The Singers of Safonia

Kelsey Bedard
If you can have one choir member that you absolutely know is going to be a great fit and have a great voice, Kelsie is the one. An Alto II with a tremendous range, Kelsie is currently attending Metropolitan State University of Denver in pursuit of her degree in Business Management. A graduate of Lakewood High School, Kelsie developed a love of singing challenging choral music in a small group setting. In addition to her work with Safonia, Kelsie is currently a singing member in both a funk and ska band locally.

Rebecca Dellinger
Once in awhile a soprano comes along that can make an ensemble better as a result of the lyric expressiveness of her voice ~ ‘Becca is one of those Sopranos. ‘Becca has a BA in Vocal Performance from New Mexico Highlands University, and is currently a stay at home mom with an active voice studio. As a conductor and Kodaly teacher ‘Becca is an asset to any group she performs with and Safonia is no exception.

Jeanne Fischetti
A beautiful mezzo-soprano with a robust mid-alto range and a clear bel canto soprano, Jeanne joined Safonia to challenge herself and experience a different kind of music making. Her work with Habitat for Humanity feeds her cat and keeps her construction skills fairly sharp during the summer months.

Issa Forrest
A fellow UNC alumnus, Issa has a strong Jazz influence from her time with the unique UNC jazz group "Axidental". As an All-State choir member as a teenager, doubles in the Alto II and Alto I sections in Safonia. She counts among her musical influences Steve Perry and Joni Mitchell. A stay at-home mom, Issa thrives on the musical challenge of Safonia saying, "I love this ensemble! I think we are headed for big things!"

Judy Hamilton
Judy started singing in school and church choirs in Oklahoma leading to a vocal scholarship at a local university. After moving to Denver, she sang with several different choirs and ensembles (my personal favorite being ‘Aural Pleasures’), and is proud to have been given the opportunity of singing with Safonia the past few years. Judy is a Registered Massage Therapist and has an office in the Capital Hill area of Denver.

Rachael A.K. Hazen
A woman whose talent defies definition or stereotype, Rachael has one of those voices that can sing a lullaby to put you to sleep or a spirited rendition of any piece of music to shock you out of complacency. A talented composer and arranger, Rachael has had several works performed by women's choruses around the country. Rachael has performed with a number of large and small ensembles, the rhythm method, Take Note!, Nothing but Treble, and the Denver Women's Chorus among others. A graduate of Oberlin College, Rachael feeds her various animals by working as a corporate cheerleader at the national offices of The Chop House in Boulder.

Nikki Jobin
That's "Dr." Jobin to you…..actually, Nikki does hold a PhD in medieval history with a concentration on medieval and Renaissance Italy, but doesn't let that cloud her gift for raising her voice in song. Nikki has a world of experience in choral music with the Colorado College Chamber chorus as well as the Denver Women's Chorus and the small ensemble Take Note!. Nikki is fortunate to teach classes in her specialty at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Safonia would not be the same without her unadulterated joy in every breath of music she makes.

Clara Kelley
Another young musician, Clara brings a stellar vocal quality to the Safonia ensemble sound. Her experience in the Centaurus High School Women's Choir and the Centaurus High School Show Choir were the only experiences she needed to convince her choral music can be a great time when done right. Clara was also a member of a small group of singers for the Hope Center Worship Team here in Denver.

Sarah Kincannon

Brooke Layman
Brooke is a singularly talented composer, singer and all-around musician. Another All-State Choir member, Brooke has had lead roles in various musical theatre productions, sung with the Virginia Choral Society and locally with the Arvada Center Chorale. Like several of the members of Safonia, Brooke enjoys vocal jazz, but Mozart's Coronation Anthem holds a special place in her musical heart. Brooke recently completed her Bachelor’s degree in Wellness in Nutrition and currently works as an independent contractor/consultant for a Denver based independent insurance agent. Her passion for helping others live a happier, healthier life is evident in her general joi d vrie

Andie Lyons
A graduate of CU Boulder, where she participated in as many choirs as she could get into including the Collegiate Choir, University Chorus and the women’s ensemble, Andie comes to Safonia with a strong resume of wonderful choral experiences. Her experience at Lakewood High School included the show choirs Encore and Kaleidescope, as well as being selected to the All-State Choir in 2000. Andie currently works at the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender Center as the Youth Program Coordinator.

Faith Maronn
The best words to describe this talented musician are ‘well-rounded’ and ‘experienced’. As a Baritone in a competitive Barbershop group, Christmas Madrigal cast member, Soprano I in the Roosevelt University Choir and Colorado Chorale, Faith is skilled in any number of musical genres. Currently working as a front of house manager at the popular jazz club DAZZLE, Faith continues to pursue her love of music in all areas of her life.

Erin McDermott
Erin is another woman for whom the call of musical excellence came early. Erin began playing piano at an early age and discovered her love of choral music in high school. Erin currently sings with the Denver Women's Chorus, and has participated in all levels of musical ensemble performance in her career. Erin contributes to Safonia in many ways by being our web mistress.

Cathy Noland
The antithesis of a "diva", Cathy is still a Soprano. With a quiet demeanor and crystal-clear vocal quality, Cathy is an invaluable asset to the Safonia sound. Cathy has sung with many choirs, both big and small. As an alumnus of Wichita State University, Cathy participated in the music program there while getting her engineering degree. During the day Cathy works as an Industrial Engineer for Safeway.

Stephanie Poland
With a variety of musical experiences in her career so far in her young life, Stephanie is a wonderful addition to Safonia. A young woman with a flexible and beautiful voice, she has sung with Dr. Catherine Sailer at the Lamont School of music as well as being a member of the stellar program of Terri Wilmarth at Lakewood High School. Studying to be a massage therapist and raising her small son doesn’t leave her much time, but Stephanie enjoys the variety and level of musicianship Safonia brings to her life.

Lisa Reaves
A pediatric hematologist-oncologist and a darn fine soprano in her spare time is the easiest way to describe Lisa. Affectionately known as ‘Dr. Lisa’, she brings a dedication and precision to her work with Safonia. In her long hiatus from choral singing during those pesky years of medical training, she was frequently caught singing arias to small children. Thankfully, she has found more appropriate musical outlets in Denver, and uses the challenge of Safonia as a way to keep her foot in the ‘musical game’. We're glad to have Lisa's talent and energy on board.

Laura Sanders
A product of the wonderful music program at Centauras High School, Laura participated in the women’s choir as well as show choir. Selected for the Colorado All-state Women’s choir in 1999 and the 2000 Colorado All-State Mixed Choir, Laura brings a powerful mix of skilled site-reading, enthusiasm and a love of women's ensemble music to Safonia.

Kathleen Stapleton
A student of music from an early age, Kathleen brings a clear talent and a love of performance that shines. She attended the Patapasco High School and Center for the Arts in Baltimore, MD and participated in 8 different choirs for the duration of her attendance there. A member of honor choirs in both Baltimore and Charles counties, she was accepted to the Peabody School of Music before she instead chose to join the Air Force. With all of this music in her past, she couldn’t resist joining the Denver Women’s chorus and now Safonia as well. We are fortunate to have Kathleen joining us.