Small Difference Women's Choral Ensemble
Striking a Chord for Peace and Justice...

Based in Sacramento, California



Sage Brown
Director
Alto 2
Sage Brown began her musical career at Sabino High School in Tucson, Arizona. There she sang in both the concert choir and the small ensemble and had her first big performance playing the female lead in Fiddler on the Roof. She moved to Sacramento in 1982 and sang in the choir at American River College. It was there that her life took a decidedly political turn to the left and she became a progressive activist. She identifies herself as a pacifist, environmentalist, women’s liberationist, anarchist, pagan, vegetarian, butch leather dyke, hippie radical.

In 1997 Sage joined the Sacramento Women’s Chorus and sang with them for over 9 years. Sage fulfilled a lifelong dream by also getting to try her hand at doing some assistant directing for SWC. She left SWC in December, 2006 and one month later put out the call to form a small group women’s chorus that would be smaller and structurally different from SWC, while still complimenting their musical work as a sister chorus.

When not singing and directing SDWCE Sage is a teacher. She enjoys gardening and traveling. Sage is also an author and has written three adult novels and a book of short stories and poetry.
 
Jessica Munoz
Soprano 1
Guitar • Drums
Jessica works in the mental health field as a service provider. She came out late, in her late 30's. She has two grown children, wonderful women who share their love. Jessica have sung in choruses most of her life, starting in grammar school and continuing through school, religious and now activist groups. Jessica says, “My participation in Small Difference is rewarded by the support I feel from every member as well as being able to speak for peace, freedom and justice to the community.”

 
Carrie Sessarego
Soprano 1
Guitar • Flute
Carrie is a singing, writing, scrapbooking, rally-attending, stay-at-home mom. She is grateful to Small Difference for giving her the opportunity to arrange music, and loves the fact that her five year old daughter knows the words to two choir's worth of feminist songs.

 
Dorrie Sobottka
Soprano 1
 
Dorrie has been singing her whole life and has been in one chorus or another most of her adult life. Dorrie says, "I love singing! Singing is life, love, warmth, power, energy - all that is good in the world. Singing can be a positive source of change and when we sing together we can truly make a difference - and not just a small one."

 
Sarita Cooper
Soprano 2
“I have a constant sound track running through my head. Can't seem to shake it if I try, so I just try to enjoy it. I have been singing in groups since I was 12. I sing everything from Alto to Soprano so I guess that makes me ‘bisectional!’ I have three kids and also enjoy scrap-booking, geo-caching, reading, and getting close to nature.”

 
Camille Lewis
Soprano 2
In the 1990's Camille Lewis was a member in Auburn Theatre Co. as children's director, children's choreographer, and as an actor. She was also a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Choir during that time. All through Camille's education she was involved in School choirs. Her most profound musical influence was through the coaching of Dr. Gareth Bond in Alexandria, VA. Camille's bliss is the involvement in singing, folk songs, songs of social, political significance.

 
Be Patterson
Soprano 2
"I am new to choral singing and loving it! I seek to further justice, equity, and compassion any which way I can. Being with people in ways that matter is central to my life...topped off with a little kite flying and sunset chasing with my sweetheart. From music to morning glories I love to experience the beauty of this marvelous life."

 
Starlene Rankin
Alto 1
Drums • Guitar
"It seems like I've been singing my whole life. I did musical theater in high school and college then taught myself to play the guitar while I was raising my kids. I've sung in a few rock bands and once sang in a choir where I was one of several sighted people in a choir of 30 or so blind people. I work as an administrative assistant at a progressive Episcopal church. I've been a social justice/environmental activist since my teens and am currently one of the media coordinators for the national Green Party. I'm also a proud femme dyke!"

 
Roberta Taylor
Alto 1
Roberta’s earliest memories involved singing with her dad in the car. Her first solo was at two years old at church. She’s enjoyed being in many choirs at church or school and has led band, choir, and other musical programs. She enjoys singing and the friendships she’s made in SDWCE.

 
Beth White
Alto 2
Beth didn't start singing with a group until her last two years of High School under the strict instruction of an American missionary's wife at a British school in Tehran, Iran. After High School, she didn't sing with a group again until she joined the choir at Spiritual Life Center in 2000 and True Colors Women's Chorus soon after. While she only sings with Small Difference currently, she’s always loved music and it is an important part of her life.

 
Syl Munoz
Alto 2
Sylvia is a proud long time dyke. She sang with True Colors Women's Chorus and also did support work for them for several years. She is now happily singing alongside her beloved partner Jess as a member of Small Difference.

 
Denyse Curtright
Alto 2
Guitar, Bass
& Percussion
Denyse, a Sacramento native, has been singing with choruses for over 40 years. She is currently a second alto with the SDWCE and a second tenor with the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra. When she is not singing with choruses you can find her playing guitar or bass and singing with her family in the Relative Resonance band, cantoring and singing in the choir at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, or keeping up with her Facebook and email.

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