Tickets
Tickets for Our Upcoming Performances
We’re offering season tickets this year! To purchase season tickets for our 2023-2024 programs (yielding a savings of over 25%) you’ll need to purchase what our online platform calls a “membership” for the year. You can purchase a membership – and with it, season tickets for 5 Coro Lux concerts – by clicking here
An Afternoon at the Movies – Canteen Brewhouse
Sunday, April 28, 2024, 4:00pm and 6:00pm
Click Here to purchase tickets.
Orff’s Carmina Burana – St. Paul Lutheran Church
Friday and Saturday, May 3rd and 4th, 2024, at 7p.m.
Click Here to purchase tickets.
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Joseph Alcorn met his wife Sylvia Wittels in medical school in Arizona and did additional training and work at the U of Missouri and at UCSD before moving to Albuquerque and UNM in 1991. The last 30+ years has been spent as a physician and scientist working in gastroenterology (especially liver disease) both inside and outside of Academics, while raising Ted and Stan and singing with the University Chorus mostly under Brad Ellingboe (plus a few more years with Coro Lux). The family has rescued a few cats and dogs and also The Guild Cinema which we rehabbed and ran for some years but these days, retired from medical practice, we grow fruit as Big Baby Farms near Bernalillo.
Katy Anderson is a seasoned non-profit professional, serving in varying development, programmatic, and leadership roles for the past twenty-three years. She has worked with University School of Nashville, W.O. Smith Music School, ABQ BioPark Society, Make-a-Wish, and Roadrunner Food Bank. She is currently the Chief Programs Officer at Roadrunner Food Bank; her team is responsible for emergency food programming and support across the entire state. She is also recognized as an up-and-coming leader in the hunger-relief space by Feeding America.
Katy started her non-profit career in Nashville, TN, after graduating from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Vocal Performance. She pursued additional music graduate studies at Belmont University and the University of Georgia. Katy has been a featured soloist for and member of a number of choral and performance groups including with Vanderbilt Opera Theatre, Vanderbilt University Choir, Belmont University, University of Georgia Chamber Choir, Opera Southwest, Coro Lux, and many more.
Mike Hart is a founding shareholder/owner of Martinez, Hart, Thompson & Sanchez, P.C. Mike’s prestigious legal career began in 1988, when he received his law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law. Since then he has dedicated his career to representing children and adults harmed by criminal, reckless and negligent conduct. Mike has been listed as one of the Best Lawyers in America since 2000, and has twice earned the Best Lawyers’ “Lawyer of the Year” recognition. In 2018, Mike was honored by the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association for his extraordinary 30-year career working on behalf of children and victims of sexual abuse. Other honor and awards include being recognized as a Southwest Super Lawyer, being named Lawyer of the Year for personal injury in 2014 and being honored by the Albuquerque Bar Association as an Outstanding Lawyer.
Mike has been an active member of this community his entire life. He graduated from the Albuquerque Academy and went on to study fine arts at Harvard University. After graduation from Harvard, Mike worked on public policy in Washington, D.C. He’s also served on many different non-profit boards, including serving as the President of the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association and Legal FACS Board of Directors, the UNM Law School Alumni Association, Crossroads for Women, and The Arc of New Mexico.
Keith Hinds has been with Merrill Lynch since 2003, after finishing a career in environmental finance. He is a 1980 graduate of George Washington University, with a BA in Public Affairs, and a native New Mexican, raised in Carlsbad. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, Keith worked with companies of all sizes in the environmental industry, helping with project structuring, business expansion, and exit strategies. At Merrill Lynch, Keith works with families in all aspects of wealth management, with a special emphasis on financial planning, considerations relating to special needs, and value added client services. He is a Certified Financial Planner professional, and also holds the Chartered Special Needs Consultant designation.
Outside of work, Keith enjoys fly fishing, golf, travel and spending time with his family, which includes three daughters, their spouses and seven grandchildren. His wife, Bernadette, is a native of France and runs a small landscape design, installation and maintenance company in Albuquerque. Keith joined the Coro Lux board in the summer of 2020, and also sits on the board of the NM Brain Injury Alliance, as well as on the board of the Dominican Ecclesial Institute. He has been selected to serve as President of the Coro Lux board for the upcoming term, and looks forward to working with the community of singers and community at large to sustain, support and supplement this organization which he views as a critical component of the unique New Mexico quality of life.
Tony Megofna is a retired US Army Field Artillery officer currently working at Sandia National Laboratories as a manager. He has a BA in Physics from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MS in Applied Physics from the University of California, Davis. Tony spent over 26 years on active Federal service, stationed in locales from Germany to Alaska and many places in between. Tony has taught physics at the US Military Academy and served on the Army Staff in the Pentagon.
Originally from the Pacific island of Guam, Tony and his lovely wife, Crystal, and their three children have lived in New Mexico since 2009. All three children find enjoyment in music performance and Saige is part of El Faro Youth Chorus. The Megofnas are passionate about music and fostering the arts in our local community. They look forward to strengthening that community through support of Coro Lux.
Vinnessa Martinez Ohle has loved music all her life. She will fondly bring up that her first words were the chirping of “lalala.” She joined her school choir at the age of 12 and used music as an outlet for life, becoming increasingly involved in vocal training and chorus throughout her university career, graduating with a Bachelors in Music Education. Vinnessa remains engaged with a variety of people and skill levels through music. She has taught in Los Lunas Public Schools as an Elementary General Music Teacher for the past 6 years and continues to develop her skills as an educator through frequent attendance at professional conferences. In 2019 she was nominated as Teacher Of The Year for her school.
