truly a passion for me. I have sung in Canada College chorus, the chamber chorale, Peninsula Master Chorale, and Masterworks Chorale of San Mateo as Alto section leader. I have performed musical theater with Broadway By the Bay. I come to Viva as a life-long Belmont resident, having served as a Planning Commissioner, City Council Member and Mayor, and now as Belmont’s City Clerk.
James Jenks – Tenor
I have toured Europe, Russia and Central America with the Santa Clara Chorale, the San José State Choraliers and The Choral Project, including international choral competitions in Tallinn, Estonia and Spittal, Austria. I have served as a section leader with Temple Emanu-el in San Jose and with Woodside Village Church.
Bill Treddway – Bass
I turned my BA in Music History from the U of Richmond, VA, to the wall and emoted on the SF Opera stage as a Professional Chorister until 2004 when I began singing for sheer pleasure with Viva! and Shu.
The Choir
* Indicates a Viva Founding Member
* Cheryl Allen – Alto
My profession is project management. I’ve been with Viva since the beginning. It doesn’t seem that long: we have sung a lot of fabulous music in those five years…and I’ve discovered that I love to sing.
* Jennie Brown – Alto
I have sung with the choir since the beginning and love the high quality and variety of music that is Viva la Musica! Viva rehearsals are my personal enrichment in a busy life as a professional organizer and grandmother.
Melissa Brown – Soprano
I hail from North Carolina where the music is especially sweet. My days are spent in a chem lab and I look forward to singing with Viva every week.
Clem Cano – Bass
I currently teach music at Georgiana Bruce Kirby Prep in Santa Cruz. I participated in five European tours with the San José State University Choraliers. I have played ice hockey since 1995 and still have all my teeth.
* Ingrid Chen – Soprano
When I’m not singing or busy being a mom, I enjoy yoga, cooking and card making.
Elizabeth Coldiron – Alto
I am an NDNU Junior studying Sociology. I like to ice skate, hang out with friends, and most of all, to perform with Viva la Musica!
Rebecca Criscillis – Alto
II love to sing. From the age of 4 until 14 I participated in various choirs through church and school, and have recently decided to pursue again my love of being one voice among many.
Therese Curotto – Soprano
I am an artist/designer. I love Viva and my fellow Vivans. Belonging to Viva is like drinking a cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer day!
Alicia DeValliere – Alto
I have been a chanteuse wanna-be my whole life. Being a back up singer to a folk ensemble may be my summer vacation project during Viva’s hiatus. Viva Viva!
Evelyn Eaton – Soprano
Singing with Viva for five years has been a great “anti-aging” formula. It’s challenging, rewarding...and fun!
Jane Goold-Caulfield – Alto
I am a speech/language pathologist. I live in Belmont with my husband Dan,
a teacher, and our dog Chaucer, an English Springer Spaniel who can howl the theme from “The Longships,” among other semi-musical pieces.
Helen Governale – Soprano
Singing with Viva is a fulfillment of self…a chance to apply my talent at a high standard of musicianship, make new friends, and give pleasure to audiences.
John Grigsby – Bass
The friendship, camaraderie, and the musical performances of Viva are especially outstanding. Now retired, my other hobbies include crossword puzzles, piloting aircraft, amateur radio operating, and assisting seniors with their tax preparation.
* Gene Hall – Tenor
I’ve heard that singing the right notes can be a positive experience; Vivans realize that making music is much more than that and they teach me something about singing at every rehearsal.
Yvonne Ho – Soprano
I am an NDNU graduate student studying for an MA degree in piano pedagogy.
* Amy Jervis – Soprano
I’m a lapsed academic with two amazing toddlers and a tendency to assign reading to unwary conversational partners. I love Viva for its ravishing repertoire.
Ann Keiffer – Soprano
I am an Interfaith Minister of the Arts/writer/poet. I rejoice in Transforming Possibility, creativity, words, all beauty, and singing with Viva, where mind/voice-boggling hard work begets joy abounding.
* Barbara Kelsey – Alto
I am a second generation Vivan: my mother, Ruth, was also in Viva la Musica! I am an alto, and you can quote me on this: “It’s all about the harmony!”
* Odette Ledesma – Soprano
Singing, like praying, is comfort food for my soul. I love VIVA for giving me the opportunity to do so in style.
* David Lintott – Tenor
I started my mechanical engineering career as an apprentice in an aircraft factory in England. My singing career began in Boy Scout shows in the Isle of Wight. I’ve sung G&S in Saudi Arabia. And I’ve enjoyed every minute of being a Vivan.
* Jane Lintott – Alto
A graduate of UCLA, I recently retired from administrative work at Stanford University. As a singer, I have played the part of Sir Joseph Porter’s cousin (or aunt), a contadini, and a gypsy--but my favorite role is singing with Viva.
Ellie Manser – Alto
I love music. I sing with Los Altos United Methodist Church (Chancel Choir) where I am the Food Service Coordinator. Music and food are great companions, and I am blessed to have both in my life.
Barbara Martin – Soprano
Singing has always been a source of joy and solace for me. Viva gives me a great opportunity.
Greg Martineau – Bass
This is my first time with Viva, and I love it. I’ve been singing all my life, and I’ve wanted to sing in a choir. I just love the feeling. I’m only a freshman in high school and I feel so welcome, being the youngest. I’m sure you’ll recognize me right away!
Sister Patricia McGlinn SND – Alto
I am a faculty member of NDNU, teaching History and Political Science. I agree with St. Augustine who said, Qui cantat bis orat.— “S/he who sings prays twice.”
