An Orchestra for Everyone
The Reno Pops Orchestra seeks to help children and adults in our community explore a wide range of orchestral music. To accomplish this goal, we:
- Provide free and low cost concerts in Northern Nevada and Northeastern California to as wide an audience as possible, including family and children’s concerts.
- Educate and excite audiences with entertaining, accessible performances of the highest quality from a wide variety of styles, periods, and genres.
- Gather regularly as a community to devoted musicians from all walks of life to share our love of an dedication to music; performing professional-level literature under an accomplished conductor.
- Encourage young talent through scholarships and guest artist opportunities, our summer music camp and our other quality outreach programs.
The Reno Pops is comprised of students and adults of all ages. Our orchestra members come from all walks of life: Advanced high school and college students; adults who enjoy music as a hobby; school music teachers; retired folks; and professional musicians who like having a home base where they can keep their skills up between gigs.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- President: Amy Willoughby
- Vice President: Donald Moore
- Secretary: Priscilla Mills
- Treasurer: June Thompson
- Artistic Director/Conductor: Dr. Jane K. Brown
- Director/Production Manager: Linda Brown
- Publicity Director: Colton Michael
- Publicity Director: Alice Reshel
- Director: Ivye Johnson
- Director: Lee Johnson
- Director: Jonathan Leong
- Director: Sam Stanley
- Student Director: Emily Koszuth
ADVISORY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- Advisory Board Member: Victoria Bush
- Advisory Board Member: Janice Clark
- Advisory Board Member: Gloria Melms
- Advisory Board Member: Jennifer Probst Hilderbrand
BOARD OF DIRECTORS BIOGRAPHY
Amy Willoughby (President)
Amy Willoughby grew up in northern Virginia and started playing the viola in 5th grade continuing through 4 years of university, where she also played viola with the Camerata Rotunda and viola da gamba with the Collegium Musicum. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in music theory & history.
She moved to Reno with her family in 2002 and started singing with Bella Voce, serving many years on the Board of Directors of that organization, as well as on the board of the Sierra Nevada Children’s Choir. After a long hiatus from the viola, she started playing with the Carson City Symphony and Carson Valley Pops, joining the Reno Pops in 2015. She has worked as a substitute teacher in the Washoe County School District, and enjoys playing old-time and Celtic fiddle music. She joined the Reno Pops Board of Directors in 2019 as Vice President, and has served as the President since the autumn of 2025.
Donald Moore (Vice President)
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Priscilla Mills (Secretary)
I am a retired elementary school teacher, mother of three and grandmother of two. My husband and I have lived at north Tahoe for almost fifty years. I hold a BA in Psychology and teaching credential from UC Davis. Having taken up the cello in my early fifties, I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to play in the Reno Pops Orchestra. Studying music has become one of my favorite activities. I take lessons regularly, play informally with friends, and attend the National Cello Institute every year. I am currently the Pops Board secretary and chair our annual Solo and Concerto Festival. In addition to volunteering for the Pops, I am very involved with the North Tahoe branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW,) serving as branch president for the last three years. Other interests of mine are hiking, cross-country skiing, playing pickleball, and traveling. Retirement has been so enjoyable, enabling me to pursue lifelong interests!
June Thompson (Treasurer)
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Linda Brown (Director)
Levy Johnson (Board Director)
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Lee Johnson (Board Director)
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Jonathan Leong (Board Director)
Jonathan R. Leong has been an insurance broker since 1975 providing life and health insurance. In 1986 Jonathan Leong Insurance Agency added property and casualty insurance, and in 1995 he administered owner controlled insurance programs. Mr. Leong is also involved in several business ventures which include JLA Global, Inc., an international trading company and distributor of various homeopathic products. Current projects in China include Agriculture products and setting up clinical trials in Beijing and Shanghai. Past projects include the largest delivery of propane and butane in the history of China in 1995, importation of Chinese forklifts and charcoal and President of Isys Controls, an inspection system for US currency, steel and aluminum. Mr. Leong has various successful food services located in the San Francisco International Airport Terminal. In addition to all these business projects, Mr. Leong has been extremely active and remains very involved in the community. Mr. Leong holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical
Education from San Francisco State University.
Samuel S. Stanley (Board Director)
Sam Stanley is a senior consulting actuary who specializes in collectively bargained, multiemployer pension plans, providing senior-level actuarial and consulting services to major multiemployer pension fund clients as Chief Actuary and Consultant for S3 Consultants, LLC. Sam has more than 45 years of experience in the actuarial field, including more than 40 years of experience as plan actuary and consultant to multiemployer pension fund clients of all types and sizes. Prior to joining S3 Consultants, LLC., Sam was a Senior Vice President for Aon Consulting, and head and founder of Aon’s Detroit Retirement Practice, building Aon’s Detroit multiemployer pension practice to the largest in the firm. While at Aon, he chaired Aon’s National Multiemployer Practice Committee and represented Aon on the American Academy of Actuaries Multiemployer Task Force. Following Aon’s decision to sell its multiemployer business to The Segal Company, Sam was asked by The Segal Company to head its new Detroit office as a Senior Vice President. Sam left The Segal Company in 2011 to join S3 Consultants, LLC. in order to provide client focused, best-in-class consulting services to major multiemployer clients. Sam is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, an Enrolled Actuary under ERISA, and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. Mr. Stanley has three times been published in the Journal of Pension Benefits and has spoken several times at major professional meetings.
Alice Reshel (Publicity and Marketing Director)
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Colton Michael (Publicity and Marketing Director)
Colton Michael is a high school student deeply committed to the arts, community service, education, and youth advocacy. He has performed with Reno Little Theater, TheaterWorks of Northern Nevada, and Music With Confidence, appearing in productions including The Sound of Music (Rolf), Oliver! the Musical (Mr. Sowerberry, Dr. Grimwig, and ensemble roles), and Treasure Island (Billy Bones and Dick Swanson). He is also the recipient of the Boys & Girls Club Best Youth Actor Award for the Boys & Girls Club Film Festival.
Beyond acting, Colton Michael is a director, playwright, and photographer, using creative mediums to elevate youth voices. His primary instrument is the ukulele, which he started in second grade after being inspired by his music teacher. He also plays piano, guitar, and banjo, and performs in the Reno Pops Orchestra percussion section. He has been a Top Three Finalist in the Rotary Club Music Contest for three consecutive years (2022–2025).
Colton Michael is a student at the Academy of Arts, Careers, and Technology (AACT), studying Video Production and completing the CTE Business Academy. He is active in FBLA, HOSA, FCCLA, and SkillsUSA, earning awards including 1st Place FCCLA State Professional Presentation, 4th Place FCCLA National, 2nd Place HOSA Job Interview, and 2nd Place SkillsUSA Entrepreneurship.
He is the founder of “The Musical Petting Zoo,” a youth-focused music outreach project sponsored by the Aspen Institute, and serves as Student Photo Contest Director for FFX Reno. As a State Delegate for the 2024–2025 Aspen Institute Center for Rising Generations, Colton Michael advocates for youth leadership and empowerment, encouraging young people to challenge expectations and step into decision-making roles.
Colton Michael plans to study multimedia and broadcasting in college, continuing to combine storytelling, advocacy, and the arts.
Emily Koszuth (Student Board Director)
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