ALTO 2 Section LEADER
KARLA MORGAN MASSIA
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Warrensburg, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: 1 dog; 1 cat; 1 talking parakeet; 1 house on 11 acres.
ALTO 2 Section mEMBERS
GWENDOLYN AKINS CONWAY
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD:
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT:
LYNNE BEEBE
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Independence, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I love to travel and have visited over 37 countries on 5 continents. I haven't made it to Austrailia or Antarctica.
LAUREN BEEMER
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Terrace Lake Gardens
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I am a plant enthusiast and collect Hoyas.
AMBER BRACKEN
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD:
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT:
MARLENE CARNAHAN
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Lee's Summit, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: Have been a Nurse since 1972 but practiced as a Nurse Anethetist for past 30 years. Retired last December! Always loved singing and have been able to sing for pleasure and fun. Have been in the Messiah Chorus for 43 years and started that with the Independence Messiah Choir. Have been with the Symphony Chorus since the Symphony took over 😊.
HELEN COWAN
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Weston, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I started singing with KCSC for the 23/24 season when I moved to KC from Vermont for a cheesemaking job at Green Dirt Farm. My previous choral experience was with the Cornell University Chorus and a small a cappella choir in VT that sang mostly renaissance era music. I've been a professional artisan cheesemaker for over a decade, working with goat, cow, and now sheep's milk. In my spare time I make block prints, take pictures of the ground or sheep, and listen to the same podcasts on repeat.
CHRISTINE EPPS
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Independence, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I am a native Floridian and moved to Kansas City 3 years ago. I enjoy gardening and traveling and how 'bout those Chiefs!
NICOLE EUBANKS
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Parkville, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I played soccer in college.
JUNE FARSON
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD:
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I’m a longtime (think 50+ seasons) member of this incredible Chorus. It is an honor. Also I am a retired French teacher (38 years in the Shawnee Mission School District) who loves the language & culture of France & other francophone countries.
JULIA HERIFORD
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD:
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I love to bake.
MARGGIE JONES
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Gardner, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I worked as a clinical research manager for many therapeutic areas, but most recently studies for cystic fibrosis and type 1 diabetes. Also, I sang in this choir when it was directed by Eph Ehly and Arnold Eply. I took a leave of absence and returned to this magnificent group of singers a few years ago and so happy I did!!!
JANICE KIBLER
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Parkville, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I’m a Lutheran pastor who has lived many places. I’ve found musical opportunities each place but KCSC is my favorite. When living in Berlin I sang in a chorus that presented Messiah auf Deutsch. I still smile when I think about “his name shall be called… wunderbar!”.
AUDREY KLASSEN
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Kansas City Metro
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: Audrey enjoys spending time with her her husband, son, 2 cats and church family- usually accompanied by a hot drink and pastry if possible.
MIKAELA LANGE
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Overland Park, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I'm a middle school choir and teach at Indian Hills Middle School. In my free time I love to read, explore all that Kansas City has to offer and travel.
JULIA LEAMON
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Waldo
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT:
"I’m a Kansas City native. I have 3 children, a high quality mutt dog named “Newman”, 3 chickens, and 2 cats.
I retired from nursing a year ago. I got bored after 3 days and went back to work as a school nurse for special needs children.
My hobbies include cooking, sewing, and dragon boat racing. I need to remain active. I’ve ridden my bike across Iowa 5 times….I'm seeking new adventures…."
DIANE MARTIN
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Lee's Summit, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I love music and I love being with people but my favorite thing is being a "Grammy" to all my grandchildren.
SANDRA MCCORMICK
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Independence, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: Love to travel, love singing with this chorus
HEIDI MENSSEN
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Lenexa, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I am a mom to 3 sons and one daughter, and I am currently teaching high school Spanish. I love to read and travel, and sunflowers make me happy.
JULLIAN MILLER
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Merriam, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: My name is Jillian and I enjoy watching documentaries, hanging out with my dog/best girl Leia, supporting local breweries and wineries, quality time with friends and family, and chilly fall Saturdays attending KU Football games with my Dad. I have been singing since I could talk, was on scholarship for Choir and Theatre at Baker University, and am loving this opportunity to sing choral music again after a few years break!
NGUYEN NICHOLSON
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Kansas City, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I enjoy cooking and baking in my free time.
MADELINE RETTMAN
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Lee's Summit, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I am an improvised live-looping musician that frequently plays sets on the Twitch online streaming platform. I utilize my classical music and choral background while also playing synthesizers and other digital instruments.
CAROL ROBINSON
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Prairie Village, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I can juggle.
CARYL SCHULTZ
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Independence, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I was first introduced to the Kansas City Symphony Chorus when I began singing with them for the Handel's Messiah concerts. I had previously sang in the Independence Messiah Choir since 1987. The Kansas City Symphony Chorus invited the Independence Messiah Choir members to join them in 2011 at the newly built Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts for the Handel's Messiah concerts. I've been a part of the Kansas City Symphony Handel's Messiah ever since!
AMBER SMITH
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Waldo
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT:
"One of my family’s favorite stories is about me as a little kid in the 90s, singing the Hoover vacuum commercial so passionately that I cried — and honestly, that says a lot about who I am. Music has always moved me deeply. I’ve been singing since before I could form full sentences, continued through college, and was honored to make it to All-State several times. After college, life pulled me in different directions, and I lost touch with that part of myself. That’s why I’m so excited to be stepping into this new season as a 2025 choir member.
I run my own esthetics business, and I’m also a proud mom to a vibrant 9-year-old daughter. In my free time, you’ll find me vibing to music, catching up on my favorite shows, or soaking up nature whenever I can."
SARA TREFFER
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Lee's Summit, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT:
CAROLYN WELCH
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Lawrence, KS
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I live on a farm with 6 dogs, 2 cats, 2 donkeys, 4 goats, 1 mule, 10 cows, 50 chickens and about 150 sheep.
JULIA WELSH
CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD: Lee's Summit, MO
ABOUT ME/FUN FACT: I graduated from Truman State University in May 2025 with a Biology degree and a French minor. I like all things active (lifting, walking, tennis, yoga)