Our members are as diverse as the San Francisco Bay Area. Read their stories below and learn why they’ve chosen to be part of this historic musical organization.
Adam Sharma
The Band has been accommodating to me, even as I learn a new instrument. This Band is truly accessible for all music abilities.Read more → - Adam Sharma
Andrea Nguyen
I joined the Board because I strongly support the Band's mission to nurture the joy of music in the San Francisco Bay Area community and to be an utterly inclusive forum.Read more → - Andrea Nguyen
Brandon Moss
I love being able to perform in new places to make an impact on people who may never have experienced LGBTQ+ musicians!Read more → - Brandon Moss
Brian Trimboli
I love that being in the Band makes me feel like a part of San Francisco’s continuing LGBTQ+ history.Read more → - Brian Trimboli
Chris Hewes
When you join, you become part of a band family spanning decades, with members from all walks of life.Read more → - Chris Hewes
Chris Ochoa
I am so proud to be a part of an organization that is actively involved in promoting visibility and changing hearts and minds through musical performance.Read more → - Chris Ochoa
Corbin Skerrit
I love taking a moment throughout my week to escape into music and it's even better given the values, contribution to community, and acceptance the Band represents.Read more → - Corbin Skerrit
David Malespin
My current favorite experiences with the Band are the community concerts where we showcase our fine musicianshipRead more → - David Malespin
Dee Spencer
I finally got the courage to attend a rehearsal...and enjoyed every minute (except when my clarinet squeaked).Read more → - Dee Spencer
Doug Litwin
A group like the San Francisco Pride Band breaks down barriers between LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ communities through music and performance.Read more → - Doug Litwin
Ginnie Padgett
I am thrilled to once again have the joy of making music with like-minded musicians and spread the Band's mission throughout the Bay Area.Read more → - Ginnie Padgett
Guy Danus
This group is amazing and I've made many great friends and played lots of fun and interesting music.Read more → - Guy Danus
Jane Magid
I love the Band’s joyful inclusiveness and believe its mission in the community is more important now than ever.Read more → - Jane Magid
Jared Foelsch
I love being part of all the San Francisco Pride Band's performing ensembles and have made many lasting friendships. Read more → - Jared Foelsch
Joel Shapiro
The Band caught my eye when I was first transferred to San Francisco in the early 1990s and I enjoyed following it during those years.Read more → - Joel Shapiro
Jonathan Young
Being a member of the Band has been a great way to find a community and make friends.Read more → - Jonathan Young
Julie Williamson
My journey with the Band has been, quite literally, life changing. I have met so many wonderful people that I now consider family. My skills as a player continue to grow, and I love traveling with the Band to play in new venues and new cities.Read more → - Julie Williamson
Kathy Hennig
I began my relationship with the gay band movement serving as a Board Member during the early days of Pride Bands Alliance starting in 1982.Read more → - Kathy Hennig
Keith Sklower
I see the Band as my way to make a political statement through music.Read more → - Keith Sklower
Larry Hetrick
The Band has brought more meaning to my life and more loving relationships. The San Francisco Pride Band has become a big extended family for me.Read more → - Larry Hetrick
Linda Werner
I joined the Band in 1979 and my first gig was a 6 AM Easter Service at Glide Memorial Church (what an intro)!Read more → - Linda Werner
Mike Mehr
I have had so many opportunities with the Band that I would never have had otherwise.Read more → - Mike Mehr
Moira Wilmes
I joined the Band as soon as I could after moving to San Francisco so I could march and also meet like-minded people.Read more → - Moira Wilmes
Patti Upsavs
What I ended up finding was not only a band; I found a band with a mission.Read more → - Patti Upsavs
Pedro Acevedo
I joined the Band because I wanted to keep music performance part of my adult life, but more importantly, I joined this organization because of its core mission of bridging divides and promoting understanding through music.Read more → - Pedro Acevedo
Ruth Keys
How amazing to be able to share my passion for music while Playing with Pride for community and social justice!Read more → - Ruth Keys
Sally Canjura-Clayton
I was accepted into a family that helped me grow as a musician and as a person.Read more → - Sally Canjura-Clayton
Shawn Case
Making music is one of the earliest, most enduring and most rewarding forms of "social media" out there today.Read more → - Shawn Case
Sue Leonardi
When I attended my first rehearsal I felt so accepted and supported as a person and musician — instant family!Read more → - Sue Leonardi
Taka Aoki
I like how I can feel the impact of the music on other people and make connections between the crowd and band members.Read more → - Taka Aoki
Terri Gaydon
I was so incredibly full of joy for performing in a group again, that I pretty much cried through the whole concert.Read more → - Terri Gaydon
Todd Pope
As a former high school band geek, I was thrilled to join a few years later and fill the band-shaped hole in my heart.Read more → - Todd Pope
Vi Le
Life pulled me away from playing music for a few years. I don't think I truly realized how big a loss that was until I found the San Francisco Pride Band.Read more → - Vi Le
Wes Kashiwagi
One reason I play with the Band is to promote gay Asian visibility. It’s important to me that gay Asians see someone that looks like them, and part of that is marching in globally-televised events like the Chinese New Year Parade.Read more → - Wes Kashiwagi