The Verde Valley Voices (VVV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote artistic self-expression through the choral music experience in a non-audition ensemble for all ages and offers the creative process of making music in fellowship, musicianship, and choral music performances for the greater Verde Valley community.
Our annual budget is between 25,000 and 30,000, the majority of which comes from ticket sales to our concerts, membership dues, and our loyal donors, our main budgetary expenses are purchasing music, rental of rehearsal and performance space, and salaries of our director and accompanist.
Organized in 1997 we are a community chorus compromised of 60-80 singers of all ages and occupations from the greater Verde Valley, including Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Sedona, Village of Oak Creek, Clarkdale, and beyond. Our common goal is to grow collectively as an organization and individually as choral singers. Being a member of the community singing group benefits its members by providing a community of singers and a place to belong. Singing also boosts happiness and provides great stress relief, as well as building self-confidence and social connection.
The Verde Valley Voices sing a variety of music: well-known popular music, classics, Broadway show tunes, music from around the world, and works by local composers. We present two concerts each year: one during the winter holiday season, and the other in mid-spring. We have also performed at Verde River Days, the Chocolate Walk in Cottonwood, and numerous assisted living facilities around the Verde Valley.
The VVV also has two small groups, the Notables and Bella Voce. These two small groups provide outreach to smaller venues including; Cottonwood Old Town Mission, Cottonwood Haven House, Cottonwood Village, Verde Valley Assisted Living, The Widow’s Link, and more.
We benefit the community by bringing great music to the public and to provide opportunities to hear a variety of music genres in our concerts. Our concerts continue to show our diversity and offer interesting and inspiring music to the local community. Each concert may also feature local musicians and provide them the opportunity to perform for a large audience.
Musical Leadership
Joy Simons
Music Director and Conductor
Joy graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. While she was in college, Joy held a choir director position at Harrisonburg United Methodist Church. Joy has been involved in music ever since, teaching in public schools, working for churches, and leading community choruses – large and small.
Joy has lived in the Verde Valley since 1988 and has been active in the music community. She has taught at Mingus Union High School and Yavapai College. Additionally, Joy has worked for the Verde Valley Concert Association as their Executive Director, and previously held the position of Director of Music at St. Thomas Episcopal Church for 25 years. During this time, Joy recorded several CDs and directed and sung in several small community groups. In 2001, Joy graduated from NAU with a Masters of Music. She has been the Director/Conductor of the Verde Valley Voices since2018.
Joy currently lives in Cottonwood with two dogs and two cats. “My ‘family’ has learned the secret to happiness at our house – don’t complain when mommy is practicing her music!”
Music Director and Conductor
Joy graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor’s in Music Education. While she was in college, Joy held a choir director position at Harrisonburg United Methodist Church. Joy has been involved in music ever since, teaching in public schools, working for churches, and leading community choruses – large and small.
Joy has lived in the Verde Valley since 1988 and has been active in the music community. She has taught at Mingus Union High School and Yavapai College. Additionally, Joy has worked for the Verde Valley Concert Association as their Executive Director, and previously held the position of Director of Music at St. Thomas Episcopal Church for 25 years. During this time, Joy recorded several CDs and directed and sung in several small community groups. In 2001, Joy graduated from NAU with a Masters of Music. She has been the Director/Conductor of the Verde Valley Voices since2018.
Joy currently lives in Cottonwood with two dogs and two cats. “My ‘family’ has learned the secret to happiness at our house – don’t complain when mommy is practicing her music!”
Nancy Bright
Pianist
Nancy has been the accompanist for The Verde Valley Voices for more than 20 years. Often heard performing or accompanying, she enjoys a wide variety of musical opportunities throughout the Verde Valley. Currently, Nancy is the Pianist, Organist and Choir Director at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church where she has served for over 30 years.
Nancy received her music and business degrees from Arizona State University, graduating Cum Laude. She remains very active in accompanying instrumentalists, vocalists, ensembles and choirs in schools, churches and special programs in the community. She is often called on for her expertise at weddings and memorial services. Nancy has been the Pianist in many productions for several theatre companies, school productions, recitals and fundraising concerts. She has extensive experience as a solo keyboardist and as a collaborating musician.
Pianist
Nancy has been the accompanist for The Verde Valley Voices for more than 20 years. Often heard performing or accompanying, she enjoys a wide variety of musical opportunities throughout the Verde Valley. Currently, Nancy is the Pianist, Organist and Choir Director at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church where she has served for over 30 years.
Nancy received her music and business degrees from Arizona State University, graduating Cum Laude. She remains very active in accompanying instrumentalists, vocalists, ensembles and choirs in schools, churches and special programs in the community. She is often called on for her expertise at weddings and memorial services. Nancy has been the Pianist in many productions for several theatre companies, school productions, recitals and fundraising concerts. She has extensive experience as a solo keyboardist and as a collaborating musician.
