Meet the Ensemble

Left to Right:
Jill McCormick, Amy Gross, Bill Epstein, Maggie Wright, Nancy Maret, Julie Kirk, Connie Marks, Barbara Doern Drew, Linda Raney, Gwen Gilligan, Elena Guardincerri, Linda Rice Beck, Lynn Osborne, Mickey Bond, Sue Katz, Cheryl McCulla
Not pictured: Laura Fram Cowan
Photo courtesy of Ken Kirk
Laura Fram Cowan, alto, is pleased to continue performing in this 2023–2024 season with the Ensemble. She has been enchanted by Santa Fe for 40 years and raised her two beautiful children here. In 2014, Laura began her Artworks business—fused glass, watercolors, sculpture and glass jewelry. Visit www.LauraFramCowanArtworks.com to view her artwork.
Barbara Doern Drew has happily been a soprano with the Women’s Ensemble since 1982. She is also passionate about co-writing spiritual articles and co-teaching workshops and courses with her husband, Walter, about relationships and the aging process; their children, Lane and Morgan; and her professional tarot practice. Learn more at creativeagingdrew.com/voicesoftarot.html.
Gwen Gilligan, alto, has been with the group for over 35 years. She wants to thank the audience members for continuing to show support for this long-standing Santa Fe choral institution and hopes you all enjoy the music that has been chosen for this performance. Gwen invites you to sit back and take it all in!
Amy Gross, alto, is singing in her fifth season with the Ensemble. She performed for many years with the Austin Singers in Austin, Texas, and has sung in several church choirs, including First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe. Amy is a legal secretary, freelance editor and avid birder.
Julie Kirk, soprano, is in her 24th year with the Ensemble. She manages our website and Facebook page, and is on the editing, publications and repertoire committees. Julie has sung with the Zia Singers for 22 years. She is an insatiable reader, loves to meet new people and to travel the world.
Nancy Maret, soprano, is happy to be singing in her eighth Ensemble season. After six years of board service and recently retiring from a long professional career in financial technology, she is now filling the revived Ensemble administrator role. Additional singing credits include the Santa Fe Symphony Chorus and First Presbyterian chancel choir.
Jill McCormick, soprano, a lifelong singer and musician, has sung with the First Presbyterian Chancel Choir and the Symphony Chorus. She enjoys working with tuning forks to bring healing tone into the body in her practice at Ancient Tides Wellness. She expresses other creative outlets through training Waldorf teachers.
Lynn Osborne, alto, migrated from New York City in her twenties to be the scenic charge person at the Santa Fe Opera; New Mexico and opera enchanted her. In New Mexico, Lynn created sets and murals, switching midlife to teaching elementary school music. Now retired, she sings and creates art with kids and adults.
Maggie Wright, soprano, is a second-year member of the Ensemble and thankful to be making music with the group. She works as a homecare nurse and facilitates contemplative prayer with small groups of incarcerated people. She enjoys life in Chimayó with her partner, JJ, their toddler Uriel, and their baby-to-come in December 2023.