Colorado Springs CHORALE
Staff & Board

ARTISTIC Staff

ADAM TORRES

Artistic Director
& Conductor

Adam Torres, a Denver-based artist, is quickly emerging as a significant musical voice in the United States and beyond. 2022 marks the beginning of Torres’ tenure as Artistic Director of the Colorado Springs Chorale, and he is excited to bring his energy and passion to the Chorale’s 66th season through standalone concerts and collaborations with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and other organizations. Additionally, Maestro Torres holds appointments as Music Director for Stratus Chamber Orchestra and Senior Instructor for the Colorado State University School of Music Theatre and Dance, where he also serves as the Program Director for the Summer Residency Master of Music Program (Conducting Emphasis) for Music Educators.

Recent highlights of Torres’ work include his main stage conducting debut with the Cheyenne Symphony, alongside engagements with Colorado Symphony (Cover Conductor), St. Louis Symphony (Cover Conductor), and the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music (Assistant Conductor) in Santa Cruz, CA.

Through the years, Adam has been a significant contributor to the arts scene along the Front Range. In addition to his work with the Cheyenne Symphony, Torres served as Principal Conductor for Loveland Opera Theatre and held Assistant Conductor positions with Fort Collins Symphony and Denver Young Artists Orchestra. Guest conducting and cover conducting engagements include Opera Fort Collins, Opera Steamboat, Colorado Pops Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Springs Conservatory, and Hyperprism Music. Beyond the US, Adam served as a rehearsal pianist and assistant conductor for Opera Orvieto (Italy) and traveled to Paris and Cologne in

2022 to apprentice with Cristian Măcelaru and the Orchestre National de France and WDR Sinfonieorchester of Cologne.

Deeply committed to inspiring young minds through music, Adam has assisted with community programs such as El Sistema Colorado and has served as a clinician in public schools in Colorado and Texas. Recent guest conducting with Honor Orchestras include the Continental League (2022) and Cherry Creek Honor Orchestra (2023). Other community and student engagement projects include work with ensembles such as the Alpharetta Symphony, Fort Collins’ Health and Wellness Orchestra, Bas Bleu Theatre, San Angelo Symphony Chorus, Colorado State University Orchestra and CSU Opera, Angelo State University Wind Ensemble, and Angelo Civic Theater.

For more information on Adam’s work and upcoming engagements, please visit http://www.adamtorresmusic.com.

In his fourth season as Collaborative Pianist for the Colorado Springs Chorale, Joseph Galema is also Organist at First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs. Previously, he was Music Director and Academy Organist at the United States Air Force Academy for 32 years and served as adjunct organ faculty at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music.

JOSEPH GALEMA

Collaborative Pianist

Joe’s journey into the world of music began at a young age, where he started to develop his skills on the piano and organ, instruments that would later become central to his artistic identity. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Calvin University, and continued his graduate level education at The University of Michigan, earning Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in organ performance under the tutelage of renowned artist-teacher Marilyn Mason.

Joe is widely recognized as a distinguished organist, educator, and musician who has built a reputation for both artistic excellence and a deep commitment to fostering musical growth in others. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his artistic achievements and professional service. His accolades reflect not only technical mastery but also his influence as a mentor, leader, and innovator in the musical arts.

Lee Meyer is a conductor, soprano, and music educator in Colorado Springs. She teaches choir at Lewis-Palmer Middle School, where she enjoys fostering a love of music and creativity in young musicians. Additionally, Lee has been a clinician in Colorado Springs for honor choirs and has judged for local solo and ensemble competitions. Recently, Lee received her Masters in Music -

Assistant Conductor

LEE MEYER

Conducting Emphasis from Colorado State University.

Last season, Lee began singing with Colorado Springs Chorale as a soprano , and is excited to continue singing with The Chorale in addition to serving as Assistant Conductor. Outside of music, Lee enjoys spending time with her husband, Ian, their two cats, and two dogs.

Don began his musical career on the back of an elephant in a production of Aida 70-some years ago. After 47 years of conducting the Colorado Springs Chorale, Don retired and was named "Conductor Emeritus" at the close of the 2013-14 season. Even when not on the podium, Don's leadership and vision continue to impact and inspire the Colorado Springs Chorale.

Conductor Emeritus

DONALD P. JENKINS

ADMINISTRATIVE Staff

JAMIE GRANDY

Executive Director

The Chorale was performing in Verdi’s Aida when Jamie joined the office staff. Aida was also her first opera chorus performance in the mid-1990s, lending life a bit of symmetry. Jamie comes to the Chorale with a background as a Neurolinguistic Programming Master Practitioner and teacher. She was the Artistic and Administrative Coordinator for Serpentine Visions Dance

Troupe, and has also worked in social media marketing, copy writing, and even welding. She is a twice published author with a 2004 COVR award nomination and a third book laboriously underway. Jamie is a belly dancer and colored pencil artist. She is a Colorado Springs native with a couple of kids and a couple of cats at home.

CLAIRE WILLIAMS

General Manager

Claire has been singing soprano in the Chorale since 2017 and served on the Board for 2 years. She sang in her high school choir, as well as the Choir of the North at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, where she received a Bachelor's degree in Foreign Languages and Elementary

Education. Claire moved to Colorado in 2015 and has been working in the arts ever since. She has several years of arts administration and customer service experience and is thrilled to be part of such an awesome staff at the Chorale!