Vinnessa also spends weekends and holidays as the Music Director for her church. “Singing is good for everyone! And everyone can sing!” she claims. Although Vinnessa focuses on K-6 General Music, she has sung with a wide variety of choruses. She joined Coro Lux in 2016 and has been managing the ads process for the printed programs since 2017. She is excited to be rehearsing and continually developing her talents with Coro Lux and looks forward to the productions to come!
John P. Owen, Ph.D.
John is a psychologist. Prior to his entering private practice in 1986, he worked as a counselor in several different work settings. They included: Albuquerque Job Corps, New Mexico State Penitentiary, a federally funded project for the treatment of incest families, Hospice, Albuquerque Child Guidance Center as an intern, and the Court Clinic doing family divorce evaluations and mediation. In private practice, he has worked with children, adolescents, adults and couples. He also has been the psychologist on a federal grant project that dealt with the homeless population and substance abuse.
Along with his clinical practice, John had the opportunity to teach in a variety of settings. He taught with Metropolitan Court programs for DWI and shoplifting offenders. He was a faculty member in the Psychology Department at the University of Albuquerque for two years before it closed. His longest teaching and advisement position was with Webster University as an adjunct faculty member for 35 years.
His major sources of enjoyment are his wife, four children, their significant others, six grandchildren and a variety of activities with friends.
LaVonne Yazzie – I am an Albuquerque transplant from Arizona and a proud member of the Navajo Nation. My musical journey began early in my youth, when I studied violin as my primary instrument while singing soprano in various school and regional choruses. While at UNM, I double-majored in English Pre-Law and Spanish, and for fun, I sang with the UNM Madrigal Singers. For my profession, I am an Education Specialist at UNM at the Center for Development and Disability. I am also the wife of a devoted husband and the mother of a talented and gifted daughter. In my limited free time, I sing as a soprano in Coro Lux, and I also serve at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church as a member of the School Consultative Council, a cantor for the Roman Rite of Mass, and as a soprano in the church choir under the direction of the esteemed Mark Adrian. As an indigenous female, I am a strong advocate for equality, and I believe that music can branch the divisions amongst socio-economic backgrounds and that it has the power to heal many of the ills of society. I am honored to be a new member of the Board of Directors for this renowned choral organization, and I look forward to embracing this opportunity to continue to serve others.
About Our Members
About Our Members
Kristin Abdill is a native New Mexican who grew up in Los Alamos, attended college in CO, then returned to receive her Bachelors in Business and Masters in Educational Psychology in the Land of Enchantment. Everyone’s a Lobo, woof, woof, woof! Some of her most treasured memories come from 12 years in marching bands and singing in church choirs, praise teams, school groups, and New Mexico ensembles including Sangre de Cristo Chorale and Schola Cantorum. For the last five years she took a break from singing (other than in the shower, her kitchen and car) to have two beautiful daughters, Raegan (5) and Charli (9 mos). In addition to her budding divas, she is blessed to have three bonus children Tyler, Nik and Kaedra who she helped raise to adulthood with her husband of 10 years, Jason. Together they run their lovingly dubbed, “Abdill Zoo,” a mess of happiness compiled of their children, four dogs, two gerbils, Senegal parrot and saltwater aquarium. Her day job as a Project Manager for Presbyterian Healthcare Services keeps her on her toes if ever the zoo leaves her bored!
Michael Adams looks forward to the collaboration and fun and personal growth opportunities of being with Coro Lux. He sang in the University Chorus at UNM in the 80’s and sang the National Anthem solo at the Isotopes twice. He performs lead vocals with a local classic-rock band regularly. Michael hitch-hiked from Philadelphia to Taos in 1979 with his dad, so he is almost a native New Mexican. He is an Engineer working at Intel Corporation for over 30 years.
Mark Adrian earned his BA in Music from the University of Washington and subsequently completed graduate coursework for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree, specializing in choral conducting. Involved in the Greater Seattle choral community since 1981, he founded Northwest Associated Arts, a family of children and adult choruses, and Cantaré Vocal Ensemble. Mark has also served as Artistic Director and Conductor of Colla Voce Seattle and the Seattle Women’s Ensemble. He has led music programs at churches throughout Seattle, and, having just moved to Albuquerque, is currently Director of Music at Our Lady of Fatima church. He looks forward to singing under Brad’s direction and making new friends.
Katy Anderson grew up with a UNM music alum as a mom, so singing made perfect sense. After graduating from Cibola High School, she earned a Vocal Performance degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. She also met her husband at Vanderbilt, a talented trumpet player and guitarist. After additional music and choral studies at the University of Georgia, she began a career in non-profit work and continues to this day. Three wonderful little girls joined the family starting in 2009, and yes, they also love to sing!
George Arthur — When George was an undergraduate at UNM he was an active member of the University Chorus. After 50 years living in Connecticut he has returned full circle to Albuquerque and singing under the direction of the former music director of that same group.
Jan Bowers — I was born into a musical family! My Mom was a very talented pianist and my Dad was a fine singer and loved listening to his extensive record collection!! I have inherited their love of music! For decades I have treasured the camaraderie and the pure joy which are undeniable while singing in a choir! Over the years I have been fortunate enough to have sung in numerous ensembles under the ever so capable, waving arms and tutelage of Brad Ellingboe. Being a member of Coro Lux is a privilege which I do not take lightly!
