DAvid Poole

Artistic Director

David is a native Albuquerquean who has spent all his life either living in New Mexico or wishing he were back there. He and his soulmate Winona, a retired teacher, have two adult children.

David has an undergraduate degree in English from Indiana University and a Master of Music from UNM in Choral Conducting and
Vocal Performance. He has worked as a musician, freelance writer and, most recently, in the field of social work. 

A teacher of singing for over 30 years, David was also founder of the de Profundis men’s ensemble and its Artistic Director for 28 years. David was the director of Music at La Mesa Presbyterian Church for 27 years, and an instructor in the areas of music and spirituality at Ghost Ranch for 20 years.

As a composer David has choral titles in the catalogs of several major publishers as well as a raft of rejections that now reside on his personal website http://davidepoole.com/.  He is also the author of The River’s Bend, a memoir about his late father.

David’s interests have always included social justice and community-building. He currently works for the non-profit Greater Albuquerque Housing Partnership, where his role is to connect residents of six affordable housing communities with social and support services.

​Martha Dalager

Collaborative Pianist

Martha Dalager is a member of the Piano Faculty of the University of New Mexico. She has performed with Music with the Maestro concerts with members of the New Mexico Symphony, Chamber Magic at the Kimo Theatre, Pro Musica in Santa Fe, Santa Fe Opera Mosaics and on the Roswell Chamber Series.

Martha has accompanied hundreds of singers and instrumentalists, professional and amateur, throughout her years in Albuquerque. She is a treasured choral accompanist for the New Mexico Symphonic Chorus, University Chorus at UNM, New Mexico Symphonic Youth Chorus, De Profundis and now the New Mexico Peace Choir. She is the staff accompanist for the Vocal Artistry Art Song Festival, of which she is a founding board member.

Martha has twin sons, John and Paul. John is a Cadet at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut studying Cyber Security. He loves to travel and is an avid runner. Paul is an EMT and a Certified Flight Instructor currently living in Albuquerque. He recently completed his Associate’s Degree in Aviation from Eastern New Mexico University in Roswell.