Our Board of directors

John Cook

John is an advisor to senior leaders, partnering with them to develop their organizations and to build the leadership and communication skills essential for driving results. He coaches senior leaders through critical decisions involving feedback, relationships, performance management, talent development, succession planning, and communication style. With deep experience across industries and geographies, John brings a pragmatic, global perspective to every engagement.

John has worked for more than 18 years with Fortune 500 companies, hedge funds, law firms, private equity funds, investment banks, insurance companies and pharmaceuticals, which include BlackRock, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Davidson Kempner, Delphi – Tokio Marine Group, Johnson & Johnson, Millenium Management, Morgan Stanley, Point 72, SJI, TD Cowen, and Summit Rock Advisors, among others.

John previously directed executive leadership development programs at the Villanova School of Business and, prior to that, invested ten years in national marketing and business planning roles with Deloitte & Touche.

John holds a B.S. from Boston University and an Executive MBA from Villanova University. He is also an adjunct professor of leadership and coaching in the LeBow College of Business at Drexel University.

He is also a classically trained musician with diplomas from The Academy of Vocal Arts and Boston University.

Mike Perko

Mike is a dedicated technology leader at Oracle, where he leverages a wealth of experience to drive innovation and guide high-performing teams in delivering cutting-edge solutions. With a passion for solving complex business challenges, he has built a reputation for fostering collaboration, implementing efficient strategies, and championing the development of transformative technologies. His role at Oracle reflects a deep commitment to aligning technological advancements with customer success, ensuring lasting impacts in a fast-evolving industry.

Beyond his professional achievements, he has extended his leadership skills to the community, serving as a board member and director for the local Little League. In this role, he has not only overseen operational and strategic initiatives but also cultivated an environment that encourages sportsmanship, teamwork, and the personal growth of young athletes. His involvement underscores a profound dedication to fostering the next generation, both in the tech world and within the local community.

An avid supporter of the arts, he has a lifelong interest in music, finding inspiration and creativity in its diverse expressions. He actively contributes to the enrichment of his community by supporting local non-profit organizations, combining his leadership acumen with a heartfelt commitment to social good. Whether championing educational programs, mentoring youth, or participating in fundraising initiatives, he demonstrates a genuine passion for creating positive, lasting change.

This combination of professional expertise, community service, and artistic appreciation defines him as a leader who not only excels in his field but also uplifts and inspires those around him.

Whitney Luther

Whitney Luther is a gifted arts leader and organizational developer. She is thrilled to join her husband, Christopher, in creating impactful, community centered musical experiences through Luther Strings as the Director of Operations.

Whitney served as the Executive Director of El Sistema Colorado from 2020 to 2022 where she molded the organization into an effective, thriving, fiscally sound music education organization offering free string instruments and lessons to Denver’s youth. She joined ESC as Development & Operations Manager in September 2019. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Colorado State University and her master’s degree in Arts Development and Program Management at the University of Denver. Whitney has spent her career creating unique opportunities to connect communities through collaborative learning experiences in the arts.

As a public school choral director and cellist, she created a private lesson program for Title I schools, drawing on the skills and talent of local teaching artists. During her tenure she also directed musical productions entirely produced by middle school students. In 2017 Whitney transitioned into arts administration. She realized her calling to organizational leadership while working in development with Opera Colorado.

She currently serves on the Colorado Symphony Education Committee and is the Board Secretary of Colorado Baroque Chamber Orchestra. In her free time, Whitney loves cooking for friends and family and hosting chamber music concerts both at Luther Strings and at home.

Chris Luther

Dr. Christopher Luther is the President and Owner of Luther Strings, and a Teaching Artist. He is extremely passionate about his small business and the team that helps him run it!

Violist, violinist, conductor, arranger, mentor, and devoted pedagogue, Dr. Christopher Luther has established himself as a uniquely gifted performer and teacher through his diverse musical background and uncanny ability to reach and inspire students.

One of few teachers who can fully teach and perform classical and non-classical styles at the highest level, Dr. Luther combines both worlds, both for exciting, innovative performances, as well as to revolutionize the process of music education.

In Los Angeles, Dr. Luther performed many soundtracks with on-screen performances, with the most notable of which being The Soloist. He has collaborated with artists including Burt Bacharach, Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Patti Austin, Ruben Studdard, James Moody, Jon Faddis, Nancy Wilson, Richard Green, Andrea Bocelli, and many others, including a performance on The Jay Leno Show with Sarah Barrielles.

Dr. Luther elevates his students with a tailored teaching approach to all ages and all abilities. Certified for the entire Suzuki Violin Method from the Suzuki Association of the Americas, Dr. Luther understands the importance of structure and thoughtful sequencing of technique and repertoire. More recently, Dr. Luther has used his abilities as a teacher and pedagogue to teach String Teaching/Pedagogy classes, and String Literature classes for both the undergraduate and graduate levels. With his vast experience in alternative styles, improvisation, and theory, Dr. Luther is able to teach and stimulate his students with a more comprehensive, complete, and modern approach.

As a masterclass clinician, Dr. Luther’s recent university visits include the Peabody Conservatory, Temple University, University of Delaware, Colorado State University, Louisiana State University, Texas State University, Texas Lutheran University, Southwestern University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Delaware, Ball State University, Montgomery College, University of Tampico Mexico, University Nevada Las Vegas, most universities in Taiwan, the American Viola Society National Festival, and the International Viola Congress.

Mark Biesterfeld

Colorado native Mark Biesterfeld holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Indiana University and a Master of Music degree in Voice from the University of Cincinnati and was a recipient of an Allied Arts Inc. grant and a Corbett Award in Opera. Mark has performed extensively around the country, including appearances with Cincinnati Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Utah Festival Opera and Sarasota Opera. He also appeared as the title role in The Mikado with CU Opera in Boulder. Mr. Biesterfeld’s solo concert credits include Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass with Philadelphia Chamber Chorus and Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem with the Wayne Oratorio Society as well as the Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Boulder Philharmonic.

In addition to CIM, Mark and his brother Curt operate a tech data company Sky Data, Inc. Mark and his wife Leah (and co-executive director) operate Petite Musician; a Denver based early childhood music program.

Leah Creek Biesterfeld

Leah Creek Biesterfeld earned a Master of Music in Voice from Indiana University and trained at some of the country’s leading Young Artist Programs, including Santa Fe Opera and Wolf Trap Opera. She also holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has extensive performing experience in both opera and concert, appearing with opera companies such as New York City Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia and Opera Colorado and was named a national winner of the prestigious Metropolitan Opera National Council Award.

A frequent performer across the Colorado Front Range, Leah performs regularly with Colorado Bach Ensemble, St. Martin’s Chamber Choir, Ars Nova Singers, and Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado. Recent opera appearances include the role of the Second Witch in Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado’s production of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.

Recent solo concert appearances include an appearance as alto soloist in Bach’s BWV 80 Ein Feste Burg with Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra and as alto soloist in Handel’s Messiah with both Colorado Bach Ensemble and Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra. Other notable solo appearances include Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the Boulder Philharmonic, Mozart’s Requiem with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, the Boulder Chamber Orchestra, and Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra, Mozart’s Mass in C Minor with Philadelphia Chamber Chorus.

Ms. Creek Biesterfeld made her Carnegie Hall debut with Mid-America Productions as a soloist in Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and returned twice as the mezzo-soprano soloist in the Duruflé Requiem and the Mozart Requiem. Leah grew up playing Suzuki violin and going to Suzuki Institutes each summer!