About Voices West

After a distinguished career teaching at the college/university level, Michael Todd Krueger has dedicated himself to the pursuits of adult, avocational singers. He concurrently serves as music director/conductor of Voices West (Littleton, CO), conductor/artistic director of the Larimer Chorale (Fort Collins, CO) and as minister of music at King of Glory Lutheran Church in Arvada, CO. Through his work with these choruses, he is known for his healthy, inspiring and unique approach to singing for adults.

Dr. Krueger earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in music education from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, the Master of Music degree from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley (UNC) and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting and literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has served on the music faculties of Ithaca College, Morningside College, Millikin University, and the University of Wyoming.

As a performer, Krueger was a member of the Grammy Award-winning Robert Shaw Festival Singers and the Grammy-nominated UNC Axidentals Vocal Jazz Ensemble. He has conducted all-state, honor choir and choral festival performances for singers of all ages throughout North and South America and has led numerous concert tours to the cultural centers of Europe.

A lifelong Coloradan, Krista Beckman (she/her) graduated in 2016 with master’s degrees in choral conducting and music theory from the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music. While at Lamont, Krista studied conducting with Catherine Sailer and Kyle Fleming and music theory with Kristin Taavola.

An active mezzo-soprano soloist and choral musician, Krista sings professionally throughout the Denver area, including annual engagements at the Colorado Ballet and previous work with the Boulder Chorale, Ars Nova Singers, Voices of Light, and several church choirs. In addition to her conducting work with Voices West, Krista serves as choir director at Broomfield United Methodist Church, where she leads a choir of about 30 singers and coordinates vocal and instrumental music for traditional worship.

Krista has also worked as a score reader for three summers at the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, assisting the video team in recording the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and other world-class ensembles and soloists.Krista has taught several music theory courses at the University of Denver and is passionate about helping others to cultivate inspired musicianship through deeper musical knowledge. In her own academic work, Krista has sought to develop new means of analysis for modern music and to raise the profile of choral music in the world of music theory. Krista believes strongly in the value of community music-making and is grateful to serve the singers of Voices West as their assistant conductor.

Linda Cody graduated magna cum laude from Baylor University with a degree in piano. She presently is pianist at Riverside Church and accompanist for several vocal studios.  She also has played for the Met auditions and NATS auditions.

Theatrical accompanying has included Mainstreet Players, Caravan Players, Fiasco at Littleton Town Hall, DCPA Stage Theater, and Showstoppers USA.  She previously lived in the Los Angeles area, where she was pianist/music arranger for Pacific Paramount Productions, pianist/assistant director of Downey Civic Light Opera, and pianist for Downey Civic Chorus.

Linda is a former singer with Schola Cantorum of Fort Worth, Littleton Chorale, and Colorado Symphony Chorus.

A member of National Music Teachers Association, she has taught for Yamaha International School of Music and Adult Continuing Education.