Sage Brown Artistic Director & Conductor

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."

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."

Proud Member of:

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.

Camille Lewis Soprano 1

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.

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."

Louella Blankenship Soprano 2

Hilary T. Soprano 2

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.

Kelly McKendell Alto 1

I have no singing experience what so ever. I am a car and shower singer, and probably mostly off key at best. (Note from the Director - she isn't.) I am a substitute teacher for both the San Juan and Sacramento City Unified School Districts. My favorite color is blue. My two cats Buster and Ginger provide me almost as many laughs as singing in Small Difference!

Sonia Duffoo Alto 1

I have always loved to sing. I haven't sung with a group for a number of years and am really excited about the Small Difference Ensemble. Their message is one I've tried to live in my actions throughout my life. I am a retired educator of over 40 years and for the last 20 years was Director for Migrant Education for two counties. I believe we all count and have vast potential regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, religion, economics, or citizenship status.

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.

Valerie Jordon Alto 2

Valerie started singing at age three in her church choir. She's been singing in church choirs and community chouses ever since. Valerie says, "For me, Small Difference just hits the nail on the head!" Valerie joined Small Difference after seeing us at Sacramento Pride, 2010.

Be Patterson Alto 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."

Elizabeth 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.

Stephen Corey Piano Accompanist &
Music Arranger

In Loving Memory... Kym Byrd

On October 1, 2010, Small Difference suffered the painful loss of one of our five founding members, Kym Byrd. Kym's passing was sudden, unexpected, and tragic and we are all greatly saddened by the loss of her presence in our lives. Kym sang with Small Difference for our first two years, including going with us to GALA 2008 in Miami, and she served the chorus as our Treasurer even while on sabbatical, until June of 2010. She leaves behind her loving wife, Sarita, also a founding member and singer in Small Difference. Just as significantly, Kym leaves with us her amazing energy, passion, generosity, humor, wisdom, and loving spirit, which will continue to live on in each of us with every note we sing. We will miss you more than you would ever imagine, Kym, but we will continue to lift our voices together in song, for we know you would expect no less. Namaste.