Board of Directors and Music Staff
Leadership
Board of Directors
FCC is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and to championing those values in every aspect of our music and operations. To that end, we strive to bring a variety of perspectives, experience, and backgrounds to the choir’s management. The Board appoints an Inclusivity Advisor to support and advise the choir’s efforts in these areas.
The Board is comprised of individuals who are close to FCC through singing, musicianship, financial contributions, or volunteering. At least two Board member terms end each May, and all active choir members may nominate and vote for replacements at the Choir’s annual meeting in June.
The Board works closely with the choir’s staff Music Director and Collaborative Pianist, who lead all of FCC’s musical activity and artistic growth. The Music Director also serves on the Board and programs the Choir’s concerts and outreach events.
Foothills Community Choir is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors who have been involved in the choir for many years. Most of our current Board saw the choir through the pandemic and the many challenges and opportunities that brought to our community. The Board has been working hard since that time to ensure FCC has a stable foundation for the future.
FCC is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and to championing those values in every aspect of our music and operations. To that end, we strive to bring a variety of perspectives, experience, and backgrounds to the choir’s management. The Board appoints an Inclusivity Advisor to support and advise the choir’s efforts in these areas.
The Board is comprised of individuals who are close to FCC through singing, musicianship, financial contributions, or volunteering. At least two Board member terms end each May, and all active choir members may nominate and vote for replacements at the Choir’s annual meeting in June.
The Board works closely with the choir’s staff Music Director and Collaborative Pianist, who lead all of FCC’s musical activity and artistic growth. The Music Director also serves on the Board and programs the Choir’s concerts and outreach events.
Board of Directors
Sarah has been with the choir off and on since 2015, but she returned in 2021 and is back for good (not least because Bekki press-ganged her). Sarah has too many ideas and not enough time, so her role with FCC is now part corporate counsel, part cruise director, and part megaphone (which everyone in the choir will no doubt tell you they love and is very effective). When not running around like a headless chicken for FCC or her state government job, you’ll find her reading a novel, eating dessert, or making and promptly misplacing lists.
Bekki has been a choir member since 2017, almost immediately stepping into the role of Social Media manager. She officially became Board President in 2020 because she felt like she needed more chaos in her life (or because she has an irresistible passion for the people who make up this sweet choir and the community it creates. Or both). In her spare time, Bekki is a Customer Experience and training manager for a tech app. She also enjoys annoying her husband and two kids with her relentless optimism, snuggling her goofy doggos, and eating artichokes.
Kim has a sharp eye for numbers and a sharper tongue for anyone who dares mess with the budget. With a spreadsheet for every occasion and a calculator that never sleeps, this finance whiz is more likely to break out into a rendition of “Money, Money, Money” than to actually part with any cash. But don’t let her no-nonsense attitude fool you – underneath that calculating exterior lies a secret love for show tunes and a passion for belting out ballads in the shower. So while she may be the gatekeeper of the choir’s funds, Kim is also the secret weapon when it comes to stealing the show.
Sara joined the choir in 2017, and has been a quietly reassuring presence in the group ever since. Thanks to her background as a nurse and passion for mental health, she is first on the scene when a choir member needs physical or emotional support, and she’s not afraid to schedule an unofficial follow-up visit. You’ll often find her setting up chairs for post-concert receptions, greeting you in the lobby for rehearsal, or taking photos for the member directory… sometimes all at once. Sara’s favorite way to lavish her trademark empathy is on her 3 teenage children, elderly canines, and via hilarious holiday gifts.
Ann joined the choir in 2022, feeling instantly welcomed, she started to fall in love with this choir. And to prove that she joined the Board this year, after vowing to never sit on another board as long as she lived. Ann is a retired RN who loves spending time with her family and friends , many outdoor activities and painting (or trying to).
Kara joined the choir in Fall 2024, followed shortly by crashing her first board meeting where she ultimately volunteered for a formal role. With a wildly varied background in business operations, she helps ensure that the administrative side of choir life stays in tune. Kara is one of Foothills’ most vocal ambassadors, often raving about the community to be found there, the wit and warmth of its members, and the sheer joy of singing together. When not orchestrating operations, Kara can be found hanging out with her three kids, reliving her chef days at the stove, collecting rocks while hiking, or blissfully reading in her balcony hammock.
Music Staff
Conductor and pianist Taylor Gonzales brings a vibrant blend of artistry and leadership to FCC, where he began serving as Music Director in Fall 2023 following a successful guest conductor engagement in April 2023.
Taylor holds multiple prominent conducting roles in the region. He is the Music Director of Wild Beautiful Orchestra, a dynamic collective of musicians dedicated to creating transformative musical experiences for diverse audiences. He also conducts the Chancel Choir at Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Denver and leads the Silver Singers Choir located in Lakewood. Beyond conducting, Taylor is a dedicated piano teacher, sharing his passion for music with students of all ages. Previously, Taylor served as Associate Conductor of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra and worked as a cover conductor for the Littleton Symphony Orchestra and Stratus Chamber Orchestra. He co-founded the Puget Sound Concerto Orchestra, where he served as the orchestra’s first Music Director.
A native of Central Oregon, Taylor traded the High desert for the lush, rainy landscapes of Washington State to pursue his passion for music. He earned his bachelor’s degree in orchestral conducting at the University of Denver. As a pianist, Taylor performed with orchestras including the University of Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra and the Sunriver Music Festival Orchestra.
When not on the podium or at the piano, Taylor enjoys exploring Denver’s vibrant art scene, dreaming up innovative musical projects, and spending time with loved ones.