2nd Avenue Singers
David Small (Conductor) has been directing choirs of all ages since he graduated from the University of
Northern Colorado in 1990 with a degree in Music Education. For the past two decades, he has been a middle school Choir teacher in the Cherry Creek School District, where his choirs have received the state’s top honors at the Colorado Music Educators Association state conference. He also directs, sings and arranges music for the Rock n’ Roll A Cappella group Cool Shooz, who have been entertaining audiences throughout Colorado and neighboring states for the past 28 years. They are national A Cappella finalists, having twice won the Harmony Sweepstakes Regional Competition. Mr. Small is proud to have studied voice at UNC with Thomas Poole and is currently enjoying the opportunity of being able to tell Mr. Poole what to do for a change!
Marlene Bainbridge (Alto) has been singing in choral groups since high school. She has performed with many groups in the Denver area including Confluence, Canto Deo, Vittoria Ensemble, Singers Chamber Choir, Arvada Chorale, Golden Concert Choir, and High Country Chorus. She also sings with the women’s quartet Sacred Pepper performing at the People’s Fair and Botanic Gardens. Somehow she still finds time for her day job as an engineering consultant for a medical company.
Rosie Downs (Soprano) grew up in Southeast London, UK, singing as a girl chorister in the Royal School of Church Music training program. After taking Royal School of Music piano exams, and then private voice lessons with teachers in London including Petronella Dittmer, and Elizabeth Adams, Rosie went on to sing with the Thomas Tallis Society in Greenwich, Poscimur Cathedral Choir, and fell in love with opera while singing in performances of Bizet's Carmen, Donizetti's Maria Stuarda, and Verdi's La Traviata in a London opera company. After moving to Denver in 2001 she found herself immersed in elite singing opportunities with the choirs such as Kantorei, St Martins Chamber Choir, and The University of Northern Colorado Summer fest. Continuing on with voice lessons with Andrew Adams of Broadway Music School, Rosie performed in the chorus of Acis and Galatea in summer 2016, as Nella in Gianni Schicchi in the summer of 2017, and is singing in the Denver Opera Collective performance again summer of 2018.
David Ellwood (Tenor) has been performing as a vocalist in the Denver area for many years. He sings in the Opera Colorado chorus (since 1987), he was a section leader and soloist for the Holy Ghost choir for some years and has sung with the CSO chorus for several seasons. Since he graduated with an Engineering degree instead of one in voice, he has augmented his musical education by taking private voice lessons with Jan de Chembrier, Beverly Fernald, and is presently studying with Richard Rediger. He is VP of engineering at a local engineering firm by day.
Kari Kusek (Alto) has been singing as long as she can remember and as often as anyone will listen. This is her sixth season with the 2nd Avenue Singers and she is ecstatic to be back. She graduated from Luther College with a B.A. in Music Performance and Elementary Education and has a Masters Degree in Social Studies and Global Education from The Ohio State University. She currently teaches fifth grade math and science for Aurora Public Schools and incorporates music daily. When she's not working, she and her husband like to chase around her two children and call it exercise.
Janice Tilden is a retired lawyer and longtime resident of Denver. She has enjoyed many varieties of
choral experiences, ranging from high school musicals to 24 years in the chorus of Opera Colorado. She
looks forward to joining the 2nd Avenue Singers for this season.
Christie McNeill (Soprano) returns to performance after a seven-year sabbatical during which she devoted herself to her three young boys. A versatile performer, equally at home in opera and musical theater, Christie has performed in numerous productions where her innate energy and comfort on stage come alive, among them: Nancy in Oliver!, Meg In Damn Yankees, Desiree in A Little Night Music, Zita in Gianni Schicci, Charlotte in Werther, the Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus and Carmen. She has won first place in both Musical Theatre and Classical divisions in the NATS Vocal Competition. Christie holds a M. Mus. in Opera Performance from the University of Denver and a B. Mus. in Vocal Performance from Metro State. A firm believer that music changes lives, Christie has also developed and teaches her own World Music curriculum, sharing her love of diverse musical styles and traditions with children in the Denver Metro area.
Cole Mitchell (Bass) has been performing since an early age. He graduated in 2015 from Western Illinois University where he majored in Costume Design for Theatre and minored in Vocal Performance. Upon moving to Colorado in 2016, Cole has begun to spread his name in the theatre community. Cole has been nominated for a Henry Award for Best Costume Design with his work at Breckenridge Backstage Theatre for The Producers. Cole would like to thank his friends and family for their support!
