Clyde Thompson (b. 1947) has pursued a multi-faceted career as a teacher, performer, director and composer. For eighteen years he served on music faculties of colleges in West Virginia, Illinois and Oregon. Thompson holds degrees in composition and choral directing from the University of Minnesota, Eastman School of Music and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He recently retired from full-time teaching in order to devote time to other professional goals in performance and composition. He is the founder and director of the Central Oregon Mastersingers, a 40 voice auditioned choir based in Bend that had its premiere performance in fall of 2005. He plays French horn frequently with the Central Oregon Symphony and is a member of the Obsidian Opera Company. Thompson has composed extensively for choruses and instrumental ensembles. His works have been published by Mark Foster Music Company, Roger Dean Music Company, Editions Viento, and Santa Barbara Music Publishing. His music has received performances throughout the United States and also in Europe and South America. He has studied composition with, among others, Dominick Argento and Samuel Adler.

For many years Jean Shrader has been one of the busiest and most highly respected musicians in Central Oregon. She is certainly the most in-demand accompanist. Jean is a graduate of Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and completed master's degree course work at Eastman School of Music and California State University, Hayward. She was a full-time music faculty member at a community college in California for 12 years and also taught music theory classes at COCC. In addition to accompanying the Central Oregon Mastersingers, she is the Music Director for Obsidian Opera, and is involved in accompanying countless soloists and musical productions in Central Oregon. She is the principal accompanist for the Sunriver Music Festival Young Artists Scholarship Program. Jean has served as organist for numerous churches and also maintains an active piano and organ studio in her home in Redmond.

Melissa Bagwell has been a member of the Central Oregon Mastersingers since 2006. She grew up in Oakland, California where she started singing as a child in musical theatre and opera productions, and in various choirs. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Pacific Lutheran University, where she studied with Marcia Baldwin. She was a featured soloist with the university's Choir of the West, the PLU Opera and the Northwest Sinfonietta. Melissa has given several recitals in the Northwest and California, and has sung with the Santa Barbara Opera, Opera in the Ozarks, and most recently with the Obsidian Opera Company's Spring Follies production. In addition, Melissa sings soprano with Obsidian Opera's professional quartet, the Victorian Carolers. She is currently studying voice with Dr. Monica Torrey. Melissa works for Central Oregon Cable Advertising, where she serves as a television advertising account executive assisting local businesses with their marketing strategies. She has lived in Bend for the last three years with her husband Keith and their two dogs, Barney and Logan.

Sally Graeber has lived in Central Oregon since 1993 and is a charter member of the Central Oregon Mastersingers, where she sings in the alto section. She has studied voice with Eileen Swedish Heaton and has been involved in various musical endeavors in Central Oregon. She sang in the Obsidian Opera chorus for several productions including "Cosi Fan Tutti" and "Betly." She has also performed with the Cabaret Connection, the Cascade Chorale, and in a women's trio, The Treblemakers. She has also served frequently as a soloist and in ensembles at church.

Sally holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Portland State University. She currently works from her home-based company, Sage Business Services, where she provides accounting, along with a range of administrative support functions. Sally also has an extensive background in information systems and because of her passion for the Central Oregon Mastersingers, Sally offered her services in order to create and maintain this website. She also assists with publicity design.

Sally lives with her husband Doug and their bevy of pets (four cats and two dogs!) in the country east of town, where they enjoy the beautiful Central Oregon scenery. She has two grown daughters, Kara and Alyssa. Kara also sings with the Central Oregon Mastersingers.

Melissa Jacot has been singing with the Mastersingers since 2007. A native of Kittitas, Washington, Melissa obtained her bachelor's degree in Music Education from Central Washington University with an emphasis on Vocal Pedagogy and Choral Conducting; and her Master of Arts in Teaching from Grand Canyon University. A resident of Bend since 1988, Melissa began her teaching career at High Desert Middle School and is currently serving as the Director of Choral Activities at Summit High School, Bend's newest high school. There she directs five choirs, including the award-winning Summit Chorale and Skyliner Jazz, which have competed in festivals throughout the Northwest and California. She is also the vocal director for Summit High School's musicals and has produced Jekyll and Hyde the Musical, Beauty and the Beast and Bye Bye Birdie. When she is not at school, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband John, and walking her dog Samson. She is very happy to be a part of the Mastersingers, which gives her a chance to be on the other side of the podium!