Bryan Butler has sung in church, school, community, and professional choirs since a very young age. He is a staff astronomer at the Very Large Array and has been in New Mexico for more than 20 years. He has sung locally with Quodlibet, Polyphony, and Quintessence, and is happy to be singing with Coro Lux now.
Ayana Cole-Fletcher is a lifetime lover of music and singing. She sang in college in the US Air Force Academy Gospel Choir and started her journey in musical theatre; to date her favorite character to play was the Witch from “Into the Woods”. She first started singing in choruses with the Minot Chamber Chorale and is now excited to continue with Coro Lux!
Christy Cook is an artist, musician and educator who has been writing songs since she was 6 years old. She’s performed locally as herself and with her bands Cactus Tractor, ABBAquerque, the ABQ Boys Choir, and other collaborations. She’s always been a fan of close harmonizing and began singing with choirs and barbershop groups in high school. When she isn’t singing or songwriting she can be found on stilts, on roller skates, or in her art classroom collaborating with students.
Joseph Cordaro has been singing in various choirs and ensembles since his childhood in Albuquerque. He was part of the University of San Diego Choral Scholars in college and sang off and on during graduate school while studying chemistry. He is most fond of sacred choral and ensemble music.
Robert (Bob) Croft – My soul has been touched by music, in one way or another, I believe from even before I was born, because during pregnancy my mother was singing four part harmony in a gospel quartet. I suppose I was tapping my toe then, and I still am. I received training in the classical genre from the age of 9 until my second year of college at UTEP, majoring in violin performance, singing in choirs, and playing in the El Paso Symphony and UTEP orchestras. Two beautiful children, two teenage grandsons and a professional career in banking later, here I am retired, singing in the interim in the folk music genre, playing fiddle and singing close harmony in two local Western folk groups. All bands break up, as they say, and I am grateful for the opportunity to return to classical roots. I met Bradley Ellingboe some 35 or so years ago, after moving to Albuquerque and singing under his baton in the UNM Community Chorus. Shakespeare wrote…“ If music be the food of love, play on”. I am grateful for the opportunity to “sing on” with Coro Lux.
Gabrielle Dietrich has happily returned to the west after eight years’ sojourn in Pennsylvania. She has sung in choirs from a very early age, and studied music at University of the Pacific, University of Colorado at Boulder, and the Kodály Institute in Kecskemét, Hungary. Gabby loves geeky TV shows, cooking gluten-free food that aims to make gluten eaters jealous, hanging out with her two dogs and cat, and exploring New Mexico with her fiancé, Mike.
Cheney Doane started playing piano when he was knee-high to a fly, and music has enriched and influenced his life ever since. He earned a piano performance degree from Whitman College and a masters degree in collaborative piano from the University of Utah. Following a stint directing the choirs and orchestras at Norfolk Academy in Virginia, Cheney transplanted to Albuquerque and currently serves as music director at Santa Fe Prep. He loves being outside with his partner Jenny, cooking, playing chess, and agonizing over the Utah Jazz’s most recent defeat.
Martin Doviak started singing and strumming publicly as a Peter Yarrow wannabe in his teenage years, which led directly into wailing Bob Dylan songs in college, while also singing and dancing as a Princeton Triangle Club chorister. In more recent years, he has been seen and heard singing with the University Chorus, Albuquerque Festival Singers, New Mexico Symphonic Chorus, Quintessence, and Coro Lux. When not singing and dressed all in black, he can be found more colorfully and casually attired on local tennis courts, ski slopes, or public parks with his two dogs trying to avoid Animal Control officers.
Karen Ellingboe wishes to abstain from listing anything here in a public way, as she is currently in the witness protection program, having served time in several of the conductor’s previous ensembles.
Ennio Fermo —I’m Ennio, I am Italian and started to sing in 1994 in Trieste, Italy. I traveled with my choir to several countries in Europe and Australia. These were very important experiences in my life. I have three children, who all live in Italy and am now also a grandfather! Above all, I found a great person. Donatella and I married here at ABQ several years ago. She is the light of my life. I’ve worked all my life. In earlier years I was a firefighter. Later I built a transport business. Now I restore furniture. I like to give new life to old furniture. In conclusion, I love to sing and am very glad to sing with Coro Lux!
Bob Finch is enjoying retirement after a long career in the construction industry. At the urging of Shari Aubrey, Choir Director at Monte Vista Christian Church, and under the guidance of vocal teacher Donna McRae, Bob found his voice at the age of 30 and hasn’t stopped singing. Through the years Bob has sung multiple tenor oratorio solos, performed locally in many opera roles with Opera Southwest and ACLOA, and sung in several choirs including 17 years with Quintessence. Bob enjoys the holidays each year performing with a quartet called Fanfare Victorian Carolers. When not singing, his days are filled with his favorite pastime, golf, and an occasional excursion to fly fish. He also enjoys traveling with his wife, Bonnie, and their 101-pound Labrador, Atticus, as often as possible. He looks forward to continuing his love of singing with Coro Lux.