Megan Mohs (Soprano) has been singing as long as she can remember. Her childhood revolved around her entire family’s passion for music and sharing that music with others. She spent high school singing in numerous ensembles as well as participating in theatre as much as possible. She is a recent graduate of Colorado State University where she received her degree in marketing and finance. Currently, she spends most of her time working for 24 Hour Fitness trying to inspire and motivate others to change their lives by living healthier and happier. When not in the gym, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her wild and crazy niece and nephew.
James Musselman (Bass) is the President and Artistic Director of Baker Community Arts Association and serves as the Cantor and Music Director of St. Peter and St. Mary Episcopal Church. He also produces and performs with the 2nd Avenue Singers and was with The Coventry Carolers for many years. He served for several years as a staff chorister and soloist at St. Augustine’s Orthodox Church (Denver) in The Abbey Singers, where he had the privilege of working under the direction of noted American composer Gerald Near and at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church (Denver). In his spare time he makes a living as an accounting and income tax consultant with James L Musselman, CPA, PC
Thomas Poole (Tenor) has performed with opera companies and orchestras in 14 nations on 4 continents, including New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Warsaw Symphony. Opera News hailed his “Impressive Lyric Tenor” as Nemorino in L’Elisir D’Amore. Known for his vivid characterizations, Mr. Poole sang the role of Erice in the internationally acclaimed productions of Cavalli’s L’Ormindo.” He was praised when he recreated the role at the Spoleto Festival in Italy, after productions in New York and at Kennedy Center. Thomas conducted 6 Master Classes and 6 concerts in Korea, and 6 concerts in Taiwan, and soloed many times in Carnegie Hall, in all 4 of the theaters at Kennedy Center in Washington, Lincoln Center theaters in New York City, and soloed in concerts in the National Cathedral. In Colorado, he has performed in many opera productions with Opera Colorado and the Colorado Symphony, over the past 30 years. Thomas was Chairman of the Department of Voice at UNC until retirement, and is Professor of Music Emeritus. OPERA & BEYOND!
Howard Treibitz (Bass) was bass section leader with the Vittoria Ensemble and has sung in the past with the Holy Ghost Church professional choir, Musicians of St. Clare, Singers Master Chorale, and the Acapella Gold five-member a cappella group. He now sings with Singers Chamber Choir. He is president of the Board of the Colorado Chamber Orchestra. He has a doctorate in music theory and composition from Brandeis University in the Boston area. Choral as well as other compositions of his are performed from time to time in the Denver area. He is currently working on a piece for Colorado Chamber Orchestra (with baritone) in commemoration of the 100th year anniversary of the first world war. He is appearing with the 2nd Avenue Singers for the sixth time.
Howard Smith (Tenor) was born and raised in northwest Indiana and has been singing in church
and community choirs wherever he has lived since middle school. He is a proud Air Force
veteran. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from Purdue University and a Master’s
degree in business management from the University of Northern Colorado. Howard and his
family relocated from northeast Illinois to Colorado in 1977 and to the Littleton area in 1986.
He retired as a Senior Systems Engineer after 24 challenging and exciting years with Lockheed
Martin Corporation. Since settling in the Littleton area, he has sung with the Littleton
Chorale/Voices West (21 years), Voices West Select, the Colorado Chorale, Canto Spiritus, the
Musicians of St. Clare, the Coventry Carolers, and, currently, the 5280+ Senior Chorales. He has
studied voice with several teachers over the years, most recently with Dr. Michael Krueger. He
and his wife, Merle, had two children, and have been blessed with two grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren. Howard is an active amateur (ham) radio operator, enjoying the technical
aspects of the hobby and frequent radio contacts with friends all over the world. His favorite
place in Colorado is his land and cabin on Mt. Princeton, where he enjoys working on the land,
and relaxing in the peace and beauty of the mountains.
Linda Treibitz (Alto) is the oldest of four sisters who love to sing. The sisters were showcased as family entertainment on many occasions with Linda often singing harmony and playing the guitar. She has continued to sing in choirs over the years, among them the University Chorale in Miami, Florida, Singers Master Chorale and Singers Chamber Choir in Denver. She graduated from Pomona College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and the University of Colorado with a Master’s Degree in Accounting. She is happily retired and enjoys being a grandma.
