people
Matthew Melendez Blegen, MM, general director
Matthew Melendez Blegen used to make his living singing the praises of others. After graduating at the top of his class from the country’s leading communications school, he began a career as ad creative on Madison Avenue. Fifteen years and about three thousand miles later, he found himself in the technology industry as a senior public relations and marketing executive at the height of the 1990s technology boom. Music was never far away though, and Matthew also performed regularly as a professional classical vocalist throughout the majority of his high-tech career with organizations such as the New Jersey State Opera, New York Oratorio Society, William Hall Master Chorale, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Opera Orchestra of Los Angeles, and Portland Pro Musica, and performed as a studio musician on movie soundtracks and dozens of CDs. In 2003 he was given the opportunity to study with world-renowned tenor Vinson Cole as part of the Master of Music program at the University of Washington. Upon completing that degree magna cum laude in 2006, he founded the Anna’s Bay Center for Music, combining his love for music and belief in it’s power to build community with his business and marketing skills.
Sandy Plagemann, president
Sandy has had many years of corporate managerial experience and that experience, 
along with her dedication to music, serves her well in her role as Board President. Sandy was the first office manager for Amazon.com back in the days when it was just a little 2-person office and helped it grow into the mega-powerhouse it is today. Later she served as a project manager for Thomson Higher Education. Sandy also is on the board of the Sisters Project, which serves homeless women in Seattle. Musically, she studied piano for 10 years, sang in choirs, and studied the mandolin. Sandy and her husband, Wally, live in Union, and she is a member of the Chorale and Mosquito Fleet. She also assists with the Hood Canal Youth Choir at those 7:30 a.m. rehearsals. She is especially proud of her “two happy, productive, beautiful daughters,” one of whom is regional mezzo soprano Melissa Plagemann, a frequent guest soloist for Anna’s Bay. Sandy says, “I’m passionate about Anna’s Bay because it makes music accessible to all.”
Cathryn Mecham, vice president
A writer and editor by trade, Cathy has been singing since she was 4, "My aunt stood me up on a platform and made me sing 'Jesus Loves Me' to a church group. All I remember is turning around and singing to the wall." Despite that inauspicious musical start, Cathy has sung since she was 9 and has performed many times as a soloist. She has studied voice privately for over 15 years, and has even composed a few pieces. Currently she performs with the Chorale and the Mosquito Fleet, as well as continuing her vocal studies. "What a joy and privilege to be part of the effort to make community-based music a reality in Mason County." Cathy and her husband, David Lofton, live in Shelton.
Jubilee Whitman, treasurer
Jubilee Whitman was raised in Japan by missionary parents. 
She started singing at an early age, while sitting on her mother's lap in church, and she's been singing ever since. She earned a degree from the University of Washington and the major part of her career has been in the commercial fishing and residential construction industries, experience that makes her a perfect choice for board treasurer. She and her husband, Tim, moved to Union from Edmonds in 2007 and manage home building for Alderbrook Properties. It was at that time that she joined the Anna's Bay Chorale and sings alto. Jube says, "I'm proud to be part of the Anna's Bay Center for Music. It brings the community together, whether they sing or just come and enjoy the beautiful music performed by the Chorale and in the professional programs. The Center is truly a gem of Hood Canal."
George Carlson, Ph.D., secretary
George and his wife, Donna Kirkpatrick, have lived in the Skokomish Valley for nearly 4 years, having moved from southern California upon George’s retirement from teaching college level Astronomy and Chemistry. George was a music major before earning his Ph.D. in nuclear physics from the University of California at Davis. He has been a faculty president and chief negotiator for faculty unions, as well as giving seminars in successful negotiating. George and Donna's careers ran parallel as she ran a supplemental instruction program in geology, and stellar and planetary astronomy; in fact, that’s how they met. Both sing with the Chorale. Currently the two are working on George's dream of having a hobby farm with his own orchard, vegetable patch, and woodworking shop. Why Anna's Bay? "We're in it for the music, the wonderful community of people involved and the joy of performing!"
Jeanne Cushman, JD
Charles Johnson
Ann King
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