Bill Foote – Since childhood Bill has sung in church choirs. He was a member of the UNM a capella choir in the 1960’s and sang with the men’s a capella group De Profundis for 17 years until its dissolution in 2022. He has been married to Cheryl since 1969, and they have two children, Jeremy and Jennifer, and a grandson, Andrew. Bill retired from a 40+ year career as a forensic psychologist, during which time he consulted with lawyers and judges and testified as an expert witness in civil and criminal cases in state, federal and Canadian courts. He is the co-author of 3 books and many chapters and articles in his field. He enjoys singing folk music and playing 12-string guitar and mandolin.
Angelynn Gomez is the director of choirs at James Monroe Middle School on the westside of Albuquerque. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from UNM in 2014. She enjoys teaching 11 through 14-year olds during the week and singing with fellow professionals and music enthusiasts in Coro Lux.
Casey Haynes is a cybersecurity research staff member at Sandia National Laboratories and grew up in Albuquerque. After graduating from Manzano High School in 2017, he moved to Socorro and earned Computer Science and Cybersecurity degrees from New Mexico Tech. Throughout that time, he also studied operatic singing and played French Horn in Tech’s small orchestra. Casey has been singing since age 5 in various capacities, has a lifelong love of music, and is very excited to be singing with Coro Lux this season.
Doug Hendry – My passion for music began while I was growing up in Minnesota. It continues to be a great source of joy and inspiration for me. Whether singing in choral groups or playing the trumpet or piano, it keeps me engaged and continually learning new things. I’m excited about singing with Coro Lux’s choral artists. Being able to create a beautiful sound with other musicians is one of my favorite things to do; and it’s cheaper than therapy!
Bernadette Hinds – I am so very delighted to be able to bring my voice to the beautiful sound of Coro Lux. I was born and spent my childhood in France (Alsace) near my grandparents. I met my husband in college at George Washington University, and our family consists of 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren. We’ve lived in Albuquerque for over 30 years. My greatest passions include family, close friends and a small boutique landscaping business called Gifts from the Garden. Also important to me is our community, a love of travel, beautiful music, and our beloved dog, Scout.
Tania Hopkins is an elementary music teacher with Albuquerque Public Schools. Tania loves to sing and has enjoyed performing in community choirs and musicals. Her two boys keep her busy and she is grateful to be able to take some “me time” and sing with the beautiful voices of Coro Lux!
Ashley Jonkman began making music early in childhood, taking piano lessons, playing the clarinet and singing in choirs all the way through school. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education from Azusa Pacific University in the Los Angeles area, and came to New Mexico shortly after. She earned her Master’s in Secondary Education at the former College of Santa Fe, and taught middle school choir and elementary music for 6 years. Now, she has 3 kids (who are also musically inclined!) with her bass and piano-playing husband, works part-time in the children’s ministry at her church, and enjoys spending time outdoors. She has sung with Polyphony, and is thrilled to be a part of Coro Lux this year!
Jen Jones comes from a long line of pianists, from a great grandma who played piano live for silent films, a grandpa who could improvise jazz music, and her mom & sisters who all played piano while she was growing up. She too played piano as a child, and had brief stints with the viola and flute as well, until finally her parents allowed her to focus on her true love, choir. She has sung locally with Quintessence and is so excited to be singing with Coro Lux this year. Outside of music, she is the Controller at Pegasus Legal Services for Children, a local nonprofit legal aid, and lives with her husband Neel and their two pups, Misty & Olive.
Sharlotte Kramer is a research mechanical engineer at Sandia National Laboratories and has been a musician her entire life. She studied classical piano as a child; has been in choirs since middle school; and studied voice with Desiree LaVertu in Pasadena while earning her Ph.D. in Aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology. She has been leading the worship music at High Desert Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque since 2012. She joined Coro Lux in September 2019. When she is not running experiments in a structural test lab at Sandia Labs or singing, she is baking and spending time with her husband, Richard, and daughters, Grace and Evelyn.
Emily Lah received her MA in music in 2008 and her Educational Leadership Certification in 2018 from UNM. She taught elementary music in Albuquerque Public Schools for 13 years and is the current APS Fine Arts Music Resource Teacher for the past few years. Emily enjoys spending most of her free time with her son, Sebastian and takes on the role of “soccer mom,” with enthusiasm.
Cynthia Lashley – Music has always been a part of my life! Dad’s side of the family was rich with Gospel and Jazz while my love of Classical Music was nurtured and guided by Mum’s side. In past lives I’ve enjoyed playing instruments (piano, guitar, cello, and autoharp), and singing with others. I’m retired now and looking forward to singing again with Coro Lux!
Rita Leard loves choral singing and is delighted to be a part of Coro Lux. She has been singing with the NM Symphonic Chorus since 2011 — not long after moving to Albuquerque to head the Women’s Health Department at ABQ Health Partners (now Optum Medical Group). Prior to that move, she had sung with the Symphony San Jose Chorale for many years — and, before that, with the Phoenix Symphony Chorus. In the summer of 2022, she had a blast attending her first “choir camp” in Sonoma, California, with Berkshire Choral International. Since retiring from her OB/GYN practice in late 2021, she has been relishing the additional time for music, spending time with friends and family, playing in the garden, and perfecting her baking/cooking skills. She is grateful for the many opportunities there are in Albuquerque to hear wonderful music — especially Chatter on Sunday mornings.
Shelly Ley is back in New Mexico after 10 years in New York. She always tries to live in states that are New. Shelly sang with Brad in a choir about 15 years ago, and when he saw her at the Flying Star unexpectedly this summer, he made her promise she would sing with him again – this time in a new chorus. While in New York Shelly sang with the New York City Master Chorale, helped start a new music charter school, and later had her own music education business in the Hudson Valley. Being back in New Mexico not only gives Shelly a chance to reunite with former choir directors, but also lets her work with the best Fine Arts team as an APS music teacher!
Yasmeen Lookman received a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of New Mexico. She continues her love of music and the performing arts at The Lensic Performing Arts Center where she works in Development. Yasmeen enjoys singing with various local choirs and is thrilled to be singing with friends, old and new, as a part of the wonderful Coro Lux.
David Lucil is a middle school Spanish teacher who loves to inspire his students by singing to them. Originally from Massachusetts, he, his wife and twin boys have made Albuquerque their home for the past ten years (though David remains an ardent Red Sox fan). David has sung in choirs in Albuquerque and Massachusetts, as well as in groups abroad. He had the luck to sing under Lorna Cooke de Varon at The Longy School of Music. He finds genuine peace when singing and feels fortunate to be a part of Coro Lux.
Richard Macklin (Bass) has been singing and accompanying choirs ever since childhood in Kansas, adolescence in PA / NY, and many years now in his adopted homeland, New Mexico. For the past 3 decades, he has served as accompanist and director of the 11 AM choir at Risen Savior Catholic Church in Albuquerque.
Scott McFeeters – I sang in choir from 1st grade through 12th grade and music has been my foundation through life’s ups and downs. I started playing guitar when I was 14 years old and played in a variety of bands, playing rock, heavy metal, death metal and jazz. I love sophisticated music that has beautiful/complex melodies and harmonies. I’m always looking for that goosebump factor! Despite wanting to make a career in music, I went to school and earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Biochemistry. This led to my first career in the occupational health and safety field, and becoming a Certified Industrial Hygienist. I transitioned from Senior Industrial Hygienist to “Super-Star Stay-at-Home dad” (my wife’s words) two years ago and haven’t looked back. My passion has always been music, and I took the opportunity to spend more time with my daughter and go back to school at Berklee College of Music, studying music composition, as well as guitar and music production. I’m working on my own music and also starting new bands to play with. I sang in the UNM men’s choir, Dolce Suono, in the Spring of 2022 which culminated in a performance in Popejoy Hall with full orchestra. It was amazing! In addition to singing, I enjoy wood crafting and being with my family. I am really looking forward to singing this season!
David Milford, bass, started singing in the Albuquerque Boy’s Choir at the age of 10. He then sang in the choir, as well as a small madrigal group, at Highland High School. Following graduation, he sang at Oberlin with the College Choir, the Musical Union, and the Obertones (acapella). Upon returning to ABQ he sang for a short time with the UNM Choir, and then the NM Symphony Orchestra Chorus for many years. David studied solo voice with Paul Barrientos for 10 years, and had roles with MTS, OSW, and Teatro Nuevo Mexico (Zarzuela at the NHCC). Looking forward to more ‘making a joyful noise unto the world’!
Alexandra Mininger – After living the first four decades of her life on the East Coast, Alex recently relocated to Albuquerque, and is admiring the sweeping mountain views and rekindling her love of choral music. A former executive advisor, Alex graduated from Wake Forest University with a degree in English and has nearly finished her Masters in Counseling through The College of William & Mary.
When she’s not studying, Alex can be found reading aloud to her children, leading them – begrudgingly, at times – in a daily hymn-sing, doing ‘Yoga with Adriene,’ and dreaming about future hikes and fancy cocktails.
Joe Mitchell started his musical career in Belen, New Mexico playing the trumpet in 6th grade. This led to high school marching band, choir, talent shows, and musicals. While pursuing his Bachelor of Music Education at UNM, he sang with the Men’s Chorus, Dolce Suono, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Opera Studio. He graduated in 2017 and is now the middle school Choir and Exploratory Music teacher at Tres Volcanes Community Collaborative School. Joe believes everyone’s lives should be filled with musical experiences, and is excited to share some of those experiences with Coro Lux!
Brian Moffatt is an attorney who moved to Rio Rancho in 2023 from out of state.
I am currently employed as an Assistant Attorney General in the Special Prosecutions Division of the New Mexico Department of Justice.
I began singing choral music as a low bass in junior high school, and I love to sing great music with great groups.
Over the years, I have sung in a number of medium and large choruses, including the New Mexico Symphonic Chorus, Eugene Symphony Chorus (OR), Eugene Concert Choir, San Antonio Mastersingers/Symphony Chorus, Houston Symphony Chorus, Houston Masterworks Chorus, St. Luke’s UMC (Houston), Christ Church Cathedral (Houston), University UMC (Dallas), and Centenary College Choir. Also, way back in history, I sang for over 100,000 people at Radio City Music Hall.
I am very much looking forward to many seasons with Coro Lux.
Erin Moody comes from a musical family (Dad’s job was to encourage, listen, and be proud) and has always been surrounded by music. She sang with church choirs and rock bands throughout high school and college, as well as choruses at Ottawa University and the University of Kansas, and most recently, the NM Peace Choir. She has performed in musical theatre productions in various venues in Albuquerque for 25 years and also enjoys small cabaret performances with friends. Erin is a retired Occupational Therapist and business owner, having specialized in infants and children with developmental challenges. She enjoys time with her husband and dog; camping, hiking, skiing, dancing (the dog doesn’t dance) and her 3 adult children, all of whom live in Albuquerque with their very significant others! She looks forward to singing beautiful music with the talented members of Coro Lux and making new friends.
