colorado children’s chorale

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Colorado Children’s Chorale Spring 2009 It’s all in the family for the following Chorale alumni and their children, who are current members of the Chorale: In addition to all the taxi-ing to and from Chorale rehearsals, Erickson works for Cherry Creek Schools, Rockley is running the family business, Rockley Music, and Palmer has his own computer services company. Nicodemus works for Level 3 Communications, and Goodman is an appraisal processor for Piper Jacob. Stylianou and Sladovnik both work for the Chorale—Stylianou as music assistant and Sladovnik as fund development and alumni relations associate. Country music stars and Chorale alumnae Kate and Kacey Coppola (1997) are currently on tour with Little Big Town, and are releasing their new single, Dreaming Love in April. Their extended-play CD was made available on iTunes as of Feb. 10. Kate and Kacey were finalists on Country Music Television’s Can You Duet last year. Coming to Denver for one night only, is alumnus David Miller (1987), member of the Euro pop-opera group, Il Divo. The group performs at the Wells Fargo Theater on July 13 as part of a worldwide tour promoting their new album, The Promise. Alumnus Mark VanArsdale (1998) was one of 20 semifinalists performing in New York for Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions in February 2009. As winner of the Rocky Mountain regional competition, VanArsdale, a tenor, had the opportu- nity to receive additional coaching while in New York. He will graduate this spring with a master’s degree from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. The Little Mermaid recently celebrated its first anniversary on Broadway starring Chorale alumna Sierra Boggess (1996), who originated the role of Ariel. Alumni musi- cians Aron Accurso (1991), keyboard, and Summer Boggess (1993), cello, have also been involved in the production. Accurso and Sierra are pictured here with Artistic Director Debbie DeSantis, Associate Director Mary Louise Burke and Chorale fans at a “meet-and- greet” event following a preview performance of the show in Denver before it hit the New York stage. “I have lived in three countries and endured nearly 20 years of school ... throughout it all MUSIC and SINGING have stayed with me wherever I go. The skills I learned in the CCC boost my life in many ways still today.” —Thomas Whitaker, 1990, Business Consultant, Mobility Services International, South Jordan, Utah “The focus and confidence you learn in the Chorale will help you for the rest of your life.” —Blake Nuccio, 1987, Executive Management, Royal Crest Dairy, Denver, Colo. Kover is resource coordinator for Developmental Disabilities Resource Center, a nonprofit that creates opportunities for those with developmental disabilities. Not pictured are Susan Baines- Clawson (1978) and daughter Maren Clawson (Prep Choir). Baines-Clawson is a nurse with HealthOne who has two sons who are Chorale alumni, Austin and Ryan Mickle. Seated (left to right): Lara Lucas Erickson (1995), Tobin Rockley (1981), Brenda Ramay Goodman (1987), Mark Palmer (1980), Leon Nicodemus (1984) Standing (left to right): Blake Erickson (Prep Choir), Anne Quaintance Stylianou (1984), Callia Stylianou (Apprentice Choir), Aslan Rockley (Apprentice Choir), Taylor Goodman(Apprentice Choir), Roberta Valdez Sladovnik (1980), Jessica Palmer (Apprentice Choir), Madeline Sladovnik (Concert Choir), Anna Nicodemus (Prep Choir) Hannah FitzGerald (Concert Choir) and Aimee Rudolph Kover (1980) Celebrating 35 years of song, alumni and unforgettable experiences! Please enjoy this brief snapshot of our history and who we are today. Colorado Children’s Chorale Millions of miles. Millions of smiles. www.ChildrensChorale.org Kate and Kacey Coppola Debbie DeSantis, Sierra Boggess, Mary Louise Burke and Aron Accurso Vol. 25, Issue 1. Voice is published two times per year by the Colorado Children’s Chorale, 2420 W. 26th Ave. Ste. 350D, Denver, CO 80211.

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Page 1: Colorado Children’s Chorale

Colorado Children’s Chorale

Spring 2009

It’s all in the family for the following Chorale alumniand their children, who are current members of the Chorale:

In addition to all the taxi-ing to and from Chorale rehearsals,Erickson works for Cherry Creek Schools, Rockley is running thefamily business, Rockley Music, and Palmer has his own computerservices company. Nicodemus works for Level 3 Communications,and Goodman is an appraisal processor for Piper Jacob. Stylianouand Sladovnik both work for the Chorale—Stylianou as musicassistant and Sladovnik as fund development and alumni relations associate.

