Meet Our CWC Member Choruses
Burbank Singers – Burbank
Diana Tyson, director
burbanksingers@cwchorus.com
Burbank Singers began in the fall of 1950 as PTA Mothersingers. Some of the original members sang with the Burbank group for over 30 years. Around the same time, the Burbank Singers became affiliated with an Adult Education class in the city of Burbank, which has been available as a class culminating in two annual performances for students, one during the holidays and one, “International Day,” in the Spring celebrating the wide variety of students who attend the school.
Diana Tyson has been the director of the Burbank Singers since 2008. With a keen sense of pitch and rhythm, she enjoys working with singers who come from very diverse musical backgrounds, to create fun and moving musical experiences. Additionally, she works full time and directs another of the choruses in the CWC member choirs. Burbank Singers added a new accompanist in 2024. Melissa Bridge is a fine pianist who works with churches and temples all around the city. Melissa loves being a member of the Burbank Singers family.
The Spring 2026 season began with several new members, and the chorus numbering close to 40 people. In Spring and during the holidays we enjoy performing all types of music for senior groups, retirement homes and various organizations.
Harbor Singers – Huntington Beach
Carole Arvidson, director
harborsingers@cwchorus.com
The Harbor Singers, based in Huntington Beach, were originally associated with the PTA Mothersingers. Since 1952, they have been entertaining audiences throughout California including Knott’s Berry Farm, Disneyland, Orange County Fair, retirement communities and many business and social organizations. A few members performed for the USO, entertaining troops in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. Members have varied career backgrounds and hobbies, but are united by their common love of music, singing and performing. This is truly a group with “PIZZAZ.” Proceeds from performances go towards helping to fund vocal scholarships. They hosted the 2003, 2010 and 2019 Conventions and Concerts.
Lake Wildwood Women’s Chorus – Penn Valley
George Husarek, director
lakewildwood@cwchorus.com
Founded by Ginny McIntyre in the mid-1980s within a small community near Grass Valley, this chorus has evolved into a vibrant musical entity. Currently guided by Vicki Goss and accompanied by Janet Rossman on piano, the chorus has experienced a notable influx of new singers, bringing the total membership to a harmonious ensemble of 35 women. Their collective passion for music extends beyond mere performance, as they actively engage with retirement centers, civic groups, and various organizations, spreading the joy of song throughout the community.
The chorus showcases its musical prowess through two annual concerts—a lively spring performance and a heartwarming winter/holiday concert. Adding a delightful layer to their repertoire, the chorus features two subgroups. “Chordially Yours,” a 12-member ensemble, captivates audiences with a diverse selection of four-part a cappella and accompanied music. Meanwhile, the “Chimers,” another enchanting subgroup, adds a unique melodic dimension to the chorus’s musical tapestry by performing arrangements such as The Entertainer, Rhapsody in Blue and Clare De Lune with hand chimes.
Both subgroups are skillfully directed by Mary Scovel, whose musical talent extends beyond the conductor’s podium as she also lends her voice to the chorus.
With a commitment to musical excellence and community enrichment, this chorus, under the dynamic leadership of Vicki Goss and Mary Scovel, continues to be a source of inspiration and delight for audiences near and far.
Monday@JoJo’s – La Crescenta
Diana Tyson, director
mondayatjojos@cwchorus.com
Monday@JoJo’s is honored to be the newest addition to the warmly welcoming CWC family. Originating from a shared passion for music, Bev, Heidi, and Shawn embarked on a journey together in 2011, paving the way for the captivating ensemble you see today. With the addition of more voices and the exceptionally talented Diana Tyson, our group flourished under her leadership, crafting a unique sound that resonates with audiences far and wide. As of Summer 2026, we have added four new singers, and now number nine. Nestled in the La Crescenta/Glendale area, we bring our melodic magic to a diverse array of venues and events, from lively outdoor festivals to cozy wine bars, from spirited fundraisers to heartfelt church gatherings. Among our cherished performances, the Montrose Shopping Park holds a special place in our hearts, where we’ve serenaded crowds at Wine Walks, festive Christmas events, and bustling Harvest Markets. We have even lent our voices to the La Canada Memorial Day Parade, singing from atop a stake bed truck.
Our repertoire spans the decades, from timeless standards to contemporary hits, encompassing the melodies of Gershwin, the nostalgia of the Andrews Sisters, the swing of Duke Ellington, and the timeless tunes of Lennon and McCartney. Whether singing a cappella or accompanied, as a trio or part of the whole ensemble, we infuse each performance with passion and precision. Explore more at our website.
