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: Victoria Bush
- Secretary: Priscilla Mills
- Treasurer: June Thompson
- Director/Production Manager: Linda Brown
- Publicity and Marketing Director: Alice Reshel
- Publicity and Marketing Director: Colton Michael
- Director: Ivye Johnson
- Director: Lee Johnson
- Director: Jonathan Leong
- Director: Sam Stanley
- Student Director: Emily Koszuth
- Artistic Director/Conductor: Dr. Jane K. Brown
ADVISORY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- 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.
Victoria Bush (Vice President)
Coming Soon
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)
I grew up in what is now known as the Silicon Valley, although it was mostly orchards and sleepy neighborhoods when I was a child. I began my musical education at age four when I insisted my mother teach me to play piano while my older sisters were at school. I took up the violin at age eight, the flute at age ten, and finally the oboe at age 12. I finally found my music soul mate.
I played in a variety of orchestras and concert bands through high school and college. I continued playing into adulthood, until the responsibilities of a young family consumed my free time. I got serious about playing music again when my youngest child entered middle school and began to play the trombone.
In the spring of 2014 I discovered the Reno Pops Orchestra when a friend of mine invited me to a concert. I started to play with the orchestra in the 2014-2015 season, playing 3rd oboe and English horn. Somehow I got promoted to principal oboe after the pandemic and I still play English horn. In 2015 I became the Orchestra’s librarian and in 2017 I became the Treasurer.
In addition to music, my hobbies include sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery and spending as much time with my grandchildren as possible.
Linda Brown (Director)
Alice Reshel (Publicity and Marketing Director)
Long career as software developer and administrative assistant, and now I am currently pursuing writing /editing and other creative projects. Musician of 50+ years and all-around dilettante who grew up in the “Space Coast” region of Florida, now a resident of Reno for almost ten years. So happy to have been part of the Reno Pops Orchestra and its board all these years, and grateful beyond measure for Colton’s skill and charisma at working the publicity for the group.
Colton Michael (Publicity and Marketing Director)
Colton Michael is an award-winning photographer, videographer, and public speaker dedicated to the arts, community service, and advocacy. A graduate of the Academy of Arts, Careers, and Technology, he earned Nevada state CTE endorsements in Marketing and Video Production and is now pursuing higher education in communications. Colton currently performs in the percussion section of the Reno Pops Orchestra and serves on its Board of Directors. “I’m proud to serve both onstage and behind the scenes, helping bring the orchestra’s wonderful mission to life: great music for our community, free of charge.”
Colton is a local actor performing in The Sound of Music, Oliver!, Treasure Island, and Aladdin Jr. He received the Boys & Girls Club Best Actor Award at its 2016 Film Festival. A musician since childhood, he first learned the ukulele in second grade before expanding to piano, guitar, banjo, percussion, and other instruments.
Colton has earned state and national awards through career and technical student organizations, including Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), SkillsUSA, and HOSA–Future Health Professionals. During the 2025–2026 school year, he placed first in Nevada in FCCLA’s Professional Presentation, Level 3, before advancing to the national competition and placing fourth in the nation. His achievements also include state awards in SkillsUSA, HOSA, and FBLA.
Deeply committed to community service, Colton founded The Musical Petting Zoo, a community service project supported by the Aspen Institute. He currently serves on the advisory board for Forever14 and served a full 2025–2026 term as the Reno FFX Student Photography Contest Director. He is also a past president of the Interact Club of the Academy of Arts Careers and Technology, a youth service program through Rotary International. His professional experience includes serving as Marketing and Social Media Director for Bay Philharmonic, and Music With Confidence Marketing Director applying his communications expertise to support the arts.
For his community service, Colton has received recognition from the office of Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony, City of Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan, and Alameda County District 2 Supervisor Elisa Márquez. Through his work in the arts, communications, and community leadership, he continues to encourage young people to share their voices and make a positive impact.
Ivye Johnson (Board Director)
I was born & raised in Humboldt County CA, graduated from Arcata High School in 1967, went on to Cosmetology School in Livermore CA, married the day before Thanksgiving in 1967, moved to Boise for Bible College. After one semester, we decided that was not for us. Relocated eventually to the Reno area in 1969, bought our first house in Reno in June of 1972, where our eldest was born. Five years later our second child was born and we moved to Virginia City. From there we moved to Hallelujah Jct. where our kids grew up. When it was time for high school, we moved back to Reno. Our grandson was born in 1989. I attended Truckee Meadows and UNR, getting an AA in Small Business Management and in Early Childhood Education. I attended American River College becoming nationally certified as an Interpreter for the Deaf. I then passed the exam to become a teacher/interpreter for the deaf, working many years with the Washoe County School District. To add to the mix, we opened a used book store in 1994 which rapidly became a local favorite, earning Best of Reno every year we were open. We sold that business tos an employee and I homeschooled our grandson. We later bought back the business and changed the name to Zephyr Books. We subsequently closed the storefront, retired and moved to MidTown where we currently reside. We kept the expensive books and continued with Zephyr Books online only. Our eldest is taking over the business while we continue to help and advise. I also joined the Reno Pops Orchestra in 2005 +/- playing violin, became a board member, was on the Nevada board for the National Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf holding the office of Northern Nevada Representative, am on the board for Leadership Training for Christ Western Region, am treasurerer for the Sagebrush Studebaker Club and a very active member of the Foothills Church of Christ, along with being a “card carrying Native American”. I also play my violin with two other groups; the Zephyr Players and a group that plays at St Vincent’s once a month while they feed the homeless (a pullout group from the Reno Pops Orchestra).
Lee Johnson (Board Director)
Coming Soon
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 has attended Interlochen Chamber Music Camp eight times, including in 2017 as a member of the Indian Village String Quintet. After moving from Michigan to Nevada in 2021, he joined the Reno Pops Orchestra, where he also serves on its Board of Directors. Previously, Sam was a longtime member of the Grosse Pointe Symphony Orchestra and president of its board. He also founded a string quartet in South Reno. A Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, Sam heads S3 Consultants, LLC, serving as Chief Actuary and Consultant specializing in collectively bargained, multiemployer pension plans. He has more than 45 years of actuarial experience, including over 40 years advising multiemployer pension funds of all types and sizes. Previously, he served as a Senior Vice President at Aon Consulting, founding and leading its Detroit Retirement Practice and building its Detroit multiemployer pension practice into the firm’s largest. He also chaired Aon’s National Multiemployer Practice Committee and represented the firm on the American Academy of Actuaries Multiemployer Task Force. After Aon sold its multiemployer business to The Segal Company, Sam led Segal’s new Detroit office as a Senior Vice President before joining S3 Consultants in 2011. He is an Enrolled Actuary under ERISA and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. Sam has been published three times in the Journal of Pension Benefits and has spoken at major professional meetings.
Emily Koszuth (Student Board Director)
I am Emily Koszuth. This will be my 8th year with the Pops playing with the 2nd violins and my 4th as a member of the board. In my undergraduate I earned BAs in Music and Psychology and currently I an working on my Master’s of Social at the University of Nevada-Reno. Being with the Reno Pops Orchestra has been a wonderful experience.
Dr. Jane K. Brown (Artistic Director & Conductor)
As a native of the arts-loving mountain communities of Northern California, Jane Brown has always had a passion for sharing the finest in music with everyone around her. She earned her Bachelor of Music, magna cum laude, in instrumental curriculum and instruction from Brigham Young University; and a Master of Arts in Music with honors in woodwind performance and conducting from California State University, Chico. After establishing a foundation as a professional orchestral musician and music educator, Ms. Brown embarked on her career conducting symphonic music in the Spring of 2001…