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Forever Team Anaheim Titleholders

Kaylene Peoples

Kaylene Peoples

Miss Anaheim

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Kaylene Peoples is what you call a quadruple threat. She was a runway model and a former Miss Anaheim; she is a vocalist with a rare 5-octave range, a multi-instrumentalist, and a prolific composer/arranger/conductor. Kaylene graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Composition and Ethnomusicology, and completed an elite Master’s program in Film Scoring under the direction of Academy Award-winner composer Walter Scharf. She also studied with Academy Award-winner composers David Raksin and Henry Mancini; and has even played piano side by side with Oscar winner film composer Jerry Goldsmith. Kaylene has written and conducted countless string arrangements for record labels, including Capitol Records, Polygram, Warner Bros., EMI, and Universal/Republic. Her dossier doesn’t just stop there. She has written huge bodies of musical works including neo-classical symphonies and composed and conducted a ten-Act ballet titled Apocalitica. Her orchestration skills can be heard on several movie sound tracks, including American Pie 2, Serendipity, Ruby, and her own multi-award-winning feature film she directed, Redemption. She is also an award-winning L.A. Music Awards producer for Best R&B Album of the Year and Best New Artist Christina Fasano’s Spiritually Wet. Kaylene’s first jazz CD All Jazzed Up! made a splash when her single, “Do You Remember,” was played across the country. The single climbed to the top of the independent charts (AC40/NMW! Top 100 Chart/FMQB & ACQB! and Indie 100 chart). Her CD My Man  made quite an impression on jazz lovers through the airwaves and in concert. Since the release of My Man, Kaylene has repeatedly hit #1 on the Reverbnation Jazz Charts, and remains in the Top 40; and from My Man, “Giant Steps” won Best Jazz Song for the Akademia Music Awards in December 2015 and was on the ballot for the Grammy’s that same year. Whenever Kaylene Peoples performs, she showcases instrumental virtuosity along with her trademarked, vocal style. Kaylene takes singing to a completely new level; and when hearing her play her flute, Dave Valentine and Hubert Laws immediately come to mind. Growing up, her parents supported her love affair with music, and to this day she performs with the rare solid silver flute her dad bought her after winning a talent show in high school. As a result, Kaylene’s soloing instrument of choice is the flute. In honor of her father’s memory, she incorporates it heavily into her music. Having performed with 3-time Grammy-nominee flutist Hubert Laws, Emmy-nominee pianist Bobby Lyle, 4-time Grammy winner bassist Stanley Clarke, Patrice Rushen, Grammy winner pianist John Beasley, Jeff Goldblum, Grammy-nominee bassist Bunny Brunel, and others, Kaylene Peoples continues to blow her audiences away with her incredible vocal performances and equally impressive instrumental virtuosity.
Jill Niemela Burke - 1991

Jill Niemela Burke - 1991

Miss Anaheim

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Jill is an actor/vocalist/producer/session singer/voice teacher/marathon runner. She is the voice for the "Priceline Negotiator" jingle running nationwide. Her theater credits have earned her StageSceneLA, LA Weekly, and Robby awards. She was Executive Producer and co-star on the short film "Huckleberry Dreams" starring Mad Men's Robert Morse. She has had the privilege of singing with and for such stars as Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown, Richard Carpenter, and her "uncle" Johnny Mathis. She is an Executive Committee member and actor for Musical Theatre Guild in Los Angeles, stars in the cabaret revue Hollywood Revisited, a member of the a cappella band Vybration, is the female voice for master percussionist C.G. Ryche, and belts out our National Anthem for the Anaheim Angels. You can now see her leading the Pat Benatar tribute band "Live From Earth" as she covers all of Benatar's greatest hits. She is a Disney veteran, and portrayed Princess Jasmine, The Little Mermaid, and Pocahontas. Jill has sung Our National Anthem (and Canadian Anthem) for teams like the Anaheim Angels, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, & LA Galaxy.
Sharon Bernstein - 1967

