Board of Directors

Sydni L. Roberson, President

Sydni is vice president and regional manager for the James Campbell Company, where she oversees a portfolio of retail, office, and industrial real estate spanning the United States. She began studying piano and voice at age nine, performed with ensembles and choirs throughout high school and college, and continues to indulge her passion for singing. Sydni joined SF Choral and the board in 2003.

Gale A. Townsley, Vice President

Gale is a senior attorney with the firm of Severson & Werson, where she is coverage and monitoring counsel for London and Swiss professional and employment liability insurance underwriters. She began singing in a country church choir in Florida at the age of six and has sung in community choruses in the Bay Area since 1981. Former treasurer and CFO of Pacific Singers, Gale joined SF Choral in 1995, joined the board in 2000, served as board president from 2002-2006, and currently heads the board's Marketing Task Force and New Music Committee.

Paul Nocero, Treasurer

After many years as a programmer, analyst, and senior sales executive with a major software company, Paul is now devoting more time to singing and other musical activities. His background in singing reaches back to grade school, and he has been the lead guitar and choir member in his church for more than 35 years. Paul was a member of the Winifred Baker Civic Chorale in the mid 1980s, and he joined SF Choral in 2003. He joined the board in 2006 and supports the board's on-line database and office system, as well as being part of the Marketing Committee.

Kathleen (Casey) Leones, Secretary

Casey is the administrator of the San Francisco office of Fenwick & West LLP. A long-time member of the Association of Legal Administrators, she served as its local Chapter President in 2000/2001. Having received her degrees in music theory from San Francisco State University some years back, Casey rekindled her interest in music six years ago and joined the women's chorus of SingersMarin. She served on its Board for two years. In January 2008 Casey joined the SF Choral Society, and was elected to its Board the following year.

Caroline H. Damsky, Member

Caroline is retired professor of cell and tissue biology at the UCSF School of Dentistry, where she taught and maintained an active research laboratory. In 2004, she was appointed the school's associate dean for academic affairs. Growing up in New York, Caroline was first inspired and encouraged to sing by her middle school choral director. She has sung second soprano with SF Choral since 1997, she joined the board in 2004, and she currently is head of the board's Special Events Committee.

Stacey Giamalis, Member

Stacey Giamalis is a business and technology lawyer who specializes in advising and protecting public and private technology companies in the business software, business data services, online advertising and online search media sectors. Stacey currently serves as the Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Adchemy, Inc., a digital marketing technology company. She also serves on the board of directors of Legal Services for Children in San Francisco. Stacey played piano, clarinet and guitar as a young girl and began singing in organized groups at age 13. Her favorite and most inspiring teacher was her middle and high school choral director. Stacey has sung alto with SF Choral since 1991.

Frances Varnhagen, Member

Frances is former chairman of Young Audiences of the Bay Area, former board member of San Francisco Contemporary Music Plays and the San Francisco Community Music Center. She has directed volunteer programs for KQED auctions, the San Francisco Film Festival, and the Transamerica Tennis Championships. She has a bachelor of arts degree in musicology from Mill College. She has long been a steadfast SF Choral alto, and was elected to its Board at the end of 2010.