Kirsten Norman – As a native New Mexican, Kirsten has been singing in choirs for almost 30 years. She thanks her high school music teacher for getting her involved in the best of hobbies. Kirsten prefers to sing next to fellow altos Kristen and Kristin to keep the conductor on their toes.
Nicole Nova discovered a joy in singing at an early age, which was fostered by her very patient parents who never discouraged her from singing along (as loudly as possible) with every Disney soundtrack and 90’s pop tune she heard. She has a B.A. in Music from the University of New Mexico, and a strong passion for karaoke. When she isn’t singing, Nicole can often be found swimming, cliff jumping, playing video games, or hiking with her husband and their three very spoiled cats.
Bonnie Pachanian-Finch began her music adventures at age 6 with piano lessons. She later majored in music and holds a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Piano. She is a retired APS Elementary Music Teacher. Currently, she is teaching 15 private piano students, while she continues learning to play the piano herself. While in college, Bonnie discovered the joy of choral singing, and has since continued to enjoy participating in church choirs, choral groups, and opera choruses. Her music training allowed her to pursue another beloved occupation—travel. Bonnie has made music in all 50 states, 7 Canadian provinces, and 40 foreign countries. These days, she still loves to travel with her husband, Bob, and their 101-pound Labrador Retriever, Atticus, as often as possible. She is both honored and excited to be a part of Coro Lux.
Walter Polt – Music has brought health to humans since long before biblical times. I owe any fragments of sanity and health to singing with groups since I was a little boy. I sang in church choirs, schools, colleges, and community groups and choruses including the Yale Russian Chorus, where I did a double-bass solo in between shots of the chorus’s vodka. I feel grateful to conductors and teachers who have helped me improve my singing to the present day. One high point was singing Whitman’s inspired words in Brad’s Star Song with an immense choir from around the country at Lincoln Center.
Sarah Rulfs is a mezzo soprano and a new member of Coro Lux. Prior to moving to New Mexico, she sang with the Young New Yorkers Chorus and the Manhattan Choral Ensemble in New York City. Sarah studied music at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Jody Spalding is a retired audiology professor. She plays flute and has sung in church choirs since childhood. She and Peter have been singing together for church choirs in Iowa City IA, Chapel Hill NC, New Orleans LA, Ann Arbor MI, Lincoln NE and are now very happily singing under Brad’s leadership at the United Church of Santa Fe. She is overjoyed to be part of the amazing group of Coro Lux singers! “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ― Plato
Peter Spalding is a retired orthodontic and pediatric dentistry professor who has sung in his church choirs since childhood when he was the only boy in the choir. Although most of his musical training was as a cellist, he has found his voice is much easier to tote around and is thrilled to experience Brad as conductor for both his church choir and Coro Lux!
Peter Stoll first sang in a chorus in first grade, for a room full of school principals, and has seldom stopped since. When he got to MIT in 1967, John Oliver was the assistant Glee Club director, which eventually got him into a couple of years with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and a summer job at Tanglewood. Though distracted from music by decades of design engineering and other gainful employment with Intel, he has sung with Quintessence, de Profundis, and Canticum Novum.
Susie Tallman graduated UCLA with a BA in voice performance. Susie followed her passion to work with musicians by working at A&M Studios with the producer Jimmy Iovine. She then left A&M with Jimmy Iovine and a few others to become a founding employee of Interscope Records. Susie was fortunate enough to work with world class musicians including NIN, Tom Jones, Dr. Dre, Ron Sexsmith, A Very Special Christmas albums, Tracy Chapman and so many others. One incredible experience after the next provided Susie with the knowledge to venture out on her own to start Rock Me Baby Records. Wanting to live and study abroad before recording, Susie further evolved her voice in France, singing with the Choeur International and the American Chorus in Paris. Upon her return to the states, Susie honed her classical training at the New England Conservatory Workshop in Boston and worked at the extraordinary indie label Q Division Records. She has sung backup for such acts as Ronnie Spector, Darlene Love and Cheap Trick, and has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Rose Bowl, the Los Angeles Forum and Pauley Pavilion as well as in commercials for Taco Bell, The Coca-Cola Reunion commercial and the movie Beaches. She is a former member of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus and The New Mexico Symphony Chorus. Susie is currently raising three children while teaching, singing & recording. Videos from her DVD can be seen on PBS between shows around the country.
Kristin Thelander returned to ABQ in 2016, after retiring from the University of Iowa as horn professor and Director of the School of Music. She and her husband Wayne have been dear friends with the Ellingboes since she taught at UNM in the 80s, so they happily joined Coro Lux. As a St. Olaf grad, she appreciates great choral music and singing, but she hadn’t sung in a choir since she was 18!
Wayne Thelander was a school orchestra director for 40 years before retiring and returning to his native ABQ. As a double bass player, he has been a member of NMSO, Santa Fe Symphony, and Cedar Rapids (IA) Symphony. At St. Olaf he sang for two years in the men’s chorus, and now he is singing again with Coro Lux.
Natalie Tiesi — I am so excited to be a part of Coro Lux. Originally from Georgia, I came to Albuquerque to study Spanish and Latin American Studies at UNM. However, after a few years working, I decided to return to my first love of music. I went back to school at UNM, got a music education degree, and now I spend my days singing, dancing, and teaching wonderful children at Ernest Stapleton Elementary School in Rio Rancho. When I’m not singing (which must mean I’m asleep), I’m hanging out with my husband and our beautiful daughter, Annabelle (and we are probably singing too).
