Who We Are

Kantorei is an inclusive community of volunteer singers. Formed in 1997 under the leadership of six friends, Kantorei has grown in volume while staying true to its north star – to elevate the human experience through choral excellence.

Joel M. Rinsema, Artistic Director

Photo Credit: Jake Runestad

Connect with Joel

Joel M. Rinsema joined Kantorei (Denver, Colorado USA) in 2014, becoming the second conductor in its 25-year history. During his tenure, Kantorei has experienced tremendous audience growth, nearly tripled its budget, and launched an ambitious recording strategy. A frequent collaborator and champion of new works for chorus, Joel has commissioned and premiered works by many of today’s leading composers, including Kim André Arnesen, Mason Bates, René Clausen, Jean Belmont Ford, Ola Gjeilo, Jocelyn Hagen, Mark Hayes, Cecilia McDowall, Sarah Quartel, Jake Runestad, Christopher Tin, and Eric Whitacre.

Under Joel’s direction, Kantorei has released three recordings: "Sing, Wearing the Sky" (2020, Naxos), choral works by Jake Runestad, reached #3 on iTunes and #4 on Billboard's Traditional Classical charts; "Infinity: Choral Works of Kim André Arnesen" (2018, Naxos) hit #2 on iTunes and #6 on Billboard; and "Song Offerings - Choral Music by Christopher Tin" (2025, Decca Gold) is now available. Santa Barbara Music Publishing Inc. publishes the Kantorei Choral series.

A passionate advocate for the professional choral art form, Joel frequently consults with choral arts organizations around the country. Because of his leadership in his field, he received the Louis Botto Award for “Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal” from Chorus America, the industry’s advocacy, research, and leadership development organization for choruses, choral leaders, and singers.

Kantorei Singers

Our choral artists have studied at schools with strong music programs across the United States such as Baylor University, Brigham Young University, Eastman School of Music, Indiana University, St. Olaf College, Wartburg College, and Westminster Choir College. Kantorei’s singers reside throughout the greater Denver area. Some serve as choral music educators, church choir conductors, and vocal instructors. Others are doctors, social workers, optometrists, counselors, clinical psychologists, accountants, realtors. All are brought together in weekly rehearsals for shared artistic excellence and community as a choral ensemble.

Sopranos

Sara Michael*

Riley Jayne Gallivan*

Victoria Bailey

Melissa Clouzet

Beryl Fanslow Wilson

Christina Graham

Heather Gunnerson

Emma Hartmann-Jones

Shannon Lemmon-Elrod

Martina Richardson

Alicia Rigsby

Becca Schjodt

Christianna Sullins

Betsy Thurley

Altos

Sarah Branton*

Allison Pasternak*

Safia Ahmed

Emily Alexander

Lindsey Aquilina

Lyn Berry-Helmlinger

Desiree Deliz-Morales

Erin Greenfield

Madison Martindale

Tegan Masoero-Palmer

Melissa Menter

Erin Meyerhoff

Kaleigh Sutula

Jane Wright

Tenors

Kai Berry-Helmlinger*

Seth O’Kegley*

Benjamin Corwyn

Joshua Corwyn

Matthew Eschliman

Keith Ferguson

Mason France

Keith Harrison

Bryce Kennedy

Severin Lier

Samuel Low

Alex Menter

Chad Nelsen

Jonathan Von Stroh

Christopher Wolfrom

John Wright

Basses

Michael Bizzaro*

Kirk Schjodt*

John Bartley

Max Bixby

Michael Boender

Adam Cave

Garth Criswell

Caleb Heaton

Scott Horowitz

Brad Larson

Bryan Lastrella

John Ludwig

John Schaak

Griffin Sutherland

*Section Leaders

Courtney Huffman, Executive Director

Connect with Courtney

A passionate arts advocate and seasoned nonprofit leader, Courtney brings more than a decade of nonprofit and business management to the organization. With a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in organizational leadership, Courtney combines strategic insight with a deep commitment to building strong, inclusive arts communities. Courtney also holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential and has a strong track record of success in fundraising, strategic planning, and organizational growth.

Courtney has previously served as Executive Director for several notable arts organizations, including the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, The Arts Hub, Boulder Chamber Orchestra, and St. Martin’s Chamber Choir. She also played a key development role at the Denver Art Museum as Senior Manager of Individual Giving, where she advanced major gift strategy and donor engagement. As a singer herself, Kantorei’s work is close to her heart, and she is thrilled to support Kantorei’s mission and help shape the future of choral music in Denver and beyond.