Pollyanna is a founding member whose musical journey has included roles as Music Director, Assistant Conductor, and Principal French Horn. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and stepped into the dual role of Executive Director and Principal Conductor in 2006. Pollyanna currently serves as Principal Horn with the Vanguard University Band and as Associate Conductor and Principal French Horn with the Orange County Concert Band.

Linda is a retired music educator of 37 years. Linda holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Instrumental Music from Arizona State University. After directing and conducting middle school, high school, college and community orchestras and bands, Linda has decided to sit on the other side of the baton.

Carol has worked as an accountant in the business community for over 25 years. Carol has been the Financial Director since the group’s inception.  A founding member, she maintains the position as section leader for the Flute section and is a member of several other performing groups.  

Has been a member of the GW Pops since 2011. Has been playing Flute for 40 years, Piccolo and Alto Sax for 38 years. Her first love of course is Piccolo.  She has played in several bands all over Orange County. She & her husband have their own Swing band :  Moonlight Express Big Band. She has a certificate in Floral Design & Shop Management from Golden West College.

Heide has an Associate of Arts degree in Purchasing Management from Fullerton Junior College. She is responsible for researching and submitting funding requests to augment dues paid by Golden West Pops members and for-hire performances.  Heide is also the Assistant to the Band.  Heide has been a member of the Golden West Pops since 2005.

Barbara is a founding member of the Golden West Pops and currently is the Historical Director. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Performance from CSU Long Beach where she traveled with the Big Brown Machine marching band and had the honor of playing for many dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth, in the Military Tattoos of Australia and Scotland. Barbara has been an educator for over 25 years, teaching music and general education to K-6 grades. Her love for playing has been extended through many groups in WA and CA including the GWP Flute Choir before finding a home at the Golden West Pops in 2006.

Anne-Marie is an accomplished professional who has been an active member of the Golden West Pops since 2019. Her musical journey began in elementary school where she chose the French Horn and continued through her undergraduate years at the University of Florida, where she participated in two community bands while pursuing her academic studies in Gainesville. After graduating with her BS in Biomedical Engineering (with a focus on Biomechanics) from the University of Florida and her MBA from the University of Utah, Anne-Marie found her way to Southern California. She currently leads an engineering team at a cardiovascular medical device company. 

Michael has been playing the tuba since it was bigger than he was. He has been playing with the Pops since 2013, and is now the youngest serving board member. When not in rehearsal, Michael spends his days working as an Aerospace Engineer.

Anna holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Vanguard University. She has been an active member of the Tuba section of the Golden West Pops since 2015 and also participates in the Vanguard University Community Band. Her music career began as a low brass and marching tech for several Southern California high schools and youth bands, and she has performed with groups like Riverside Community College and the Santa Ana Winds Youth Band. Anna is also a member of the Pickups Limited OC Club, reflecting her enthusiasm for classic cars and community involvement.

Karen has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from James Madison University (VA), and a Master of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Walden University. She has been an educator for over 20 years, serving as a general music teacher, high school band and choir director, and most recently as an Education Specialist working with students with mild/moderate disabilities. She has also taught private clarinet students since she was a junior in high school. Karen currently serves as the clarinet section leader and principal player for the Golden West Pops and performs frequently with several other ensembles in the area.  

Virginia has been in the band since it’s beginning as our Alto Sax section leader and 1st chair.  She has been playing sax since the 5th grade and has a degree in Music Education from Western Oregon University (previously known as Oregon College of Education).  Prior to moving to California, Virginia was a substitute teacher in multiple school districts doing either choral or instrumental positions.  She moved to California in 1985 and held positions in banking.  Virginia has also been in the band at Santa Monica College and the Long Beach Community Band where she was also on the Board of Directors.  After leaving banking, she held a position in the ticket booths at Disneyland.  Currently she is working part-time at Angel Stadium of Anaheim and in a supervisory position at Joann’s Fabric and Crafts.