If you have an interest in serving on our Board of Directors, please contact info@rmarts.org for more information.
Ann Afton
RMAA Chair (2015-Current)
Human Resource Committee
Ann was the Director of Programs at Families First, a non-profit specializing in child abuse prevention and treatment and has a background in conflict resolution. She sings with the Denver Women’s Chorus.
Heidi Shriver
RMAA Vice-Chair (2019-Current)
Administrator, Montview Conservatory for the Arts
Heidi Shriver recently retired after a 30-year career as a public educator. Heidi continues to enjoy working with kids of all ages, particularly fostering their talents in the arts. She was happy to join the RMAA Board because she has long admired the wonderful music and community created by the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus and the Denver Women’s Chorus.
Jamie Henderson
Board Member (2017-Current) – Secretary
Private Attorney
Jamie Henderson is a Stanford Law-educated attorney who has represented the Denver LGBT community for 29 years. He sang baritone with DGMC from 1991-1995. He is a founding member of the Colorado LGBT Bar Association and is active in SQUID Swim Team and St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.
Karen Tran
Co-President, Denver Women’s Chorus (2021-Current)
Red Rocks Community College
Karen (she/her) currently works for Red Rocks Community College in Financial Aid, where she uses her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion to help make higher education accessible for all students, especially those in underserved communities. She is a graduate of Colorado State University with a BA in Spanish and Economics and has experience in banking, loans, and finance. Karen has been singing with the Denver Women’s Chorus since 2017, has served in various leadership roles on the Chorus Council since 2019, and is currently Co-Chair of the DWC Equity Committee and Co-President of the DWC. As a Denver-born advocate for social justice, she is happy to give back to her local LGBTQ+ community.
vicepresident@denverwomenschorus.org
Stephen Wertz
Co-President, Denver Gay Men’s Chorus (2021-Current)
Stephen has over 40 years of experience in the Arts in various capacities around the country including NYC as a performer, producer, director, designer, and more. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre Performance, a Master of Music Degree in Music Education, and an Advanced Graduate degree in School Administration. He is currently an Assistant Principal in Denver Public Schools. Stephen has been singing with DGMC for the last six years and has been a section leader, a council member and Production manager for all performances for the last three years.
Ryan Montoya
Board Member (2022 – Current)
Slalom Consulting
A native of New Mexico, Ryan has lived in the Denver community for the last 15 years. Ryan grew up in the arts and played in band through high school. He is also passionate about giving back to the community. Currently, Ryan works as a manager within Talent Management at Slalom Consulting, focusing on Global Consultant Development.
Erik Laitos
Board Member (2020-Current)
Consultant, Slalom Consulting
A native of Denver and active in Denver’s LGBT+ community, Erik Laitos has long been an admirer and supporter of the Denver arts scene. A huge Star Trek fan, Erik can recite from the Declaration of Independence and is an obsessive geographer and historian. He is a consultant at Slalom Consulting focusing on growth strategy, the public sector, and diversity & inclusion work and a volunteer docent at Historic Denver.
Marcus E. Turner
Board Member (2022-Current)
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Marcus E. Turner’s career in the arts has spanned several organizations and areas. After receiving Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music, Marcus moved into administration, marketing, fundraising and higher education at such institutions as the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, the University of Denver, Northwestern University, and SCFD. Currently, Marcus leads marketing, communications, and audience services at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. When not working, Marcus can be seen on local stages as an actor or as a musician.Stephen Hutt
Board Member (2021-Current) – Treasurer
Assistant Director, Penn Center for Learning Analytics
Stephen is currently the Assistant Director of the Penn Center for Learning Analytics. His research sits at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Affective Computing, and Education with a special emphasis on supporting students from typically under-represented groups. Stephen is originally from the UK but completed his PhD at the University of Colorado Boulder, during which time he also sang with DGMC.
John Hess
Board Member (2022-Current)
Event Sales and Business Manager, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
A Colorado native, John Hess (he/him), is currently serving as the Event Sales and Business Manager for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and their event services team. Prior to joining the DCPA, John had a 13-year career in professional sport and entertainment production where he oversaw the in-stadium entertainment and game presentation for multiple teams and league events. John currently sings as a tenor in DGMC and Off Kilter! and loves spending time and making wonderful music with his fellow chorus members.