New Century Singers Whittier – Whittier
Judy Kertes, director
newcenturysingerswhittier@cwchorus.com
Our chorus began about 55 years ago as PTA Mothersingers. We changed our name at the millennium. The membership includes multi-generational women who love to sing and serve the community. We present three concerts annually: Fall, Christmas and Spring. Local performances help raise funds to support our scholarship fund. The scholarship seekers audition from community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. We are proud to feature them at our Spring Concert. Under the dynamic leadership of our director, Judy Kertes, and our accompanists, Scarlett Brais and Russ Litchfield, we continue to grow in musical ability and in membership.
Riverside Mission Belles – Riverside
Sandy Tarmo, director
riversidemissionbelles@cwchorus.com
Riverside Mission Belles
continue to delight audiences across the Inland Empire after more than 70 years. The group began in the 1930s as the PTA Mother Singers who, in those days, sang for every school in town. A few decades later, the name changed to the PTA Choristers, and later to the Riverside Mission Belles. They currently boast 20+ members. The Belles are directed by Sandy Tarmo and accompanied by Bill Brakemeyer. The chorus is comprised of multi-generational women who love to sing and serve their community. At Christmas time especially, they are busy singing at over 15 different venues in a two-week span. This year they are hosting the California Women’s Convention and Scholarship Concert along with New Century Singers Whittier. Here’s to many more years of beautiful melodies and community involvement.
Santa Barbara Treble Clef Chorus – Santa Barbara
Stephanie Turner, director
santabarbaratrebleclef@cwchorus.com
A charter member of CWC in 1973, this group originated as a chapter of the national women’s choral movement known as the PTA Mothersingers in 1957. The chorus, which at times has included smaller groups, quartets and duets, has entertained the Santa Barbara community for well over sixty years, performing a wide variety of music and dance. Current members Carolyn Johnson and Priscilla Marchus have sung with the chorus for over forty of those years. The 20+ member group, directed by Katherine Saxon and accompanied by Heena Yoon, performs concerts for retirement communities, clubs, and organizations around the winter holidays and in the spring. They traditionally perform at the annual CWC convention which they hosted in 1990 and 2002. Net proceeds from dues, performances, and occasional fundraising events are donated for music and performing arts scholarships through CWC and the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara. In addition to enjoying making beautiful music together, members celebrate birthdays monthly after rehearsal and enjoy going out to lunch together frequently. During the pandemic of 2020 and ‘21, many members enjoyed staying in close contact by meeting weekly outdoors at a park to socialize. By September of ‘22, they were eager to return to weekly indoor rehearsals in a lovely space at a local church. The music they make, the scholarships and community service they provide, and the bonds of friendship they form greatly enrich their lives and the community.
Sweet Harmony – San Diego
Tracy Burklund, director
sweetharmony@cwchorus.com
Sweet Harmony
(formerly the Monettes) is based in San Diego. They have been in existence for about 60 years and perform for many events in the San Diego area. In the past, they have performed at the San Diego County Fair and in Europe and Hawaii. They meet once a week as a class through the San Diego Community College Emeritus Program and welcome any woman who has a love of singing to join them. With a current membership of 29, they perform for groups, clubs, and organizations in their surrounding communities and perform a Public Fundraising Concert in the Spring and at Christmas time. The most recent conventions hosted by Sweet Harmony were for the Ruby Jubilee in 2009, in 2016, and in 2023 for CWC’s return after COVID.
Verdugo Hills Women’s Chorus – La Crescenta
Rhonda Dillon
verdugohills@cwchorus.com
Experience the rich history and harmony of Verdugo Hills Women’s Chorus (VHWC), a musical journey that began in the 1950s with PTA Mothersingers. As a proud original member of the California Women’s Chorus, VHWC, founded by the visionary Betty McGaughey, continues to captivate audiences in La Crescenta and nearby Foothills communities. VHWC spreads musical joy at local service clubs, church gatherings, and retirement homes every fall and spring.
Our new maestro is Rhonda Dillon. Rhonda is a member of Vox Femina, and has a degree in choral music from USC. She has been a vocal coach and college instructor for many years. Jini Park continues as our accompanist.
The chorus remains committed to fostering choral singing among women. Beyond enchanting performances, VHWC actively supports aspiring young singers through the CWC Music Scholarship program. Join us on a melodious journey, where the legacy of directors like Betty McGaughey and Sharon Schlarb lives on. Together with the Burbank Singers, VHWC co-hosted memorable conventions like “A Song in Our Hearts” in 2011, the 2017 spectacle, “California Dreamin'”, and co-hosted the 2024 gathering, “Women in Song.” Embrace the music, history, and community spirit with Verdugo Hills Women’s Chorus.