Gary Muse, Executive Director

Gary is a 1976 graduate of Metropolitan State College with a BA in Music Education. He is a retired law enforcement officer and a choir member at West Bowles Church. He has been a member of the Chorale for three years and has served on the board of directors. Gary has appeared in several Chorale musical theater productions, including “Oklahoma!” (Fall 2005), “Into the Woods” (Winter 2006), “How to Succeed in Business” (Fall 2006), “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” (Winter 2007), and “The Most Happy Fella” (Fall 2007).

Michael Weiker, Artistic Director

Mike Weiker has served the Chorale as Artistic and Music Director since the Fall of 1980. He has been recognized and inducted into the Hall of Fame by U.N.C, as well as the Colorado Music Educators Association, the Colorado High School Activities Association and the Colorado/American Choral Directors Association.  He has been a participant in choral workshops both in this country and in Sweden. Mike and his wife Mary have been married for 44 years; have two grown children (one of whom sings in the Chorale) and two beautiful grandchildren.

Valerie Montano, Assistant Music Director

Valerie Montano, a veteran music teacher in the public schools, has served as Assistant Music Director since the Fall of 2007.  Her music background includes degrees in Piano Performance from Indiana University and the University of Arizona, and a Certificate of Music Teaching from the University of Missouri in Kansas City.  Valerie finds great fulfillment in working with the wonderful musicians in the Chorale.   Her husband David is a music professor at the University of Denver Lamont School of Music.

Ellen DeJonge, Principle Accompanist

This is Ellen DeJonge’s fifth season with the chorale.  After many years of public school teaching, she graduated summa cum laude with an M.A. in Music Therapy from Regis University, and worked with music therapy clients in facilities throughout Denver. She has sung in several chorale groups in the area, and has accompanied vocalists, instrumentalists, and church choirs in Colorado, Michigan and California. She is currently teaching private piano at her studio in Evergreen. She and husband Hank enjoy spending time with their children and 8 grandchildren who all live in the Denver area.”