Singer Spotlight
A chorus is only as good as its singers-- the success of our ensemble relies on our community of fantastic vocalists. Meet some of the talented singers that make Sacred & Profane thrive!
Amir Bitran, bass
How long have you been with Sacred & Profane?
I started singing Fall of 2023.
What do you do outside of Sacred & Profane?
I am a biophysics postdoc at Berkeley!
What piece are you most excited for in this set?
The Mechem is quite cool!
What is your favorite part of Sacred & Profane?
Getting to know a diverse repertoire of contemporary classical music, interspersed with historical masterpieces, while singing with a rigorous yet fun and supportive group.
Tell us a fun fact about you!
My day job is doing biophysics research on proteins and how they get their structures. But at night I'm a composer, and I recently have been writing pieces inspired by different scientific topics, that have been premiered in various countries around the world! A profile of my work was featured in the Harvard Magazine.
George-Ann Bowers, Alto
Lives in Berkeley
How long have you been with Sacred & Profane?
40 years! Hard to believe it’s been that long, but there’s the first photo on the timeline is of me with original director James Mayer from 1977 to prove it, plus many wonderful memories of fellow singers, musical experiences and adventures over the years.
Describe your musical/singing background:
I grew up in a musical household (both parents played in orchestras when young, Dad sang in choruses, led group sings, and played viola all his life), with exposure to classical music as well as contemporary repertoire. Years of piano lessons provided the basis for sight-reading, and in junior high school I was introduced to choral singing, which I continued all through high school. Played guitar and sang folk music during the 60’s, then came back to choral music after college, when I joined the California Bach Society in the mid-1970’s. I enjoyed singing the “big stuff” until an invitation from fellow singers to the “Wednesday Night Group” led to the next forty years of more intimate musical exploration, as well as some special friendships.
Your biggest musical inspiration(s)?
World music of all kinds, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Britten, Brahms and Schubert instrumental works, Wendy and Tim (ex-S&P singers and longtime friends), Jim Mayer
What do you like to do outside music?
In the non-musical side of my life, I’m an exhibiting artist, working in textiles, specifically weaving, plus recent forays into other fiber techniques. I’ve been working with fiber since the l970’s and maintain a studio in Berkeley full of looms, yarn, and other materials. Exhibiting my artwork in far-flung locations is a good excuse to travel, another favorite activity, along with reading, cooking, birding, wildflowers, hiking, and outdoor photography (inspiration for artwork).
What's your favorite...
Season? Spring, for wildflowers; Fall - great weather and no mosquitos
Bay Area restaurant?I don’t go out to eat that often; favorite spot for lunch with friends is Cafe Leila in Berkeley.
Piece you've sung with S&P? That’s a very difficult question, since I have 40 years worth of music from which to choose. Favorite choral composers, maybe…Britten (A Boy Was Born, Sacred and Profane), Josquin, Tallis, Poulenc….I could go on…..
If you could be any animal, what would you choose and why?
Probably a cat, since they’re quiet but complex, and I’m as drawn to them as other people are to dogs.
Joe Greaves, Tenor
Lives in Oakland
How long have you been with Sacred & Profane?
Since Spring 2019.
What do you do outside of Sacred & Profane?
I’m the Executive Director of the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association.
What is your favorite piece you’ve sung with the group?
I’m never good at choosing a favorite anything but I’ll go with “In the middle” by Dale Trumbore.
What is your favorite part of Sacred & Profane?
The people! It’s a lovely community of likehearted choir nerds.
Tell us a fun fact about you!
I have swam in the SF bay over 250 times since the start of the pandemic.
Hayley Tsukayama Thompson, alto
Lives in Dublin
How long have you been with Sacred & Profane?
I have been singing with Sacred and Profane since Fall of 2017
What do you do outside of Sacred & Profane?
I work as a state legislative activist for a digital rights advocacy non-profit called the Electronic Frontier Foundation on issues including broadband access, government surveillance and privacy.
What is your favorite piece you’ve sung with the group?
My first year we sang a totally insane and very cool piece in Estonian called "Curse Upon Iron" and I have never recovered. In a good way. I think.
What is your favorite part of Sacred & Profane?
Cheese alert! I joined Sacred and Profane to sing with my sister (a former chorister) but the whole choir welcomed me as if I were family. We tackle such ambitious and varied music and build an amazing community around it. I revel in my fellow choristers' voices, but I love their hearts.
Tell us a fun fact about you!
Before I became an activist, I was a technology reporter and I have been able to interview Bill Nye, will.i.am., and George Takei. It was a pretty cool job—though I like my current one better.
Dyana Vukovich, Alto
Lives in Albany
How long have you been with Sacred & Profane?
For 3 years now.
Describe your musical/singing background:
I have sung with many ensembles over the decades, including the Anna Crusis Women’s Choir of Philadelphia, and Music in the Blood and Coro Hispano, both of San Francisco. A pianist since the age of three, I also like to dabble in other instruments, including the dulcimer and recorder, and I occasionally compose pieces to share with my friends.
Who is/are your biggest musical inspiration(s)?
I'm inspired by musicians from around the world, including Johnny Clegg, Mercedes Sosa, Bela Bartok, and all those engaged in roots revival of any kind. At the same time, I love to champion new music by my friends (see potajemusic.com for works by Chus Alonso), including the fabulous composers in Sacred and Profane!
What do you like to do outside music?
I'm an avid volleyball player (textile version and otherwise), Scrabble aficionado, and traveler. I'm getting close to achieving my bucket list of visiting every Spanish-speaking country in the world (there is a pesky little country in Africa that’s not quite safe yet).
What's your favorite...
Season? Bay Area Indian Summer
Bay Area restaurant? Hamro Aangan, an Indo-Nepalese restaurant in my neighborhood.
Piece you've sung with S&P? One of my favorite memories was singing Song of Okogis, by choir member James Tecuatl-Lee. It involved movement, unusual sounds, and masks – very theatrical and evocative.
If you could be any animal, what would you choose and why?
It would have to be an eagle – the big picture from the mountaintop is my favorite perspective.
Jenn Ying, Soprano
Lives in Albany
How long have you been with Sacred & Profane?
I have been singing with Sacred and Profane since Fall 2013.
What do you do outside of Sacred & Profane?
I'm a financial advisor, mama of two preschoolers, low-brow Episcopalian, Pokemon Go trainer, and top-0.05% fan of Carly Rae Jepsen.
What is your favorite piece you’ve sung with the group?
Christus factus est by Anton Bruckner
What is your favorite part of Sacred & Profane?
I love that we are a community that does interesting, beautiful music together.