Lilli Ann is proud to have been a Mastersinger from the very first rehearsal! A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Lilli Ann holds degrees in theatre from Stanford University and Penn State. As a graduate student, she attended the American Conservatory Theatre's Professional Actor Training program for two years. Lilli Ann began her stage career as an actress and singer, playing roles as diverse as Maria in "Sound of Music" and Helena in "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Central Oregon audiences have seen her as The Mother in Obsidian Opera's "Amahl and the Night Visitors" (2002), as Penelope Pennywise in Cascade Theatrical Company's "Urinetown", and as the Master of Ceremonies for several opera recitals and concerts. She is in her 21st year on the Fine Arts faculty at Central Oregon Community College where she has directed over 50 plays, including "Pippin", "Much Ado About Nothing", "The Mikado", and "Of Mice and Men". Lilli Ann lives in Bend with her daughter Kit.

Shelley Maurice-Maier has had a long and accomplished stage career, including lead roles in musical theater festivals in London, Edinburgh, and The Hague. She has performed on the Julie Andrews Show, has appeared on television in Norway and London, and has participated in numerous Los Angeles television commercials with stars such as Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, and Joe Dimaggio. Some of her favorite roles have been Maria in "The Sound of Music," Liz in "110 in the Shade," Adelaide and Sarah (at different times of course) in "Guys and Dolls," Marion in "The Music Man" and Buttercup in "HMS Pinafore."

Since moving to Bend in 2000, Shelley has participated in several Obsidian Opera Company productions, and has sung continuously with the Central Oregon Mastersingers since the spring of 2006.

Shelley is a licensed Physicians' Assistant in family medicine and psychotherapy. Although no longer in clinical medicine, she has pursued a private practice as a Christian counselor for the last five years. She has authored two books - "The Sampler: 10 Life-Enhancing Concepts Right At Your Fingertips," and "The Soul Factor: The Role Our Soul Plays In Healing" (publication in March, 2009). She has her own website at shelleymauricemaier.com.

Hannah Moorman was excited to join the Central Oregon Mastersingers as an alto in early 2008. She is new to Central Oregon and serves as choir director at Crook County Middle School in Prineville. Prior to moving to Central Oregon, Hannah completed Oregon State University's Graduate Program in Music Education. While at OSU, Hannah was a member of the Chamber Choir, one of the nation's premier collegiate vocal ensembles. Hannah received a B.A. in music from Vanguard University in Southern California. Her studies included vocal performance and pedagogy, choral conducting, music education and church music. Hannah was the student conductor of Vanguard's Women's Chorus, as well as a section leader for both the Women's Chorus and Concert Choir. While at Vanguard, Hannah participated in several choir tours throughout the Western United States and the East Coast, including the famous Carnegie Hall in New York City. Hannah's teaching experience includes Music Theory Teacher with the All-American Boys Chorus of Orange County, private lessons (piano and voice), and a summer program teaching English in China.

Sheryl (Sherie) Neff, an Oregon native, has lived in Central Oregon since 1986. She is a charter member of the Mastersingers, serving frequently as a soloist. She has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Oregon College of Education (now Western University) in Monmouth, as well as many hours of post-graduate studies.

Since moving to Central Oregon, Sherie has performed often with the Juniper and Obsidian Opera Companies, appearing as Golde in "Fiddler on the Roof," and understudying the title role in "Carmen." She has also appeared in several productions with the Cascades Theatrical Company, including "The USO Show" and "Side By Side With Sondheim"; and with the Candlelight Dinner Cabaret Theater where she was seen in "Red, Hot and Cole"; "The Taffetas"; "Dames at Sea"; and as Patsy Cline in "Always, Patsy Cline." She has also sung with the Cascade Chorale, Victorian Carolers, The Treblemakers (a women's "40's" trio), and with The Encore Continental Singers with whom she went on tour in 1996 to the East Coast and Israel.

Sherie has worked as an elementary school teacher in Medellin, Colombia; Independence, Oregon; and for the Redmond School District. She has served on the boards of the Redmond Community Concert Association, Pythian Theater, and presently serves on the Redmond Commission for Art in Public Places. She has a grown daughter, Kimmie, who has also been a member of the Mastersingers.

