Jennifer Tibben, Artistic Director
Jennifer Tibben serves as Director of Choral Activites at University of
Nevada, Reno, teaching voice, sight singing and conducting the Concert Choir and
Chamber Chorale. She
received her MM in Vocal Performance from UNR in May 1997. She received her BA
from Gustavus Adolphus College, May 1992, with majors in music and biology.
As a conductor, Jennifer serves as the Artistic Director and conductor of Bella Voce, a
select community women’s choral ensemble. She has received a Sierra Arts
Foundation grant for her work with Bella Voce. She also currently conducts the adult
choir at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and serves as the chorus director for
the Reno Philharmonic Chorus. Jennifer has sung opera roles with UNR Lyric Opera,
as well as with Nevada Opera. She has also served as soloist with the Reno Chamber
Orchestra and with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra. She is a frequent recitalist in the
area. She lives in Reno with her two delightful children, Grace (11) and Noah (8).
Sue Goodenow has been accompanist and occasional soprano for Bella Voce since
2001. Sue has a Master of Music from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Bachelor
of Science in Science Education from the University of Iowa. Sue is the Director of
Music at St. John's Presbyterian Church where she conducts three choirs and two bell
choirs. In fall, 2006, Sue helped to establish the Sierra Nevada Children's Choir
(SNCC), a graded choir program for children in grades 3-12. She conducts Bel Canto,
a choir for students in grades 6-8 which is part of SNCC. Sue has also conducted the
Concert Choir, Summer Symphonic Choir, and Women's Choir at UNR. Sue and her
husband, Rew, married for 26 years, have four girls who keep them very busy!
Carol Flores (2nd alto) joined Bella Voce when it was Sierra Women's Ensemble in
1989. She sings with the UNR Symphonic Choir, the Reno Philharmonic Chorus and
the First United Methodist Church Choir. Carol is a lifelong choral singer, from Messiah
as a teenager with her parents, to the San Francisco Bach Choir, Schola Cantorum in
California, Mozart at Carnegie Hall, Faure and Haydn at Canterbury Cathedral and
Mozart at Salzburg Cathedral. She is retired from Social Security Administration, and
besides singing, she enjoys hanging out with her grandchildren, traveling, volunteering,
and attending concerts. "I can't imagine a life without singing and Bella Voce."
Patricia Miller (2nd soprano), a native of Pennsylvania, has been living in the West for
the past 30 years. A veteran choral singer, she has performed with the Arizona
Masterworks Chorale and the San Francisco Choral Society before moving to Reno in
1994. She has performed in concert tours of Europe and Mexico and in Carnegie Hall
with the New York Pops Orchestra under the direction of Skitch Henderson. Pat
currently sings with the Reno Philharmonic Choir and the choir of First United Methodist
Church. Pat holds degrees in English and journalism from Kent State University, Kent,
Ohio, and Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. A longtime educator, she
works as Vice-President for Programming, Promotion, and Education at KNPB/Channel
5, local PBS station. A community volunteer, she serves as President of Sierra Arts
Foundation and as a member of the board of Truckee Meadows Tomorrow. “Music is
the joy of my life – it gives meaning to everything.”
Josette Dornoff (1st alto) joined Sierra Women’s Ensemble (later Bella Voce) in 1987
or ’88. She began singing in earnest in 2nd grade and has been singing in school,
college or other choirs ever since. After marrying and making Reno her home in 1976,
Josette began singing with the Reno Civic Chorus which morphed into the Sierra
Nevada Chorale. She has sung in various Reno venues, including Sheep Dip, and was
invited by Sierra Women’s Ensemble director, Mike Cleveland, to join that group for
which she later served as officer during its change to a non-profit organization. “Bella
Voce gives me the opportunity to contribute to an excellent and challenging ensemble.
Singing is what helps me keep balance in my life. Bella Voce has also become an
inspiring group of women who contribute so much to our community individually while as
a group we create beauty and offer it in return.”
Jody Emerson Call (2nd Soprano) is one of the original members of Bella Voce who,
in the early 1980's, was part of the 'Women's Ensemble' who would sing special music
when the choir had time off at Reno's 1st United Methodist Church. Jody is a realtor
and proud mom of Airman Hillary Call, stationed in Anchorage, and Daniel Call, student
and super saxophone player at Wooster High School and Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra.
She and husband, Dave, enjoy many flying adventures in their Cessna 180.
