Steve Howie, Conductor

Steve Howie is excited to begin his second year as conductor of the Rocky Mountain Chorale. He brings to the group over fourteen years experience conducting church, school, and community ensembles. Currently, he serves as Minister of Music at Saint Peter Lutheran Church in Greenwood Village where he directs a variety of choral and instrumental ensembles.

Also an accomplished singer, he was the bass section leader for Ars Nova singers in Boulder, was a frequent student soloist for the Messiah Festival at Bethany College, and has played a number of lead roles in community theater. He is currently a member of Kantorei, one of the nation's premier choral ensembles, based in Denver and just returned from a European tour which included singing for High Mass at Saint Peter's Cathedral in Vatican City.

Steve has a Bachelor of Arts degree in choral and instrumental music education from Bethany College, Lindsborg, KS and a Master of Music degree from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. He has studied with Greg Aune, Edith Copley, and Alan Reick, among others and has sung under the direction of Richard Larson, Tim Krueger, Tom Morgan, Andre Thomas, and Simon Carrington.

Art Bragg, Assistant Conductor

Art started his professional musical career at the age of 11 as a paid soprano in a Men and Boy’s choir in Upstate NY.  By the age of 18 he was conducting the choir and playing the organ in a small church.  Art attended Union College, where he accompanied the Glee Club, including on a concert tour of Venezuela.  After obtaining degrees in music and computer science Art went to New England Conservatory where he entered the Master’s program in Piano Accompaniment.

 Art moved to Boulder about 17 years ago to work on a Doctorate in Choral Music at CU.  He was conductor of this same Rocky Mountain Chorale for two and a half years.  Some of the current members actually remember this time!  Through some bizarre twists of fate Art ended up with a day job and a family instead of a doctorate (it was about time).  He is now a Senior Software Developer at VisionTEK in Superior, and is again active as a pianist and singer, singing solos with Rocky Mountain Chorale and the Cantabile Singers and playing piano in pick-up bands and at local retirement homes.

Joanna Lynden, Accompanist

Joanna Lynden is a composer, choral director, pianist, and church organist who has lived in Boulder County since 1987.  She attended the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Mills College in Oakland, and received a music education degree at the University of Colorado.  Under her 13-year artistic and musical direction, the renowned women’s a cappella vocal group, IRIS, performed extensively in the Denver metro area and recorded three albums of mostly original music.  Ms. Lynden’s career has included playing organ or piano in various chamber ensembles, playing in jazz and folk ensembles, and accompanying soloists, choirs, and musical theater.  She currently teaches music in the schools and private piano in her home studio.