Country music stars and Choralealumnae Kate and KaceyCoppola (1997) are currently ontour with Little Big Town, andare releasing their new single,Dreaming Love in April. Theirextended-play CD was madeavailable on iTunes as of Feb. 10.Kate and Kacey were finalists onCountry Music Television’s CanYou Duet last year.

Coming to Denver for onenight only, is alumnus DavidMiller (1987), member of theEuro pop-opera group, Il Divo.The group performs at theWells Fargo Theater on July13 as part of a worldwide tourpromoting their new album,The Promise.

Alumnus Mark VanArsdale (1998) wasone of 20 semifinalists performing inNew York for Metropolitan OperaNational Council auditions in February 2009. As winner of theRocky Mountain regional competition,VanArsdale, a tenor, had the opportu-

nity to receive additional coaching while in New York. He will graduate this spring with a master’s degree fromIndiana University Jacobs School of Music.

The Little Mermaid recently celebrated its first anniversaryon Broadway starring Chorale alumna Sierra Boggess(1996), who originated the role of Ariel. Alumni musi-cians Aron Accurso (1991), keyboard, and SummerBoggess (1993), cello, have also been involved in the production. Accurso and Sierra are pictured here withArtistic Director Debbie DeSantis, Associate DirectorMary Louise Burke and Chorale fans at a “meet-and-greet” event following a preview performance of the show in Denver before it hit the New York stage.

“I have lived in three countries andendured nearly 20 years of school ...throughout it all MUSIC and SINGINGhave stayed with me wherever I go. Theskills I learned in the CCC boost my life inmany ways still today.”

—Thomas Whitaker, 1990, Business Consultant,

Mobility Services International, South Jordan, Utah

“The focus and confidence you learn in theChorale will help you for the rest of your life.”

—Blake Nuccio, 1987, Executive Management,

Royal Crest Dairy, Denver, Colo.

Kover is resource coordinator for Developmental DisabilitiesResource Center, a nonprofit thatcreates opportunities for thosewith developmental disabilities.Not pictured are Susan Baines-Clawson (1978) and daughterMaren Clawson (Prep Choir).Baines-Clawson is a nurse withHealthOne who has two sons who are Chorale alumni, Austinand Ryan Mickle.

Seated (left to right): Lara Lucas Erickson (1995), Tobin Rockley (1981), BrendaRamay Goodman (1987), Mark Palmer (1980), Leon Nicodemus (1984) Standing (left to right): Blake Erickson (Prep Choir), Anne Quaintance Stylianou(1984), Callia Stylianou (Apprentice Choir), Aslan Rockley (Apprentice Choir),Taylor Goodman(Apprentice Choir), Roberta Valdez Sladovnik (1980), JessicaPalmer (Apprentice Choir), Madeline Sladovnik (Concert Choir), Anna Nicodemus (Prep Choir)

Hannah FitzGerald (Concert Choir)and Aimee Rudolph Kover (1980)

Celebrating 35 years of song, alumni andunforgettable experiences! Please enjoythis brief snapshot of our history andwho we are today.

Colorado Children’s ChoraleMillions of miles. Millions of smiles.www.ChildrensChorale.org

Kate and Kacey Coppola

Debbie DeSantis, Sierra Boggess, Mary Louise Burke and Aron Accurso

Vol. 25, Issue 1. Voice is published two times per year by the Colorado

Children’s Chorale, 2420 W. 26th Ave. Ste. 350D, Denver, CO 80211.

Page 2: Colorado Children’s Chorale

Summer 1974—Duain Wolfe is askedto train a group of children for theCentral City Opera’s summer festivalproduction of A Midsummer Night’sDream. Following this production, agroup of community members form aboard and the Colorado Children’sChorale is incorporated as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, with Wolfe as artistic director, enablingthese young singers to continue training andperforming throughout the community.

