15238 East Hampden Circle
Aurora, Colorado  80014
(303) 693-2696

Quality Music Instruction since 1987!


Home Instructors Private Lessons Location


Click on an instructors name to be taken to their bio.

Drums & Percussion Fretted Strings Brass Orchestral Strings Piano Voice Woodwinds
Kevin Smith Ben Cantu Dr. Erik Erickson Debby Funk Phillip Howard Alicia Roberts Kerry Bruner
Todd Talbot Nessa Steve Lehn Lynne Glaeske     Michael Vigliotti
  Jim Montgomery         Fran Piazza
  Karl Specht         Debra Wilbur

Kerry Brunner - Oboe

Kerry holds Bachelor of Music degrees in oboe performance and music education from the University of Colorado. He has played with several ensembles throughout the Denver area and has been Principal Oboe of the Arapahoe Philharmonic for over twenty years. Kerry has appeared many times as a soloist with several local symphonic orchestras.  Kerry has taught instrumental music in the public schools in Adams and Jefferson counties and is a regular clinician for the Arapahoe Philharmonic Youth Orchestra woodwinds. He has taught successful students at all levels from elementary school through college.

Ben Cantu - Guitar

Ben received his Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and his Master of Music of Music degree from the University of Denver, both in Guitar Performance. Ben has been active as a teacher since 1997. He has had private studios in Ohio and South Carolina. Since 2003, Ben serves as an adjunct faculty at Colorado State University in Pueblo. His responsibilities at CSU-Pueblo include directing the Jazz and Classical Guitar programs. Ben has played concerts in Maine, Ohio, South Carolina, and Colorado. In 2000 and 2001, Ben traveled to Shanghai, China on a brief concert tour. Recently, Ben has performed in Boulder, La Veta, and at Red Rocks Community College.

Erik Erickson- Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone & Tuba

Dr. Eric Erickson holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Colorado, a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance from the University of Arizona where he studied with the late, great trumpet soloist, Frank Simon and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado with an emphasis in special education. Professional experience includes being a trumpet player in the Nellis Air Force Base Band in Las Vegas, Nevada and playing with various bands in the Las Vegas area.  Dr. Erickson also performed with many bands in the Tucson, Arizona area including the band of the famous Mexican composer, Lalo Guerrera.  He was a trumpet soloist with the Denver Municipal Band in Denver, Colorado for several years and has played performances with Trini Lopez and Nancy Ames. Symphony orchestra experience includes the Las Vegas Symphony, the Tucson Symphony, the Brico Symphony in Denver, Colorado and first trumpet with the Community Arts Symphony in Denver, Colorado.  Dr. Erickson has performed under the batons of Leopold Stokowski, Howard Hanson, Walter Hanson and Horace Jones. Teaching experience includes 31 years as band and orchestra teacher in the Denver Public Schools, one year as a trumpet teacher at the University of Arizona and many years as conductor of the Denver Public Schools Junior High Honor Orchestra.  Dr. Erickson has been the brass teacher at the Music Lesson Place for 19 years and he enjoys his one-on-one experience with brass students of all ages.

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>Debby Funk - Violin, Suzuki Violin and Viola

Debby has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana. She also has a Masters of Music degree in String Pedagogy from the University of Colorado at Boulder where she worked with William Star, one of the leading Suzuki specialists in the United States. Debby has taught music in the public schools in Ohio, Wyoming and Colorado. She has performed with the Arapahoe Philharmonic Orchestra for well over twenty years, where she is also currently the orchestra librarian.

Lynne Glaeske - Violin and Viola

Lynne has a Bachelors degree in violin performance from the University of Colorado, where she studied with Wilfred Biel, James Maurer and Oswald Lehnert. She has been a member of the Colorado Springs Symphony, the Denver Chamber Orchestra and the Columbine Chamber Players, performing both as a violinist and as a violist.

>Currently she performs with Confluence String Quartet, Central City Opera Orchestra and The Playground Ensemble, and freelances extensively in the Denver area. She has over 30 years experience teaching violin and viola.

