Board of Directors

2024-2025

Kira Dixon, Chair

Kira Dixon is entering her 17th year of teaching in public schools at her alma mater, Abraham Lincoln High School in San Jose, CA. She earned her M.A. in Music from Kansas State University in 2013, and received her B.A. in Music Education with an emphasis in voice from San Jose State University in 2006. In addition to teaching, Miss Dixon currently serves on the Board of Directors for Peninsula Cantare. She is also the president of the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation, a foundation which supports members of an international professional music fraternity. Kira is one of the Founders and Executive Directors of the non-profit organization California Summer Performing Arts Academy (CSPAA) which serves the South County youth in providing music education opportunities, the main of which is a weeklong engaging summer camp.

Mary De La Rosa, Member

Peninsula Cantare is thrilled to welcome Mary De La Rosa as its newest member of the board! Mary brings many years of experience in education, having recently retired from teaching in the San José Unified Schools after over 30 years.

Hamilton Fong, Member

Hamilton recently retired from software developing for a southeast region financial advisor firm. For over 20 years he enjoyed singing with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus. When relocating to the Bay Area in 2019, he joined the tenor section of Peninsula Cantare. He brings years of experience serving on the Vestry of St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. Hamilton is thrilled to serve on the Peninsula Cantare Board of Directors and currently resides in Foster City.

Ginny Grant, Member

Ginny joined the Board five years ago, after singing with Cantare for several years and jump-starting our auctions and other fundraising activities. She brings experience in running software development and operational teams, serving on regional sports organizations and the vestry at her church, and organizing outreach events. She loves singing with the group and continuing to learn from Dr. Benson, whom she met when he led the Chancel Choir at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in San Carlos. Ginny keeps herself out of trouble designing and delivering products and services in the not-for-profit world, and in coordinating Rebuilding Together projects.

Ron Hodges, Treasurer

Ron joined Peninsula Cantare (then named Peninsula Master Chorale) in 1983. Along with choral singing, he has enjoyed studying piano, organ, and composition. For gainful employment he used his PhD in chemistry in a career in aerospace. Ron has served as treasurer for Peninsula Cantare for many years.

Emily Moore, Recording Secretary

Emily Moore has been teaching orchestra, choir, band, and AP music theory at Milpitas High School for the past ten years. She graduated from Sonoma State University with her B.A. in Music Education in 2011, as well as her teaching credential in 2012, and began her teaching career in Sonoma County. Emily’s primary instruments are flute and piccolo, and she has performed with various community bands and orchestras, including the San Francisco Wind Symphony. She also enjoys singing soprano in Peninsula Cantare. She has served as a board member of various other music education organizations, including CMEA Bay Section, Santa Clara County Band Directors Association, and California Summer Performing Arts Academy. Emily is currently an active member of the California Choral Directors Association and California Orchestra Directors Association.

Ruthie Wilkins, Corresponding Secretary

Ruthie has been a member of Peninsula Cantare almost since its inception in the 1970s. She has watched the choir grow, becoming ever more vigorous and exciting under the director of Dr. Benson. Ruthie has previously served on the Board and is thrilled to return to the role of Secretary as the organization moves into its next phase of development. She has a degree in musicology and in librarianship and taught music at several local colleges. In addition, Ruthie worked as a music and reference librarian. She absolutely loves music analysis and history. Originally an alto, Ruthie sings tenor now and is the happiest with her tenor section!

For general information, please email info@peninsulacantare.org. For privacy reasons we do not publish individual emails, but if you would like to reach the entire Board, please email board@peninsulacantare.org

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Board of Directors​