1976–1977—Chorale growsto three choirs: Prep Choir,Choristers, Concert Choir;first offices housed atColorado Academy; firsttour: Wyoming

1979–1980—Creationof Tour Choir; choirsare Prep Choir, ConcertChoir and Tour Choir

August 1982—Tour toScotland (Aberdeen MusicFestival) and England

Spring 1983—First per-formance with OperaColorado—La Boheme

December 1983—Debbie DeSantis joinsChorale staff as musicassistant

1984–1985—Robert Wells joinsChorale staff asstage director andchoreographer

January 1975—Gov. RichardLamm’s inauguration

December 1975—First United Bankof Denver Christmas performance

April 1976—First performancewith Denver SymphonyOrchestra—Carmina Burana

March 1980—First interna-tional tour to the People’sRepublic of China; Choralesings live radio broadcastfrom the Great Wall of China

October 1980—First toursponsored by ColoradoFine Arts Council

1982–1983—Creation ofAdvanced PrepChoir (later tobecomeApprenticeChoir)

January 1984—DenverChildren’s Museum Grand Opening

May 1984—FirstChorale Gala to celebrate 10thanniversary season

August 1985—TetonMusic Festival withZubin Mehta—Mahler’s3rd Symphony

April 1980—FirstChorale performancein Boettcher ConcertHall—The GoldenVanity

www.ChildrensChorale.org

Looking back at 35 years of song

“As a Chorale member and grad, Iknew this was a special organiza-tion. Now that I live in anotherpart of the country I realize what asingular opportunity I had. I amtempted to move back so my kidscan share the experience. Treasurethe memories!”

—Eddie James, 1985, Research Scientist,

Benaroya Research Institute, Monroe, Wash.

Emily, Apprentice Choir

Production manager Stacey Smith with Chorale grads at Concert Choir camp

Travis Branam with Concert ChoirMary Louise Burke directs Concert Choir at a school show

Duain Wolfe

Page 3: Colorado Children’s Chorale

January 1987—Gov. RoyRomer’s inauguration

May 1987—First annualmini-golf fundraising tournamentMay 1987—Appearance onthe Today show, filmed onthe steps of the ColoradoState Capitol

February 1993—Tour to HongKong and second to China

July 1993—First performance withAspen Music Festival, Bernstein’s Mass

August 1993—World Youth Day vigil mass with Pope John Paul II

November 1994—A recipient of the El Pomar FoundationAward for Excellence in Arts and Humanities

April 1995—Tour to Japan and third to China

April 1995—Colorado RockiesOpening Day for Coors Field,National Anthem

March 1997—Second tour to Japan

June 1997—Interfaith service with the Dalai Lama

June 1997—Performance for FirstWives at the Summitof Eight conference

January 1988—Tour toFrance and second time inEngland

August 1988—First Vailresidency, Gerald R. FordAmphitheater

June 1990—ColoradoConvention Center GrandOpening performance

July 1990—Tour to Switzerland

November 1991—Buell Theatre OpeningGala performance

1994–1995—Colorado Children’s ChoraleConservatory (now called SchoolPartnership Program) begins offeringmusic and performance training inlocal schools

January 1986—Mary LouiseBurke joinsChorale staff asvocal coach

“Always remember what being a professional feelslike. You’ve learned it from Chorale, I guarantee it.”

—Stephen Van Dorn, 1987, actor and high school choral director,

Burbank, Calif.

“Enjoy the experience! Soak it all in, it will help you throughoutyour life. Never take it for granted and never stop performing whenyou are done. Always smile and shine because you are special!”

—Rebekah Bender McCabe, 1990, Owner – Serenity Day Spa, Moses Lake, Wash.

A Diamanté poem by Alec, Tour Choir

ChoraleFun, inspirational

Practicing, singing, dancingSweatshirts, colors, voice, sound

Singing, blasting, mouthingExciting, harmonic

Singing

“At school, not everyone under-stands why a boy would like tosing, but at practice everyoneunderstands because they are inthe same place. The pleasure ofsinging at Boettcher is somethingthat cannot be beat by anythingin this world. I want Chorale tobe part of my life forever.”

