Our Staff
Choir Directors
Wendi Burback
Wendi is the artistic director of Centennial Children’s Chorus and the director of Sala Voce and Primo Coro. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education (BME) degree from Colorado State University, along with certifications in Orff-Schulwerk and Kodály methods. Mrs. Burback's teaching career spans pre-school, elementary, and middle school levels, with roles in choir, musical theatre, and general music in the Weld RE-9 and Poudre School Districts. She has directed various musical groups, including the PSD Elementary Honor Choir (2019), community and church children's choirs, adult choirs, and orchestras. Additionally, she offers private voice lessons. Since becoming a Director with Centennial Children's Chorus in Fall 2013, Wendi has fostered the growth of young singers in the community. She loves living in Fort Collins and enjoys the Colorado lifestyle with her husband, James, and their three children, all of whom have been or are currently CCC singers.
Michael Apodaca
Michael started as director of Jubilate in 2011. Since 1995, Michael has been teaching elementary and middle school choral music in Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver, and Greeley. During that time, Michael obtained his certification in Orff-Schulwerk, Kodaly, and Musikgarten methods. He has taught classes specializing in music for young children at Pasadena City College, Los Angeles City College, and California State University in Los Angeles. Michael holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Composition from University of California in Santa Barbara, a Masters Degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, and has recently graduated with an Ed.S. Degree in Educational Leadership from University of Northern Colorado. Michael is currently teaching elementary music for Weld County School District Six.
Nicole Hallenbeck
Nicole is a passionate music educator who has served Poudre School District and the Northern Colorado area for over 20 years. Nicole is the vocal music director at Wellington Middle-High School where she teaches a variety of vocal ensembles and music courses. Prior to her role in the secondary classroom, Nicole was the music teacher at Bennett Elementary, an I.B. World School, from 2004-2022. She enjoys being an active collaborator with the CSU Kodάly Institute, PSD mentor program, and has been an adjudicator for choirs in the Southern Colorado area. Nicole’s academic accomplishments include a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Master of Music Education degree from Colorado State University, and is a certified level III Kodάly music educator. In addition to teaching, Nicole is a member of the Larimer Chorale and serves as the soprano section leader. Nicole shares her life with her two sons Nolan and Louis. Her time outside of education is spent delighting in outdoor activities, cheering at sporting events, and enjoying live music.
Accompanists
Keah Redder
Keah is the accompanist for Cantare. She joined CCC in 2013. Keah began accompanying while in middle school, and has accompanied various ensembles and individuals from elementary through college age. She enjoys singing with the Rocky Mountain Chamber Singers, and she loves to get her hands on a good book. She graduated from Anderson University with a BA in Bible and Religion.
Deanna Ballantine
Deanna returns to CCC as the accompanist for Cantare. She recently retired from Poudre School District where she was the collaborative pianist at Boltz Middle School for 13 years and Preston Middle School for the past 6 years, working with the choral music programs and musical theater at both schools. She is also a member of the CUMC Chancel Choir and fills in frequently on the piano. She is excited to be back working with CCC!
Becky Kendall
Becky is the new accompanist for Jubilate. She began taking piano lessons at age 5 and followed in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother by playing piano in church almost every Sunday since high school days. She is currently the accompanist at Windsor High School. Through the years she enjoyed accompanying at several schools in PSD and in central California,. She graduated from Anderson University (Anderson IN) with a degree in Sacred Music. Becky and her recently retired husband moved back from Fresno CA to Fort Collins in 2023 to be close to family. She is especially excited to join the staff of CCC alongside her daughter, Keah Redder (accompanist for Sala Voce), and grandchildren who sing in CCC.
