Sonoran Sounds
Women's Chorale of the West Valley

Marlene Raney

General Member

• B.S. Education

• Soprano 2, Alto 1

• Member since 2007

• Retired Elementary school teacher

• Church choir member

• Plays piano and clarinet

• Enjoys music, Bridge, crossword puzzles

Bonita Skidmore

Historian

• Soprano 2, Alto 1

• Member since 2017

• Hails from Peoria. AZ

• Grew up in Idaho and Utah

• Accomplished Composer

• Plays piano

• Volunteer Family Search Consultant

• Mother of 8; Grandmother of 38

• Great grandmother of 1

• Avid bicyclist

• Married 50 years

Ellie Skon

Board Member At-Large

• Soprano 1

• Member since 2015

• Arizona native

• LPN (ret'd) with Associate of Applied Science Degree (Ob-Gyn)

• Voice and piano lessons from an early age

• High school soprano with touring concert choir and an a capella Madrigal group

• Earned a voice scholarship to college

• Has 4 grandchildren

• Avid reader, loves history & politics

• Enjoys hunting for antique furniture and all types of music

Ann Stephens

General Member

• Soprano 1

• Member 2012-2015, 2020

• Past Sonoran Sounds board member

• Lifetime chorus singer

• Sings in Wickenburg's Cantata Singers

• Retired public librarian

• One time backup singer for Andy Williams

Janice Straight

General Member

• Soprano 1

• Member since 2010

• Lifelong music lover and accomplished soloist

• Participated in many choruses, bands and orchestras

• Has taught instrumental and choral music

• Sang with Middletown Civic Chorus as Messiah soloist

• Performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center with Masterworks Chorus

• Has been the featured soloist at many weddings, funeral and church services

• Performed solo concerts

• Choir director of Sun City West Christian Church since 2001

Beth Tewhill
General Member

• Alto 1, Alto 2

• Member since 2018

• Registered Respiratory Therapist

• Registered Polysomnagher (ret'd)

• Lifetime choir/chorus singer

• Toured Europe with Monmouth Civic Chorus

• Loves Photography

Karla Thalman
General Member

• Soprano 2, Alto 1

• Member since 2021

• Originally from Castle Dale, UT

• Arizona resident for 22 years

• Widow and Mother of 4 wonderful kids

• Lifetime choir singer

• Director of children's choir

• Plays piano

• Enjoys traveling, home decorating, walking

• BS degree in Business

• Financial Advisor with Edward Jones

Pam Willie

Secretary

• Second Alto

• Member since 2011

• Previous Customer Service Rep for Educational Publisher

• Lifetime choir singer

• U of MN Chorus

• Clarinetist in high school

• Quilter

• 2 granddaughters ages 4, 2 1/2

Kay Young

Concert Videographer & Publisher

Kathie Watland
General Member (Retired)

Mary Lyn Kappert
General Member (Retired)

• Soprano 2, Alto 1

• Member since 2016

• Home base in Olympia, WA

• B.A., History & B.S. Occupational Therapist

• Active Occupational Therapist

• Has worked in adult rehabilitation, psychiatric and developmental disabilities, education, and home health

• Sang with Sweet Adelines 17 yrs

• Loves gardening, baking 

• Environmental advocate

• MSW, LICSW Treasurer

• Second Alto. Member since 2016

• Retired Clinical Social Worker

• Accomplished clarinetist

• Plays in multiple bands 

• Lifetime choir singer

• Enjoys making cards

• Alto 1

• Member since 2008

• R.N.

• Accomplished choir accompanist

• Sang in mixed quartet

• Lifetime choir singer

• Taught Piano