Valerie Montaño, Founder + Artistic Director
Valerie Lewin Montano is the founder and artistic director of the Denver Chorale, which she established in 2009. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Chorale has become a cultural fixture in the Denver metro area, delighting audiences at a wide range of events, from community celebrations and vigils to Christmas parades, school performances, nursing homes, Rockies games, and even gracing the stage at Carnegie Hall.
With more than 45 years of experience as a music educator and director, Valerie’s passion for inspiring others through music is the driving force behind her career. She has taught music at every level, from preschool to post-graduate studies, and has held teaching positions at Avila University, as well as in the Jefferson County, Cherry Creek, and Colorado Springs school districts.
Valerie holds a bachelor of music from Indiana University, a master of music from the University of Arizona, a professional teacher license from the University of Missouri in Kansas City, and an elementary classroom endorsement from the University of Denver. Her contributions to music education include the development of innovative programs for piano, handbells, recorders, and guitar, each designed to ignite students’ passion for music.
Throughout her career, Valerie has consistently fostered meaningful relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds. She has produced numerous musical plays and festivals across various school districts, served as a respected music clinician at county and state levels, adjudicated young composers’ competitions, and adapted operas for children’s study and performance. An accomplished lifetime piano accompanist, she continues to inspire as an active member of several professional music organizations.
Valerie’s legacy is one of dedication, creativity, and an unwavering belief in the power of music to transform lives. Her work has touched the hearts of countless students and audiences, making her a true pillar of the musical community.
Board of Directors
The Denver Chorale board is made up of volunteer members, both singers and non-singers, who meet at least monthly to assist in the management of the organization, including fundraising, marketing, grantwriting and more.
Sara Knudsen, president and print/digital marketing/webmaster
Sara is the owner of Gold Stripe Consulting, LLC, a graphic and web design marketing firm located in Littleton, Colorado. Sara has been a member of the Chorale since 2014 and active on the board since joining, in various positions. In addition to singing with the Chorale, she loves to spend time with her husband and two young daughters.
Ron Winsor, treasurer
Ron is a retired corporate manager for aviation operations in Europe as well as the United States. He brings organizational and financial management skills to the board, as well as a love of choral singing! Ron has enjoyed performing in choral groups in high school, college and the Navy, and has served on the board since May 2016.
Mike Lewis, secretary
Mike Lewis has been a member of the Denver Chorale since the fall 2022 season and joined the board in spring 2023. He is a software engineer and entrepreneur, founding a venture-backed tech company in Denver. Mike has been involved in music since he was seven, singing in various community and high school/university choirs, as well as playing percussion in orchestras and marching bands.
Andrea Batson, volunteer coordinator
Andrea Batson joined the Denver Chorale in the fall of 2019 and began serving on the board in 2022. Her musical experience includes singing in church, school and community choirs as well as serving as church instrumentalist and youth choir director for many years. She currently teaches piano and voice at her home studio in Castle Pines and is very happy to have found the warm and welcoming Denver Chorale!
Lindsay Dvorak, fundraising/grant writing
Lindsay Dvorak joined the Denver Chorale in fall 2022 and began serving on the board the following year. She is a marketing professional and entrepreneur, founding Personal Account, a mental wellness brand, and Copious Content, a boutique content marketing agency based in Englewood, Colorado. Lindsay’s musical experience began at age six, with both band and choir becoming a key facet in her life all the way through high school and beyond.
Kelsey Peterson, marketing
Kelsey Peterson is a multimedia, travel, storyteller with a robust musical spirit and 12+ years experience working in marketing, journalism, and communications. Her background in travel journalism and vigor for human connectedness and global perspectives has taken her globetrotting in time with the world's metronome to over 30 countries (and counting!). She began playing the cello at age 5 and the piano at age 8. From high school show choirs and Colorado All-State Choir to teaching piano lessons and gaining a Vocal Performance Minor from Colorado State University, music has always been ingrained in her life. She had the privilege of taking music composition lessons from Brian Monroney, guitarist and musical director for pop singing legend Tom Jones, and for a few years she sang with a jazz band in Denver called Sentimental Sounds. She has sung with the Denver Chorale since 2021 and joined the Board of Directors in early 2024. As a dynamic songwriter, in 2022 she released her first album, “Colorado Sky” by Kelsey Arline, produced by Derik Nelson, guitarist from the FOX television show "Glee,” which can be streamed on all major platforms.
