Sheri McKelfresh is the artistic director of Centennial Children’s Chorus and the director of Cantare and Sala Voce. In her career as a music educator, she has taught every level from kindergarten through college and currently teaches private voice lessons, directs the Chancel Choir at our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, and performs with the Larimer Chorale. She retired from the Poudre School District in 2006, after 31 years as a public school music specialist. Sheri holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Colorado State University, a master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado, Level III Certificate in Orff-Schulwerk from Colorado State University, Level III Certificate in Creative Artistry from Butler University, Kodaly Level I certification from Hartford University, and a First Steps in Music Certification with John Feierabend. Both of her children, Kelsey and David, are alumni of CCC.
Karen Nuttall is the director of Bel Canto. Karen has taught in the public school system for over twenty years in Texas and Loveland with seventeen of those years with the Poudre School District in Fort Collins. She currently teaches music at Eyestone Elementary Schools where she directs a choir consisting of 4th and 5th graders. The Timnath Elementary Choir, under Karen’s direction, was chosen to sing at the Colorado Music Educators Convention in January 2008. Besides her busy teaching schedule, Karen also maintains a piano studio in her home. She has taught and performed at the Wausau Conservatory of Music and Wausau Suzuki Association in Wisconsin. Karen holds a Bachelor of Music from Colorado State University, a Master’s in Education from Lesley University as well as a Suzuki Piano certification, Orff certification, Creative Artistry certification from Butler University, and Solfege Kodaly training with John Feierabend. Both of her children, Nate and Natalie, are past members of CCC.
Michael Apodaca started as director of Jubilate in 2011. Since 1995, Michael has been teaching elementary and middle school choral music in Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver, and Greeley. During that time, Michael obtained his certification in Orff-Schulwerk, Kodaly, and Musikgarten methods. He has taught classes specializing in music for young children at Pasadena City College, Los Angeles City College, and California State University in Los Angeles. Michael holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition from University of California in Santa Barbara, a Masters Degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, and has recently graduated with an Ed.S. Degree in Educational Leadership from University of Northern Colorado. Michael is currently on the elementary school administration team for Weld County School District Six.
Assistant Directors
Kaitlin Silar, currently the assistant director for Cantare and Sala Voce, has been with CCC since third grade. Beginning as a six-year member, she joined the staff for another six years as a graduate assistant, and since 2008 has been part of the directing staff. Kaitlin is also the Director of Choirs at Fort Collins High School where she directs five choirs, a small jazz ensemble as well as the school musical. Kaitlin received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 2007.
Accompanists
Ann Schwarz returns to the staff of CCC as the accompanist for Sala Voce. Previously, she accompanied the Concert Choir and Prep Choir under the direction of Peggy Rosenkranz and Florine Eitzen. Ann received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with an emphasis in piano from Colorado State University and has served as an accompanist for various community and school groups throughout her musical career. Currently she is the staff accompanist at Fossil Ridge High School and the mother a three adult children, two of whom were past members of CCC.
Hedy Reynolds joined CCC as an accompanist in 1997 and is currently the accompanist for Cantare. She accompanies various local groups and students in their auditions, competitions and recitals. Hedy holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Montana, as well as a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from Colorado State University. She currently works at CSU in the College of Engineering Business Office. Hedy also serves on the Board of Directors for the Fort Collins Symphony.
Alice Crawford is the accompanist for Bel Canto. She has spent her full time musical career serving large churches across the United States in a variety of capacities including organist, accompanist and children’s music director. She moved to Fort Collins with her husband in May of 2007. Alice is currently Director of Children’s Music Ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, accompanist for the Greeley Chorale and maintains a piano studio in her home. Alice is a graduate of Westminster Choir College at Ryder University, Princeton, New Jersey with a Bachelor of Music degree.
CCC Graduate Assistants
Teresa Sedlak comes to CCC with 5 years of teaching K-12 music both in Ankara, Turkey and in the Poudre School District. She was the touring keyboardist with the Continental Singers and performed throughout the United States and Europe. Teresa has served as the pianist with the Timberline Church Orchestra and has accompanied numerous choral groups. She has taught private piano lessons for over 25 years both internationally and in the United States, and still maintains a piano studio in her home. Teresa has a bachelors of arts degree in Music with an emphasis in piano from the University of Southern California and a masters degree in education from the University of Denver. She currently is a professional counselor and program supervisor at Larimer Center for Mental Health.
Each choir also has graduate assistants who share responsibilities for their choir. These assistants are graduates of CCC who assist the directors during rehearsals with both musical and clerical activities. The graduate assistants for this season are:
• Bel Canto: Katie Brokish and Anna Roberts
• Jubilate: Dani Scanlan
• Cantare & Sala Voce: John Micah Broswell
• Substitutes: Marisa Borthwick, Hayley Hansen, and Rose VanDyne