Bellissima! Women's Choral Ensemble Member's Page

Our Current Membership

SOPRANO

DIANE BLISCHAK is from Ohio and earned her college degree in Music Education at Bowling Green State University. She is an organist and sings with the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Choir. Diane also handles Web Publicity for Bellissima!

KAREN CALLAHAN is a native of Virginia Beach. She graduated from James Madison University majoring in Art History. She was a member of the James Madison University Chorus and "Daughters of Song" in Harrisonburg. She has lived in England and Spain, is a newlywed presently living in Chesapeake, and she teaches sixth grade social studies at Independence Middle School.

BONNIE CARTWRIGHT is a native of Virginia Beach. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Old Dominion University. She is a Science Teacher at Greenbrier Middle School. She has performed with the Symphonicity Chorus (formerly the Virginia Beach Symphony Orchestra) and currently sings in the First Baptist Church choir in Norfolk.

BARBARA GALONSKY grew up in Pennsylvania. She has sung with the Virginia Beach Chorale, Schola Cantorum and the Symphonicity Chorus. Barbara currently is cantor, choir member, and occasional pianist at St. Nicholas Catholic Church. Barbara also serves as the Greeter Manager for Bellissima!

IRIS JULIAN grew up in Jacksonsville, Florida and graduated from Jacksonville University where she majored in Voice and Music Education. She has sung with the Savannah Symphony Chorale, St. Paul Choral Society (Mobile, Alabama) and various select ensembles frequently as a soloist. Iris also sings with the Symphonicity Chorus.

JANE LEDERMAN grew up in Northern Virginia and studied classical piano and violin. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with a concentration in Theater/ Acting, and a minor in Piano. She later obtained her K-12 Teaching Certification in Music Education from Old Dominion University. She sang for six seasons with the Virginia Symphony Chorus. She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, with experience on stage, in feature films, and television. She is a teacher and piano accompanist, and lives in Norfolk.

WENDY NELSON is originally from New Jersey, where she was active in the Monmouth Civic Chorus and in plays, musicals, and operas. She is a graduate of James Madison University with an English major and a music minor. She is a part-time book editor as well as a mom of two. Wendy is also the Bellissima! Editor.

CHRISTINA PALMER, originally from Newfoundland, Canada, studied Vocal Music at the Governor’s School for the Arts, obtained an ATCL Degree from the Trinity College of Music, London, and also attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She teaches classical voice and piano lessons privately at Music for Children in Virginia Beach.

KELLY POOLE earned her undergraduate degree in Medical Dietetics from Brigham Young University where she also studied Vocal Performance. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Geriatric Nutrition from Purdue University and is the Nutrition Care Manager at Westminster-Canterbury in Virginia Beach. She has been active for many years in various church choirs, frequently as soloist. She also sings with the Symphonicity Chorus. Kelly also serves as the Designer for Bellissima!

GINNY PRITCHETT grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduated from James Madison University and is a CPA. She has studied piano and voice and has sung with high school, college, and church choirs as well as in musical theater. She lives in Virginia Beach. Ginny serves as the Treasurer of Bellissima!

MARIE RIDDICK is a Suffolk native. She studied Marketing and works as a field service representative. She has sung with the Ebenezer United Methodist Church choir for twenty years.

KIRSTEN TURNER is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She attended the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. She is a Pilates Instructor at Inlet Fitness. She sang with the Warrenton Chorale, the Virginia Beach Chorale and the Symphonicity Chorus.

ALICE TWINING is from Maryland. She is a psychologist and Clinical Supervisor at Response in Norfolk. Alice studied voice at the Peabody Conservatory and graduated from Boston University. She sang in choruses and theatre groups, and currently sings in the jazz band, Silver. She is in the Ohef Sholom Temple choir and Symphonicity Chorus. Alice also serves as the Vice President of Bellissima!

ALTO

GENISE ADAMS recently retired from the U.S. Navy after 30 years, and began her second career with the Virginia Beach public schools where she is a Data Technician, an honorary member of Tallwood High School’s Thespian troop and is involved with the Theater Department at Bayside High School. She is active in Asbury Chorale, Women in Song, and the adult handbell choir at Community United Methodist church, also directing the youth handbell choir.

