Derek Manteufel, Tuba
New Mexico native Derek Manteufel, attended Eldorado High School before enrolling at the University of New Mexico, where he continued to study under Santa Fe Symphony principal tuba, Dr. Richard White.
He performed with the Albuquerque Youth Symphony for four years, the New Mexico All State Symphonic Band for two years, and the New Mexico All State Symphonic Orchestra for two years.
After completing his undergraduate work at UNM, Derek moved to Chicago, where he studied with Gene Pokorny at Northwestern University. He returned to Albuquerque after he completed his masters degree in music in 2019.
Maria Long, Horn
Hornist Maria Long is currently pursuing a D.M.A. in Performance and Pedagogy under the tutelage of Michael Thornton at the University of Colorado Boulder. Maria holds an M.M from the Herberger Institute, Arizona State University where she studied with Dr. John Ericson.
An avid performer, Maria is currently the Assistant Principal/Utility Horn with the New Mexico Philharmonic and plays regularly with the Colorado Symphony, Opera Southwest, and The Santa Fe Symphony.
Addison Bosch, Trumpet
Addison graduated from Albuquerque’s Volcano Vista High School a year early in order to pursue a bachelors degree in Music Performance at the University of New Mexico, where he has continued his studies with Dr. John Marchiando.
Sam Oatts, Trumpet
Born in New York City to Grammy Award-winning parents in both classical and jazz music, Conn-Selmer Bach trumpet artist Sam Oatts was all but destined to become a musician fluent in many genres. During the day, he studied classical trumpet with members of the Metropolitan Opera, then at night headed downtown to the club circuit playing bass with punk rock bands. Sam has since cemented his reputation as one of the most sought-after trumpet players in the United States with extensive international credits across 35+ countries and 49 US States in classical, commercial, lead, jazz, chamber, rock, pop and world music. He is also an in-demand songwriter, arranger, producer, musical services coordinator.
Laura Witte, Soprano
Laura Witte graduated with a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from Indiana University. She’s a Hoosier, born and raised. She loves to travel, has two cats, and all things arts related. Laura started her career as Development Officer with The Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus in March 2023 and joined the The Santa Fe Symphony Chorus shortly after, in the fall 2023.
Bethany Gallegos, Soprano
Soprano Bethany Gallegos, born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, began singing with The Santa Fe Symphony Chorus for their 2021–2022 season. She attended The University of New Mexico and completed her 4-year Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication & Journalism.
Kathleen Mead
I am a life-long singer; I discovered my musical passion singing in the kindergarten Christmas pageant and have been singing ever since. While still in college, I began singing with the newly formed Saint Louis Symphony Chorus under the direction of Thomas Peck. After five years, my teaching duties and a new family forced me to scale back my commitment. For a few years, I sang with various community groups.
I was thrilled to eventually be invited to join the Saint Louis Chamber Chorus—a professional a cappella chorus based in Saint Louis, Missouri. I was honored to sing with them for more than two decades. Concurrently, I performed with the Ellenwood Consort, an early music ensemble under the direction of lutanist, Jeffrey Noonan.
When a cross-country move landed my husband and I in Pennsylvania for two years, I sang with the Pittsburgh Camarata. Our next move brought us to Santa Fe where I’m delighted to be singing with The Santa Fe Symphony Chorus!
When not singing, I love to travel; most trips these days are to visit far-flung family members, including our three adult children. Our youngest is carrying on the family musical tradition as a pianist and composer in the Bay Area. When not singing or traveling, I am usually “playing with fabric” and enjoying the company of other fiber artists.
LaVelle Martin
LaVelle Martin grew up in a musical family. Her dad had a country western band and played engagements all over the Panhandle of Texas. He couldn’t read music, but played many instruments by ear—his specialty was the fiddle. Music has been an important and satisfying part of LaVelle’s life. She took voice lessons in high school and has participated in singing groups throughout her life. LaVelle is a retired teacher from the NM Public Schools. In 1974 she moved to Santa Fe and began singing with the Chorus of Santa Fe in 1979. When The Santa Fe Symphony decided to add a chorus she immediately joined. She has sung with us every season since.
Cathy Lewis, Alto
Alto Cathy Lewis joined The Santa Fe Symphony Chorus for the 2018-2019 Season, having just moved to Santa Fe from the Bay Area with her husband Jon and their two cats. Her choral singing experience began in Portland, Maine, with her temple’s youth choir. After moving to California, Cathy joined the San Francisco Lyric Chorus, and sang with the choirs of Trinity Episcopal Church in San Francisco and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Belvedere. In 2010, she joined the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. Her eight seasons there included dozens of performances, led by Michael Tilson Thomas and guest conductors such as Charles Dutoit, James Conlon, Ton Koopman, and Andras Schiff. Cathy has also sung with the San Francisco Festival Chorus at the Grand Teton Music Festival and participated in the Berkshire Choral Festival in Canterbury, U.K. Choral singing is a source of great joy for Cathy, and she is delighted to be a part of The Santa Fe Symphony Chorus.