—Alex, Tour Choir

“My Singing Haiku,” by Maria, Concert Choir

Singing on WednesdaysTwo hour rehearsal flies

Singing with Chorale

Anne Quaintance Stylianou workswith Apprentice Choir

Emily Crile rehearses with Prep Choir

Debbie DeSantis with Tour Choir in Vail

Page 4: Colorado Children’s Chorale

January 1999—Gov. BillOwens’ inauguration

May 1999—Tour toTaiwan and South Korea

March 1999—Recipient ofthe Governor’s Award forExcellence in the Arts

December2001—Holidayperformance atthe White House,Washington, D.C.

July 2001—Second tour to France and third to England; performanceat Royal Albert Hall with London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

July 2006—Tour to Spainand fourth toFrance

June 2002—Hosted Chorus America conference,including performance with Bobby McFerrin

July 2003—Tour to Italyand third to France;performance at St.Peter’s Basilica in Rome

February 2008—Tour to Brazil

June 2008—Chorale is one offive host organizations for theNational Performing ArtsConvention in Denver

June 2008—World Premiereperformance of A Stream ofVoices, a children’s musicalcommissioned by the Chorale

Colorado Children’s ChoraleMillions of miles. Millions of smiles.

August 2000—Aspen Institute 50thanniversary performance with formerPresident Jimmy Carter

March 2005—Fourth tour toChina, 25 years after first in 1980

2006–2007—First “Around theTown” concert series: Coo CooCachoo, A Classical Afternoon,Spring Fling Sing!, Performing Small Miracles

September 2005—EllieCaulkins Opera House grand opening performance

June 1999—25th Anniversary Jubilee; Duain Wolferetires as artistic director, becomes conductor laureate; Debbie DeSantis becomes artistic director;Mary Louise Burke becomes associate director

October 1999—Opening of thePepsi Center with Celine Dion

January 2000—Diane Newcomjoins staff as executive director

April 2000—First Performing Small Miraclesperformance

July 2000—Second tour to South Korea

January 2004—Recipient of Mayor’sAward for Excellence in the Arts

June 2004—Recipient of ChorusAmerica Education Outreach Award

January 2005—NationalAmerican Choral DirectorsAssociation performance

August 2008—Democratic NationalConvention is held inDenver; the Choraleperforms at a variety of functions, includingthe opening ceremonies,singing the NationalAnthem

“One memory I will never forgetwas when I was in Prep Choir, wewere at a spring concert inBoettcher. We were marching in tostart the second half of the showto “Grand Old Flag.” My friendwho was behind me when we weremarching stepped on the back ofmy shoe, and it came off. Notwanting to mess up the openingsong, I kept marching along to thestage and to the risers. I sang therest of the concert with one shoe. Inever saw that white Ked again.”

—Melissa, Concert Choir

“There it is: the first note of the first concert of theChristmas season. That one note is gold. We work forweeks and weeks to experience the feeling that is stand-ing on that stage doing what we do best. Even if that noteis half a second long, I know I’ll remember it forever.”

—Banjo, Tour Choir

Heather, Prep Choir

Page 5: Colorado Children’s Chorale

Colorado Children’s ChoraleMillions of miles. Millions of smiles.www.ChildrensChorale.org

Working with the Chorale on the 35thanniversary celebration are alumnaeKristina Jonell Yarrington (1983) andDiane Metz Kreider (1980). In addition tochairing the cele-bration event,Kristina works atAlta Colleges as senior director of

marketing communications. Diane islooking forward to the time when her 4-year-old daughter, Campbell, auditionsfor the Chorale. She is a real estate broker for Re/Max Alliance.

David Bulow graduated from theChorale in 1993 and is now a profes-sional athlete, playing forward in theUnited Soccer League for the Virginia-based Richmond Kickers. Bulowplayed soccer for Bowdoin College inMaine, and before coming to Richmond,spent time playing professionally inthe Irish Football League.