Bruce Meier – Tenor
After working as an ambulance EMT, in the Stanford University Emergency Department, and being certified in biofeedback, I am now a therapeutic and Hendrickson Method orthopedic massage therapist. See my ad, call, and treat yourself well.
Carol Meyer – Alto
I am a Bay Area native and visiting singer from Los Alto United Methodist Church who enjoys singing for Shulamit and the challenge of learning a major work.
Julie Morgan – Alto
Originally from the Republic of Georgia, I am currently finishing my MA in Piano Pedagogy at NDNU. Music is my life, and Viva is a part of it!
Jill Opperud – Alto
I’m passionate about life-long learning. In performing music, one learns about oneself and others.
Patricia Parfett – Soprano
I am a soprano in the Chancel Choir and the Adult Ministry Coordinator at Los Altos United Methodist Church. Singing is ministry in music, and Shulamit’s gift brings out the best in all of us.
Dorothy Pitkin – Alto
I am a psychology intern at the Institute on Aging in San Francisco. Singing with Viva is greatly uplifting.
Alice Parker – Soprano
I sing with Los Altos United Methodist Church Chancel Choir. I sang the Mozart Requiem with Viva last season and am happy to be back to sing the Haydn mass –another masterpiece that changes your cellular structure.
Tina Polowyk – Soprano
I am a Hewlett-Packard retiree and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration graduate from Notre Dame de Namur University. What a wonderful opportunity it is to have this tremendous growth and learning experience to sing with Viva la Musica, also to have this rich interaction with all other singers.
Silvia Pratt – Soprano
I love being in Viva. I am an adventurous woman who doesn’t mind traveling alone. I am Administrative Assistant for the San Mateo Clinic and I work at the most wonderful non-profit organization, Samaritan House. And I do upholstery.
George Psarras – Tenor
I hold a diploma in acting and I am a member of the Greek folk band, Fotia. A highlight of our trip to Austria was leading the choir during Mass at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna in a Byzantine Chant I had composed especially for our trip.
Melanie Purdy – Soprano
I have performed and/or soloed with Opera San Jose, Houston Symphony Chorale, Los Altos United Methodist Church, the SJSU Chorale, and Schola Cantorum. I am Director of Data Management and Reporting at Hewlett Packard.
Matthew Reeve – Bass
I come to Viva after waking from a musical dormancy. I am thrilled to be a member, as Viva brings new joys when needed most.
* Lisa Reiche – Alto
I am a Bay Area native. I love spending time with my family, which includes taking part in soccer, hockey, and Girl Scouting activities. I enjoy singing with my nine-year old daughter, Jenna, who wants to be in Viva when she grows up.
Karlyn Schneider – Alto
I am a storyteller at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. I have found the warmth, friendliness, and professionalism of Viva have made singing with this choir a joyful experience.
Sigrid Sheie – Alto
I am a graduate student at NDNU studying piano performance and pedagogy. In addition to playing piano and singing for Viva, I also play flute, bass guitar and Hammond B3 organ.
David Silber – Tenor
I am a management consultant and an executive coach who enjoys bridge, theatre, watching soccer, and fantasizing that I sing like Pavarotti.
Laurel Shimer – Soprano
Singing with other people is an experience of the soul right up there with hiking the Open Space preserve or meeting a friendly dog. When I’m not hanging out with my beautiful oh-so-close-to-college-age daughter or
walking with my geologist husband, I take music classes, teach and write.
David Simon – Bass
After several years with Viva, I have a feeble grasp on the idea that I should come to concerts with a bow tie that is black, not pink. My wife is pleased that, unlike for my stage singing roles, for Viva I need not shave off my beard.
Pat Velarde – Soprano
Long ago I discovered that choral singing is the best creative outlet for me. The wonderful thing about singing with this fine group is that while it can be physically demanding and mentally challenging, it’s oh-so-good for my soul!
Ian Ward – Bass
I work as a microscopist peering into the world of the very small. When not working I generally prefer solitary pursuits such as walking, gardening and reading. But music is a delightful companion and to be a part of making music is doubly delicious.
Tom Weaver – Bass
I’m a physicist and a yogi. I like hiking, singing, the sunlight on the leaves, and trying to figure out how the mind works. It seems like the more I learn, the less I know! Viva is my first choir: I joined at age fifty-three!
* Mary Ann Weisberg – Soprano
Being in Viva is part of the icing on the sometimes gritty daily bread of my life. The rest of the icing is my life’s passion: creative arts. Oh! the music of Viva is so delicious!
Rick Williams – Bass
I am a Yale college and Stanford law school grad who misspent much of my adulthood toiling as a California judicial staff attorney. Now I pursue my true loves—music and theater—professionally rather than vocationally.
Janet Wilson – Alto
I’m an optician by vocation, and an anthropologist by avocation. After twenty years of not singing, I am a born-again chorister, and loving every note of it.
Seoung Lee Wilson – Alto
I am a retired college voice professor. I have sung professionally in solo recitals, in major roles in operas and oratorios, and with orchestras in Korea and the United States. I can still learn from Viva and feel enthusiastic about our performances.
Joyce Wright – Alto
I am an Information Technology manager and the mother of a fifteen-year-old son…and therefore have a lot more gray hair than I used to. In my spare time, I read a lot and write stories.
© 2007 Viva La Musica!
Viva la Musica! is self funded and also receives private and community contributions.