MEET THE TEAM
Artistic Staff
BRIAN PATRICK LEATHERMAN
Artistic Director and Conductor
Brian Patrick Leatherman has led the Cherry Creek Chorale for more than 30 years, guiding the ensemble through a period of remarkable artistic growth while expanding its membership and collaborations across the region.
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A dedicated educator for three decades, his students performed multiple times at the annual conferences of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association and the Colorado Music Educators Association. Brian remains active as a choral clinician and adjudicator and has appeared as a soloist or conductor with numerous orchestras and ensembles throughout Colorado and the Southwest.
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He holds Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from Colorado State University and credits Barbara Grenoble and renowned choral conductor Robert Shaw among his most influential mentors.
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WILLIAM “WILL” WHITE
Associate Conductor and Primary CollaborativE Pianist
William White is the Director of Vocal Music and Tri-M Chapter Sponsor at D’Evelyn Jr./Sr. High School. A Minnesota native, he graduated magna cum laude with All-College Honors from St. John’s University with a degree in Piano Performance and later earned his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Kentucky.
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William has accompanied numerous honor choirs, festivals, reading sessions, and musical productions with organizations including ACDA–Minnesota, the Kentucky Music Educators Association, and The Lexington Theatre Company. Most recently, he accompanied the High School Honor Choir at the combined Central and North Central ACDA Regional Convention in Chicago.
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He lives in Denver with his wife, Melissa, and their dog, Fritz.
JAMES LIBBON
CHERRYTONES DIRECTOR
James Libbon serves as conductor of the CherryTones, the Cherry Creek Chorale’s 16-voice a cappella ensemble. He brings more than 20 years of chorale performance experience, with a focus on vocal jazz and contemporary a cappella music. For over 15 years, he has led ensembles while writing and arranging music for vocal groups.
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In addition to his musical work, James is a geriatric physician. Outside of rehearsals and performances, he enjoys photography, videography, swimming, and spending time with his wife and daughters.
Lara Jean O'Connor
Associate Collaborative Pianist
Lara Jean O’Connor is delighted to join the Cherry Creek Chorale as a collaborative pianist, bringing more than 30 years of professional experience. Known for her versatility and artistry, she has built a career working with singers and ensembles across the Denver area.
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She serves as a longtime choral accompanist at Metropolitan State University and as Music Director and Pianist/Organist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Lakewood. In addition to her institutional work, Lara Jean is an active freelance collaborative pianist and is grateful to make a living doing what she loves.
The Cherry Creek Chorale is generously supported by:
