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 the organist and choir director at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Virginia Beach. She is employed as a computer support specialist at Bank of America and also is the Vice President and Chair of the Chorus Board for Bellissima!

CYNDI BROWN is from Newport News where she is very involved in the arts community. She studied music at VCU where she focused on the flute. She sings with the Hidenwood Presbyterian choir and works as a training developer for a defense contractor. An avid oil painter, Cyndi is the chairman of the Newport News Arts Commission.

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.

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 music minor. She sings with the Symphonicity Chorus and is a book editor.

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.

MELODY WAGNER is from Portsmouth and studied nursing at Christopher Newport College. She has worked at Maryview Medical Center for many years. She has extensive singing experience and also sings with the Cantata Chorus..

ALTO

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 with the Symphonicity Chorus.

LEANNA FREID is from Minnesota. She graduated with a degree in history-political science and French from Concordia College. Leanna works for Unisys Corporation as a quality assurance manager and also serves part-time as Director of Music at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach.

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.

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!

JANE SIMMONS attended Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and Westminster Choir College majoring in organ performance, singing with their concert choirs and the Delaware Valley Philharmonic Choral Society. Choral conducting, handbell performance, auditioned choral groups, and Symphonicity Chorus are her joys in retirement. Jane also serves as the Corresponding Secretary for Bellissima!