Quiara Cortez, Media and Outreach Coordinator, originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a dedicated voice student at the University of New Mexico, currently in her third year of pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance. She studies classical voice under the guidance of Dr. Olga Perez Flora. Quiara’s opera journey began with the Santa Fe Opera’s Young Voices program, where she studied from 2020 to 2022 with Kathleen Clawson. Currently, she is performing the role of Jo March in the University’s production of Marc Adamo’s Little Women.

In addition to her academic work, Quiara serves as a preschool music teacher at Wesley Childcare and Preschool, and as a Choral Scholar at the United Church of Santa Fe under the direction of Bradley Ellingboe. Passionate about her New Mexican heritage, Quiara actively engages with her community through volunteer work at Casas de Las Comunidades food distributor, and by serving in and supporting Latino leadership organizations such as MANA de Albuquerque. She is also dedicated to advancing her Spanish language skills and deepening her connection to her cultural roots.

Angelynn Gomez, Administrator, was born and raised in Albuquerque and was drawn to music from a young age. She studied piano as a child and played the ‘cello in the Albuquerque Youth Orchestra as a teen, but it was choral music that truly captured her heart. She sang in the Cibola High School Concert Choir, under the direction of Ryan Hatch, and participated in the NMMEA All-State mixed choir for two years, going on to complete her bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of New Mexico. Annie became acquainted with Bradley Ellingboe in college, as he was then UNM’s Director of Choral Activities. She began singing with the Coro Lux Oratorio Society and Chamber Chorus in 2018. Annie directed the choral program at James Monroe Middle School from 2014 to 2022 before becoming a stay at home mom, then joining the Coro Lux staff in 2023 as the Executive Assistant. In her free time, Annie enjoys reading, being outdoors, and spending time with her wonderful husband, Leo, and vivacious daughter, Margo. (annie.gomez@abqcorolux.org)

Raul Manjarrez grew up in Albuquerque and earned a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Raul has been playing music professionally for more than 20 years. While living in NC he worked as a collaborative pianist at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and played for many theatre productions.

Joe Mitchell, director of El Faro Youth Chorus, 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 directed the choir programs at Tres Volcanes Community Collaborative School, Tony Hillerman Middle School, and Volcano Vista High School until 2024. Joe believes everyone’s lives should be filled with musical experiences and is excited to share some of those experiences with the young singers of  El Faro!

Janet Vrudny, Associate Conductor, recently relocated from Northridge, California near Los Angeles, to Albuquerque, New Mexico.  She attended California State University, Northridge, and graduated with high honors with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance, and a Master of Music Degree in Conducting.  While in Los Angeles, she taught choral singing at Highland Hall Waldorf School.  Additionally, she was the Director of Music at the First Presbyterian Church of Encino.  She prepared and led Opera Choruses at Cal State Northridge in performances of Puccini’s Suor Angelica, and at the Bear Valley Music Festival in performances of Bizet’s Carmen. She also sang in the choral ensemble, Cantori Domino, under the direction of Maurita Phillips Thornburgh.  She is currently the choir director at St. Paul Lutheran Church here in Albuquerque.  She first crossed paths with Bradley Ellingboe about 25 years ago at a Church Choir Conductor’s Conference at Lake Tahoe and is delighted to be working with him again as the Associate Conductor of Coro Lux, and of course, as a singer in his wonderful ensembles.

Mary Ann Ybarra is the pianist for Coro Lux and a favorite of chorus members and audiences alike. Recently she retired from her collaborative work both at UNM and throughout the metropolitan area where she lived out her dreams of performing with faculty and students in recitals, opera and orchestral productions. Now, when she’s not playing with Coro Lux, she keeps herself busy pursuing all those activities and adventures that she could only dream about.  Dr. Ybarra hold degrees from Texas Tech, Catholic University, and University of Texas-Austin.