Bremerton WestSound Symphony Welcomes New Board Members

Joining the board are Val Behling, Cheryl Polk, Justin Cormier, and Beth Noland. The symphony also recently appointed Anna Somerville as its new Office and Engagement Coordinator.

Behling, a French horn player with the Bremerton WestSound Symphony since 1986, also performs with the Peninsula Dance Theatre, Kitsap Opera, “Simply Brass,” and the Bainbridge Symphony. “Each group has a different personality and flavor. I love that there are such a variety of playing opportunities in Kitsap County,” Behling said. She began playing the horn in fifth grade, met her husband, a drummer, while performing in Tacoma more than 40 years ago, and has performed with ensembles in Virginia and Idaho during her family’s military travels. She currently works full time as an operations manager and continues to serve on the board of Peninsula Dance Theatre.

Cormier, a musician and educator, holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Seattle Pacific University and a master’s in music education from Boston University. His performance history spans classical, gospel, jazz, and popular music. He has performed at the Gorge Amphitheater alongside Brandi Carlile, at the Paramount Theatre with gospel legends Ysaye Barnwell and Stephen Newby, and with Seattle jazz musicians Thomas Marriott and Jay Thomas. He has also served as harpsichord soloist with the SPU Symphony. Outside formal stages, he often performs as a Christmas busker on accordion.

Cormier has also held long service as a church music director and organist in multiple denominations. He is a member emeritus of the Compline Choir at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle, which airs weekly on Classic King FM. In addition, he composes original works that explore social justice themes and produces music under the name “Justin Cormier 6” on Soundcloud.

Noland brings experience in strategic program planning, finance management, public speaking, and mentoring. She earned a master’s degree in nursing with an emphasis on high-risk populations and worked as a practice leader for The Permanente Medical Group in Northern California, where she helped implement education programs for chronic conditions and behavioral health.

Passionate about the healing power of music, Noland promoted drumming classes for heart failure patients and introduced classical music into intensive care settings. A native of California, she moved to Bremerton five years ago. She enjoys classical music—“Mozart is her muse”—and attending concerts ranging from Pavarotti to the Rolling Stones.

The Bremerton WestSound Symphony board now includes a full roster of community leaders and musicians, guiding the organization as it enters a new season of performances.