  

Phillip Howard

Phillip holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance. He works regularly as an accompanist with the Colorado Children’s Chorale, Colorado Symphony Chorus, The Central City Opera’s outreach ensemble, and chorale ensembles at Metropolitan State College of Denver. He has also been a guest artist in the Boulder Bach Festival. Phillip also has several recordings to his credit.

 

Steve Lehn - Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, & Baritone

Steve has both a B.M. and an M.A. in trumpet performance from the University of Denver.  He has 15 years experience in private instruction, as well as 13 years of classroom experience as a Para-educator.  While he primarily specializes in trumpet, he is comfortable working with students on the French Horn, Trombone and Baritone.  He is currently the principal trumpet with the Arapahoe Philharmonic as well as free-lancing extensively.  Past performance experience includes the Denver Brass, C.S.O, and the Colorado Ballet.  He has also played for big names such as Johnny Mathis and  Linda Ronstadt

Nessa - Guitar
I teach "Guitar, Bass Guitar, Music Composition and Theory".  See my full biography at
www.nessamarquez.com

Teaching Philosophy - Guitar students learn the following skills: Note reading, reading chords charts, strumming patterns, reading off lead sheets, sight reading, all major and minor sales as well as modes, improvisation, theory as it applies to the instrument, proper technique, performance skills and playing by ear. I typically do not teach using tablature. There are textbooks that students use depending on their age and skill level, plus I have numerous handouts.
Bass guitar students learn the following skills: Note reading, reading off lead sheets, sight reading, all major and minor sales as well as modes, improvisation, theory as it applies to the instrument, proper technique, performance skills and playing by ear. I typically do not teach using tablature. There is a textbook that students use depending on their skill level, plus I have numerous handouts.
Piano students learn the following skills: Note reading, reading off lead sheets, sight reading, all major and minor sales, theory as it applies to the instrument, proper technique, performance skills. There are several textbooks that piano students use depending on their skill level.

For more information on Private Lessons with Nessa, click here.

Jim Montgomery - guitar

Jim began playing the guitar at the age of 13.  After learning the basics, he became intrigued by the sounds of the blues, rock, R&B, jazz, and pop.  As a music major at the University of Kentucky, he absorbed the concepts of music theory.  He later attended Bellarmine College as a classical guitar major and attended jazz classes with instructor/performer, Jamie Abersold.

Jim has been the guitarist in bands covering the hits by artists such as Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, Dire Straits, etc.  He enjoys playing blues and rock and is skilled in the ability to improvise.  His teaching style is a combination of the basics (reading and counting correctly), as well as music theory, then applying these skills to actually performing songs.  (That's why we become musicians, isn't it?!)

A member of the faculty at the Music Lesson Place since 1989, Jim is a patient instructor, comfortable teaching beginners or more advanced students of any age.  His teaching method includes learning to read (standard notation or guitar tablature), learning songs from a CD (ear training), and knowledge of rhythms, theory, and scales in order to write songs, solo perform, and improvise.

Jim keeps up to date with current styles, techniques, and artists in the rock genre.  A typical day of teaching might include finger picking on the acoustic guitar to playing some classic rock grooves to playing metallica or hardcore.  He believes in catering to the interests and needs of each student individually to help them develop their talents and attain their goals.

Fran Piazza - Flute, Piccolo, Recorder

Fran received the Bachelor of Music in flute performance from the Boston Conservatory of Music. Relocating to Denver in 1980, Fran has performed with virtually every professional organization in the area including the CSO, Central City Opera, Colorado Ballet and Colorado Music Festival.  She's performed with everyone from the Beach Boys to Andrea Bocelli, and throughout the United States. Fran has been teaching the flute since the mid 70s. A former faculty member of Metro State, she received the "Excellence in Teaching" award from the Denver School of the Arts in 1994 and teaches all levels of students at studios in Aurora, Louisville, Castle Pines and Golden. Fran's students consistently receive high honors in their pursuit of flute playing. Her students are members of Colorado Honor Band, All-State Band and Orchestra, CU Honor Band, Arapahoe Youth Symphony, Young Artist Orchestra, Western All-State, Jefferson All-County Band and Orchestra, Colorado Youth Symphony, Colorado Wind Ensemble and many other organizations. Fran's students have received partial and full 4-year scholarships to schools such as:  Boston Conservatory, Harvard University, Denver University, UNC, CU Boulder, Metro State, and others.
Contact Fran at
franpiazza@juno.com

