Musicians
The cantor's role as a vocalist is to both sing the responses as the Psalmist, and to lead the singing of the hymns and acclamations of the liturgy. They do this with beautifully trained voices and are sensitive in their leadership without overshadowing the role of the singing of the faithful gathered for Mass.
Director of Sacred Music & Organist
Phil Bordeleau is the Director of Sacred Music and Organist at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, Denver. He has served in this capacity since 2017. Previous appointments include similar positions at the Cathedral of St Andrew, in Little Rock, Arkansas and Saint Patrick cathedral, Fort Worth, Texas. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance at the University of North Texas, and received his Master of Music in Choral Directing at Texas Christian University. He has played pipe organ concerts in major recitals, accompanied silent film classics, trained singers, accompanied operas, musicals, variety shows, and played piano recitals in addition to directing choral ensembles for church and concert performances. His duties at the cathedral include playing organ as primary organist for all liturgical celebrations as well as being the director of the “Concerts at the Cathedral Basilica”, and the director of the Cathedral Choir, and overseeing the cantors of the Cathedral Basilica. Phil Bordeleau presents concert selection on video to demonstrate the Cathedral’s pipe organ, playing the Finale from the Vierne Organ Symphony # 1.
The Choir
The Cathedral Choir numbers 20+ singers, comprised of both staff singers and volunteers. The Cathedral Choir sings the gamut of music for the church from chant to modern compositions. Rehearsals are weekly. Admittance is by audition. For more information, contact Phil Bordeleau, the Director of Sacred Music
Our Cantors
Cyrissa Anderson
Cyrissa Anderson, an active professional singer in the Denver area for over 20 years, is known
for her clear tone and musical intelligence. Cyrissa enjoys performing music of many periods and styles and has extensive choral and solo experience. She has worked in churches of many denominations, including St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral (Denver), Temple Emanuel (Denver), Bethany Lutheran Church (Denver), and Holy Ghost Church (Denver). Cyrissa is overjoyed to be a member of the wonderfully musical choir of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Cyrissa has appeared as a soloist with Colorado Chamber Orchestra, Mercury Ensemble, Parker Symphony, St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral Choir, St. Martin’s Chamber Choir, Kantorei, and many others. She can be heard on Liszt Digital’s recording of Rheinberger’s Mass in C. She also enjoys performing recitals with her husband, organist Richard Robertson. Cyrissa is currently the soprano section leader of Orpheus Chamber Choir and sings with the Archdiocesan Schola. Having a quirky academic brain, Cyrissa has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (recently a retired research chemist, USGS) with a minor in Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado and a Juris Doctor from the Sturm College of Law. When not singing, Cyrissa enjoys hiking, cooking, her two cats, and anything remotely related to The Beatles.
Kacie Kenton
Soprano
Kacie Kenton recently moved to Denver after living and working locally in Colorado Springs since 2017. A San Diego native, Kacie received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music in Illinois and completed her Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Kacie has sung with churches of several different denominations, including Grace & St. Stephens Episcopal Church (Colorado Springs), St. John’s Lutheran Church (Wheaton, IL), and Second Presbyterian Church (Knoxville, TN). Kacie is honored to join the illustrious choir at Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Kacie also sings with various organizations throughout the state of Colorado and has been a featured soloist with the Colorado Springs Chorale, Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, Opera Theatre of the Rockies, Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble, and Parish House Baroque. Kacie’s recent performances and roles include Adina in L’elisir d’amore, soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah, Young Alice in Glory Denied, Lola in Gallantry, and soprano soloist in Bach’s B Minor Mass. As a professional singer, Kacie specializes in opera, choral music, art song, high church music and chant, and even dips her toes into the jazz pool from time to time. Kacie also enjoys teaching students of all ages, especially her church choir folks. On any given weekend, you can find her enjoying Colorado’s great outdoors with her adventurous pup Kudos.
Katie Gillett
Soprano
Katie grew up in Longmont, CO, and has been singing in the Catholic Church from her earliest years, participating in her home parish's choral program from age 3 to 18. While studying theatre at Vanderbilt University, she sang in the Vanderbilt Chorale, the Nashville Symphony Chorus, and the Schola Cantorum of St. Mary's of the Seven Sorrows, the oldest church in downtown Nashville. She also gained extensive experience as a cantor in Nashville's Cathedral of the Incarnation through the University Catholic campus ministry program. She is deeply grateful for the musical directors, mentors, and communities that have formed her in a love of music, sacred liturgy, and the Lord Jesus.
Since returning to Denver, Katie has taught music in several Catholic liberal arts schools in the Archdiocese of Denver. She has also served as formation chair for a committee writing new music curriculum standards for the Archdiocese and worked in music ministry in linguistically and culturally diverse parish communities. She currently works for the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education's School Services team, serving the renewal of the Church's educational apostolate in school systems across the country and advocating for music education rooted in "the musical tradition of the universal Church... a treasure of inestimable value" (Sacrosanctum Concilium). Katie is honored to participate in that tradition each week at the Cathedral Basilica, where she has been part of the choir since 2022. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys hiking and rock climbing, reading, and spending time with her family.