Jo Ann Thompson has been actively involved in Central Oregon's music scene for the past 23 years. She served for ten years as music librarian for the Cascade Chorale; she has been a member of the Central Oregon Recorder Consort for over 16 years; she has performed in the chorus of several Obsidian Opera productions including "HMS Pinafore," "The Mikado," and "Fiddler on the Roof"; and she sings in the Chancel Choir at First Presbyterian Church of Bend under the direction of her husband, Clyde. The Central Oregon Mastersingers holds a special place in her heart. She has sung in the alto section since the choir's inception and has been instrumental in helping with publicity for concerts, ticket sales, and the purchase of outfits for the women in the group. Jo Ann has done extensive volunteer work with the Sunriver Music Festival and has served on the board of directors of the Youth Choir of Central Oregon for more than 14 years. She works part time at Juniper Swim and Fitness Center teaching swimming and she recently inaugurated a synchronized swimming program at the center.

A native of Central Oregon, Steve Osterkamp started singing in 1974 as a member of the Bend High School Choir. He participated in choral ensembles at Central Oregon Community College for two years before moving to Corvallis in the fall of 1978 to attend Oregon State University, where he sang in several choirs and small ensembles.

In January of 1981, Steve began attending Portland State University, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, with a minor in vocal performance. He participated in the much-heralded Portland State University Chamber Choir, singing at several ACDA regional and national conventions. While in Portland he also sang in two of Oregon's top professional choirs, Choral Cross Ties and the Oregon Repertory Singers, and the professional Christmas caroling ensemble, the Dickens Carolers.

In August 1997, Steve and his family moved back to Central Oregon. He joined the cast of Obsidian Opera Company in 2001, where he has enjoyed several minor principal roles and numerous Opera Chorus assignments, as well as participation in the "Corelli by Candlelight" concert series. Every Christmas season Steve directs and sings with the Victorian Carolers, a professional ensemble that is part of Obsidian Opera Company.

When asked by Clyde Thompson to join the fledgling Central Oregon Mastersingers, Steve knew the group was a perfect fit for both him and the growing Central Oregon music scene. He has been with them ever since, and serves frequently as a soloist.

Steve Runner has been active in the Central Oregon music scene since 2002, when he joined the Cascade Chorale that was then directed by Clyde Thompson. Through the years, Steve and his wife Bevalee have enjoyed sharing the stage together numerous times. In 2003 he joined the Obsidian Opera Company and has performed in "HMS Pinafore," "The Merry Widow," "Carmen," "The Mikado," and "Fiddler on the Roof." Other Obsidian Opera performances have included several "Spring Follies" variety shows, the annual "Corelli by Candlelight" concerts, and participation for two years with the Victorian Carolers.

Steve and Bevalee were invited to join the Central Oregon Mastersingers as charter members in 2005, and have participated in every performance of the Mastersingers since its inception. Steve has studied voice locally with Dr. Monica Torrey for two years.

When not singing, Steve serves as a Vice President at Sunriver Resort, managing all development and major construction projects for the resort. Steve is a native Oregonian, born and raised in Salem, graduating from Oregon State University with a degree in engineering. After living and working for 18 years in the United Arab Emirates, Steve and Bevalee returned to Oregon where they now live in Sunriver. They have two daughters and two grandsons that are the center of their universe.

Jeff White is another charter member of the Mastersingers. A native Oregonian, Jeff moved to Bend in 2000 and quickly joined the Obsidian Opera Company, the Cascade Chorale, and continued his private voice study with Monica Torrey. Jeff served as President of the Obsidian Opera's Board of Directors, and sang in "Amahl and the Night Visitors" (2000 and 2002), "Die Fledermaus," "HMS Pinafore," "Carmen," "The Mikado," and "Fiddler On The Roof" (as The Rabbi). Jeff has also sung with the Victorian Carolers and the High Desert Harmoneers, a men's barbershop chorus. He has been a frequent soloist for churches, and has soloed with the Cascade Chorale. In 2003, he performed the role of Professor Harold Hill in First Presbyterian Church of Bend's production of "The Music Man." A good deal of Jeff's adult life has been spent abroad, first in Tokyo, Japan with the Air Force; and then in Moscow and Kiev, USSR; Belgrade, Yugoslavia; Bern, Switzerland; and Stockholm, Sweden with the State Department. Jeff also led the team that opened the first American Embassy in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Jeff has two sons and two grandchildren, all of whom live in Colorado. He lives in Bend now with his wife Pam and their dog Scout, the smartest Border Collie in the world.