Chorus Eclectic is more than just a choir. At least to the people up here singing their hearts out for you, Chorus Eclectic is a body that holds memories. It’s a living collection of experiences from hundreds of people across 15 years of music-making together. As a former member of the chorus, I have shared some of those memories with them. We all cherish moments spent abroad on tour, or nearby at an event or a rehearsal, or right here in performance. you are part of those memories too. We have been blessed to reminisce on some of those cherished memories throughout this semester. Each of these songs we present to you today is the top winner form our internal poll of favorites. Everyone was given the chance to name two pieces that they most loved over the course of their singing with this group. What we got was a list of some of the most impactful, beautiful, uplifting, and fun pieces we’ve ever performed. Each member on this stage holds a moment in time that is inexorably linked to a moment in one of these songs. Sometimes the song triggers a powerful memory of a private moment from their own lives. Other times, singing through the piece snaps us to a pivotal performance where we are reliving the thrill of making music together. 

I am very proud of the work we’ve done this semester to be able to share these memories with you, our audience, again. As the third director in a line of masters, I’m deeply grateful to work with such a passionate and engaged group of singers. And I’m eager to see where the next 15 years will take us! Here’s to many more moons of musical memories full of community, love, and beauty. 

Love and gratitude, Alex Taite

Special recognition for the flyer design to Nataliya Gavrilov  

Section leaders are noted with an asterisk.

Sopranos: Judy Grove | Debbie Bennett* | Eva Bozsoki | Michelle Durado | Lauren Y. Tsztoo | Lynn Davies | Soraya Maria Torres | Mary Morganti | Nina Castle | Paige D’Angelo | Kathy Bate | Donna Moldoff | Dorothy Torre | Janis Leonoudakis | Alianora Walker | Laura Snow | Sarah Peterson | Sharon Kovalevsky  | Denae Leigon | Xiaorong Zhang | Ameneh Raeisghasem | Varsha Nene | Arlene Chang | Marisa Torres | Stephanie Liu | Kate Sterns 

Altos: Alison Leung | Angela Tucker | Mary Washington | Nataliya Gavrilova | Julie Lorentzen* | Lily Dani | Robyn Orr | Maria Wilson | Patty Reynoso | Mirjam Dijkxhoorn | Sherena Young |  | Riva Bacon | Jean Louie | Mari Coniglione | Amy Biggs | Jean Hazell | Elizabeth Celniker | Sue Chen | Charlet Davis | Kate Page 

Tenors: Bruce Barrett  | Brenda Barrett | Iggy Fernandez | Tim Castle* | Michael Rice | Michael Souza | Caitlin Anderson | Tiiu Eva Rebane | Jonathan Palomares | Luis Prada

Baritones & Basses: Greg Harm | Tim Ellis | Tom Nolan | Woody Square | Chas Schley  | David Melander | Jeff Asbury | Ron Markham | Don Shaw | Randy Haykin | Dave Hildebrandt*

 Benjamin Lee – Upright Bassist, Electric Bassist, Composer, Educator

Born in Los Angeles, California, Benjamin has worked for 25 years to become a formidable bassist, composer, band leader, musical director, and educator.  After studying under bassists Louis Allen, Dave Culwell, John Heard, and Ivan Johnson, Benjamin moved to San Diego in 2008, continuing his musical education by pursuing a B.A. in Jazz Performance at UCSD, studying under legendary pianist and sax player Kamau Kenyatta.

After 7 years on the scene in San Diego, Benjamin made the move to Oakland, CA in 2015. Since then, he has put together an impressive track record of live performances, studio recordings, original compositions, and educational work.  Notable projects include his own group The TOaG Quartet, as well as The Orbital Quintet, The Apollo Trio, The Grand Avenue Trio, The Open Art Quintet, Individúo, Rabbit Quinn, MarQue, Pacific Standard, and Felipe y Las Estrellas del Mar, spanning genre’s from “Jazz” to Bachata, Motown to Pop, Folk to Chamber-music and beyond.  As a dedicated studio musician Benjamin has recorded more than 25 albums during his time in Oakland, as well as a myriad of single sessions – working at studios like Fantasy (rip), 25th Street Studios, the one and only Airship Laboratories, as well as satellite from his home studio in Oakland.  As an instructor Benjamin has held faculty positions at Oakland Public Conservatory, The East Bay Center for Performing Arts, serves as a clinician for Oakland Unified school sites, directs the The TOaG Quartet’s jazz clinic program at Oakland High School, and maintains a private student practice. A fierce advocate for the artistic community, Benjamin is ceaselessly involved in community development projects at the city level. 

Student musicians on May 17th

Luna Adira Rodriguez – Drums

Sammy Lancaster – Alto Sax

Student musicians on June 7th

Luna Adira Rodriguez – Drums 

Joaquin Ramirez – Trumpet 

Paul Chen-Li – Bass 

About the TOaG Quartet 

The TOaG Quartet is an organization of musicians, producers, & educators, creating original music & collaborative experiences, to elevate & inspire community. We are rooted in tradition, and harkening to the future. The T0aG Quarted is excited to announce our second year of educational partnership with Chorus Eclectic! Since 2024, our organizations have collaborated to create living wage opportunities in performance and recording for aspiring music students in our local community. Through immersive mentorship, students get the opportunity to experience the full scope of work as a professional musician – all while building meaningful networks amongst their peers, as well as seasoned veterans. We are immensely proud to continue the tradition of intergenerational cross-cultural exchange, which has long been the standard for effective professional development. 

TOaG Linktree: 

https://linktr.ee/thetoagquartet

Tom Nolan, President | Paige D’Angelo, Vice President | Judy Grove, Treasurer | Debbie Bennett, Operations Manager | Lynn Davies, Secretary | Kathy Bate, Board Member | Mirjam Dijkxhoorn, Board Member | Iggy Fernandez, Board Member | Patty Reynoso, Board Member