Voices Lesbian Choral Ensemble

Founded in 1988, Voices Lesbian Choral Ensemble promotes both lesbian visibility and musical excellence through the beauty of our songs. We strive as an organization to reflect the diversity within the lesbian community and are dedicated to social change that overcomes oppression in all its forms.

From 1999 to 2008 we grew vocally and musically under the direction of the gifted conductor and vocal coach Yulia Ronskaya. In 2001 we recorded and released our first CD, â€œEverything Possibleâ€.

In May of 2008 we celebrated our 20th anniversary with concerts in San Francisco and Oakland, and thanks to great support from our community of family and friends we released our second CD, "On The Record". Over the next year, with Orchid Pusey as our interim music director, (in addition to working on our musical skills) we re-structured our organization, conducted a successful search for a music director, and added some new singing members to our ranks.

Our search for a music director ended this past July when Jessica Bejarano joined us in that role. We're excited to welcome Jessica into our group and thrilled with the energy and talent she brings to Voices.

Voices' repertoire is unique in that many songs are arranged specifically for the group by their director and other members of the ensemble. Group decision-making is based on a modified consensus model, giving each woman a voice and encouraging individual responsibility and group cooperation.

Jessica Bejarano currently serves as Music Director of VOICES Lesbian Choral Ensemble, Assistant Conductor of the Peninsula Symphony, and Music Teacher for the Traveling Music School in Redwood City. Ms. Bejarano received her Associates of Fine Arts in Music Education from Casper College, Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Wyoming and her Master of Arts in Conducting from the University of California Davis. As an active member of the Conductors' Guild, Ms. Bejarano has attended the 2005-2009 annual conferences and various Conductors' Guild training workshops throughout the United States and Canada.

During the summer of 2007, Ms. Bejarano attended the International Academy of Advanced Conducting in Saint Petersburg, Russia where she received â€œHonorable Mentionâ€ for her performance with the Classical Symphony Orchestra of Saint Petersburg, Russia. The following summer, 2008, Ms. Bejarano was invited back by the Academy (IAAC) to continue her studies and conduct a performance in Urbino, Italy. During the same summer Ms. Bejarano also attended the International Institute for Conductors in Bacau, Romania where she conducted The Philharmonic Orchestra â€œMihail Joraâ€ of Bacau in two separate performances.

Ms. Bejarano has served as Artistic Director of the Sacramento Gay Mens Chorus, Music Director of the Davis Summer Symphony, Guest Conductor with the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony in San Francisco, Guest Conductor with the Community Womenâ€™s Orchestra in Oakland, Music Director of GLAM Youth Choir in San Francisco, Assistant Conductor of the University of California Davis Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Conductor of the University Chorus and Chamber Singers at the University of California Davis. Ms. Bejarano has also conducted the Beloit Community Orchestra in Beloit, Wisconsin, the University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, The Urbino Summer Music Institute String Ensemble in Urbino, Italy, the Classical Symphony Orchestra of Saint Petersburg, Russia, and the Philharmonic Orchestra â€œMihail Joraâ€ of Bacau, Romania.

Orchid started performing in nursery school in Beijing, back when singing while miming apple picking in front of crowds of people seemed like a good idea, and there was a steaming white sweet potato to eat afterwards. She has performed with other groups in various venues since then, but none have offered the sweet potato. She joined Voices in the fall of 2000, and (just in case Voices alone didnâ€™t miraculously transform the violence of this world) started working full time at Asian Womenâ€™s Shelter in San Francisco not much later. Orchid is still in both places, thanks in no small part to the love and support of her amazing partner Shawna, french bulldog Birdie, friends and family, movies meaningful and meaningless, and...well...potatoes (of the white sweet variety and beyond).

Chela Delgado

Chela is a queer biracial teacher and student from Oakland, CA. Chela is currently working toward her PhD in Social and Cultural studies in Education from UC Berkeley, and is the Community Action Coordinator at June Jordan School for Equity in San Francisco (www.jjse.org). Chela sang with the Oakland Youth Chorus as a youth from 1995-1998, and with Anna Crusis Women’s Choir in Philadelphia from 2004-2005. Chela joined VOICES recently, and besides working and singing, also watches trashy TV, reads novels and goes on walks in Joaquin Miller Park.

