2018-19 SEASON
2018-19 SEASON
Colorado Springs chorale
STAFF AND BOARD
ARTISTIC STAFF
%20(4).jpg)
ADAM TORRES
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR
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.
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.
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.
CLAIRE WILLIAMS
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Claire has been singing soprano in the Chorale since 2017 and serving on the Board since 2022. 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!
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.
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.
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.
MEMBERS
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.
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.
AMY PIERI
3 Years of Service
Amy has been singing since she can remember. Through pursuing degrees in anthropology and writing, tying the knot and having a kid, and being too easily distracted by margaritas and chili con carne, she has managed to keep singing in high school, college, and symphonic choirs in Houston, Denver, and Colorado Springs. Amy has loved singing soprano in the Chorale these last three years, and is honored to serve on the Board.
EMMA BARBER
2 Years of Service
Emma is a Soprano in her fifth year of singing with the Chorale. She attended John Brown University where she earned a degree in Elementary Education and sang in the Cathedral Choir and Chamber Choir. Emma was an elementary teacher for 5 years and is now an Executive Assistant at a local non-profit. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees as the Chorale's Membership Vice President and also serves on the Special Events and Friends of the Chorale Committees.
MARTI COOKSEY
2 Years 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.
STEVE HARTER
2 Years of Service
Steve Harter (baritone) has been a member of the Chorale since 2021 and a Board member since 2022. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Masters of Church Music in Choral Conducting. He retired in 2021 from a 41 year career in Church Music.
E. MARIE GARDNER
Senior Advisor in perpetuity
JUDY GRIEST
Senior Advisor in perpetuity
DICK HILT
Senior Advisor
JUDITH KRAMER
Senior Advisor in perpetuity
MURL SICKBERT
Senior Advisor in perpetuity