Northern Colorado in 1990 with a degree in Music Education. For the past two decades, he has been a middle school Choir teacher in the Cherry Creek School District, where his choirs have received the state’s top honors at the Colorado Music Educators Association state conference. He also directs, sings and arranges music for the Rock n’ Roll A Cappella group Cool Shooz, who have been entertaining audiences throughout Colorado and neighboring states for the past 28 years. They are national A Cappella finalists, having twice won the Harmony Sweepstakes Regional Competition. Mr. Small is proud to have studied voice at UNC with Thomas Poole and is currently enjoying the opportunity of being able to tell Mr. Poole what to do for a change!
Marlene Bainbridge (Alto) has been singing in choral groups since high school. She has performed with many groups in the Denver area including Confluence, Canto Deo, Vittoria Ensemble, Singers Chamber Choir, Arvada Chorale, Golden Concert Choir, and High Country Chorus. She also sings with the women’s quartet Sacred Pepper performing at the People’s Fair and Botanic Gardens. Somehow she still finds time for her day job as an engineering consultant for a medical company.
Rosie Downs (Soprano) grew up in Southeast London, UK, singing as a girl chorister in the Royal School of Church Music training program. After taking Royal School of Music piano exams, and then private voice lessons with teachers in London including Petronella Dittmer, and Elizabeth Adams, Rosie went on to sing with the Thomas Tallis Society in Greenwich, Poscimur Cathedral Choir, and fell in love with opera while singing in performances of Bizet's Carmen, Donizetti's Maria Stuarda, and Verdi's La Traviata in a London opera company. After moving to Denver in 2001 she found herself immersed in elite singing opportunities with the choirs such as Kantorei, St Martins Chamber Choir, and The University of Northern Colorado Summer fest. Continuing on with voice lessons with Andrew Adams of Broadway Music School, Rosie performed in the chorus of Acis and Galatea in summer 2016, as Nella in Gianni Schicchi in the summer of 2017, and is singing in the Denver Opera Collective performance again summer of 2018.
David Ellwood (Tenor) has been performing as a vocalist in the Denver area for many years. He sings in the Opera Colorado chorus (since 1987), he was a section leader and soloist for the Holy Ghost choir for some years and has sung with the CSO chorus for several seasons. Since he graduated with an Engineering degree instead of one in voice, he has augmented his musical education by taking private voice lessons with Jan de Chembrier, Beverly Fernald, and is presently studying with Richard Rediger. He is VP of engineering at a local engineering firm by day.
Kari Kusek (Alto) has been singing as long as she can remember and as often as anyone will listen. This is her sixth season with the 2nd Avenue Singers and she is ecstatic to be back. She graduated from Luther College with a B.A. in Music Performance and Elementary Education and has a Masters Degree in Social Studies and Global Education from The Ohio State University. She currently teaches fifth grade math and science for Aurora Public Schools and incorporates music daily. When she's not working, she and her husband like to chase around her two children and call it exercise.
Janice Tilden is a retired lawyer and longtime resident of Denver. She has enjoyed many varieties of
choral experiences, ranging from high school musicals to 24 years in the chorus of Opera Colorado. She
looks forward to joining the 2nd Avenue Singers for this season.
Christie McNeill (Soprano) returns to performance after a seven-year sabbatical during which she devoted herself to her three young boys. A versatile performer, equally at home in opera and musical theater, Christie has performed in numerous productions where her innate energy and comfort on stage come alive, among them: Nancy in Oliver!, Meg In Damn Yankees, Desiree in A Little Night Music, Zita in Gianni Schicci, Charlotte in Werther, the Third Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus and Carmen. She has won first place in both Musical Theatre and Classical divisions in the NATS Vocal Competition. Christie holds a M. Mus. in Opera Performance from the University of Denver and a B. Mus. in Vocal Performance from Metro State. A firm believer that music changes lives, Christie has also developed and teaches her own World Music curriculum, sharing her love of diverse musical styles and traditions with children in the Denver Metro area.
Cole Mitchell (Bass) has been performing since an early age. He graduated in 2015 from Western Illinois University where he majored in Costume Design for Theatre and minored in Vocal Performance. Upon moving to Colorado in 2016, Cole has begun to spread his name in the theatre community. Cole has been nominated for a Henry Award for Best Costume Design with his work at Breckenridge Backstage Theatre for The Producers. Cole would like to thank his friends and family for their support!
