Our Fall 2024 Board:
President
Payton Keeler
Payton Keeler is a vocal performer from Boulder, Colorado. She is currently pursuing a pre-med track with a double major in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology (MCDB) and Classics (ancient civilization studies) along with a Public Health Certificate. Payton began performing from the age of four and has sung in many diverse repertoires, genres, and vocal parts ranging from tenor to soprano. She has been in over 30 musicals, sang in her high school's Chamber, Concert, and Bella Voce choirs, played Alto and Bari saxophone throughout school, sang in an a cappella club at CU, organized and performed in a benefit concert for a sustainable non-profit in the Dominican Republic, and has been in various community choirs. Payton has also performed at Dazzle Denver, along with international choirs at Carnegie Hall in New York and Musikverein in Vienna. She strongly believes that there is a spectacular magic in bringing a community together through music and looks forward to keep performing with Renova New Music Ensemble. Payton is excited to be a part of Renova's 2025 Board!
Music Director
Blake Clawson
Blake Clawson is a composer, performer, conductor, and educator from the Pacific Northwest. His music weaves contemporary classical, jazz, and folk influences into colorful and expressive pieces that captivate listeners. He draws inspiration from poetry and nature, and while choral works on the pensive and Arcadian poems of Sara Teasdale are central to his output, he also writes chamber works that range from scintillating and groovy to introspective and serene.
Blake serves as the music director of Renova New Music Ensemble, University of Colorado Boulder’s student-run new music choir. He is currently pursuing a dual Master’s in Music Composition and Choral Conducting at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Blake has studied composition with Annika Socolofsky, Carter Pann, and Brent Edstrom, as well as choral conducting with Karen Grylls and Marc Hafso. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition from Whitworth University and has studied at the University of Auckland.
Executive Officer
Merryn Madison​
Merryn Madison is a choral performer from Chicago, IL. She is currently studying Integrative Physiology and Business at the University of Colorado, Boulder. In high school, Merryn performed in her school’s Chamber Choir and participated in voice lessons. Seeking new opportunities and exploring what the choral music world has to offer in Boulder, Merryn joined Renova New Music Ensemble in Spring of 2024. This will be her second term as Renova’s Executive Officer.
Secretary
Avinand Kuma
Avinand (Avi) Kumar is a passionate choral performer from Colorado Springs, CO, and a second-year undergraduate at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he studies business. Avi has been immersed in choral music since elementary school, supported by years of classical vocal training. In addition to his vocal work, he is a guitarist and songwriter, with several original songs already published.
His experiences in both ensemble and solo music-making have deepened his appreciation for creative collaboration and the unique power of bringing people together to create something meaningful. Avi is excited to help lead Renova New Music Ensemble, where he aims to foster a strong sense of community and artistry. He hopes to apply his marketing and networking skills to amplify Renova’s presence in the Boulder community and share its music with a broader audience.
Avi firmly believes in the transformative power of a great song—and looks forward to making that impact alongside the talented individuals in Renova.