Rev. Susan Otey (she, her, hers)
Susan is a second career minister who graduated from Iliff
School of Theology in 2007, was ordained in 2009 and served her first eleven
years in ministry in the conference formally known as Yellowstone.
Susan has a passion for teaching people how to practice connection with God, Jesus and Spirit and for social justice, especially equality for persons who are LGBTQ.
Susan is married to David and has three fabulous daughters, one of whom lives in the Denver area.
Kevin Lufkin
Kevin Lufkin is a Denver based pianist and keyboardist. He is a soloist as well as collaborator in projects ranging from funk, classical, sacred music, jazz, and pop styles. Some performance highlights include a show in Hong Kong with Mannequin, a premier Denver-based event band, and he completed a tour of Mexico where he performed as the pianist for Sound Circle Eurythmy ensemble, based out of Boulder, CO. Other highlights have included various performances throughout the United States and in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He received his Bachelor of Music in piano performance with highest honors from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and was named the outstanding graduate of his class. He has won prizes in numerous piano competitions, including being a two-time winner of the Colorado MTNA Young Artist Piano Competition, receiving third prize in the 2009 Lee Piano Competition, and winning first place in the 2008 Robert M. Spire Piano Competition. Kevin has had the privilege of playing music in the church since 2013, and enjoys being able to play a wide variety of music that serves as an important part of worship.
Russ Smith
Russ Smith is in his twentieth year as the choir director at Golden First UMC. Russ came from similar positions at the Epworth UMC in Norfolk, VA and the Virginia Beach UMC, and has been directing church music programs since 1971. He has a Masters in Music from Norfolk State University, is a retired public school music teacher, and currently works for the BLM, Colorado State Office. Russ and Terri have one daughter and two grandsons living in the Denver area. Russ and Terri spend a lot of time camping allowing Terri to continue her landscape photography.
