Peggy Bignell
Member "since 4 years before Karen took over"; Main choir and small group
Piccolo, C Flute, Alto Flute
I've been playing since forever. In High School, I had the opportunity to play in marching band which was a lot of fun. I went to Azusa Pacific Univ and played in band there. Doing the band tours in college was more fun than a person should have. I am a travel agent so I’ve have wonderful opportunities to travel to unique and exotic locations.  I recently returned from India which was very hot, but a great trip. I have traveled to Italy, Hawaii, Canada and Boston over the years with Beth Lewis, another PPFC member. I look forward to many more years with the group!

Lisa Birnbaum
Member since 1996; Main choir
C Flute
I tell my fourth grade students that it was in fourth grade that I began playing the flute. I then played through high school but then did not pick it up again until joining the choir in 1996. Back then, it was a much-needed night away from small children. The children have grown and I still enjoy the night out.

Olivia Bond
Member since 2009; Main choir
C Flute
I’ve been playing the flute for two years. I began when I was nine. This is my first time playing with a choir. My flute teacher is Treese Kjeldsen. I can play the piano, but have not had any lessons. I am home schooled. I enjoy acting and I take acting classes. I have taken ice skating lessons and enjoy skating when I can. I have an older brother and sister and a younger brother. We don’t have any pets, but I am saving for a Siberian cat. They are very expensive and hypo-allergenic. I’ve traveled for vacations to California where my mom is from and to Illinois where my dad is from.

Linda Cherry
Member since 2009; Main choir and small group
Piccolo, C Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Piano, Handbells
I first picked up a flute more than 40 years ago, and have enjoyed playing ever since. I loved marching band in high school but didn't play in college (Michigan State University didn't use flutes or piccolos in their marching band). I worked in pharmaceutical research in Indianapolis for nearly 30 years until my retirement in 2007. In Indianapolis, I played with the Covenant Symphony Orchestra at East 91st Street Christian Church and was a member of Wings of the Wind flute choir for 15 years. I also played with the Indianapolis Symphonic Band and the Praise Band at Park Chapel Christian Church. I gave piano, flute, and recorder lessons to inner city kids in Indy for two years. In 2008, my husband and I fulfilled our retirement dream of moving to Colorado where we enjoy hiking, biking, volunteer work, RVing, and traveling to visit family in the Midwest. I am a member of Sunnyside Christian Church and play in the Jubilee Bells handbell choir there.

Originally from southern Indiana, I have a B.S. in Music Ed. from Indiana State U. and a M.A. Ed. from University of Phoenix. I currently play horn in the Pueblo Symphony. I am retired from teaching elementary music and art in CSSD 11, but teach after school art classes and sub. I am a potter and dabble in watercolor and acrylic painting. I love to travel, having been to several European countries as well as Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, the Galapagos, and Morocco. As I love to cook, I’ve picked up several great recipes, as well as art and music from each country. Next in the works is a cruise to the Mediterranean, especially the Greek Islands.

I’ve been playing the flute for 27 years.  I was fortunate to find the Pikes Peak Flute Choir the week after I graduated from college – I’ve always had a place to play! I grew up in suburban Los Angeles and moved to Colorado in 1995.  My parents live in Colorado Springs, while my extended family lives in California and Oklahoma.  I have one younger brother who lives with his family in Indonesia.  I have a cat named Sam – he’s very entertaining, but isn’t quite sure what to make of me when I practice my flute. I attended Azusa Pacific University, a private college in Southern California. I was a part of the music department, playing in both the concert band and orchestra.  I also sang in Bel Canto (a ladies’ choir) and played in the handbell choir. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies (Elementary Education) with an emphasis in History.  I hold a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Gifted Education from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. I have been an elementary school teacher for 14 years.  I have taught third and fourth grades, and am currently an elementary gifted resource teacher. I love to travel!  In the last 8 years, I’ve been to Russia, England, Germany, Austria, Italy, Canada, Boston, Seattle, Hawaii, Oklahoma, and California. Besides playing the flute, my hobbies include scrapbooking and counted cross-stitch.

Lena Roeder
Member since 1995; Main choir and small group
C Flute
I started playing the flute in the 5th grade. I played through my freshman year in college before taking a 15-year hiatus prior to starting with this choir. I started taking piano lessons 2½ years ago also. This has been a wonderful addition to my life, but has cut drastically into my flute practice time ( Sorry Karen!). My day job is as owner/veterinarian at Dublin Animal Hospital. I graduated from CSU School of  Veterinary Medicine in 1991 and was lucky enough to enter a career field that I feel genuinely well suited for. Music is a great stress relief after spending my days attempting to solve the ills of the furred, feathered and scaled. In my free time I am an outdoor enthusiast. I enjoy running, backpacking, skiing and gardening. I am also an avid bicycle commuter (an occasionally daring adventure on the streets of Colorado Springs!) My family includes my husband Marcus, my 22-year-old daughter Shayla and my 19-year-old son Tsaaron. My daughter graduated from CU Boulder this spring and my son started at UNC in Greeley this fall, so we are officially empty nesters. We also enjoy the companionship of 3 dogs, 2 cats, an African Gray Parrot, a flock of chickens and 4 box turtles.

Jennifer Sundman
Member since 1999; Main choir
C Flute
I grew up in Colorado Springs; began playing flute in 4th grade and continued through (Cheyenne Mountain) High School (except 1 year when playing E flat contra bass clarinet).  I have a B.A. in Biology from Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR and spent 5 months in Kenya on a biology study program. I lived in Washington, DC for 5 years after college; worked at World Wildlife Fund and the National Zoo (Education). I moved back to Colorado Springs and worked at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Education). I currently work in property management (low-income housing) and volunteer in my kids' schools, Starsmore Discovery Center and Venetucci Farm. I am a member of First Congregational Church and my hobbies are hiking and skiing. I have 2 children, Kyle (16) and Jillian (13) plus 1 golden retriever, 2 parakeets and 3 goldfish.