STAFF AND BOARD

ARTISTIC STAFF

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!

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

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

GENERAL MANAGER

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.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS

JOHN UNDERWOOD

Co-Chair 20 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

Co-Chair 4 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.

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.

JENIFER NELSON

Membership President

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.

AMY PIERI

Membership Vice President

Amy Pieri is a Soprano in the Chorale. She has several years of experience as a non-profit volunteer and board member. She holds degrees in anthropology and technical writing, and currently serves as the executive administrator of the Pieri household.

MEMBERS

CRISTINA BASSETT

8 Years of Service

Cristina Bassett was born and raised in Switzerland and came to the US at 23. She has been a Colorado Springs resident since 2007, joining the Chorale as a singing member in 2008. She is currently chair of the Education Committee. She has also served on the Marketing and Nominating Committees, and has served as Membership President.

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.

STEFFANI KENT

1 Year of Service

Steffani M. Kent is a long-time resident of Colorado Springs, having moved here with her military family when she was 7 years old. When her husband retired from the Air Force in 2014, Steffani and her family returned to her roots in Colorado, moving back to Colorado Springs for good in 2017. She has a great love for all forms of art and is in the process of starting a pottery business called The Philosopher's Cup.

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.

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.

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.

DAVID WATTS

14 Years of Service

Bio coming soon.

JUDY GRIEST

Senior Advisor

DICK HILT