Our Leadership

A lifelong community/school/faith based choral singer, Jill comes to the Aurora Board with professional experience in operations management as well as a history of serving on non-profit boards in healthcare and community music organizations. She is currently Manager of OHSU’s Ambulatory Access Services (think new patient referral scheduling) and rings handbells with her big brother in Pacific Ringers. Jill has two grown/growing daughters and enjoys hiking, bird watching, gardening and travel.

I was born and raised in the San Francisco bay area and then moved to Colorado for college. I started college as a theater and dance major, but changed my mind after two years and decided that a career in medicine would better suit my talents (or lack of). After completing medical school and my first year of residency at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, I moved to Irvine California where I completed my residency in pathology and began practicing. Somewhere in there I got married, had two children and got divorced.  After 25 years in Irvine, CA, in 2010, I was given the opportunity to move to Portland OR to take over the pathology practice at Portland Adventist Hospital. Although I love my work and find happiness in cycling, running, knitting and quilting, I wanted something else in my life and decided that joining a chorus would be my next outlet.  I am so happy that I found Aurora Chorus. 

I have lived in Portland since 1962 after moving here with my family from the East Coast. I earned my master’s degree in social work from Portland State University and have 20 years’ experience working with students and families in the educational setting as a school counselor, teacher, and administrator before retiring in 2019 from Portland Public Schools. Prior to working in education, I owned my own business for 22 years. I have a daughter, grandson, and a golden retriever and enjoy spending time outdoors camping, riding my Harley, kayaking, and gardening.

I have been singing with Aurora Chorus since 1995 taking only a couple terms off in that time. I was a member of the original Concord Community of Choirs board of which Aurora was founded by David York. I was the Aurora production committee chair for many years producing our concerts and coordinating between the venues, stage managers, sound engineers, and lighting crews. I am passionate about the organization and am committed to seeing it flourish in the coming years.   

A retired education director, Cathy comes from a family of singer/performers. She has preformed mostly as an amateur

but has also been a part of a semi-professional group, Urban Rhythms, while living in Seattle. Cathy has developed at least a half dozen curricula for the Unitarian Universalist Association. She has also done extensive work and training in organizational structure and conflict resolution. Currently she is enjoying her retirement doing the art projects that she didn’t have time for while working and raising her 2 children, now grown. Cathy lives with her wife, Pat, and her 2 adorable dogs.

Jae recently retired from a long career and many diverse roles in public service – as a clinician, educator, scientist and administrator working at the local, state and federal levels. Formally trained in social work and social welfare research, Jae spent many years serving and caring for people living with HIV/AIDS.  In 2004 she made a major transition to the field of Environmental Health, where she finished out her career as Multnomah County’s Environmental Health Services Director.  Originally from Rhode Island, Jae has lived in Oregon since 1984, building her career and family.  Her loves include her wife, kids, grandkids, and many horses, dogs, cats – and spending time riding, writing, walking, rafting, playing in the snow, practicing yoga and staying connected with friends.

Gayle Lovejoy has been with Aurora Chorus since 1998, serving in many volunteer capacities: Harmonizer, Chorus Coordinator, Board Vice Chair, Board Chair, and Alto 1 music section leader for many years. She has rejoined the board at this exciting time to help Aurora recover from the pandemic down-time and find a new Artistic Director as we sail into our future. Gayle brings experience in project management, writing, editing, communication, number-wrangling, technology, attention to detail, and (most important of all) Joy. She is also very active as a lay leader in her spiritual community. She enjoys singing, writing, board games, hiking, learning, mysticism, hanging out with her dog, laughter, and spending time with friends and loved ones.

I joined Aurora Chorus in January 2015 with no choral experience whatsoever, just a love of singing. Since then, I have learned to read music and play a little piano. Aurora has brought so much joy, friendship, and community to my live. Over the years I have volunteered in several capacities including membership co-chair and Alto 1 section manager, and I am currently the interim Chorus Coordinator. Outside of Aurora, I am a City Planner for the City of Portland and I love to garden, bake, and spend time birding, hiking, and kayaking with my husband and son. 

I’ve had a deep joy of singing and music for as long as I can remember and joined my first choir at age 9, the Maui Children’s Chorus.  My musical experiences include a variety of choirs and ensembles, musical theater, opera, guitar, and much folk dancing. I first heard about Aurora through a friend, and after my first concert with the chorus in June 2007, I was hooked! Aurora and all of the amazing people that keep it going have made the chorus like a second home to me now. I found magic in our sisterhood, and our songs of social justice and compassion resonate with my hopes for our community. 

Before settling in Portland, I have lived in Colorado, Nebraska, Maui, Manoa, France, and Eugene.  Dan, my husband and piano man, & I have the thrill of parenting three teens.  I enjoy traveling & the wilderness, almost as much as I love my cooky clan. Teaching young people to love learning and reading brings me great fulfillment, so when I can, I substitute teach English, Spanish, French, and girls’ self-defense and empowerment.  I’m a forever student and facilitator of multiple empathy-building modalities including Theater of the Oppressed.  I look forward to serving on the Aurora board and for the opportunity to help our chorus thrive.

My professional life has been focused in nonprofit and programmatic positions where I have been able to work with teams of diverse backgrounds. I am thrilled to be able to support Aurora as I have been a lifelong volunteer and community member. I even sang in the choir for a few terms. I am currently in school pursuing a Masters in Social Work from PSU. I enjoy making art, cooking, being outside and exploring the Portland area more.