Bill Loper, Artistic Director
Bill Loper is currently serving in his fifteenth year as Artistic Director of Harmony, and sixteenth year being involved with a GALA Chorus. A “semi-retired” music educator, he holds degrees from The University of Kentucky and The University of Tennessee (Chattanooga). He taught music at Evergreen High School for twenty-three years, where, in 2005, the Bill Loper Performing Arts Scholarship was established. Bill also has received the KCNC Teacher Who Makes a Difference, and the Colorado Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education. He has performed onstage as Sancho in “Man of La Mancha,” and Man in Chair in “The Drowsy Chaperone” with Conifer StageDoor Theatre. Most recently he was nominated for Best Musical Direction on Broadway.com Denver for “The Rocky Horror Show” at Conifer StageDoor Theatre. In his spare time, he enjoys practicing Yoga, learning Reiki healing arts, working out, and cooking. Bill is honored and thrilled to be involved with Harmony, as we continue singing our mission. 
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Alex Underwood, Principle Accompanist
​Alex Underwood is a choral conductor and music educator originally from Russell, KS. He is all-but-dissertation for his doctoral degree in Choral Music from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) where he studied with Andrew Megill and served as the conductor of the University Women's Chorus. He earned an undergraduate degree from Sterling College (KS) in music education and voice performance before teaching vocal music at Ruppenthal Middle School and Russell High School from 2008-2012. He is the recipient of the 2011 Young Director Award from the Kansas Choral Directors Association and the 2010 Horizon Award for first year teachers from the Kansas Department of Education. Alex completed a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting degree at Westminster Choir College in 2014 where he studied with Joe Miller and James Jordan. He founded the Russell Arts Council's Summer Concert Series in 2014 which has grown into the Ad Astra Music Festival, an annual summer classical music festival spanning the month of July.  ​www.adastramusicfestival.org 
Alex McConnell, General Manager
Alex is a native of Mobile, Alabama. He went to Birmingham Southern College where he studied theatrical design and technology and organ performance. After college, he spent many years as a director for Birmingham Children’s Theatre, one of the largest theaters for young audiences in the country, where he led the national touring and outreach department. He then moved into the corporate world as a General Manager for Brunswick Corporation in Atlanta until he was transferred to Denver 3 years ago. Alex is currently a General Manager for By the Rockies, a local restaurant franchisee. He is very excited to be a part of Harmony and to help further the important mission Harmony advocates. He can’t wait to help the organization move into the next chapter. Roll Tide!