Responsible for guiding the CPO in fulfilling its mission through musical research, creative programing, selecting soloists and rehearsal preparations for each show. Mr. Venaas is an experienced conductor, composer and arranger with a big band, commercial and symphonic background. Graduated with honors from San Francisco State University with a degree in conducting and musical performance. To note a few, Mr. Venaas has worked with Ernst Bacon, Carmen Dragon, Denis de Coteau and conducted at venues ranging from Davies Symphony Hall to the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Winner of Best Sound Track for the Movie "Swing" produced by Martin Guigui starring Jacqueline Bisset and Jonathan Winters.

Editor of the Childrens book "The Orchestra" by Ruth Spangenberg.

Responsible for the Pop's business and financial activities including; budgets and accounting, contracts, insurance, financial reporting, tax filing and website. Graduate from UOP. Awarded for her accounting center development. A business and accounting professional. Specialist in payroll and accounting systems implementation. Graduate in Cello Performance, UOP

Email: manager@californiapopsorchestra.com

Broadway Tony Award recipient dedicated to preserving Music Education in the California schools. Known for her performances on Broadway and San Francisco stages of Hello Dolly, Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, Thoroughly Modern Millie and much more. Appears in the cinema and a favorite television star. A total entertainer and promoter of popular music and education.

California Pops Orchestra Concert Master. Awarded 2005 MVP by the Association of California Symphony Orchestras.

Graduated Westport School of Music, B.S. Geology University of Rochester, M.S. Geology San Jose State University, M.S., Ph.D. Geophysics Stanford University. Emeritus Geophysicist: U.S. Geological Survey (34 years). Consulting Professor: Stanford University Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences. Specialty: Marine geology and geophysics of continental margins and adjacent ocean basins of Antarctica, Bering Sea, Gulf of Mexico, California, and Solomon Islands. Head of Antarctic Seismic Data Library System for Cooperative Research. Editor of 4 books and author of more than 200 scientific publications. Performs with Fiume di Musica (Principal), Left Bank, the San Andreas Trio and the famous Duckweed String Band.

Leonard Ely is a tremendous community leader. His numerous awards include the CFSV Spirit of Philanthropy Award, the Palo Alto Tall Tree Award, and a Gold Spike Award and Centennial Medallion from Stanford. He has endowed a chair in the Economics Department and has a building named after him at Castilleja. Past President Ely Motor Company.

He has volunteered for the Red Cross, Castilleja School, the Community Foundation of Santa Clara County, Miramonte Mental Health Services, Lytton Gardens, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Filoli, Children's Hospital at Stanford, the Boy Scouts, Grace Cathedral, the Senior Coordinating Council, Museum of American Heritage, YMCA, Second Harvest Food Bank, Family Service Mid-Peninsula, Menlo School, Gamble Garden, KARA, Families in Transition, Ecumenical Hunger Program, OICW, Touchstone Hiller Aviation Museum and the Palo Alto Historical Society.

He's also been active at Stanford, working on its centennial campaign, for its historical society, alumni association, business school and athletic department. He has also been on the board of the Palo Alto Weekly since 1985.

A research and development engineer with Saint Jude Medical (formerly Epicor Medical, Inc.) holding 5 patents for his medical device designs. A past member of the Board of Directors of the Sequoia Yacht Club and the Bair Island Aquatic Center. Received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from San Jose State University.

Chief Financial Officer of Embarcadero Publishing, native Palo Altan and active community supporter.

"Education is a great leveler. It makes us equal."

Ruth is one of the amazing supporters of education, music, the arts and the community. She successfully brought up 6 children when her husband Karl died in 1964. She immediately went to work re-entering Stanford University. By summer 1965 she earned a Masters in counseling and guidance and started her private family therapy practice. To list a few of her many successes: Mrs. Spangenberg co-founded the Committee for Green Foothills. Taught at San Mateo College and Canada College. She is an active board member of both the Stanford and Mid-Peninsula YWCAs. She's on the Board of Regents of John F. Kennedy University who presented Ruth with its coveted Citation. Raised support and founded the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Mid-Peninsula and received the 1996 Samaritan award.

California State Senator Joe Simitian represents the 11th Senate District, which includes all or part of 13 cities in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. His dedication to music, the arts and community service is unbounded. His awards are numerous for his work in many areas including schools, youth programs, environment, technology and the community including; the Children's Champion award, Environmental Leadership award even the "Scientific American 50" award.