About Chanteuses

Our Story

In the fall of 1996, Chanteuses premiered at the Pioneer Congregational Church under the direction of Jack Miller. The choir has continued performing throughout the region with outstanding regional arts organizations including Harris Center for the Arts at Folsom Lake College, the Bear Valley Music Festival, and the Camellia Symphony. Chanteuses has also participated in the "Music at Noon" series at Westminster Presbyterian Church near the Capitol for over fifteen years. 

The group is currently led by Artistic Director and Conductor, William Zinn. Our members are selected through rigorous auditions and represent an eclectic group of skilled musicians united by their passion for choral music. With our wide-ranging backgrounds we unite together as an ensemble to create choral music that speaks to the human condition in all its varied facets. Chanteuses is indebted to Jack and the founding members for the vision they shared in establishing a treble vocal ensemble that has aspired to excellence in bringing treasured music to audiences in the Sacramento region for decades.

Listen to Our Latest Music

the conductor playing the piano in front and the singers in the background

Our Singers & Director

Chanteuses is made up of semi-professional singers from all walks of life, including nurses, teachers, CPAs, mothers, business owners, retirees, and music educators. At the helm is William Zinn, a conductor whose tenure since 2019 has been marked by a commitment to drawing out each singer's best. With a legacy of shaping music in Sacramento, Mr. Zinn steers the ensemble with expertise, ensuring that every performance is a testament to our collective passion and individual dedication.

Musical Director & Conductor

William Zinn

William Zinn's leadership of Chanteuses since fall 2019 is built on a foundation of musical education and direction dating back to 1980. His dedication extends beyond conducting to inspiring future talents as a board member of the California Choral Directors Association.

Singers

Alysse Rocha

Soprano

Alysse Rocha

Soprano

Alysse Rocha's journey with choral music, which began in grade school and led to various ensembles, found a harmonious home with Chanteuses.

Amanda Johnson

Soprano

Amanda Johnson

Soprano

Amanda Johnson, an Alto 1 with the Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra since 2012, joined Chanteuses in August 2023. A retired Financial Planner with a quirky interest in state fair preserved foods contests, Amanda looks forward to performing diverse and beautiful pieces with her fellow Chanteuses.

Ann Gilbert

Soprano

Ann Gilbert

Soprano

Ann Gilbert's rich history in choirs and theater, combined with her academic and professional background, brings a narrative depth to Chanteuses. Her joy in choral singing is a unifying force, enriching the ensemble since her start in 2022.

Ashley Hamrick

Soprano

Ashley Hamrick

Soprano

Ashley Hamrick's soprano voice has been honed through extensive musical education and performances, including handbell conducting and soloist roles. A member since January 2020, Ashley's repertoire and teaching experience are invaluable assets to Chanteuses.

Barbara Rowland

Soprano

Barbara Rowland

Soprano

Barbara Rowland joined Chanteuses in 2022, bringing with her an extensive background that includes the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale and voice instruction. Her ability to sing in Romanian adds a unique timbre to our performances.

Catherine Rippetoe

Soprano

Catherine Rippetoe

Soprano

Catherine Rippetoe joined Chanteuses in honor of her Grandma Janette. A cat and tattoo enthusiast, Catherine is happy to use her music degree with this magical group of ladies to continue making her Grandma proud.

Celia Buckley

Alto

Celia Buckley

Alto

Celia Buckley, a Chanteuses member since January 2022, has a diverse musical and professional background. She sang with notable choruses including the Sacramento Master Singers and studied music before transitioning to a successful nursing career in Pediatric Cardiology.

Christine Lanphere

Alto

Christine Lanphere

Alto

As a founding member since 1996, Christine Lanphere's tenure with Chanteuses is marked by her dedication to teaching and lifelong choral singing. Her experience, including time in France, brings a global perspective to our local ensemble.

Ciandra Kouklis

Soprano

Ciandra Kouklis

Soprano

Since January 2020 Ciandra Kouklis has brought her worship leadership and music degree into the harmonious fold of Chanteuses. Her love for music, nurtured by William Zinn in high school, continues to flourish in the ensemble.

Cindy Teresi

Alto

Cindy Teresi

Alto

Cindy Teresi, a retired music educator and multi-instrumentalist, joined Chanteuses this year to further enrich her life with high-quality music. Her background as a children’s and church choral director infuses the group with a sense of belonging and joy.