Sandy Tackett (2nd Alto) joined Bella Voce in 2002. She was a professional drag
racer for 13 years and retired when her son James began racing. Sandy developed an
interest in Classic cars and has participated in Hot August Nights annually since its
inception. A Registered Nurse since graduating from UNR Orvis School of Nursing,
Sandy has been a Community Health Nurse with the Washoe County District Health
Department and a School Nurse with the Washoe County School District and local
Charter Schools. She enjoys her family, friends, traveling and sharing music. "I find it
to be a great privilege to sing with the talented and committed women in Bella Voce."
Barbara Hunt (1st soprano) has been singing with Bella Voce since 1998. Before
joining Bella Voce, she sang for several years with the Sierra Nevada College Choir and
then with the UNR Symphonic Choir. She also sang in a jazz ensemble, The Reno
Exchange, and is a cantor in the choir of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church.
Before retiring in 2000 Barbara had been an ICU nurse, hospital Supervisor
Coordinator, and Nursing Casemanager. She still works as a hospital auditor, time
permitting, throughout Northern California and Nevada. Before moving to Reno in
2002, she started a children's choir and an adult choir at Assumption Catholic Church
in Truckee, Ca. Barbara is a member of the Reno/Sparks Assistance League and in
her spare time enjoys gardening and reading. Her very favorite time is being with her
grandchildren! “Singing in Bella Voce with Jennifer Tibben lifts the soul and lets it soar.”
Ruth Buffa (1st alto) joined Bella Voce in September 2006. She began her choral
singing career at the age of five as member of the Cherub Choir at First Congregational
Church in Berkeley, California; she has been singing in choirs ever since. Music has
become part of the fabric of her life, which is unimaginable without it. She is a geologist
by training and presently works managing geologic data for a precious metals
exploration company in Reno. Her hobbies (besides choral singing) include reading,
knitting, counted cross-stitch, and walking her ten-year-old Wire Fox Terrier Cisco. She
and her husband John have two grown children and have lived in Nevada for 29 years.
Chris Reinitz (2nd soprano) joined Bella Voce in the fall of 2001 and has been
embracing its challenges and triumphs ever since. Music has always been a sweet spot
in her life: her background includes playing piano and violin, singing in various choirs,
and performing in lots of musical theater. Today, she is busy raising her two teenage
children, Stephanie and Zachary, and helping Dave, her husband of 17 years, run their
company, DCR Telecommunications. Running, yoga and cooking encourage and
humble her as well. “For me, Bella Voce is a great artistic outlet that continues to help
me grow musically and spiritually. Through one voice, Bella Voce offers the gift of
expressing the richness of life through song.”
Karen Everett (2nd alto) joined Bella Voce in Spring 2003. As the child of a musical
family, she remembers how much fun they had improvising music around the piano after
dinner. Karen has sung with the UNR Symphonic Choir, the Reno Philharmonic
Orchestra Choir, and church choirs in Reno and Washington, D.C. Additionally, she co-
founded and sang with the Angels in Army Green at Fort Bragg, NC in 1966-1967. As
an analyst for Kelly Management Services at Microsoft Licensing GP in Reno, Karen
performs a variety of tasks. “Because music is the spiritual language that reaches all
people and overcomes all barriers erected by humankind, I'm pleased to be part of
Bella Voce's inspiring music.”
Judy Monson (1st Soprano) has loved to sing since her mother taught her the
“Alphabet Song.” Before receiving her Master’s Degree at San Francisco State
University, Judy spent two years in Florence, Italy and was awarded a Professor of
Voice degree from the Cherubiro Conservatory. She teaches voice lessons in her own
studio and also has a few students at UNR. As a full time Music Specialist for Washoe
County School District, Judy is proud to teach classroom music and direct a choir at
Elizabeth Lenz Elementary School. In addition, she is Director of Music at the First
United Methodist Church in Carson City as well as founder/director of the Carson
Chamber Singers. ”Singing in Bella Voce under Jennie's skilled leadership is a joyful
outlet, and learning experience.”
Sue Vaughn (2nd alto) joined Bella Voce in 2007. "I'd attended several Bella Voce
concerts, and felt that it might be just the right fit for me. I'm thrilled to have been
accepted into this dynamic group of singers." Sue teaches English at McQueen High
School and her husband teaches at Damonte Ranch. They met 24 years ago in the St.
John's Presbyterian Church choir; they have one child at UNR and another at TMCC.