Antoinette Utsinger — is a life-long resident of ABQ and has sung with Brad for about 16 years. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to do two of my greatest passions…work with animals (I own pet-care business), and sing! (Sometimes even singing to the animals!)
Jamie Villanueva — I grew up as one of those “California Girls” when the Beach Boys were still performing in my local supermarket parking lot! I studied education and music at a UCLA and soon began singing “I Get Around” as I explored the Southwest making a career as a special educator. A few times the universe said “Woudn’t It Be Nice” to have “Fun Fun Fun” and I also found myself teaching music and theater to children. Loving the “Good Vibrations”, I continued singing here in Albuquerque with Westside Concert Chorale, Albuquerque Civic Chorus, Quintessence Summer Festival Chorus, and now, Coro Lux. “God Only Knows” how grateful I am to my incredible mother, a gifted pianist, accompanist and singer, for instilling in me the love of choral music!
Janet Vrudny – She recently relocated to Albuquerque after retiring from 41 years as the choral directors at Highland Hall Waldorf School and the First Presbyterian Church of Encino in Southern California. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance and a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting. She is delighted to be here in New Mexico, working with Brad, and singing in Coro Lux! She looks forward to taking in all of the sites and golf courses of this fabulous area!
Elizabeth (“Lizzie”) Wenrich — Lizzie has enjoyed being an Elementary Music Teacher with APS since 2007. One of her favorite kid quotes is, “Mrs. Wenrich, when you use your Opera Voice your earrings twinkle”. When she is not teaching, Lizzie is a mother of two smarty pants daughters and the wife of a silly husband who can still make her giggle.
Vicky Wood is an elementary music teacher with Albuquerque Public Schools. She originally hails from Maryland but has been living in Albuquerque for over ten years and has no plans to leave. She is Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator for Coro Lux as well as Treasurer for New Mexico AOSA, so it’s a good thing she has summers off to regain her sanity! During her free time, she prefers to either travel the world or hang out at home with her cats.
Tony Worsham is a physician by day and a chorister by night, singing with various groups including Quintessence and de Profundis. Like many other members, he is coming full circle, having sung with University Chorus nearly a decade ago, and is excited to perform with Coro Lux.
Tina Yarrington is a new arrival to Albuquerque in 2023. She came to New Mexico as a maternal-fetal medicine physician to provide high risk pregnancy care to women at UNM Hospital and sought out a musical home to parallel her clinical one. She grew up with a violinist mother who made sure she and her many siblings learned an instrument. A jazz pianist primarily, she also sang in choruses, a capella groups, and jazz choirs throughout high school and college. She returned briefly to vocals singing in a blues band during medical school and has found a place to marinate in music once again in Coro Lux.
LaVonne Yazzie – I am an Albuquerque transplant from Arizona and a member of the Navajo Nation. In my youth, I studied violin as my primary instrument while singing soprano in various choruses. While at UNM, I double-majored in English Pre-Law and Spanish, and for fun, I sang with the UNM Madrigal Singers. By day, I work as an Education Specialist for UNM at the Center for Development and Disability. In my free time, I serve at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church as a member of the School Consultative Council, a cantor for the Roman Rite of Mass, and as a soprano in the church choir under the direction of the esteemed Mark Adrian. I am excited to once again be singing with Coro Lux, and I am very blessed to be one voice in such a talented group of singers.
Artistic Director
Artistic Director
Bradley Ellingboe (ellingboe@abqcorolux.org) has led a wide-ranging career in the world of singing, including accomplishments as a choral conductor, soloist, composer, scholar and teacher. As a choral conductor he has led festival choruses in 35 states and 14 foreign countries. He made his operatic conducting debut in December, 2011, leading the world-premiere of Stephen Paulus’s opera Shoes for the Santo Niño in a joint production by the Santa Fe Opera and the University of New Mexico. As a bass-baritone soloist he has sung under such conductors as Robert Shaw, Helmuth Rilling, and Sir David Willcocks. Ellingboe has over 140 pieces of music in print, including the Requiem for chorus and orchestra, which has been performed more than 300 times in this country and Europe, and his newest work, Star Song, which had its New York debut (Lincoln Center) in May of 2014, and its European debut in July of that year. For his scholarly work in making the songs of Edvard Grieg more accessible to the English-speaking public, he was knighted by the King of Norway in 1994. As a teacher, the University of New Mexico Alumni Association named him Faculty of the Year in 2008.
Bradley Ellingboe retired in 2015 after serving on the faculty of the University of New Mexico for 30 years, where he was Director of Choral Activities, Professor of Music and Regents Lecturer. During his three decades at UNM he also served at various times as Chairman of the Department of Music and Coordinator of Vocal Studies. He is a graduate of Saint Olaf College and the Eastman School of Music and has done further study at the Aspen Music Festival, the Bach Aria Festival, the University of Oslo and the Vatican.
Ellingboe has won annual awards for his choral compositions from ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Arrangers and Publishers since 2000. His choral music is widely sung and is published by Oxford, G Schirmer, Augsburg, Walton, GIA, Hal Leonard, Mark Foster, Choristers Guild, Alliance, Concordia, Selah, and particularly the Neil A. Kjos Music Company, for whom he edits two series of choral octavos. His music has been performed and recorded by such groups as the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Philip Brunelle’s VocalEssence, the Saint Olaf Choir, the Harvard Glee Club, Craig Hella Johnson’s Conspirare, and the choirs of the University of Michigan and Luther College, among many others. In January of 2017 he became Editor of the National Music Publishers company.