Sharon Bernstein - 1967

Miss Anaheim

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SHARON (BERNSTEIN) PERLMUTER grew up in Orange County and had the honor of serving as her city's official hostess as "Miss Anaheim" in 1967.  Sharon worked at Disneyland as a VIP hostess during her 5 years of college at Cal State Fullerton, where she received her B.A. in Communications and in 1972 was honored as "Public Relations Student of the Year".  When her children reached school age Sharon returned to college at UCI for her California Teaching Credential. In 1983 Sharon joined Temple Bat Yahm (TBY), where her children received their religious school education and had a B'nai Mitzvah in 1990. During her 27 years of membership, she taught religious school for 12 years, served on the temple board as publicity chairperson, ritual committee chairperson, publicity coordinator, and editor of the fundraising yearbook. She also served one term as corresponding secretary for WTBY. This month, Sharon will assume the position of Social Action chairperson at TBY. For the past seven years Sharon has been volunteering with the Jeremiah Society, an organization of developmentally disabled Jewish adults who meet once a month at TBY for social interaction, spiritual connections, discussions, dancing, singing, and holiday celebrations. Sharon assists in the planning of programs and teaches a Judaic lesson each month to the members. Together with all these activities, Sharon has also been a volunteer docent at John Wayne Airport since 1990, and was named "Tour Guide of the Year" in 2006. Sharon was an elementary school teacher in the Saddleback Valley Unified District for 22 years. At Olivewood Elementary School she was honored as "Teacher of the Year" in 2005.  Aside from her teaching responsibilities, Sharon has volunteered for the past 12 years to teach an after school performing arts class at her school, where many of the students are English Language Learners. Sharon has been married to Joel for the past 14 years, and has two married children - Bill and Rhonda and two grandchildren. Sharon’s feelings about her profession could be summed up by two of her favorite t-shirt messages: "Every day I teach I learn something new" - and -  "Teachers Touch the Future". The future we touch is the community of tomorrow.
Wendy Ann (Weidler) Goodnight - 1990

Wendy Ann (Weidler) Goodnight - 1990

Miss Anaheim

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Wendy Goodnight enjoys helping others and teaches healthy lifestyle alternatives as a Holistic Coach. For the past three years she has also been teaching her children through a local homeschool affiliation and recently with the independent study program through Orange Unified School District. As Miss Anaheim 1990/91, Wendy made over 100 appearances at various Anaheim functions and events. During her tenure as Miss Anaheim, she promoted volunteering and served in various capacities with Olive Crest. After moving to Arizona with her husband in 1993, she continued volunteering with the Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Phoenix and with her church. Wendy was also a mentor and leader of a local MOMs group in Phoenix. Wendy is a native of Orange County, and currently resides with her family in Scottsdale, Arizona. In addition to volunteering, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
Teresa (Nelleson) Adams - 1984

Teresa (Nelleson) Adams - 1984

Miss Anaheim (Deceased)

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Teresa Nellesen Adams, Miss Anaheim 1984, was born and raised in Anaheim. She spent most of her early years devoted to her family's business before it was sold it a few years back. After she was married, Teresa moved to Anaheim Hills and later to Yorba Linda to raise her four children. She feels truly blessed and proud to be raised in such a beautiful and famous city as Anaheim. At 14 years of age, Teresa was diagnosed with cancer and was treated at CHOC with massive doses of radiation which led to her cure; however she didn't realize later in life she would have the most fearsome battle to survive due to the treatment itself. For most of her adult life, Teresa years survived breast cancer, carotid artery disease, a stroke, life threatening open heart surgery and a list of many other complications. Teresa's life was a constant struggle, and she always claimed her faith and trust in God was what helped her through the tough times. She was greatly involved in her church and felt God has allowed her circumstances to inspire and bless others. Teresa and her husband, Randy, enjoyed traveling and spending precious time with their four amazing adult children. Teresa passed away from this life to be with her Lord and Savior on January 23, 2019. She is truly missed by many, and will always be our Forever Miss Anaheim.
Maddie Volz - 1982

Maddie Volz - 1982

Miss Anaheim (Successor to Debra Sue Maffett)

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If you have a bio we can share with your profile, please email us at info@missanaheimpageant.org.
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