Jessica has been in Voices since fall 2000. Voices has taught Jessica how to sing better, sing higher notes, and sing in front of a bunch of people. Other musical endeavors include dusting off her cello and periodically dreaming up plans for The Band.

Anne began her musical career at age 6 with the original vocal composition "I Want To Be A Missionary Sister". Influenced by the awareness that she was forbidden to become the Pope, a priest, or even an altar boy, her plans changed, and she entered college as a voice major. Upon realizing that this would require her to sing arias while wearing a dress, she went to her fall-back plan: psychology. After 18 years as a psychotherapist, Anne joined Voices in 2006, and is now a born again singer, hoping to spread the gospel of peace, gender equality, and lesbian visibility to lands far and near.

Marianne was born into a very musical family. She has sung nonstop ever since she learned to read and was physically able to lift all the family song books onto her top-level bunk bed, where she spent many a childhood afternoon. Her more recent loves include her new daughter, Claire; the leather community; dragon boating under the night sky; intense cycling; and throwing strong, precise punches into a boxing bag.

Dina is one of two recent additions to the group. As a local from Hawaii, she grew up with sounds of the ukulele all around her. This began her love of music. Music integrated all throughout her childhood years provided a solid foundation for what would become a love for marching band. A tenor saxophonist by heart, Dina continued her love of music by singing with Voices for Diversity in San Jose. After a 5 year hiatus, Dina has now joined VOICES, practicing frequently in front of her puggle Mila. She one day aspires to become a culinary artist. Now if only you could make a living by singing and cooking at the same time!

