BRIAN PATRICK LEATHERMAN, Artistic Director and Conductor
This is Brian Patrick Leatherman’s 21st year with the Chorale. Recently retired after 30 years in the teaching profession, his students have performed at the annual conferences of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association and the Colorado Music Educator’s Association. He is active as a choral clinician and adjudicator, and has appeared as soloist with the San Juan Symphony, National Repertory Orchestra, Colorado Springs Symphony, Arapahoe Philharmonic, Greeley Philharmonic, Aurora Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Fort Collins Symphony, Breckenridge Music Institute Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Chorale, Columbine Chorale, Colorado Repertory Singers, Larimer Chorale, Pueblo Chorale, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, the Robert Shaw Festival Singers, and the Robert Shaw Festival Chorus. Prior posts include the Pueblo Choral Society and the Douglas County Children’s Chorus. He holds BME and MM degrees from Colorado State University, and cites his two greatest influences as Barbara Grenoble in pedagogy and Robert Shaw in choral work.
GREG MARSH, Associate Conductor
Greg is a graduate of Arizona State University, earning a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting. He has been a choral director in Arizona and Colorado for more than twenty years, and is a past conductor of the Colorado Mormon Chorale. Mr. Marsh is currently a vocal music teacher at Columbine High School in Littleton, CO.
Mr. Marsh is frequently a featured soloist of Cherry Creek Chorale, with a solo repertoire that includes Elijah, Messiah, The Creation, The Tales of Hoffman, Hansel and Gretel, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Bartered Bride. He has starred in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream- coat, and Side by Side by Sondheim, also working as a professional jazz singer. In addition to leading many full-chorale and sectional rehearsals, conducting portions of each concert and participating as a singer, Mr. Marsh is the musical director for the annual Showcase Concert Concert. He prepares the chorale for the Breckenridge Music Festival in the summers, and for Colorado Opera Troupe performances.
CINDY RUNKEL, Principal accompanist
Principal Accompanist, Cindy Runkel, began musical training with her father while in kindergarten, then studied piano with Elizabeth Pastor, concert pianist and faculty member at The Cleveland Institute of Music. Ms. Runkel served as accompanist for her award-winning high school choral program and received multiple college scholarships, including a full piano scholarship to Miami University (OH). There she held various choral leadership roles, accompanied and sang in multiple ensembles, performed in two European concert tours, and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree. In addition to her Artistic role, Cindy is the Chorale’s Marketing & Development Manager. She performs professionally for a variety of public and private events and at churches and senior living communities; she has also served as accompanist for private music students and for the Regis University choral program. Cindy thanks her husband, Steve, and her family and friends for their enthusiastic support!
DEBBIE JOHNSON, Assistant Accompanist
Assistant Accompanist, Debbie Johnson grew up playing Beethoven & Chopin and singing Rodgers & Hammerstein! She has taught music and drama in both Denver and Tucson. Currently, she directs the choir at the Holly Creek Retirement Center and is a member of The CherryTones. Previously, she worked with two non-profits in India and founded/directed DenverWorks, an inner-city jobs program. She did graduate work at the University of Denver and received her Masters in Music Education in Arkansas. She loves the artistry, excellence, and FUN of the Cherry Creek Chorale!