Board of Directors

Stephanie Smith, Board president

Born and raised in Wichita Falls, Texas, Stephanie Smith is an active pianist, conductor, clinician, vocal coach, worship leader and chamber musician in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, studying with Alvin Chow and Larry Graham, and a Master of Music degree in chamber music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Paul Hersh. Her professional experience of more than a decade includes performing in master classes for Menahem Pressler and Emmanuel Ax, working with renowned composers such as Alden Jenks, David Garner and David Conte, and providing accompaniment for such luminaries as Sharon McNight, B.D. Wong and Tony Award winner Alan Cumming.

After accompanying the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco Chorus for two years, Stephanie was appointed Artistic Director and Conductor in 2002. She directs LGCSF in multiple performances annually and regularly collaborates with other organizations including the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. In July, 2004, the Chorus presented works by living Bay Area gay and lesbian composers and recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary. An exciting highlight of her career with LGCSF came in July, 2004, when she led the Chorus at the quadrennial Festival of GALA Choruses in Montreal before an audience of 3,500.

In addition to her work with Jon Sims Center, Stephanie serves as Music Director of the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco and is looking forward to teaching K - 5th grade music at Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy. She can be seen music directing "Grease" this summer with Ray of Light Theater.

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Shane Kroll

Shane comes to us (technically) from Orange County CA. and (spiritually) from the tiny town of Kitteredge deep in the Colorado Rockies. After serving in the US Navy, Shane moved to San Francisco to find a community and a home of his own. Bound to music and the visual and performing arts by his parents, Shane seeks to always have music in his ears and art in his eyes. Volunteering in this community makes it easier to do all the things he must do, because he also does the things he loves to do.

Shane joined the Board of the Jon Sims Center so that he can contribute to his community and make something memorable for all those that are touched by this organization. Shane has integrity, determination and passion for everything that Jon Sims once and still represents. His goal in life is to build one community for all people.

Liz Konsella,  Board Member at Large

Liz Konsella is an artist with a background in sculpture, performance, welding and reiki energy-healing work. She is a graduate of John F. Kennedy University’s Master of Fine Arts program in Arts and Consciousness and there made a series of six dream-like, interactive, lifesize beds for her final thesis show. Liz currently works as a welder and metal fabricator for an Oakland company specializing in decorative, architectural metalwork.

In addition to being on the board of directors of the Jon Sims Center, Liz is also the official "fix-it
chick" there. Konsella has done commissioned work,led art workshops for various organizations and has taught privately for several years. In 2006, Liz built new choir risers for the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco and in 2007, built the SF Gay Men’s Chorus Pride float structure in steel.

Liz can be reached at Domingo7772020@yahoo.com.