Serving the Colorado Children’sChorale as members of the board oftrustees are alumni Sami Ibrahim(1990) and Robert Jackson (1984).Ibrahim is co-founder of AgilitySolutions, a Denver-based consultingfirm that helps large telecom companiesenhance their profitability. The compa-ny also provides financial complianceservices for Colorado-based publiccompanies such as Qwest, Level 3 Communications, Crocs andEinstein-Noah Restaurant Group. Jackson is partner in anInternet marketing and development company, HochmanConsultants LLC, which provides search engine optimization,

search engine marketing and Web devel-opment services. Prior to Ibrahim andJackson, four other alumni have served as trustees—Diane Metz Kreider, KatieCasson Matthias (1981), Carl Algermissen(1982) and Catherine Pyle Forington(1982). Matthias recently sold her insur-ance business and moved back to Denverfrom Missoula, Mont., and Algermissen isvice president at Oppenheimer Funds Inc.

Still spending time with Duain Wolfe and Mary Louise Burkeevery week are Colorado Children’s Chorale alumni who sing inthe Colorado Symphony Chorus. The CSO Chorus was foundedby Wolfe in 1984 and celebrates its 25th anniversary this yearwith a summer performance tour to Vienna, Prague, Brno andBudapest, singing Verdi’s Requiem.

Other than Fisher, who has worked with Aplausos de ColoradoChildren’s Chorale and who currently teaches music, history andSpanish, none of these Chorale alumni have a profession inmusic. Sharer has her own interior design company, Hoopes is anurse practitioner, and Millar works for a medical equipmentcompany. Hodel is a retail manager at Joseph A Bank.

Alumna Carolyn Cunningham Ash (1982) is putting her musicand education expertise to use in her role as executive directorof The Spirituals Project. Earning abachelor’s in psychology from OberlinCollege, she went on to earn a master’sdegree in education from the Universityof Michigan and a doctoral degree ineducation from Seton Hall University.Ash became executive director of The Spirituals Project in 2007. EllenHertzman, also a Chorale alumna(1978), is a member of The SpiritualsProject choir.

“Make lots of memories and enjoy it while itlasts, because you are going to miss it forever.Nothing rivals the experiences you have atChorale.”

—Jessica Thompson, 2002, political science and economics

student, Hastings College, Hastings, Nebr.

“Before I joined the Chorale, I had seen a con-cert and I told my mom, ‘I want to do that!’ So,she took me to an audition, and here I amtoday, singing and performing, just like I’vealways wanted to do.”

—Ana, Apprentice Choir

Kristina Jonell Yarrington

Diane Metz Kreider

David Bulow

Sami Ibrahim

Carolyn Cunningham Ash

The Colorado Children’s Chorale congratulates and recognizesthe following Chorale alumni who were selected to performfor the 2009 All-State Honor Choir Festival: Zach Anderson,Abby Balinger, Renee Bedard, Cashelle Butler, Sarah Coberly,Katherine DeGreef, Brandon Earle, Stephen Foster, AnnaHardcastle, Deanna Kraft, Chris McKeown, Annie Miller, KrisNotari, Sarai Peterson, and Alex Ryckman.

Katie Casson Matthias

Left to right: Roberta Valdez Sladovnik (1980), Kirsten Sharer (1982),Sydney Fisher (1995), Kaia Schubert Hoopes (1986), David Hodel (1979),Kelly Millar (1994), Mary Louise Burke, Duain Wolfe.

Left to right: Katherine DeGreef, Renee Bedard, Anna Hardcastle, BrandonEarle and Cashelle Butler.

“Singing,” by Cait, Apprentice Choir

Singing on TuesdayLaughing and playing, so fun

I love singing loud

Singing on TuesdaySinging fast and slow is cool

I love singing soft

Joseph, Apprentice Choir

Page 6: Colorado Children’s Chorale

Non-profitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDDenver, CO

Permit# 1856

2420 W. 26th AvenueS u i t e 3 5 0 - DDenver, CO 802113 0 3 . 8 9 2 . 5 6 0 0www.ChildrensChorale.org

Stephanie, Apprentice Choir

The staff of the Colorado Children's Chorale—2009Travis BranamMary Louise BurkeBeth Christopher

Emily CrileDebbie DeSantisLynda Fisher

Janay HagenMark HardcastleMichele IennaAnn IrvingLuwan JonesLaurie KahlerMatthew KinghamTad KoriathMaritza LynchDenise McMahan

Diane NewcomMarilyn PowersCarol ProffittCheryl ShoemakerRoberta SladovnikStacey SmithAnne StylianouSandy SummerwoodRobert WellsJanet Wright