Staff
Krista Beckman
Assistant Conductor/Director
Conductor/Director Summit Sound
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
Accompanist
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.
Cassy Gress
Assistant Accompanist
Cassy Gress grew up in Kentucky and has been performing since they were three years old. They have been the accompanist for the Woodford County Theatrical Arts Association, the Lexington Shakespeare Festival, the River City Community Players, and many vocal and instrumental soloists and ensembles. They are an alumnus of the Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts class of 1999 at Bellarmine University; additionally, they attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and sang in the CCM Chamber Singers. Cassy has been a member of Voices West and Voices West Summit Sound since the 2018-2019 season. In their day job they are a systems analyst, and in their spare time they can be found playing video games and hanging out happily with their wife, son and cats.