BEVERLY AMBROSE grew up in Norfolk and attended the College of William and Mary where she sang in the Women’s Chorus and the Concert Choir. She sings with the Sanctuary Choir of Virginia Beach United Methodist Church and the the Virginia Beach Symphony Chorus. Beverly is also a Bellissima! Historian.

MARTHA KIMSEY BENNETT is from Anderson, South Carolina. She studied vocal performance at Mars Hill College in North Carolina and Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. She has performed with the North Carolina Symphony, the Louisville Symphony and has sung with worship ensembles and choirs while living in Canada, England, Thailand, and the Philippines.

NANCY CHERRY grew up in Portsmouth. Her Bachelor of Arts degree is from the University of Colorado and her J.D. is from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond. She is an assistant attorney for the City of Portsmouth. Nancy is also a Bellissima! Historian.

JULIE KISSELL was born in Richmond, Virginia and currently lives in Virginia Beach. She has sung in the Virginia Wesleyan College choir and the Chamber Singers. She currently sings with the Community United Methodist Church choir and directs the church’s Cherub Choir. Julie also helps with Web Publicity for Bellissima!

BARBARA MOSS is from New York and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from SUNY College at Cortland. She was a singer with the College Singers and toured various states with this fifty member ensemble. She earned her Master's degree in Instructional Technology at N.Y.I.T. She is a pianist and works as a computer software instructor, and lives in Virginia Beach.

JOAN PICKETT, originally from Wellesley, Massachusetts, studied piano and has sung with large and small groups in high school and college. She graduated from Brown University as an English and History major. She currently sings with the Symphonicity Chorus and the First Presbyterian Church Choir of Virginia Beach. Joan also serves as the Executive Director of Bellissima!

LINDA ROESER is a native of Ohio and attended college there. She has sung with the Christian Music Association missions chorus, and currently sings with the Symphonicity Chorus, Community United Methodist church choir, and Women In Song. Linda works for Yupo Corporation America as a Purchasing Manager. Linda also serves as the Database Manager for Bellissima!

JEAN RAMIREZ ROWE is a Hampton Roads native but considers Virginia Beach home for the past seventeen years. She has sung with the Old Dominion University Madrigals and Concert Choir, the Symphonicity Chorus, and the Chester Festival Choir from Chester, Virginia. She is currently working for a local ophthalmologist and attending school. Jean also takes care of Administration for Bellissima!

LISA SCALABRINO is a native of Detroit, Michigan. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Eastern Michigan University and her Masters in Music Education from Michigan State University. She teaches music in the Virginia Beach Public Schools and recently joined the Symphonicity Chorus.

JANE ALGER SIMMONS attended Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and Westminster Choir College majoring in Organ Performance and singing with their concert choirs. Choral conducting, handbell performance and auditioned choral groups are her joys in retirement. Jane also helps with Administration for Bellissima!

ELLY STOUGHTON was born in New York City. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Denison University and has taught music in Ohio, Guam, Missouri, Texas, and California. Elly currently sings with the Symphonicity Chorus and is pianist, handbell ringer, and choir member at First Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach. Elly also serves as Librarian for Bellissima!

MARY ZIMMERMAN is from North Dakota and graduated with a degree in Medical Technology and Chemistry from Concordia College in Minnesota. She plays piano, violin, organ, and handbells. Mary also sings with the Symphonicity Chorus. Mary also serves as the Bookkeeper/Secretary of Bellissima!

ORGAN & PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT

LAWRENCE CARR is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. While still in high school he studied as an honor student at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he completed a Bachelor of Music with a double major in piano and organ performance in the classes of John Quincy Bass and David Mulbury. Carr completed graduate degrees at the Eastman School of Music and the University of Maryland in organ and piano performance. His teachers included David Craighead, Barry Snyder, and Bradford Gowen. In addition to serving as a faculty member at Hamilton College in New York and Virginia Wesleyan College, Carr is often sought after as an accompanist in the Tidewater area, and teaches piano privately.