Past Events

Mary Lee Shelton spent her career as a reporter, photographer and public relations manager at various newspapers, at New Mexico State University and now at ASA-Architects in Las Cruces. During her 15 years at NMSU the music department was on her campus beat where she supported the choral program with writing, photography and news story placement. Ms. Shelton had various colleges and academic departments on her NMSU beat and particularly relished her work with the choral students and Dr. Jerry Ann Alt. Upon Dr. Alt’s retirement Ms. Shelton began traveling with the choir, photographing and publicizing their concerts, and eventually singing with them. She and her husband Ted involve themselves in the operational logistics that are involved in the choir’s performances including bookings, transportation, housing, food and set-up. Ms. Shelton is active member of Club Rotario Juarez Campestre and The Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She has a bachelor of journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.

Mary Lee Shelton spent her career as a reporter, photographer and public relations manager at various newspapers, at New Mexico State University and now at ASA-Architects in Las Cruces. During her 15 years at NMSU the music department was on her campus beat where she supported the choral program with writing, photography and news story placement. Ms. Shelton had various colleges and academic departments on her NMSU beat and particularly relished her work with the choral students and Dr. Jerry Ann Alt. Upon Dr. Alt’s retirement Ms. Shelton began traveling with the choir, photographing and publicizing their concerts, and eventually singing with them. She and her husband Ted involve themselves in the operational logistics that are involved in the choir’s performances including bookings, transportation, housing, food and set-up. Ms. Shelton is active member of Club Rotario Juarez Campestre and The Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She has a bachelor of journalism from the University of Texas at Austin.

Architect Ted Shelton began supporting Dr. Jerry Ann Alt’s choral efforts 30 years ago when his wife Mary Lee began publicizing Dr. Alt’s choral concerts. Ted supported the NMSU choral program by allowing his staff to design and produce publicity posters. His efforts now include logistical support including transportation, housing — even serving as “gig boy.” Supporting the choir fits nicely with Ted’s professional interest in designing performing arts facilities. Ted and mentor Rem Alley designed NMSU’s Atkinson Recital Hall in 1985. More recently Ted teamed with New York architect Malcolm Holzman in the creation of the NMSU Performing Arts Center. Ted’s architectural firm, ASA Architects, has designed schools, performance halls and public safety complexes across New Mexico and West Texas. Ted’s bachelor’s in environmental design and master’s in building design are both from Texas A&M University.

Marilyn Watson is a retired Facilitator for Visual and Performing Arts and was employed for the Gadsden Independent School District for over 27 years. She taught elementary music, choir and band at all levels while serving as the facilitator for the program. Marilyn is the founder and artistic director of the Gadsden Youth Honor Choir. She is a retired choir director at Holy Cross Catholic Church and sings in the Las Cruces diocesan choir. She is a past president and current membership chair of the New Mexico Chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association (NMACDA). Marilyn is also the past chairman and current member of the New Mexico Advisory Council for Arts Education (NMACAE). She holds a Bachelor of Music degree and a Masters in Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, both from New Mexico State University.

Moving to Las Cruces in 1972, Marilyn sang and traveled with the New Mexico State University Choirs for over 40 years. Marilyn is continuing her vocal studies at Studio A-440 with Della Bustamonte and is the librarian and active member of Bella Voce de Las Cruces, a semi-professional choir under the direction of Dr. Jerry Ann Alt.

I am recently-elected Vice-President of the Choral Association of Southern New Mexico (CASNM). My singing career began with the Angel Choir in my church and continued thru various church choirs over the years. Active in all high school choruses, my three sisters and I, by invitation, sang as an a cappella quartet in churches around NJ and in Marble Collegiate Church in NYC. We sang in numerous performances of Handel’s Messiah in different venues. My love of both choral and orchestral classical music spans my whole life. As a teen, I rode a bus from Irvington NJ to the Mosque Theater in Newark to see performances by Artur Rubenstein, The Philadelphia and Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestras and several ballet companies. Since moving from NJ to NM, I sang with the NMSU Masterworks Chorus for 21 years under Dr. Jerry Ann Alt, and for a certain time period with the Mesilla Valley Chorale, as well as in Handel’s Messiah at NMSU, St. Paul’s Methodist Church, and several times under Jon Linford. I have been with Bella Voce de Las Cruces since its inception.

Nancy began singing with Masterworks Chorus in 2005. She has served as Guild President and grant writer. After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, Nancy joined the Peace Corps and was a volunteer in Peru and trained new volunteers in Puerto Rico. In the ensuing years she has been a social worker in New York City, Philadelphia and Albuquerque, served as the director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program in Syracuse, New York, and worked as the Client Services Coordinator for an agency serving those affected with HIV and AIDS. At NMSU, she worked for the Social Work Department as the Coordinator for their Teaching Learning Center, was the Academic Advisor for the College of Business Administration and Economics for and Tutor Coordinator for Student Support Services. She is married to Al, who also sings with Masterworks.
ngalves@comcast.net

Education: Graduate,National CriminalDefense College,Mercer Law School,Mercer, GA (1989) J.D., May 1980, University of New Mexico School of Law,Albuquerque, NM, GPA 3.32, Class rank 13 of 90 .B.A., May 1975, New MexicoState University, Las Cruces, NM, Journalism, GPA 3.5 Graduate, Goddard High School, Roswell, NM, GPA 3.9 (Salutatorian) Work History: Attorney(self employed), Las Cruces, NM October 1980 – present Legal research & investigation (self employed), January1978-August 1980 Reporter (police), Albuquerque Journal, January 1977- January 1979 Reporter (general), Albuquerque News, April 1976 -July 1976 Reporter (education), Hobbs News Sun, May 1975 -April 1976 Editor, NMSU Round Up newspaper, May 1974-May 1975 News Writer, NMSU Information Services, September 1973 -August 1974

Joan McClure-Post has enjoyed singing in Dr. Alt’s Masterworks Chorus for many years. She is a member of the CASNM board and editor of the Crimson Song newsletter. Joan is a member of St. Andrew’s Church where she sings in the choir and on occasion plays the organ. She is retired from the City of Las Cruces Museums and now works for H&R Block during the tax season.
joan4225@comcast.net

Sara Orton has been active in choral singing since she was in Junior high. It has been a steady and enduring aspect of her adult life. An active member of CASNM since its inception, Sara has served as publicity director, and secretary at various times. She is a long time member of Bella Voce de Las Cruces . Retired after 35 years of teaching preschool and elementary, Sara is married , has two children, and two grandchildren.

A native of western New York State, Mary Anna Carlson came to Las Cruces with her husband and their young children in 1963. After graduating from NMSU in 1990 with a degree in accounting, she worked as a medical office administrator. Now that she is retired she has pursued several volunteer opportunities. She is active with Mesilla Valley Hospice, church affiliated choirs, and under the auspices of AARP assists seniors with tax preparation. For leisure time activities, Mary Anna enjoys singing, swimming, and traveling as well as being involved in a book club and a card club.