He has prepared choirs for such luminaries as Dave Brubeck, Moses Hogan, Alice Parker, Morten Lauridsen, René Clausen and Robert Ray. At the request of composer Libby Larsen the UNM Women’s Chorus, Las Cantantes, recorded all Larsen’s music for treble chorus. He was guest conductor of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale in a series of concerts in December, 2011.
Since 2015 Ellingboe has served as Director of Choirs at the United Church of Santa Fe, with whom Coro Lux often partners. He has been married to Karen (Hersey) Ellingboe since 1981. They have three children and five grandchildren.
Mission Statement
Coro Lux Mission Statement
Coro Lux (“Chorus of Light”): a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preparation and performance of great choral music for the enrichment and delight of our audiences and ourselves, and to propagating love of the choral art in the next generation of singers.
About Us
Meet Coro Lux
Coro Lux (“Chorus of Light”) is an auditioned community chorus, based in Albuquerque and founded in the fall of 2015. Under Artistic Director Bradley Ellingboe, the chorus has grown into one of the top choruses in New Mexico. Coro Lux consists of the larger Oratorio Society and the smaller Chamber Chorus. The Oratorio Society, with 60 members, presents major choral works, usually with orchestra and often in conjunction with the New Mexico Philharmonic. The Chamber Chorus is an ensemble of 16 members that presents a variety of smaller works in various locations around Albuquerque. Each ensemble presents about three programs each season.
Coro Lux has participated in music events far from Albuquerque, including a Carnegie Hall concert in 2016 and the Great American Choral Series festival in Florence, Italy, in the summer of 2018. In 2017 Coro Lux became the Ensemble in Residence at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Albuquerque. As such, our rehearsals and many of our performances are held there. We are proud to be associated with the oldest Lutheran congregation in the state of New Mexico, founded in 1891, and long a leader in worship and the arts in our community. In 2019 we began a regular and ongoing partnership with the United Church of Santa Fe, thus making regular appearances in the state capital.
Coro Lux is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and values your support in promoting great choral music and in expanding our scholarship programs. Follow us on Facebook and YouTube.
Home
Dear friends,
It’s been a busy year! In 2023 Coro Lux and El Faro gave 14 performances, including such masterpieces as Rachmaninoff’s “All Night Vigil,” Mozart’s “Requiem,” and Handel’s “Messiah.” We started the year by singing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the New Mexico Philharmonic and ended it with El Faro singing on Opera Southwest’s New Year’s Eve Gala. And in between we co-hosted (with the United Church of Santa Fe) Dr. André Thomas for FebFest, and gave a world premiere in Carnegie Hall.
But for now, we’re in the midst of our 9th season. So let me draw your attention to this spring’s calendar.
Our February concert of Spirituals and Gospel music (Music in the Air) will soon be upon us. This will be the first time we’ll perform in the lovely African-American Performing Arts Center. And later that same month our annual FebFest features a visit by the world-famous choral conductor Dr. Anton Armstrong in February. Register now to be sure to get a spot in the festival chorus. The number of singers we can accommodate is limited and this event is sure to sell out.
In April our chamber chorus will sing the always-popular Pops concerts at the Canteen Brewhouse. This year’s theme is An Afternoon at the Movies, and what a wealth of wonderful songs there are to choose from that category!
In May we’ll sing Carl Orff’s outrageous Carmina Burana, including professional dancers. And the season concludes with El Faro’s delightful spring concert.
I hope to see you at some or all of our concerts. Happy New Year!
Brad
Bradley Ellingboe
Founder and Artistic Director
Coro Lux — an auditioned chorus — has a generous scholarship program meant to help ALL who need financial help to participate, particularly those who are in the midst of, or who have recently finished, their schooling.
For information about joining our chorus or contributing to our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, please email info@abqcorolux.org.
Click the link below to watch KOB’s “Heart of New Mexico” feature on the El Faro Youth Chorus.
Special thanks to Ryan Laughlin and Willow Locke for their beautiful work on this piece.
https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/heart-of-new-mexico-trauma-informed-chorus-director-helps-youth-with-music/
Click the link below to watch the world premiere of “Ring Out, Wild Bells” by Taylor Scott Davis, performed during the Coro Lux Seasons of Love concert on December 15, 2022
Ring Out, Wild Bells
LAND USE STATEMENT
With profound respect, Coro Lux acknowledges that the city of Albuquerque where we sing is the traditional homeland of the Tiwa-speaking pueblos, and that the larger state of New Mexico is the ancestral homelands of the indigenous members of the Pueblos, Apache, and Navajo (Dine), and is the adopted homeland of many other indigenous tribal members who have made New Mexico their home. Coro Lux sings for a better world, and we honor the land on which we sing and those who lived here before us.
CORO LUX STATEMENT ON INCLUSIVITY
Coro Lux is built on the ideal of “doing good as we do well.” We believe that in diversity there is strength. We believe the voices of the world should be heard, regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation. In the past we have used our concerts to call for peace and to benefit charitable causes, and we will redouble our efforts going forward. Through our art we sing for a better world.
Visit the Coro Lux Archives!
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Sign Up for Our Mailing List to Stay in Touch!