Kathleen O'Rourke

Soprano

Kathleen O'Rourke

Soprano

Born in Iowa, educated in New York City, and recently-sprouted in Sacramento, Katie is a creative and engaging vocal artist. She believes whole-heartedly in the healing power of choral music and is blessed to be able to merge her talents with such a dynamic group of women. Katie holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA) and Masters in Music (MM) from SUNY: Stony Brook and a Bachelor’s in Music (BM) from Barnard College [Columbia University].

Laurel Jensen

Alto

Laurel Jensen

Alto

Laurel Jensen has been lending her voice to Chanteuses since 2002, creating transcendent music that echoes her geological exploration. Her experience with choir and piano since childhood enriches our harmonies with both history and passion.

Laurel Rhodes

Soprano

Laurel Rhodes

Soprano

Laurel was introduced to choral music at twelve years old in middle school by Deborah Borton in Okemos, Michigan. Her director’s love and enthusiasm for performance singing was contagious and her motto, “SPAM: Singing Produces Awesome Miracles” is something Laurel still believes. Laurel sang competitively in the Someko singers under the direction of Frank K De Wald and sang with the Sacramento State University concert choir in college. Laurel continues to sing and produce awesome miracles while playing her ukulele and guitar for her friends and family, and now as a member of Chanteuses.

Linda Schmidt

Alto

Linda Schmidt

Alto

Since 2007, Linda Schmidt's musical narrative, from singing with John and Paul on Beatles songs in the '60s to playing the cello, has been interwoven with Chanteuses. Her love for singing in Latin and making beautiful music is a joyous echo in our ensemble.

Macara Nicoll

Alto

Macara Nicoll

Alto

Since Winter 2020, Macara Nicoll has brought her high school and college singing experience back to life with Chanteuses. Her desire for camaraderie and a shared love of music resonates with the ensemble's spirit.

Mary Howard

Soprano

Mary Howard

Soprano

Mary Howard has been engaged in group singing since middle school and enjoys a wide range of musical genres. Her ongoing journey with Chanteuses, now in its third phase, highlights her lasting dedication to vocal music.

Melissa Mandeville

Soprano

Melissa Mandeville

Soprano

Melissa Mandeville, a Chanteuses singer and board member since 1996, brings a lifelong commitment to music through her involvement in other choirs and as a piano instructor. Her shared history with the ensemble is a testament to our collective musical journey.

Michelle Conti

Alto

Michelle Conti

Alto

Joining Chanteuses in August 2023, Michelle Conti's upbringing in a musical family laid a harmonious foundation for her choir involvement. Michelle balances her love for music with her role as a parish secretary, echoing the ensemble's commitment to community and the arts.

Sandi Holland

Alto

Sandi Holland

Alto

Sandi Holland, with a BA in vocal performance and music education, brings a love for sacred music and a wealth of teaching experience to Chanteuses since 2020. Her multi-instrumental talents and dedication to music education enhance the ensemble's depth.

Shinae Kim

Collaborative Pianist

Shinae Kim

Collaborative Pianist

Shinae Kim, an accomplished pianist and educator, joined Chanteuses after an impressive international performance career. Since Summer 2020, her collaboration has been instrumental in shaping the ensemble's sound.

Tania Mannion

Alto

Tania Mannion

Alto

Tania Mannion, a seasoned musician with a background in flute and vocal performance, joined Chanteuses in Fall 2019. Her leadership as a choral director and love for the water reflect the ensemble's blend of artistry and serenity.

Auditions

Audition to join Chanteuses and become a part of Sacramento's premier semi-professional female vocal ensemble. Chanteuses is always looking for skilled dedicated SSAA singers to join our ensemble.

‍We invite you to contact Diwzinn6023@gmail.com to schedule your audition. Please specify your preferred audition time and voice part.

Join Us

Black and white photo of the conductor playing the piano in front and the singers in the background

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement

Chanteuses is committed to building and fostering a diverse organization with a deep feeling of community and belonging.

We believe that our members' cultural diversity, backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and unique identities should be honored, valued, and supported. We make every effort to include the voices of people from various paths of life in our choral repertoire, membership, leadership board, and hired performers.

Why Chanteuses?

When you support Chanteuses, you do more than enjoy a concert. You're helping us provide world-class choral music to the Sacramento area.
Your involvement, whether through attendance or donations, furthers our mission to showcase diverse choral works, strengthen the local arts community, and support youth choirs and nonprofit organizations.

Donate Now