Our Artistic Leadership
Ellen Patterson, Artistic Director
Ms. Patterson received her master’s degree in piano performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Ellen, a board-certified Music Therapist, retired in 2013 after 27 years at the Veteran’s Home in Yountville and was subsequently inducted into their Hall of Fame.
As an accompanist, Ms. Patterson played for the PUC music department for 9 years, and Sing! Napa Valley for over 20 years; she has played in musical theater productions and concerts at Napa Valley College, the White Barn, St. Helena High School, and Spreckels Theater in Rohnert Park.
As Music Director, Ellen has done numerous shows at Dreamweavers, Lucky Penny and Sonoma Arts Live. She was awarded “Outstanding Musical Direction” by MTJA in 2017-18 for “Always...Patsy Cline” at Sonoma Arts Live.
Ellen plays for weddings, church services and casuals as a pianist and vocalist. As the Director of “God’s House Band” at the Napa Methodist Church, Ellen has produced two CDs with this contemporary Christian music group over the past 25 years. Her own CD “Simply Ellen” is a collection of original compositions, and arrangements of Vet’s Home members’ original songs.
She teaches piano and voice, enjoying every opportunity to share her passion for music. A member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), Ellen accompanies vocalists at the annual Redwood Chapter singing festival as well as the fall concert. Voice students from her studio have successfully competed in their divisions. Many of her students are currently professionals in the music field including Bailey Cook, the Artistic Director of Aeternum choir in Napa.
She has lived in Napa for over 50 years. She is an avid whitewater rafter, hiker, and travels as often as she can. Her son Jeff Patterson is a professional bass player and Music Therapist based here in Napa.
Ronnie Zanella, Choral Director & Conductor
Ronnie Zanella was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, where he began piano studies at age five with his mother as his first teacher. At ten, he added violin lessons and continued studying both instruments through his college years. By age twelve, he was performing with school and church chamber groups.
After two years of college in Brazil, Zanella moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 2012 to continue his music degree at Union Adventist University, graduating in 2015 with a Bachelor of Music in piano performance. He then pursued graduate studies in Michigan, earning a Master of Music in orchestral and choral conducting from Andrews University in 2019. That same year, he began his Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, studying under Peter Eklund and Marques Garrett. While there, he served as a teaching assistant for choirs and undergraduate conducting classes and received a full scholarship. He is currently completing his doctoral dissertation.
In fall 2023, Zanella joined Pacific Union College in Angwin, California, as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities. At PUC, he has been expanding the choral program by leading tours, promoting diverse repertoire, and cultivating an inclusive rehearsal space for students and the wider community. Since 2024, he has also served as organist-in-residence at the PUC church, a role he is very passionate about.
Looking ahead, Zanella has accepted the position of Choral Director for Sing Napa Valley for the 2025–26 season. He is eager to collaborate with the Napa community and is committed to further developing the choir’s artistry and performance excellence.
Brian Shaw, Collaborative Pianist
Brian Shaw's musicianship is best characterized by his diverse interests, attention to detail, virtuosic keyboard technique, and high regard for stylistic authenticity in a wide range of genres. As a result, he enjoys a diverse career as a professional musician. He is constantly in high demand as an accompanist, ensemble performer, and soloist, while also pursuing a range of personal music projects. Brian’s abilities and interests are rooted in his study of traditional classical piano performance, music theory, and composition at Northwestern University, combined with his study of jazz and many other musical styles at Berklee College of Music (Boston).