Meet The Band

Brooke Leary

Brooke learned to love jazz as a student in Norwood, MA and has played alto saxophone for more than 25 years, picking up clarinet and flute along the way. She plays with Doc Sprinsock and the SANCApators, the house band for Seattle’s School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts and with the Greenwood Concert Band. Brooke works as a government performance auditor.

Lisa Vallins

Founding member Lisa, played saxes, clarinet and flute with Roosevelt HS, Music Comedy NW, Seattle G&S, NW Savoyards, and Cornish College Jazz Band conducted by Julian Priester. She holds a BA in Music/Theatre. An active pit musician, she also helped found Cascadia Big Band and subs/plays with groups including SWOJO, KingsPlayers, Moonlight Swings Orchestra, Driftwood, Lyric Light Opera and The Stardust Consort.

JoAnn Hartline

JoAnn chose the clarinet in 5th grade and took up tenor sax in high school in order to join the swing band. When the MoodSwings invited her to switch to bari, she jumped at the chance. Playing such a big instrument helps to keep her in shape!

Shannon Bates

Elizabeth Royalty

Sue Spang

Sue began playing trombone at age 8. At fifteen, she picked up upright bass and never looked back. Sue attended the conservatory at Lawrence University, performing in their Downbeat-Award-winning Jazz Ensemble. Sue teaches bass and designs graphics for Seattle's Central Co-op.

Sophia Kowalski

Doing double-duty on trombone, we welcome our vocalist Sophia.

Liana Green

Heather Berley

Janice Deckmann

Janice began the trumpet in fifth grade. She has participated in symphonic bands, theatre orchestras, parades, Husky Marching Band and her current favorite, jazz. She is also a member of the Sound of Swing dance band. Janice designs and hand builds in stoneware clay: functional, decorative, whimsical gift items sold locally.

Andrea Araiza

Andrea started playing trumpet in 6th grade and jazz a year later. Previous groups include the Norman High School Jazz Band, Babson-Olin Jazz Ensemble, and the Latin band Alma Latina. She is thrilled to be playing with the ladies of the MoodSwings. Currently, Andrea works as a combustion engineer in the energy industry.

Katie Green

Katie was handed a trumpet in 5th grade and has been playing ever since. She also plays in Mountains and Tunnels, described as 'cozy old-school garage rock filled with bluesy guitar riffs punctuated by vintage horns.' By day she manages a cell biology lab at Seattle Genetics and loves playing in her big backyard with her wife, son and dog.

Lena Console

An Ohio native, Lena is a trumpet performer and teaching artist. A member of the MoodSwings since 2014, she performs genres ranging from 16th Century baroque to 21st Century big band jazz and teaches with Seattle Symphony, Seattle Music Partners, Creative Music Adventures and Academy of Music Northwest. Non-musical interests include cycling, camping, cooking and journaling – even better jam-packed into one weekend!

Brittany Kohl

Brittany began playing piano at 9. She started her own teaching studio at the age of 15 and has been teaching ever since! She studied at Washington State University for a major in Piano Performance and Pedagogy with a Jazz minor. Brittany plays other instruments and is in bands and solo projects locally and in surrounding cities.

Carol Levin

At age ten, Carol had to choose between harp and percussion. With the MoodSwings she gets to play both! Her focus on jazz and improvised music has included Ev Stern’s Jazz Workshop and the Dutch Impro Academy. She plays in many Seattle improv sessions, with the UW Harry Partch ensemble, and is seen online with the worldwide Doctor Who Fan Orchestra.

Kelli Mitchell

Kelli played drums in high school jazz band and went to college for sound engineering. She currently owns a mobile DJ and Karaoke company, Seattle Mobile Entertainment. She says: When I grow up I want to open up an intergenerational arts school to teach music, entertainment, emcee-ing, cooking & gardening, instrument repair, recording, design and more… Dream big!

Sophia Kowalski

Sophia loves working with this giggling gaggle of girls! A graduate of the University of Washington with double majors in Theatre and History, she works as a nanny, personal chef and in most things theatre related. She would like to thank the Academy, Theo Chocolate, chapstick, and coffee for her success.

Marissa Tanimura

Marissa (Reese) Tanimura started her music career strumming Hawaiian ditties on the ukulele. Later she picked up the recorder, piano, French horn, trumpet, guitar, and more. A band geek for life, Reese surfed her way back to Oahu to teach music in the public schools and later paddled her way here to the land of drizzle, jazz, vampires, indie rock and endless musical opportunity. In addition to directing the MoodSwings, she performs with Lavender Lucy, Wayward Ash, Pretty Vacant and collaborations inspired by Ladies Rock Camp. She is Managing Director of Northwest Folklife, Director of Music for Lakeridge Lutheran Church and chairs the City of Seattle Music Commission.