Sue has been singing since junior high school in organized choirs, including the
Carolina Choir at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Ruth Orovich (1st Sop) grew up in NYC. She has lived all over the United States, and
now lives at Lake Tahoe , CA . She attended 6 different Universities majoring in
Architecture, and more recently Geology at UNR. Ruth has performed all her life as a
soloist and as a member of various choral groups.. She also sang in a rock group,
played guitar, and sang in church. She has performed with the Cincinnati Mayfest
choir, directed by James Levine of the NYC Metropolitan Opera; in Bavaria, Germany ;
and in Carnegie Hall. “I am so proud to be a member of Bella Voce, a choir which
maintains an extremely high caliber of performance while managing to be a great deal
of fun at the same time. Performing beautiful music lifts my spirit and gives me the
feeling that, in some small way, I am part of what’s best of the human experience.”
Beverly Hennen (2nd Soprano) joined Bella Voce in January 2006. Her childhood
musical training included piano and a cappella singing, with encouragement from her
grandparents, parents, and siblings who were all fine singers. Her life has been full of
singing with various religious and secular musical groups, including Harding University A
Cappella Chorus, Belles and Beaux, and UNR Symphonic Choir. Beverly has a degree
in Speech and Hearing Science and has worked for more than 25 years with individuals
with developmental disabilities. She has three grown sons, all instrumentalists. Her
hobbies include quilting, stained glass, hiking, gardening, and baking pies. "For me,
periods of happiness, joyous events, and worship have always been opportunities for
singing. Rehearsing and performing with my lovely friends in Bella Voce fills my soul
and feeds my spirit!"
Darcy McMillin (1st Soprano) joined Bella Voce in 2009. She grew up in New Jersey
and went to Ithaca College in New York, finishing her English degree at the University of
Nevada, Reno in 1990. Darcy studied voice privately from the age of 17 and was
fortunate enough to study with Ted Puffer while at UNR. She participated in many
choral groups including New Jersey North Region and All State choirs, UNR Concert
Choir, Reno Philharmonic Chorus, Sierra Nevada Master Chorale and now, Bella Voce
and Reno Baroque Ensemble. Darcy and her husband, Rob, enjoy living in and
renovating an 1869 house in Virginia City. They also keep busy with their two
businesses, Reno Sparks Plumbing and Captured Moments Taxidermy ,and their non-
profit, Nevada Outdoorsmen in Wheelchairs.
Jennifer Tibben serves as Director of Choral Activites at University of
Nevada, Reno, teaching voice, sight singing and conducting the Concert Choir and
Chamber Chorale. She
received her MM in Vocal Performance from UNR in May 1997. She received her BA
from Gustavus Adolphus College, May 1992, with majors in music and biology.
As a conductor, Jennifer serves as the Artistic Director and conductor of Bella Voce, a
select community women’s choral ensemble. She has received a Sierra Arts
Foundation grant for her work with Bella Voce. She also currently conducts the adult
choir at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and serves as the chorus director for
the Reno Philharmonic Chorus. Jennifer has sung opera roles with UNR Lyric Opera,
as well as with Nevada Opera. She has also served as soloist with the Reno Chamber
Orchestra and with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra. She is a frequent recitalist in the
area. She lives in Reno with her two delightful children, Grace (11) and Noah (8).
Sue Goodenow has been accompanist and occasional soprano for Bella Voce since
2001. Sue has a Master of Music from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Bachelor
of Science in Science Education from the University of Iowa. Sue is the Director of
Music at St. John's Presbyterian Church where she conducts three choirs and two bell
choirs. In fall, 2006, Sue helped to establish the Sierra Nevada Children's Choir
(SNCC), a graded choir program for children in grades 3-12. She conducts Bel Canto,
a choir for students in grades 6-8 which is part of SNCC. Sue has also conducted the
Concert Choir, Summer Symphonic Choir, and Women's Choir at UNR. Sue and her
husband, Rew, married for 26 years, have four girls who keep them very busy!
Carol Flores (2nd alto) joined Bella Voce when it was Sierra Women's Ensemble in
1989. She sings with the UNR Symphonic Choir, the Reno Philharmonic Chorus and
the First United Methodist Church Choir. Carol is a lifelong choral singer, from Messiah
as a teenager with her parents, to the San Francisco Bach Choir, Schola Cantorum in
California, Mozart at Carnegie Hall, Faure and Haydn at Canterbury Cathedral and
Mozart at Salzburg Cathedral. She is retired from Social Security Administration, and
besides singing, she enjoys hanging out with her grandchildren, traveling, volunteering,
and attending concerts. "I can't imagine a life without singing and Bella Voce."
