The Board

Overseeing the administrative side of the Sonoran Desert Chorale is our Board of Directors - comprised of individuals with skills in finance, marketing, development, and strategic planning. The board members are committed to working in partnership with all other facets of the organization to ensure the SDC's continued success as one of Arizona's premier vocal ensembles.

Gary Quamme, Operations Director

Gary Quamme is a native of Phoenix, whose study of the organ began at Arizona State University, where he graduated with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Organ Performance, under the guidance of Robert Clark and Kimberly Marshall, and at the harpsichord with John Metz. His professional interests have taken him to places such as Naumburg, Germany, where he was able to see the restored Hildebrandt organ of 1748 in St. Wenzel’s Church, climbing the same steps and playing the same keys that Johann Sebastian Bach had done more than 250 years earlier. He was a featured artist in the annual Costa Rica Music Festival in the summer of 2008. Gary served for over 12 years in the ASU School of Music as an event manager, lighting technician, and for six years as its Facilities and Events Coordinator, managing the logistical operations of nearly 700 yearly events. He has served on the board of the Cathedral Center for the Arts, an organization devoted to musical and visual arts at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

Kevin Gardner, President

Kevin has been singing baritone with the Sonoran Desert Chorale since 1996 and has recently joined the board after sending both of his sons off to college.  Kevin has served a number of various volunteer roles for the Chorale, including arranging the KBAQ/KJZZ advertising, and producing the “City Called Heaven” CD.  For his day job, Kevin is a Chief Engineer for Honeywell Aerospace, where he has been challenged and learning since 1983.  Hobbies include snow skiing and hiking the many beautiful areas of Arizona.

Jean Harris, Treasurer

Jean was a founding member of the board of directors and has served as Treasurer since 1994. She sings alto in the Chorale and has been involved in choral music since high school in Iowa. She has recently retired from Mesa Public Schools after serving as a teacher-librarian for 21 years. Never content to rest, her hobbies include reading, traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Russ McBride, Secretary

Russ has been a high school science teacher for over 30 years in Mesa Public Schools. He has been in attendance for Sonoran Desert Chorales performances since their inception and traveled with the Chorale on their concert tours to Europe. Russ is also the organist for his church in Tempe. His hobbies include playing & listening to classical and liturgical music, S.C.U.B.A. diving and traveling.  Russ is serving on the website development committee this season.  

Billie Bogart

Billie received her degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and was a Municipal Opera Chorus member in St. Louis, MO from 1950-1952.  She also spent 15 years at Arizona State University as a statistician with the Office of Institutional Analysis.  She is an avid supporter of the Chorale and has joined the Chorale on tour.  Billie is the Volunteer Coordinator for the Chorale.  

Jim Gisselquist

Jim joined the Chorale in 2008 and sings Bass II. He has sung with a number of Midwest choral groups, church choirs and many small vocal groups.  Prior to retirement in 2005, he worked in the Medical Products Group with Hewlett Packard and Philips Medical Systems as VP of Customer Services.  Since retiring, he enjoys traveling, a variety of outdoor activities, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and spending time with family and friends. 

Lynn Kough

Lynn's primary responsibility on the Board is to generate print materials for the Chorale, including flyers, postcards, and concert programs. Lynn is a retired high school English/Drama teacher currently living in Chandler, has written two books on quiltmaking, and has recently served as President of the Board of Directors for the National Quilting Association, Inc.

Jennifer Daley

Jennifer, a Soprano II, just concluded singing her first season with the Chorale.  A National Board Certified Music Educator, she spent ten years as the choral director and department chair at Cesar Chavez High School in Laveen.  Currently she is a stay-at-home mom to her young daughter Leah.