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“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth!”

Brilliance: Pacific Northwest Interfaith Gospel Choir

is a brand-new choir starting in April 2025 in Seattle.

Our Mission

To inspire joy, healing, and unity among all people through gospel and spiritual music.

Our Vision

Create a community where people from different backgrounds and faith traditions can connect to a higher spirit and shared purpose.

Our Values

The power of the human spirit
A diverse and inclusive community
Gospel and spiritual music traditions
Music as a tool for community and healing

We Believe

Song has the power to transform lives
Inclusion helps create positive change
Communities thrive when people support each other
Every person has a unique and important voice

Our Music Directors

The Brilliance Music Directors serve as a collaborative and supportive team, helping Brilliance stay aligned with its mission and vision.

Kent Stevenson

A Pacific Northwest composer and music educator for over 35 years, Kent serves as music director at Seattle’s St. Therese Parish, leading the Shades of Praise Gospel Choir at the weekly 11am Sunday gospel Mass. He performs regularly as an accompanist for singers, ensembles, and theater productions, and is currently music director for ACE (African-American Cultural Ensemble) at the Northwest African American Museum.

Kent has taught music and choir in public and independent schools, founded choirs for all ages, and collaborated with churches and groups across denominations. Kent is Brilliance’s founding Musical Director.

Joy Jones

Raised in a musical family, Joy has directed eight choirs from 1980 to 2026, including the Lewis Singers, Tabernacle M.B. Church Choirs, and Brilliance Interfaith Gospel Choir.

A dynamic R&B and Gospel vocalist, she has performed with national groups like Jubilation, Hosanna, GMES, and GoodyBagg, and shared the stage with renowned artists such as Shirley Caesar, The Hawkins, The Winans, and Frank McCombs. Joy is one of Brilliance’s two Musical Directors. In addition to performing, Joy is passionate about vocal coaching and has helped scores of singers build confidence, connect deeply with their emotions, and tap into their spiritual expression.

Our Advisory Group

The Brilliance Advisory Group serves as a supportive, consultative team dedicated to helping Brilliance remain true to its mission and vision.

Kimberly “Kim” Breland

Kim Breland is an accomplished accounting leader with deep expertise in revenue management, accounts receivable, payroll, contract administration, and general ledger operations. She served more than 12 years as Revenue Accounting Supervisor for the City of Seattle and holds an MBA in Business Administration and Management. Kim also teaches as adjunct faculty in higher education and is a dedicated member of the Brilliance Interfaith Gospel Choir.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Denious

A former business development and program management professional in the education sector, Betsy Denious has devoted her recent work to community‑building initiatives, including organizing Meaningful Conversations—ongoing dialogue gatherings across Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, and Bellingham. A founding member of Brilliance and committed choir member, she now serves as Executive Director, overseeing administration, planning, fundraising, events, marketing, and communications.

Joy Jones

Joy Jones, raised in a deeply musical family, has directed eight choirs from 1980–2025, including the Lewis Singers, Tabernacle M.B. Church Choirs, and the Brilliance Interfaith Gospel Choir. A dynamic R&B and Gospel vocalist, she has performed with nationally recognized groups such as Jubilation, Hosanna, GMES, and GoodyBagg, and shared the stage with artists including Shirley Caesar, The Hawkins, The Winans, and Frank McCombs. Joy is one of Brilliance’s two Musical Directors.

Setsuko “Setch” Hosoda

Dr. Setsuko Hosoda is a licensed Family Physician with over two decades of experience in the United States and China. Her work centers on wellbeing, mind‑body medicine, and community connection. A physician, wellness innovator, and community builder, she has co‑founded Mindful Neighborhood Gatherings, Community Harvest, and Upstream Health Leadership Training—all initiatives fostering belonging, meaningful relationships, and shared learning. Setch is also a proud member of the Brilliance Choir.

Maggie McClellan

A longtime Seattle resident and retired elementary school music educator, Maggie McClellan has directed the Phinney Neighborhood Community Chorus—now more than 40 singers—since founding it in 1999. She trained at the renowned Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary, studying choral conducting and teaching methodology. Passionate about community music, nature, and preserving her family’s musical legacy, Maggie is also a proud member of the Brilliance Choir.

Kent Stevenson

Kent Stevenson is a Pacific Northwest composer, pianist, and music educator with over 25 years of experience. He serves as Music Director at St. Therese Parish in Seattle, leading the Shades of Praise Gospel Choir, and is Music Director for ACE (African‑American Cultural Ensemble) at the Northwest African American Museum. Kent has taught music in both public and independent schools, founded choirs for singers of all ages, and collaborated widely across denominations. He is Brilliance’s founding Musical Director.

Cleve Ticeson

Cleve Ticeson has devoted more than 40 years to KCTS 9, working in roles ranging from copywriter, floor director and as Senior Post‑Production Editor. A skilled singer, actor, and community advocate, he has contributed to numerous educational and youth‑centered initiatives in Seattle and previously served as a representative to the Interfaith Council of Seattle. Cleve is Vice President of Development at N 182nd Films LLC and, as a founder and former choir member, continues to support Brilliance’s creative and community‑building mission.

Brilliance Interfaith Gospel Choir FAQs

When/How can I join the Brilliance Interfaith Gospel Choir?

New members are welcome to join throughout our inaugural Spring 2025 Season (April-June 2025). Please click the choir registration button above for details and you will receive a message.

Do I have to audition to join the choir?

No — Brilliance is a non-auditioned choir

How often and where does Brilliance Interfaith Gospel Choir rehearse?

Brilliance choir rehearses two times a month at Saint Therese Parish in Seattle. An additional rehearsal may also occur 1-2 days before a performance.

Rehearsals are typically held on Saturdays from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. Please arrive by 10:45 to find parking and to settle in.

Saint Therese Parish address: 900 35th Ave, Seattle WA 98122

How should I prepare for rehearsals?

Most songs are taught by ear. It is good practice to have a notepad to write down lyrics, and use a recording device (many people use their phones) to record the songs and practice between rehearsals.

Kent Stevenson

Pacific Northwest composer, music director / educator for more than 25 years, Kent continues to serve as music director of Seattle’s St Therese Parish, directing the Shades of Praise Gospel Choir, celebrating a weekly 11am Sunday gospel Mass.

Stevenson continues to perform as an accompanist for numerous singers, groups and theatre productions, and presently serves as music director for ACE (African-American Cultural Ensemble) from NAAM (Northwest African American Museum). He has also served as music/choir instructor in both public and independent schools in the Pacific Northwest, has created several choirs of all ages, and has worked with choirs, choruses, soloists and musicians from a number of area churches and groups of various denominations.

Pacific Northwest, has created several choirs of all ages, and has worked with choirs, choruses, soloists and musicians from a number of area churches and groups of various denominations.

Stevenson has been commissioned to compose choral works for the Seattle Peace Chorus, The City Cantabile Choir and numerous theatre productions, including The Black Nativity and Voices of Christmas, and gospel/jazz compositions for the Catholic Mass.

Stevenson’s most recent work, presented in December 2024, is “The Gospel Magnificat: A Jazz Gospel Setting of the Canticle of Mary,” highlighted with jazz, gospel, blues and Brazilian themes, featuring an interfaith combined chorus, choreographed dance, supported by a seven-piece jazz ensemble.

Stevenson’s international music and choir concert tours have taken him to Germany, Austria, The Czech Republic, China, Russia, Cuba, the Bahamas, Brazil and several performances in Paris.

As a composer, including writing music for children, Stevenson is presently music specialist at St Therese Catholic Academy.

Our Introduction

We are a group of talented and professional musicians

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