Kelly Parmenter brings more than four decades of choral and instrumental conducting experience to The Colorado Choir. Throughout her successful career, she served as Chair of the Performing Arts Department at Arapahoe High School in Littleton, Colorado. She earned her Master of Education from Lesley University and a Bachelor of Arts from Adams State University. Kelly has been active in the American Choral Directors Association and the Colorado Music Educators National Conference.
Ms. Parmenter is a well-recognized, professional member of the Denver music community, and her groups have performed at such diverse venues as the U.S. Capitol and Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Carnegie Hall in New York, and Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Prior to being selected in 2009 as the choir’s 2nd conductor, she was both a choir member and soprano soloist. Kelly’s masterful conducting style and creativity define The Colorado Choir’s sound.
Assistant Conductor
Ben Hizer is a young rising singer and conductor in the Denver area. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Ben moved to Denver in 2020 to attend Regis University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Music and an education licensure. He has been teaching since 2024 and currently serves as the Vocal Music Director at Mountain Vista High School and Mountain Ridge Middle School in Highlands Ranch.
Mr. Hizer has been active in the music community since his arrival in Denver. As a conductor, he has directed at Grace Presbyterian church and was an intern at the Denver Children’s Choir, as well as being the assistant director at Regis University for three years. As a singer, he has performed with multiple churches, the Seicento Baroque Ensemble, and Gaudium Verum.
When not teaching or performing, Ben can be found making music at home, camping/hiking, playing board games, and occasionally working out at an American Ninja Warrior Gym.
The Colorado Choir is thrilled to have Ben as our Assistant Conductor.