Greg Benedetto
Director of "The Notables" small group chorus
Greg graduated from Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio with a Minor in Music and a Bachelor’s in Theater. While at BW, Greg directed vocal ensembles, sang in multiple choruses and stage productions. Soon after, Greg began a career as a Unity Church Music Director for over 35 years: directing choirs, performing and leading Sunday services. In addition, he taught music in a Charter school, performed in coffeehouses, private parties and events and for seniors in senior living facilities.
Greg grew up and lived in Northeast Ohio until moving to the Verde Valley in January, 2021. He joined the Verde Valley Voices later that year. He has served as a Board Member-At-Large and is currently the Board’s 2nd Vice-President. He continues to perform at senior living facilities with his wife, Lisa Bell Benedetto. Greg is a semi-professional dog-walker and an avid baseball fan! He’s recorded three CDs of original music and is active in his church. He currently lives in Cottonwood with his wife and two dogs.
Director of "The Notables" small group chorus
Greg graduated from Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio with a Minor in Music and a Bachelor’s in Theater. While at BW, Greg directed vocal ensembles, sang in multiple choruses and stage productions. Soon after, Greg began a career as a Unity Church Music Director for over 35 years: directing choirs, performing and leading Sunday services. In addition, he taught music in a Charter school, performed in coffeehouses, private parties and events and for seniors in senior living facilities.
Greg grew up and lived in Northeast Ohio until moving to the Verde Valley in January, 2021. He joined the Verde Valley Voices later that year. He has served as a Board Member-At-Large and is currently the Board’s 2nd Vice-President. He continues to perform at senior living facilities with his wife, Lisa Bell Benedetto. Greg is a semi-professional dog-walker and an avid baseball fan! He’s recorded three CDs of original music and is active in his church. He currently lives in Cottonwood with his wife and two dogs.
Lisa Bell Benedetto
Accompanist for "The Notables" snall group chorus
A Grammy-nominated pianist/recording artist, Lisa began her piano lessons at The Cleveland Institute of Music at the young age of five. She continued her musical studies at The University of Southern California, graduating with a degree in music composition. During her college years she spent a summer at the world-renowned Aspen Music Festival.
While remaining on the West coast for fifteen years, Lisa performed regularly at all the top hotels and restaurants in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Aspen. In addition, she released three CDs. Her first CD, “Soulscapes”, aired on over 700 radio stations nationwide, earning her the Grammy nomination.
Back in her hometown, Cleveland, Ohio, Lisa was a Musician-in-Residence at The Cleveland Clinic, performing regularly on the Steinway in the Grand Lobby. Entertaining at Senior Facilities for over 30 years has been one of her most rewarding experiences, often engaging Residents in “Sing-a-longs …for the Soul”, a hands-on musical program that Lisa coined and created.
Early in 2021, Lisa and her husband, Notable’s Maestro Greg Benedetto, relocated to Cottonwood, AZ. After singing with The Voices for a season, she became the accompanist for The Notables. She continues her sing-alongs with the Residents of Sedona Winds and Cottonwood Village. In addition, she shares her music with The Unity of Verde Valley on Sunday mornings.
Accompanist for "The Notables" snall group chorus
A Grammy-nominated pianist/recording artist, Lisa began her piano lessons at The Cleveland Institute of Music at the young age of five. She continued her musical studies at The University of Southern California, graduating with a degree in music composition. During her college years she spent a summer at the world-renowned Aspen Music Festival.
While remaining on the West coast for fifteen years, Lisa performed regularly at all the top hotels and restaurants in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Aspen. In addition, she released three CDs. Her first CD, “Soulscapes”, aired on over 700 radio stations nationwide, earning her the Grammy nomination.
Back in her hometown, Cleveland, Ohio, Lisa was a Musician-in-Residence at The Cleveland Clinic, performing regularly on the Steinway in the Grand Lobby. Entertaining at Senior Facilities for over 30 years has been one of her most rewarding experiences, often engaging Residents in “Sing-a-longs …for the Soul”, a hands-on musical program that Lisa coined and created.
Early in 2021, Lisa and her husband, Notable’s Maestro Greg Benedetto, relocated to Cottonwood, AZ. After singing with The Voices for a season, she became the accompanist for The Notables. She continues her sing-alongs with the Residents of Sedona Winds and Cottonwood Village. In addition, she shares her music with The Unity of Verde Valley on Sunday mornings.
For more information about the Verde Valley Voices, their upcoming concerts and events, or tickets please contact:
[email protected]
For inquiries regarding this website, please contact:
[email protected]
Verde Valley Voices, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization and welcomes your tax deductible donation (tax deductible within the limits of the law). Donations are used to cover the costs of purchasing music, hall rental, and other operating expenses.
[email protected]
For inquiries regarding this website, please contact:
[email protected]
Verde Valley Voices, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization and welcomes your tax deductible donation (tax deductible within the limits of the law). Donations are used to cover the costs of purchasing music, hall rental, and other operating expenses.