Olympia's Daughters Biography
I’m Robin Richards-
Director of Olympia's Daughters. Like many of the other Daughters, I was
fortunate to grow up in a musical family. Singing was part of our daily family
life, and I’m lucky to continue that today. A member of Olympia’s Daughters for
6 years.
Jacque’Diggs is a 35-year teaching veteran with three adopted children. I used to
carry my tune in a bucket. Oh I sang the star spangled banner with my class
every morning after the flag salute and in the church choir. But it wasn't
until I started to sing with Olympia's Daughters that I could finally throw my
bucket away.
The best thing about being a member of Olympia's Daughters is singing with such a great group of women.
Olympia's Daughters to me is an oasis in the desert.
Maria Manna -
Ever since becoming conscious of music in my early years, it has always played
an important part in my life. Most types of music appeal to me, but I'm partial
to soft rock and popular songs. I discovered harmony as a teenager and continue
to harmonize every chance I get, both formally, with groups, such as OD, and
informally, with the radio, or singing with friends. OD has provided me with
the opportunity to continue harmonizing and making beautiful music. “Best thing about
being a member of Olympia’s Daughters is sharing my love of music with others
who feel the same.” “OD to me is
rewarding.”
Peggy Hannis is a soprano and has been singing with Olympia’s Daughters since
1996. Though, she has not had any formal musical training, she has learned from
some of the best. Her most influential teachers were female vocalists such as
Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Laura Nyro, Aretha Franklin, and Ricky Lee Jones,
to name a few. She listened to them until the needle wore out on her record
player!
Peggy says of music “I sing so I don’t have to pay for therapy”……and “music connects people in ways that language, as we know it, cannot…its magical….anyone who has ever made beautiful music with other people, as we in Olympia’s Daughters have, knows exactly what I am talking about.”
Peggy enjoys singing so much that she recently joined the Teaneck Community Chorus as well. She lives in Central Jersey with her family, and works as a Sign Language Interpreter in a Psychiatric facility.
“Best thing about being a member of Olympia’s Daughters is knowing that through the magic of creating music together, I have several Sisters that I can call on any time of day or night and they would be there for me.” “Olympia’s Daughters to me is free therapy.”
I’m Carmen Pinto. I’m a ‘Big Dog’, the lowest female voice… a contralto for all you
purists. I sing because it is my form of prayer, and I’m a member of Olympia’s
Daughters because this sisterhood of zany warm loving women who sing their ample
& gorgeous butts off is my church. My partner of 14 years is the love of my
life. My three children are the beats of my heart and the breaths of my lungs,
and singing… singing is what fills and feeds my soul.
Dr. Elmira Nazombe has been
with Olympia’s Daughters for 6 years and she enjoys singing in spare time.
Quote: “The best thing about being a member of Olympia's Daughters is getting to hang out with some caring and crazy women.” “Olympia's Daughters to me is joy!!!!!!!!”
Marie, a singer, songwriter and musician, comes to Olympia’s
Daughters with over 30 years of musical experience. She is a mother of two
sons, a special educator and faculty member of New Jersey City University.
Marie has a BA in Special Education/Music, an MA in Early Childhood Education,
and an MA in Supervision and Administration. She enjoys combining her love of
music with her love of working with children who have special needs. Her
vocals, piano and guitar playing have delighted audiences throughout the Hudson
County/Union County areas for three decades.
“What I like most about being part of Olympia’s Daughters is that I get an opportunity to spend time with an awesome group of talented women who share a love of music and a desire to make a difference in someone’s life via our songs.”
Hi, I am Cathy Bataille and I’ve been singing with Olympia’s Daughters for about
5 years. I have loved singing with friends and for audiences since I was in
elementary school and practiced with my friends in our yards and created
performances for neighbors and families. From Doo-Wop to commercials to
operettas to rock to classical, I will sing just about anything anytime! The
songs I enjoy the most are those that give voice to my deepest feelings – of
joy, sadness, desperation, hope and even anger. Olympia’s Daughters has given
me a great opportunity to share my heart, my beliefs and my experiences. I
enjoy my life with my partner, Kimi and our daughter, Julia immensely and derive
a lot of strength from the life stories of the children and families I have
worked with over my career as a clinical social worker.
I’m Donna Templeton, one of the newest members of Olympia’s Daughters. When I
was growing up, anytime my extended family got together, we gathered around the
piano and sang. I sang in church choirs all through my growing up years, and
when I was in nursing school, I was in a choral group that traveled around the
state of Georgia singing at various churches. I now sing in the choir at the
Morristown Unitarian Fellowship. Last summer, my partner Sandy and I contacted
Olympia’s Daughters about participating in a program at MUF. We attended a
rehearsal to talk about the program, ended up auditioning, and by the time we
left, we were the newest members of Olympia’s Daughters. We are loving the
terrific women, wonderful energy and amazing music-making of the group. When I’m
not singing, I work as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and am also a Licensed
Acupuncturist. Sandy and I live on Lake Hopatcong and enjoy relaxing on the lake
in our spare time.
I’m
Sandy Powers. My partner Donna and I joined Olympia’s Daughters the summer of
2011. Throughout my life music has always been a passion of mine whether it be
singing, playing instruments or listening to everything from classical music to
Rock & Roll. Growing up I sang in the school chorus and in the church choir.
During the day I work as a computer software developer and after hours I sing to
feed my soul. In Addition to Olympia’s Daughters I sing with the Morristown
Unitarian Fellowship choir and the Morris Consort Choir.
I'm
Chizuko. My husband and I came to the US from Japan in 2000. We love music and
belong to International Music group together, where we enjoy playing the piano,
and I also enjoy singing. I took voice lessons in Tokyo for three years before I
came here and had been a member at another chorus for 9 years. Then, I found
Olympia's daughters and had an audition last October.
How talented OD's members are! I enjoy singing with them very much.
Besides that, they are very nice and warm. I'm very honored to be a member
of OD.