Patricia Miller (2nd soprano), a native of Pennsylvania, has been living in the West for
the past 30 years. A veteran choral singer, she has performed with the Arizona
Masterworks Chorale and the San Francisco Choral Society before moving to Reno in
1994. She has performed in concert tours of Europe and Mexico and in Carnegie Hall
with the New York Pops Orchestra under the direction of Skitch Henderson. Pat
currently sings with the Reno Philharmonic Choir and the choir of First United Methodist
Church. Pat holds degrees in English and journalism from Kent State University, Kent,
Ohio, and Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. A longtime educator, she
works as Vice-President for Programming, Promotion, and Education at KNPB/Channel
5, local PBS station. A community volunteer, she serves as President of Sierra Arts
Foundation and as a member of the board of Truckee Meadows Tomorrow. “Music is
the joy of my life – it gives meaning to everything.”
Josette Dornoff (1st alto) joined Sierra Women’s Ensemble (later Bella Voce) in 1987
or ’88. She began singing in earnest in 2nd grade and has been singing in school,
college or other choirs ever since. After marrying and making Reno her home in 1976,
Josette began singing with the Reno Civic Chorus which morphed into the Sierra
Nevada Chorale. She has sung in various Reno venues, including Sheep Dip, and was
invited by Sierra Women’s Ensemble director, Mike Cleveland, to join that group for
which she later served as officer during its change to a non-profit organization. “Bella
Voce gives me the opportunity to contribute to an excellent and challenging ensemble.
Singing is what helps me keep balance in my life. Bella Voce has also become an
inspiring group of women who contribute so much to our community individually while as
a group we create beauty and offer it in return.”
Jody Emerson Call (2nd Soprano) is one of the original members of Bella Voce who,
in the early 1980's, was part of the 'Women's Ensemble' who would sing special music
when the choir had time off at Reno's 1st United Methodist Church. Jody is a realtor
and proud mom of Airman Hillary Call, stationed in Anchorage, and Daniel Call, student
and super saxophone player at Wooster High School and Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra.
She and husband, Dave, enjoy many flying adventures in their Cessna 180.
Sandy Tackett (2nd Alto) joined Bella Voce in 2002. She was a professional drag
racer for 13 years and retired when her son James began racing. Sandy developed an
interest in Classic cars and has participated in Hot August Nights annually since its
inception. A Registered Nurse since graduating from UNR Orvis School of Nursing,
Sandy has been a Community Health Nurse with the Washoe County District Health
Department and a School Nurse with the Washoe County School District and local
Charter Schools. She enjoys her family, friends, traveling and sharing music. "I find it
to be a great privilege to sing with the talented and committed women in Bella Voce."
Barbara Hunt (1st soprano) has been singing with Bella Voce since 1998. Before
joining Bella Voce, she sang for several years with the Sierra Nevada College Choir and
then with the UNR Symphonic Choir. She also sang in a jazz ensemble, The Reno
Exchange, and is a cantor in the choir of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church.
Before retiring in 2000 Barbara had been an ICU nurse, hospital Supervisor
Coordinator, and Nursing Casemanager. She still works as a hospital auditor, time
permitting, throughout Northern California and Nevada. Before moving to Reno in
2002, she started a children's choir and an adult choir at Assumption Catholic Church
in Truckee, Ca. Barbara is a member of the Reno/Sparks Assistance League and in
her spare time enjoys gardening and reading. Her very favorite time is being with her
grandchildren! “Singing in Bella Voce with Jennifer Tibben lifts the soul and lets it soar.”
Ruth Buffa (1st alto) joined Bella Voce in September 2006. She began her choral
singing career at the age of five as member of the Cherub Choir at First Congregational
Church in Berkeley, California; she has been singing in choirs ever since. Music has
become part of the fabric of her life, which is unimaginable without it. She is a geologist
by training and presently works managing geologic data for a precious metals
exploration company in Reno. Her hobbies (besides choral singing) include reading,
knitting, counted cross-stitch, and walking her ten-year-old Wire Fox Terrier Cisco. She
and her husband John have two grown children and have lived in Nevada for 29 years.
Chris Reinitz (2nd soprano) joined Bella Voce in the fall of 2001 and has been
embracing its challenges and triumphs ever since. Music has always been a sweet spot
in her life: her background includes playing piano and violin, singing in various choirs,
and performing in lots of musical theater. Today, she is busy raising her two teenage
children, Stephanie and Zachary, and helping Dave, her husband of 17 years, run their
company, DCR Telecommunications. Running, yoga and cooking encourage and
humble her as well. “For me, Bella Voce is a great artistic outlet that continues to help
me grow musically and spiritually. Through one voice, Bella Voce offers the gift of
expressing the richness of life through song.”
