DEBORAH JENKINS TESKE

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR

Deborah Jenkins Teske was appointed to the position of Artistic Director and Conductor of the Colorado Springs Chorale in 2015.  Ms. Teske has lifelong connections to choral music in the Pikes Peak Region and has built her career based on a deep commitment to choral singing as an essential part of any strong and vital arts community. Through her work with choirs of all ages, she has gained a reputation for creative programming and for excellence in performance.

Ms. Teske also serves as Director of Choirs at Colorado College, a position she has held since 2003. She was Associate Director of Music at Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs from 1992-2003 and she has served as guest conductor and clinician for high-school-level honor choirs, and also as adjudicator with the Heritage Music Festivals.

As a conductor of opera and musical theater in Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs, Ms. Teske’s credits include Madame Butterfly, The Magic Flute, The Turn of the Screw, Semele, The Mikado, Ruddigore, Fiddler on the Roof, and Camelot. She serves regularly as Chorus Master for Opera Theatre of the Rockies.

She is Founder and Artistic Director of the Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble (CVAE), a nationally acclaimed chamber choir of 26-30 voices.

Deborah Jenkins Teske holds a Bachelor’s degree in music from Pomona College and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

DANIEL S. BRINK

PRINCIPAL ACCOMPANIST

In addition to being the Chorale's principal pianist, Dan is a much-sought-after arranger, conductor, and vocal coach. He directed the Chorale's Mosaic ensemble for nearly 20 years and has served as associate conductor. He is on the music faculty at Colorado College where he lectures, coaches, teaches piano, and is conductor of the chamber orchestra. completing last season as the interim principal conductor.

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!

PETER TUFF

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Peter returned to Colorado Springs from St. Paul, Minnesota, where he worked with the internationally renowned early music group The Rose Ensemble in marketing, communication, development, and as a singer. Prior to that, Peter served in California as director of operations for the Monterey Symphony, and as executive director for Carmel Music Society. Springs audiences also know Peter from his many appearances as baritone soloist with Opera Theatre of the Rockies, the Philharmonic, the Chorale, and other organizations in the area. Following undergraduate studies at Pacific Lutheran University and private voice study in San Francisco, Peter spent 10 years in Vienna, Austria, singing as a member of the Vienna State Opera and the Hofmusikkapelle, and in the Salzburg Festival. Peter and his wife LeAnna have three grown children and five grandchildren. Their two rescue dogs, Figaro and Susanna, do not miss the Minnesota winters.

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.

JAMIE GRANDY

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

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 (much to Peter’s delight) 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.