Megan Mohs (Soprano) has been singing as long as she can remember. Her childhood revolved around her entire family’s passion for music and sharing that music with others. She spent high school singing in numerous ensembles as well as participating in theatre as much as possible. She is a recent graduate of Colorado State University where she received her degree in marketing and finance. Currently, she spends most of her time working for 24 Hour Fitness trying to inspire and motivate others to change their lives by living healthier and happier. When not in the gym, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her wild and crazy niece and nephew.
James Musselman (Bass) is the President and Artistic Director of Baker Community Arts Association and serves as the Cantor and Music Director of St. Peter and St. Mary Episcopal Church. He also produces and performs with the 2nd Avenue Singers and was with The Coventry Carolers for many years. He served for several years as a staff chorister and soloist at St. Augustine’s Orthodox Church (Denver) in The Abbey Singers, where he had the privilege of working under the direction of noted American composer Gerald Near and at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church (Denver). In his spare time he makes a living as an accounting and income tax consultant with James L Musselman, CPA, PC
Thomas Poole (Tenor) has performed with opera companies and orchestras in 14 nations on 4 continents, including New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Warsaw Symphony. Opera News hailed his “Impressive Lyric Tenor” as Nemorino in L’Elisir D’Amore. Known for his vivid characterizations, Mr. Poole sang the role of Erice in the internationally acclaimed productions of Cavalli’s L’Ormindo.” He was praised when he recreated the role at the Spoleto Festival in Italy, after productions in New York and at Kennedy Center. Thomas conducted 6 Master Classes and 6 concerts in Korea, and 6 concerts in Taiwan, and soloed many times in Carnegie Hall, in all 4 of the theaters at Kennedy Center in Washington, Lincoln Center theaters in New York City, and soloed in concerts in the National Cathedral. In Colorado, he has performed in many opera productions with Opera Colorado and the Colorado Symphony, over the past 30 years. Thomas was Chairman of the Department of Voice at UNC until retirement, and is Professor of Music Emeritus. OPERA & BEYOND!
Howard Treibitz (Bass) was bass section leader with the Vittoria Ensemble and has sung in the past with the Holy Ghost Church professional choir, Musicians of St. Clare, Singers Master Chorale, and the Acapella Gold five-member a cappella group. He now sings with Singers Chamber Choir. He is president of the Board of the Colorado Chamber Orchestra. He has a doctorate in music theory and composition from Brandeis University in the Boston area. Choral as well as other compositions of his are performed from time to time in the Denver area. He is currently working on a piece for Colorado Chamber Orchestra (with baritone) in commemoration of the 100th year anniversary of the first world war. He is appearing with the 2nd Avenue Singers for the sixth time.
Howard Smith (Tenor) was born and raised in northwest Indiana and has been singing in church
and community choirs wherever he has lived since middle school. He is a proud Air Force
veteran. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from Purdue University and a Master’s
degree in business management from the University of Northern Colorado. Howard and his
family relocated from northeast Illinois to Colorado in 1977 and to the Littleton area in 1986.
He retired as a Senior Systems Engineer after 24 challenging and exciting years with Lockheed
Martin Corporation. Since settling in the Littleton area, he has sung with the Littleton
Chorale/Voices West (21 years), Voices West Select, the Colorado Chorale, Canto Spiritus, the
Musicians of St. Clare, the Coventry Carolers, and, currently, the 5280+ Senior Chorales. He has
studied voice with several teachers over the years, most recently with Dr. Michael Krueger. He
and his wife, Merle, had two children, and have been blessed with two grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren. Howard is an active amateur (ham) radio operator, enjoying the technical
aspects of the hobby and frequent radio contacts with friends all over the world. His favorite
place in Colorado is his land and cabin on Mt. Princeton, where he enjoys working on the land,
and relaxing in the peace and beauty of the mountains.
Linda Treibitz (Alto) is the oldest of four sisters who love to sing. The sisters were showcased as family entertainment on many occasions with Linda often singing harmony and playing the guitar. She has continued to sing in choirs over the years, among them the University Chorale in Miami, Florida, Singers Master Chorale and Singers Chamber Choir in Denver. She graduated from Pomona College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and the University of Colorado with a Master’s Degree in Accounting. She is happily retired and enjoys being a grandma.