Karen Everett (2nd alto) joined Bella Voce in Spring 2003. As the child of a musical
family, she remembers how much fun they had improvising music around the piano after
dinner. Karen has sung with the UNR Symphonic Choir, the Reno Philharmonic
Orchestra Choir, and church choirs in Reno and Washington, D.C. Additionally, she co-
founded and sang with the Angels in Army Green at Fort Bragg, NC in 1966-1967. As
an analyst for Kelly Management Services at Microsoft Licensing GP in Reno, Karen
performs a variety of tasks. “Because music is the spiritual language that reaches all
people and overcomes all barriers erected by humankind, I'm pleased to be part of
Bella Voce's inspiring music.”
Judy Monson (1st Soprano) has loved to sing since her mother taught her the
“Alphabet Song.” Before receiving her Master’s Degree at San Francisco State
University, Judy spent two years in Florence, Italy and was awarded a Professor of
Voice degree from the Cherubiro Conservatory. She teaches voice lessons in her own
studio and also has a few students at UNR. As a full time Music Specialist for Washoe
County School District, Judy is proud to teach classroom music and direct a choir at
Elizabeth Lenz Elementary School. In addition, she is Director of Music at the First
United Methodist Church in Carson City as well as founder/director of the Carson
Chamber Singers. ”Singing in Bella Voce under Jennie's skilled leadership is a joyful
outlet, and learning experience.”
Sue Vaughn (2nd alto) joined Bella Voce in 2007. "I'd attended several Bella Voce
concerts, and felt that it might be just the right fit for me. I'm thrilled to have been
accepted into this dynamic group of singers." Sue teaches English at McQueen High
School and her husband teaches at Damonte Ranch. They met 24 years ago in the St.
John's Presbyterian Church choir; they have one child at UNR and another at TMCC.
Sue has been singing since junior high school in organized choirs, including the
Carolina Choir at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Ruth Orovich (1st Sop) grew up in NYC. She has lived all over the United States, and
now lives at Lake Tahoe , CA . She attended 6 different Universities majoring in
Architecture, and more recently Geology at UNR. Ruth has performed all her life as a
soloist and as a member of various choral groups.. She also sang in a rock group,
played guitar, and sang in church. She has performed with the Cincinnati Mayfest
choir, directed by James Levine of the NYC Metropolitan Opera; in Bavaria, Germany ;
and in Carnegie Hall. “I am so proud to be a member of Bella Voce, a choir which
maintains an extremely high caliber of performance while managing to be a great deal
of fun at the same time. Performing beautiful music lifts my spirit and gives me the
feeling that, in some small way, I am part of what’s best of the human experience.”
Beverly Hennen (2nd Soprano) joined Bella Voce in January 2006. Her childhood
musical training included piano and a cappella singing, with encouragement from her
grandparents, parents, and siblings who were all fine singers. Her life has been full of
singing with various religious and secular musical groups, including Harding University A
Cappella Chorus, Belles and Beaux, and UNR Symphonic Choir. Beverly has a degree
in Speech and Hearing Science and has worked for more than 25 years with individuals
with developmental disabilities. She has three grown sons, all instrumentalists. Her
hobbies include quilting, stained glass, hiking, gardening, and baking pies. "For me,
periods of happiness, joyous events, and worship have always been opportunities for
singing. Rehearsing and performing with my lovely friends in Bella Voce fills my soul
and feeds my spirit!"
Darcy McMillin (1st Soprano) joined Bella Voce in 2009. She grew up in New Jersey
and went to Ithaca College in New York, finishing her English degree at the University of
Nevada, Reno in 1990. Darcy studied voice privately from the age of 17 and was
fortunate enough to study with Ted Puffer while at UNR. She participated in many
choral groups including New Jersey North Region and All State choirs, UNR Concert
Choir, Reno Philharmonic Chorus, Sierra Nevada Master Chorale and now, Bella Voce
and Reno Baroque Ensemble. Darcy and her husband, Rob, enjoy living in and
renovating an 1869 house in Virginia City. They also keep busy with their two
businesses, Reno Sparks Plumbing and Captured Moments Taxidermy ,and their non-
profit, Nevada Outdoorsmen in Wheelchairs.
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