2018-19 SEASON
2018-19 SEASON
Colorado Springs chorale
STAFF AND BOARD
ARTISTIC STAFF
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ADAM TORRES
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND 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.
DANIEL PRICE
ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR
Daniel Price joined the Colorado Springs Chorale as Assistant Conductor in 2021. An accomplished and award-winning conductor and music director, Daniel Price has led a wide variety of amateur and professional choral and instrumental groups all over the world. Upon receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Cedarville University, he led choral, theater and private vocal programs at the High School and collegiate levels for 6 years. After earning Master and Doctoral degrees in choral conducting from the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Dr. Price was selected to be the conductor of The United States Air Force Singing Sergeants, a 24-voice professional choir based in Washington, D.C. Dr. Price recently concluded a successful 25-year conducting career in the Air Force, the last 6 of which were as commander of The USAF Academy Band in Colorado Springs.
Daniel Price has led a large number of performances at home and abroad, and has served as an international musical representative for The Air Force and the United States of America. Most notable are performances for 5 Presidents and Vice Presidents of the United States, a command performance for King Rama IX of Thailand, and numerous performances at Mt Rushmore in honor of our nation’s Independence. Also an accomplished recording artist, Dr. Price has led groups in over 15 recording projects, some of the last of which were videos of performances of N. Dello Joio’s “Jubilant Song” and D. Forrest’s “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” with The USAF Academy Band and the Colorado Springs Chorale.
In addition to his formal education, Daniel Price has studied with renowned conductors Robert Shaw, Craig Kirchoff, and H. Robert Reynolds.
JOSEPH GALEMA
COLLABORATIVE PIANIST
Joseph Galema recently retired as music director and academy organist at the United States Air Force Academy, a position he held for almost 32 years. He currently serves as principal organist at First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, one of the largest and most active congregations in the city. In September 2008, he joined the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver, as organ instructor. At Lamont, he teaches private lessons to organ majors in addition to classes on organ repertoire, organ improvisation, and organ accompanying.
Galema was born in West Lafayette, Indiana, and chose to pursue his college education in Michigan. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Calvin College in Grand Rapids. He pursued post-graduate work in organ performance studying with the renowned artist-teacher Marilyn Mason at The University of Michigan, earning both master of music and doctor of musical arts degrees.
The University of Michigan's 1987 Palmer Christian Award is one of many honors Galema has received for outstanding accomplishments in the field of music. Other achievements include several United States Air Force Sustained Superior Performance awards, a listing in the 1985 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America and current listings in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World. He maintains leadership positions in the Colorado Springs chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and is on the National Board of the Association of Anglican Musicians (AAM).
A critically-acclaimed organ soloist, Galema has toured throughout the United States, England, France, Scandinavia and the Baltic States. He has also performed at Region VI AGO Conventions, at an Organ Historical Society National Convention, at an American Institute of Organ Builders' National Convention, at AAM Conferences, for the national biennial convocation of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts and at an annual conference of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada.
Galema's editions of Widor's Organ Symphonies and Reubke's Sonata on the 94th Psalm for Organ have been published by Masters Music Publications, Inc. He can be heard on six recordings – Fireworks for Organ and Brass with Stellar Brass (USAFA Band AFA 0602); From Age to Age with The Denver Brass (Klavier K 11165); Brass and Organ: Feel the Sound with The Denver Brass; 'Twas the Brass Before Christmas with The Denver Brass and Young Voices of Colorado; The Last Full Measure of Devotion with the USAF Academy Cadet Chorale; and Soaring Sounds, featuring solo organ music in celebration of the 50-year anniversary of the USAF Academy Protestant Cadet Chapel organ.
DONALD P. JENKINS
CONDUCTOR EMERITUS
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!
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.
JACKIE FOORMAN
FINANCE MANAGER
Jackie has served the Chorale for many years as singer and in key administrative roles, and it is likely that she knows the answer to almost any question about the Chorale (and about life in general). As Finance Manager, she manages the Chorale's bookkeeping and keeps the rest of the staff on track. Jackie sings with her church choir.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OFFICERS
JENIFER NELSON
Board Chair 2 Years of Service
Jen Nelson is a Soprano and has been singing with the Chorale for 4 years. She has a degree is in music education and has directed many children and adult choirs. She teaches yoga and loves hiking. Jen also is the COO of the Nelson household.
KEN MYERS
Vice Chair 31 Years of Service
Ken Myers sings as a Bass in the Chorale. He has resided in Colorado Springs since 1961, and has been a member of the law firm of Alpern Myers Stuart LLC and its predecessor entities since 1977. He has been active for many years as a participant, board member, and officer or several vocal music organizations including the Colorado Springs Choral Society and the Colorado Opera Festival. Ken serves on the Development and Investment Committees.
E. MARIE GARDNER
Secretary 54 Years of Service
Marie Gardner is a Colorado Springs native and a founder of the Chorale. She sang with the Chorale for more than 60 years and has remained active and dedicated through her work on the board. She wrote and published a history of the Chorale for it’s 60th Anniversary in 2016. Marie retired as Clerk of the District Court of the 4th Judicial District after 25 years.
