Board of Directors
Kara Sakulich, President
Kara has been a member of the Arvada Chorale since 2011. She is a lifelong singer and has sung in church choirs, high school, college, and community choirs. She holds a B.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Mansfield University in Pennsylvania. Currently, she is a stay at home mom and substitute teacher. She lives in Arvada with her husband and 2 young sons. Kara excited to use her talents and past experience with the chorale to take the organization to new heights.
Natalie Morrow, Vice President
Natalie loves to sing and joined Arvada Chorale in 2018. She lives in Arvada with her 2 sons, multiple pets and her Navy veteran spouse of 19 years (her high school sweetheart). Natalie started her own photography business, Good Morrow Photography, to celebrate the lives and interests of families of any and all types. She also founded the Golden chapter of Polka Dot Powerhouse, a networking and support organization for women in business. Natalie lends her passion and expertise in business and marketing to help make the Chorale a successful and savvy organization.
Laura Brassie, Secretary
Laura is a lifelong musician and singer. She started with the piano in kindergarten, and was involved with music programs throughout grade school, mostly percussion in the band rather than choir! In college, she participated in the piano studio and sang in the concert choir and chamber ensemble at Indiana State University. Laura went on to earn a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, moved out to the Denver area in 2015, and currently works as a licensed therapist. She joined the Chorale in 2018 and has loved getting to sing with others again. With experience in both nonprofits and as a business owner, she’s excited to give back to the Chorale as a board member.
Chris Varner, Treasurer
Chris Varner has been singing his whole life, from church and school choirs as a kid in Florida to late-night picking sessions at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and karaoke nights on dive trips in the Caribbean. He served in the U.S. Navy, received a degree from the University of Colorado Denver, and spent 35 years at Ball Aerospace in Boulder as an electrical engineer, designing systems for space telescopes and cameras that collect images of the surface of Mars. At one of those campfire singalongs, he was outed as a fine singer with an ear for harmony and joined the Chorale in 2018.
Sharon Messbarger, New Member Representative
Bio and photo coming soon
Sue Lindsay, Member at Large
Sue has been singing with the Chorale since 2007, and sings with several other groups. A journalist for more than 40 years, she worked for newspapers in Chicago and Denver’s Rocky Mountain News. After the Rocky folded in 2009, she became a private investigator and then a communications director for the Adams County District Attorney’s Office. Music is what kept her sane during all those stressful occupations and she joined the board in 2021 once she retired, hoping to give back to the organization she has loved for so many years.
John-Christian "J.C." Maheu, Member at Large
JC, a baritone, was recruited to the Chorale straight out of Adams State College in Alamosa. He graduated in 2017 with a degree in Theater and has experience stage managing, promoting and directing as well as acting, singing and dancing. Back home in metro Denver, he lives the life of a young creative professional, juggling acting, music and crew gigs with a day job as a medical claims analyst. This is his fifth year in the Arvada Chorale.
Michele Roads, Member at Large
Mum of two and grandmother to three, Michele moved to Arvada 4 years ago from England to be day care for her youngest grandson Oliver. Before that she worked for the University of Portsmouth as a Service Desk Specialist for 20 years. Most of her working career has been in customer service which is probably why she loves to organize. An avid reader and watcher of thrillers, she likes a good murder or three. During Covid-19 lockdown she decided to write a book and has completed the first draft. Hard work but good fun, a great way of keeping the brain cells active. She loves singing and is glad to have found the AC. Best choir ever!!
Linnette Mancuso, Past President
Linnette has been a member of the Arvada Chorale for 10 years and has served as President and Manager in previous years. She is a classically trained singer with a BA in Music from CU Boulder and holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Management from Regis University. Linnette finds her sense of purpose through her philanthropic efforts and by taking care of her family. She currently works as a Customer Success Manager for Voxy EnGen, PBC.
Marla Wasson, Artistic Director and Ex-Officio Member
Marla is a graduate of the Choral Conducting Master’s Program at the University of Northern Colorado. She has been involved in many forms of music from an early age. While a student of Dr. Galen Darrough at UNC, Marla was able to integrate the early music education she experienced within her very musical family with her passionate approach to teaching and choral conducting. As the Music Director of the Arvada Chorale, Marla brings over 20 years of leadership and conducting experience to the podium and encourages musicians and non-musicians alike to explore the deeper meaning of the art they present to their audience. In 2005 Marla formed a women’s chamber ensemble, Safonia, who are dedicated to the synergy of music, passion and excellence.
Deb Morrow, General Manager and Ex-Officio Member
Deb comes to the Arvada Chorale after retiring from Central City Opera where she was Director of Education and Community Engagement for 27 years. She is a singer herself and has experience in both administration and artistic endeavors.