History
BBS began in September 1998 as the East Bay Choral Workshop. Founded by singers from the Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra's 1998 summer Broadway program, the group wanted to continue singing Broadway music.
The chorus was launched as a non-audition vocal workshop with Music Director Ellen Hoffman. By Fall 1999, the workshop had become the Berkeley Broadway Singers, and small concerts for family and friends were held. During that same season, BBS began singing at Bread and Roses events and at convalescent homes in Berkeley and Oakland.
After 14 years at the helm of BBS, Ellen Hoffman stepped down and Trente Morant stepped into the role of Music Director for BBS in 2012 and brought new energy and bling to the BBS community. During his tenure, BBS continued to grow and spread music to the community. Coming out of the pandemic, Deborah Martinez Rosengaus took the BBS reigns and continues to lead the choir through classics and contemporary musicals to continue to bring passion and joy to our community audiences.
Our concerts have reached more than 15,000 people since our modest beginnings in 1998. In January 2000, BBS was incorporated as a nonprofit organization, and the following October received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. BBS continues to serve the community by providing Outreach Concerts at various retirement homes within Alameda County as well as two Public Concerts for the wider community at large.
The chorus was launched as a non-audition vocal workshop with Music Director Ellen Hoffman. By Fall 1999, the workshop had become the Berkeley Broadway Singers, and small concerts for family and friends were held. During that same season, BBS began singing at Bread and Roses events and at convalescent homes in Berkeley and Oakland.
After 14 years at the helm of BBS, Ellen Hoffman stepped down and Trente Morant stepped into the role of Music Director for BBS in 2012 and brought new energy and bling to the BBS community. During his tenure, BBS continued to grow and spread music to the community. Coming out of the pandemic, Deborah Martinez Rosengaus took the BBS reigns and continues to lead the choir through classics and contemporary musicals to continue to bring passion and joy to our community audiences.
Our concerts have reached more than 15,000 people since our modest beginnings in 1998. In January 2000, BBS was incorporated as a nonprofit organization, and the following October received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. BBS continues to serve the community by providing Outreach Concerts at various retirement homes within Alameda County as well as two Public Concerts for the wider community at large.
Leadership
Board of DirectorsPresidents: Barbara Felkins & Marian Malasig
Secretary: Sally McLaughlin Treasurer: Betsey Archer Fundraising: Jaime Rossman Social Media: Sandhya Iyer |
Section LeadersSoprano: Kendle Kuechle
Alto: Rebecca Ward-Diorio Tenor: Julia Jalalat Bass: Jaime Rossman Spotlight: Sandhya Iyer |