Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble

Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble (CVAE) was founded in 1992. Under the direction of Deborah Jenkins Teske, the Ensemble has garnered praise for “flawless sound” and “courageous programming,” and been hailed as a vital part of the cultural landscape in Colorado. Now celebrating 34 years of steadfast commitment to artistic excellence and community involvement, CVAE believes that art thrives where it is planted.

CVAE’s annual concert series features traditional works and new music sourced from all over the world. Programming is carefully crafted and highly varied, designed to create memorable experiences for audiences. While a cappella singing is at the heart of CVAEs identity, collaborations have brought opportunities to explore a broader repertoire. Vital partnerships with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, Parish House Baroque, and the Colorado College Summer Music Festival have allowed for performance of such diverse works as Brahms’ A German Requiem, Menotti’s The Unicorn, the Gorgon, and the Manticore, and Stravinsky’s Les Noces.  Other important collaborators have included the Green Box Arts Festival, Ormao Dance Company, Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale, The Denver Brass, and The Colorado Ballet Society.

Beyond the concert hall, CVAE has shared the choral art with community members of all ages. Gateways: Opening Door to the Choral Art is a high school residency program allowing CVAE to mentor secondary choral programs. Voice, Verse and Vision, a multimedia arts collaboration featuring singers, poets, visual artists, and composers earned Chorus America’s prestigious Education Outreach Award for 2003. 

CVAE has performed extensively throughout the state of Colorado and ventured into new territory with a seven-day tour of Southern California. The Ensemble has been a featured performer at national conferences of Chorus America, The American Guild of Organists, and The Association of Anglican Musicians. 

Looking to the future, CVAE is making renewed commitment to supporting the artists who bring the music to life. Members of the ensemble now receive financial compensation for  their work. This represents a significant shift in organizational structure and culture. While only small steps along this new path have thus far been possible, CVAE is proof that great things come from small beginnings.