CCC Staff 2010-2011

Directors
Sheri McKelfresh 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 II Certificate in Creative Artistry from Butler University, Kodaly Level I certification from Hartford University, and a First Steps in Music Certification with John Feierabend.
Karen Nuttall Karen Nuttall is in her third year as 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 First Steps Kodaly training with John Feierabend. Both of her children, Nate and Natalie, are past members of CCC.
Marlene Hutton Marlene Hutton is in her fourth year as the director for Jubilate. Marlene taught middle school band, orchestra, and choir in Kansas for 3 years before moving to Colorado in 1995. Since then she has taught private piano and voice lessons and has directed youth and adult choirs at various churches in Fort Collins, Colorado, Topeka, Kansas and Iwakuni, Japan. She also served four years as Assistant Director for Cantare and Sala Voce under CCC founding director, Peggy Rosenkranz. Marlene also directs iSing, a high school homeschool choir offered through Olive Tree Homeschool Enrichment. Marlene earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 1990 from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.

Assistant Directors
Kaitlin Silar Kaitlin Silar is in her second year as the assistant director for Cantare and Sala Voce under Sheri McKelfresh. Previously, Kaitlin was a Bel Canto graduate assistant for six years as well as a six year member of CCC from 1993 through 1999. Kaitlin is also in her fourth year as Director of Choirs at Fort Collins High School where she directs four 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

Hedy Reynolds is in her thirteenth year with CCC and is the accompanist for Cantare. She has served as an accompanist for the Colorado State University Music Department, Open Stage Theater, the Fort Collins Symphony Young Artist auditions, as well as Junior High Honor Choirs, and various local music teachers' studio recitals. Hedy holds Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Montana, as well as a Master's 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 in her third year with CCC as 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.

Amy Chase is in her eighth year with CCC and is the accompanist for Sala Voce. She has served as a pianist and vocalist at Faith Evangelical Free Church for the past eighteen years. After majoring in church music/piano performance at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Amy began a professional accompanying and teaching career. She currently accompanies various local artists and groups.

Kristy Klenk is in her fourth year with CCC as the accompanist for Jubilate. Kristy has played the organ and piano for several churches and was the accompanist for the Fossil Ridge High School choir for two years. She currently plays piano for the worship team at Providence Bible Church.

CCC Graduate Assistants

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 2009 - 2010 are:

2008-2009 Staff