Voices Lesbian Choral Ensemble About Us

Home About CDs Join in Donate Contact	Founded in 1988, Voices Lesbian Choral Ensemble promotes both lesbian visibility and musical excellence through the beauty of our songs. We strive as an organization to reflect the diversity within the lesbian community and are dedicated to social change that overcomes oppression in all its forms. From 1999 to 2008 we grew vocally and musically under the direction of the gifted conductor and vocal coach Yulia Ronskaya. In 2001 we recorded and released our first CD, â€œEverything Possibleâ€. In May of 2008 we celebrated our 20th anniversary with concerts in San Francisco and Oakland, and thanks to great support from our community of family and friends we released our second CD, "On The Record". Over the next year, with Orchid Pusey as our interim music director, (in addition to working on our musical skills) we re-structured our organization, conducted a successful search for a music director, and added some new singing members to our ranks. Our search for a music director ended this past July when Jessica Bejarano joined us in that role. We're excited to welcome Jessica into our group and thrilled with the energy and talent she brings to Voices. Voices' repertoire is unique in that many songs are arranged specifically for the group by their director and other members of the ensemble. Group decision-making is based on a modified consensus model, giving each woman a voice and encouraging individual responsibility and group cooperation. Current Members Jessica Bejarano - Music Director Jessica Bejarano currently serves as Music Director of VOICES Lesbian Choral Ensemble, Assistant Conductor of the Peninsula Symphony, and Music Teacher for the Traveling Music School in Redwood City. Ms. Bejarano received her Associates of Fine Arts in Music Education from Casper College, Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Wyoming and her Master of Arts in Conducting from the University of California Davis. As an active member of the Conductors' Guild, Ms. Bejarano has attended the 2005-2009 annual conferences and various Conductors' Guild training workshops throughout the United States and Canada. During the summer of 2007, Ms. Bejarano attended the International Academy of Advanced Conducting in Saint Petersburg, Russia where she received â€œHonorable Mentionâ€ for her performance with the Classical Symphony Orchestra of Saint Petersburg, Russia. The following summer, 2008, Ms. Bejarano was invited back by the Academy (IAAC) to continue her studies and conduct a performance in Urbino, Italy. During the same summer Ms. Bejarano also attended the International Institute for Conductors in Bacau, Romania where she conducted The Philharmonic Orchestra â€œMihail Joraâ€ of Bacau in two separate performances. Ms. Bejarano has served as Artistic Director of the Sacramento Gay Mens Chorus, Music Director of the Davis Summer Symphony, Guest Conductor with the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony in San Francisco, Guest Conductor with the Community Womenâ€™s Orchestra in Oakland, Music Director of GLAM Youth Choir in San Francisco, Assistant Conductor of the University of California Davis Symphony Orchestra and Assistant Conductor of the University Chorus and Chamber Singers at the University of California Davis. Ms. Bejarano has also conducted the Beloit Community Orchestra in Beloit, Wisconsin, the University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, The Urbino Summer Music Institute String Ensemble in Urbino, Italy, the Classical Symphony Orchestra of Saint Petersburg, Russia, and the Philharmonic Orchestra â€œMihail Joraâ€ of Bacau, Romania. To learn more about Jessica, please visit http://jessicabejarano.com Orchid Pusey - Assistant Music Director Orchid started performing in nursery school in Beijing, back when singing while miming apple picking in front of crowds of people seemed like a good idea, and there was a steaming white sweet potato to eat afterwards. She has performed with other groups in various venues since then, but none have offered the sweet potato. She joined Voices in the fall of 2000, and (just in case Voices alone didnâ€™t miraculously transform the violence of this world) started working full time at Asian Womenâ€™s Shelter in San Francisco not much later. Orchid is still in both places, thanks in no small part to the love and support of her amazing partner Shawna, french bulldog Birdie, friends and family, movies meaningful and meaningless, and...well...potatoes (of the white sweet variety and beyond). Chela Delgado Chela is a queer biracial teacher and student from Oakland, CA. Chela is currently working toward her PhD in Social and Cultural studies in Education from UC Berkeley, and is the Community Action Coordinator at June Jordan School for Equity in San Francisco (www.jjse.org). Chela sang with the Oakland Youth Chorus as a youth from 1995-1998, and with Anna Crusis Women’s Choir in Philadelphia from 2004-2005. Chela joined VOICES recently, and besides working and singing, also watches trashy TV, reads novels and goes on walks in Joaquin Miller Park. Jessica Flintoft Jessica has been in Voices since fall 2000. Voices has taught Jessica how to sing better, sing higher notes, and sing in front of a bunch of people. Other musical endeavors include dusting off her cello and periodically dreaming up plans for The Band. Anne Guiltinan Anne began her musical career at age 6 with the original vocal composition "I Want To Be A Missionary Sister". Influenced by the awareness that she was forbidden to become the Pope, a priest, or even an altar boy, her plans changed, and she entered college as a voice major. Upon realizing that this would require her to sing arias while wearing a dress, she went to her fall-back plan: psychology. After 18 years as a psychotherapist, Anne joined Voices in 2006, and is now a born again singer, hoping to spread the gospel of peace, gender equality, and lesbian visibility to lands far and near. Marianne Hockenberry Marianne was born into a very musical family. She has sung nonstop ever since she learned to read and was physically able to lift all the family song books onto her top-level bunk bed, where she spent many a childhood afternoon. Her more recent loves include her new daughter, Claire; the leather community; dragon boating under the night sky; intense cycling; and throwing strong, precise punches into a boxing bag. Lynne Miller Lynne started taking voice lessons in high school from a dear old nun who is still a dear old friend. She then morphed into singing in musicals, with a steady slide into heavy piano bar action. She is now hoping to make a move back to respectability (but not so respectable that she canâ€™t stand it) with Voices, where she has found a home with people of like social and political philosophies. Dina Watanabe Dina is one of two recent additions to the group. As a local from Hawaii, she grew up with sounds of the ukulele all around her. This began her love of music. Music integrated all throughout her childhood years provided a solid foundation for what would become a love for marching band. A tenor saxophonist by heart, Dina continued her love of music by singing with Voices for Diversity in San Jose. After a 5 year hiatus, Dina has now joined VOICES, practicing frequently in front of her puggle Mila. She one day aspires to become a culinary artist. Now if only you could make a living by singing and cooking at the same time!	CDs for sale! Contact us for more information about our CDs, the new "On the Record" and our first "Everything Possible."
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