Our Music TEam
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Artistic Director
Althea Gonzalez 
Althea joined Womansong in 1999 because she loved the repertoire and the wonderful village of creative and caring women. Having sung in high school and college choirs, she was thrilled to find a musical and spiritual home in Womansong. After having served as the Assistant Director for many years, she was named Artistic Director in 2017.
Passionate about facilitating community connections and organizational development, Althea is also an independent consultant providing training and technical assistance to nonprofits and philanthropic institutions across the U.S. Althea received an M.A. from NC State University in Adult Education Training and Development and a B.A. from the University of Chicago in Romance Languages. Born and raised in Miami, Althea is the proud daughter of Cuban refugees and grateful mother of a musical genius. |
Assistant Director
Sarah Rubin 
Sarah joined Womansong in 2006 and soon got involved in a variety of ways, from arranging traditional Appalachian songs to coordinating concert logistics. She was co-assistant director from 2010-2018, and moved into that position again in 2019.
Retired from a career in public policy and nonprofit project management, music has been Sarah’s lifelong avocation. She studied violin as a child and has sung in several choirs. In her 20s she fell in love with traditional fiddling and songs, and also took up mandolin and banjo. She has performed in contradance bands, in a roots music duo with her husband, and currently with Honey Holler, an all-woman string band. She also enjoys participating in old-time and honky tonk jams in Asheville. |
Accompanist
Lytingale 
Lytingale joined Womansong in 2003 as a singer, and soon added her talents on piano, flute, and hand percussion, becoming our official accompanist in 2011. Lyte earned her B.S. in Music Education (Voice) at University of Connecticut, and has used her clear soprano for all kinds of music, from rock to Broadway, classical to jazz. She teaches Voice and served as Music
Director and leader of The Unitic Band at Unity Center from 1983-2015. Lyte has composed over 400 songs, including "With Great Love" performed by Womansong and by the mass choir at the 2010 Sister Singers Network Festival; "I Will Carry You" (title song of Womansong CD); "My Sisters" and "Dinner" (on our "Turn the World Around" CD). |
Music Sign Language Interpreter
Shiner Antiorio 
Shiner Antiorio joined Womansong in 2000 as the music interpreter, a role which continues to feed her spirit. Combining the beauty of American Sign Language with her passion for dance and music, Shiner presents an innovative interpretation enjoyed by Deaf and hearing audiences alike. Her work has been presented in numerous venues from Asheville to California, in schools and on the stage. Combining her BA in Education with her AA in American Sign Language, Shiner has joyfully taught American Sign Language and Deaf culture to ages ranging from 5 to 95. |