Our Team

We are an established and dedicated vocal ensemble, bringing together singers of all ages and walks of life. Founded in 1994, our volunteer organization continues to provide outstanding concerts for our communities. Testimonies from concert-goers eloquently describe how the chorale enchants audiences with a three-concert season of uniquely varied and broad repertory. Spanning classical and semi-classical works, contemporary compositions, folk and jazz renditions, often performed with orchestra, the Chorale never fails to touch the hearts and souls of audiences. Lastly, the Mountainside Master Chorale is not simply a choral group; singing together is also a great way to make new friends with similar interests.

Meet the Team

 Our Mountainside Master Chorale choir has grown significantly since our founding in 1994, attracting over 70 singers from across San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Orange counties. Known for our diverse repertoire, the Chorale performs a variety of choral works each season, including major works with orchestra, a cappella motets, folk songs, spirituals, jazz, and Broadway tunes. They perform not only works by master composers from the past but also highlight contemporary composers.

The Chorale has achieved acclaim for its quality performances. We regularly perform a series of concerts, including Christmas, spring, and early summer concerts, and have participated in various festivals throughout Southern California. The Chorale has also embarked on international tours, including performances in the British Isles, Italy, and Spain. Additionally, they we have collaborated with orchestras like the Pacific Symphony and the San Bernardino Symphony, performing significant works like Mahler’s 8th Symphony and Handel’s Messiah.

The Chorale is committed to welcoming and integrating new members through mentoring and small group sectionals, focusing on mastering the nuances of the music​.

​Susan Winckler, Assistant Director

Susan Winckler, Assistant Director for the Chorale, is a charter member of the Mountainside Master Chorale.  Throughout the years, Ms. Winckler has been very active in the Chorale serving as President, Tour Coordinator and Wardrobe Manager among many other duties.  

Ms. Winckler attained her B.A. in Music from Dominican University in San Rafael, California, and her M.A. in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Hawaii.  She is presently Music Director for Pilgrim Congregational Church in Pomona and also served as soprano soloist there from 1981-1988 soloing in such works as the Brahms and Verdi Requiems. 

Ms. Winckler has been organist and/or Choir Director for various local churches including La Verne Church of the Brethren; Grace Lutheran, Glendora; Cucamonga United Methodist, Rancho Cucamonga; and St. Madeleine's, Pomona.  Ms. Winckler has conducted numerous major choral works with full orchestra including the Verdi Requiem, Mozart's Coronation Mass, Puccini's Messa di Gloria and Requiem by Andrew Lloyd Webber.  She was a long-time member of and Assistant Director for the Louis Rondfeldt Chorale and also directed the Claremont Chorale from 1978 to 1981.

Ms. Winckler, presently retired from teaching in public schools for 33 years, was choral director for Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey, and Ganesha high schools. She has also taught Latin, mathematics, and art. Lately, in addition to music, she has been expressing her creative skills through ceramics and jewelry making.

​​Robin Billings-Reyes, Section Leader

Robin Billings-Reyes holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in Music from the University of California, Riverside. She is currently Director of Music for the United Methodist Church of Cucamonga, where she has worked for over 40 years as organist, choir director, and music director. Robin enjoys all aspects of choral music, has sung for the opening ceremonies of the 1984 Olympic Games in LA, was part of the pre-Olympic cultural Olympiad in Greece (2004), and has performed in Carnegie Hall (2005), and the Sydney Opera House (2006). Robin came to MMC in 2008 as alto section leader, and is excited to be working with the soprano section this season. In addition, Robin works at Wayne Ruble Middle School in Fontana as a sixth grade teacher, and sings with the chamber group Choralescence

​Karen Wootten, Staff Singer

Karen S. Wootten, Lyric Coloratura Soprano, has been in choirs and performing solos since the age of 4. She has studied voice since the age of 12. Born and raised in Upland, CA, Karen has a strong connection with our local musical community.

Karen was a member of the Mountainside Master Chorale at its inception in 1994 under founder and director, Bruce Rogers, and served as a soprano staff singer. She returned to Mountainside Master Chorale in 2017. Additionally, Karen performed with the Los Angeles Master Chorale for the 2000-2001 season under conductor, Paul Salamunovich. Between the years 1994 and 2000, she sang under director, Dwayne Condon, as a member of the Glenkirk Evensong Choir and served as soprano section leader for Glenkirk Sanctuary Choir in Glendora, CA. Karen has worked as a studio singer and also competed in choral and vocal competitions, including the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales and has sung professionally for various performing groups. She has also performed the National Anthem for both our local Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and Ontario Reign teams.

Karen has a Bachelor of Arts in Music with emphases in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Azusa Pacific University and continues to perform in multiple settings. She is known for having a pure tone vocal quality, adaptability to perform in many settings, and a wide vocal range. Karen also enjoys playing the piano as well as composing and has taught private lessons in voice and piano. She resides in the city of Rancho Cucamonga with her husband and two children.

Mindy Kim, Alto Staff Singer

Vocalist Mindy Kim has performed extensively as a soloist in works including The Messiah (Handel), Requiem (Mozart, Faure), Gloria (Vivaldi), among others. Her credits also include performances at The Hollywood Bowl, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, The Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, and Walt Disney Concert Hall under the direction of famed conductors Esa-Pekka Salonen, Gustavo Dudamel, Leonard Slatkin, Sir Colin Davis, Bramwell Tovey, and John Mauceri.

She made her debut as an international concert artist in the beautiful Sint Janskirk in Gouda, NL and continues to headline concert tours throughout The Netherlands.

From 1999 to 2009, Ms. Kim served as section leader and soloist at the breathtaking Crystal Cathedral for the internationally televised Hour Of Power under the direction of Maestro Donald Neuen and continued her tenure at HOP until 2023. Ms. Kim has frequently been a regularly featured guest artist on The Hour Of Power and videos of her performances can be found online on YouTube.

W. Patrick Blackwell, Baritone/Bass Staff Singer

Patrick Blackwell sings regularly at Los Angeles Ópera. A Graduate of the Juilliard School and a Grammy Award Winner for the role of Ópera Box Ghost in John Corligiano’s Ghosts of Versailles, Patrick is delighted to sing with Mountainside Chorale.