SANDRA DAMRON
Treasurer 21 Years of Service
Sandra Damron has been a member of the Colorado Springs Chorale since 1990, and is currently Soprano section leader. Sandra has a B.A. in Music from the University of Colorado, as well as a B.S. and M.B.A. in Accounting from UCCS, and a CPA license from the State of Colorado. She has worked as an accountant in industry and the not-for-profit sector (KCME and FCC). For eight years she served in the elected position of El Paso County Treasurer. Sandra has also worked as cantor and organist at various Catholic churches for over 25 years. She currently teaches Accounting and Business classes at PPCC.
JOHN UNDERWOOD
Past Co-chair 21 Years of Service
John Underwood has served on the board in many roles and has been Chair multiple times. He sang as a Tenor in the Chorale for more than 20 years, and was a member of the CSC Mosiac group for 16 years. John was board member for Opera Theatre of the Rockies from it's inception, and was on their board for 10 years. John served in the US Air Force as Crew Chief, worked for 30 years in state and federal law enforcement, and is now Chief Pilot and Aviation Manager at Flying Horse Aviation, LLC.
SEN. BERNIE HERPIN
Past Co-chair 5 Years of Service
Senator Bernie Herpin served in the US Navy and US Air Force as an enlisted and commissioned officer retiring in 1985. He worked as a defense contractor until 2013. In 2006, Bernie was appointed to the Colorado Springs City Council and was elected to a 4-year term in 2009. In 2013, he was elected to the Colorado State Senate and served until January 2015. He has served on several state, county, and city boards and commissions. He has also been a volunteer with the C.S. Police Department for 32 years.
LISA TORMOEN HICKEY
Past Chair 6 Years of Service
Lisa Tormoen Hickey as Board Chair from 2018 to 2020. She sang with the Chorale off and on for 30 years after graduating from Colorado College. Lisa is an attorney, primarily practicing energy law, analyzing and promoting market opportunities for renewable energy. Lisa enjoys hiking, bicycling, playing piano, and promoting live jazz. She volunteers in and has lead the boards of several local organizations and is currently President of the Colorado Springs Cycling Club. She enjoys promoting the long term financial health of the Chorale.
MEMBERS
KEN MYERS
30 Years of Service
Ken Myers sings as a Bass in the Chorale. He has resided in Colorado Springs since 1961, and has been a member of the law firm of Alpern Myers Stuart LLC and its predecessor entities since 1977. He has been active for many years as a participant, board member, and officer or several vocal music organizations including the Colorado Springs Choral Society and the Colorado Opera Festival. Ken serves on the Development and Investment Committees.
CHRIS CAUNT
New to the board
Chris Caunt sang with the Chorale for more than 15 years. He was a past board member, now rejoining the board for the 2020-21 season. He founded Criterium Bicycles in 1973, and is retired as an instructor from Barnett Bicycle Institute.
MARTI COOKSEY
1 Year of Service
Marti Cooksey is an Alto with the Chorale, and sang with the Chorale’s Chamber Singers for two years. Marti has been a licensed massage therapist for 28 years and before that, had a career as a long-distance runner. She serves on the Education and Special Events Committees.
MARK DEMPSEY
8 Years of Service
Mark Dempsey is retired as Executive Director of the Chorale, and sings as a Bass. He is retired from a career as an Air Force Officer, was Senior Vice President of MasterDrive and former Director of Development and Public Relations for Catholic Charities of Colorado Springs. Mark serves on the Finance Committee.
JUDY KRAMER
17 Years of Service
Judy Kramer has been a Chorale Soprano for nearly 35 years. She was a military "brat", then military wife. She lived throughout the U.S. and eastern and western Europe before making Colorado Springs home. She attended Colorado College & Westminster Choir College. Judy is a singer & composer, sang with Robert Shaw, and studied with Alice Parker. She has performed with multiple church choirs, community choruses, chamber singers, and opera choruses.
CHRISTOPHER LENNON
5 Years of Service
Chris Lennon was born and educated in Canada, moving to the US after graduating from McMaster University. He is a veteran of over 30 years of media business, with many honors and awards. He has worked on every continent except Antarctica, and serves as President & CEO of MediAnswers. He and his wife Kathleen own and operate Winding Road Adventures. He is a Pikes Peak International Hill Climb champion, and well-known Porsche racer and driving coach. He has had leadership roles on the boards of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) as well as the Porsche Club of America – Alpine Mountain Region.
DEB SCHUBERT
4 Years of Service
Deb Schubert is an Alto in the Chorale. She has been Vice President of Membership and in charge of door prizes and chair of the silent auction for the Monte Carlo Masquerade. She has served as a Co-Vice President of the Board of Trustees and is currently chair of the Special Events Committee.
JUDY GRIEST
Senior Advisor
DICK HILT
Senior Advisor
MURL SICKBERT
Senior Advisor in perpetuity