Meet The Members

Sue Powell

General Member

  • B.S Music, Soprano 1

  • Member since 2018

  • Masters Degree - Religious Education

  • Masters level music courses

  • Former Director of Christian Education & Music Ministry

  • Sang in church/school choirs since age 13

  • Served in churches in LA, TX, PA as Minister of Music and Education

  • Toured as an Ensemble Singer

  • Plays piano and French horn

  • Sings with Westernaires of Sun City West

  • Has traveled extensively with husband of 55 yrs

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

Judy Schneider

General Member

  • First Alto

  • Member since xxxx

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

Carol Snyder

General Member

  • Alto 1

  • Member since 2008

  • R.N.

  • Accomplished choir accompanist

  • Sang in mixed quartet

  • Lifetime choir singer

  • Taught Piano

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

Ruth Thornburg

Costume Manager

  • Alto 1, Alto 2

  • Member since 2017

  • Costume Manager

  • Lifetime choir singer

  • Multigenerational musical family

  • Plays piano

  • Enjoys RV trips, Hiking, Arts & Crafts

Kathie Watland

General Member

  • Alto 1, Alto 2

  • Member since 2019

  • Hails from Superior, WI

  • Lifetime Church singer

  • Played French Horn

  • Sings with Husband in Community

  • Studied Piano

  • Former Administrative Assistant

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

  • Alto1, Soprano 2

  • Member since 2005

  • BS in French & Social Studies

  • MA in Church History & Theology

  • Taught HS & College French & Religion 

  • 1st chair flute: 9th grade

  • Teen: 7 summers (6 wks) in the KU Music & Art Camp,

  • Sang + husband in Carnegie Hall, with CA’s St. Cruz Chorale

  • CA Cantori di Carmel Chorale;4 Episcopal church choirs.

  •  AZ Arts Chorale/PHX College Chamber Choir/CD Singers

  • 5 AZ Episcopal church choirs (PHX, Par.Valley & Sun Cities).

  • Plays flute in the Christopher Singers, Sun City (since 2005)

  • Does PC, Genealogy, French cuisine & French classes for Seniors