For more information on Private Lessons with Fran, click here.

Alicia Roberts - Vocal Instruction

 

Alicia Danielle Roberts holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Wyoming and a Masters of Music from the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, both in vocal performance.  Alicia has been teaching privately since 2007 and  thoroughly enjoys the art of teaching voice and singing.  Her other specialties include in depth knowledge of musicology and voice repertoire from her work as a musicology GTA at Lamont.  Alicia considers teaching to be the best source of learning, and she challenges herself to always be a student as well as a teacher.

Kevin Smith - Drums

Kevin has been a professional musician for 35 years. A well-known member of the Denver music community, his talents shine in all genres - rock, jazz, blues, funk, swing, Latin, alternative, and classical. Kevin performed with, as well as recorded with, many greats including: Bill Cosby, Johnny Smith, Frank Sinatra Jr., and Charlie Pride.  Kevin enjoys passing his experiences on to young upcoming musicians, helping them to advance in a very competitive industry. His approach to teaching is one of fun, balanced with technique, reading, and all the essential fundamentals.

Karl Specht - Guitar and Banjo

Karl has over 35 years of education and performing experience. He studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and the University of California at Santa Barbara. Karl makes frequent appearances on radio and television.

Todd Talbot - Drums

Todd has 15 years of professional experience including more than 1,000 live performances, credits on over 30 full length recordings, and two Canadian Juno Award nominations. His versatility and professionalism have allowed him play with a wide variety of artists from traditional and avant-garde jazz to funk, pop, rock, heavy metal, r&b, blues, hip hop, Latin, country and more. He has toured throughout the U.S. and Canada, performed on national TV and radio and opened shows for artists as diverse as Alan Holdsworth, Medeski Martin and Wood, and Billy Idol. He studied percussion at the University of Manitoba and is a graduate of the Drummer's Collective in New York City where he also served as a substitute accompanist for the Advanced Bass Program. Todd has taught hundreds of private students and conducted numerous clinics for school divisions in his home town of Winnipeg, Canada. As a recent arrival to the Denver area, Todd is beginning to establish himself as an excellent teacher and performer and is also branching out as a producer.

Playing and teaching music is both a joy and a passion and Todd hopes to be able to pass this passion to a new generation of up and coming drummers. 

Lessons topics include basic technique, time keeping, grooves, reading, rudiments and their application to the drum set, styles (rock, jazz, funk, blues etc.), coordinated independence, fills and soloing, and advanced concepts. All ages and levels welcome.

Michael Viglotti - Oboe & Bassoon

Michael received a Bachelor of Music in oboe performance at Stetson University and earned the Master of Music in oboe performance at Southern Methodist University.  Before moving to Denver, Michael taught private lessons for 9 years in the Dallas and Ft. Worth area of Texas, teaching 70 double reed students per week.  His students have excelled at solo and ensemble competitions including overall 1998 Best Oboe Solo at state.  In addition, his students have held All-State Band or Orchestra positions in both Texas and Colorado. Michael currently teaches 30 students privately and maintains a double reed repair shop and reed business.  He is on staff of the Colorado Honor Band as the Double Reed Sectionals teacher since 2002 and has been the Oboe Sectionals teacher for Arapahoe High School since 2005.  Frequently requested to be a judge at solo/ensemble contests as well as All-City/Honor Band tryouts, Michael is also asked to teach Master classes at many local schools. Michael performs regularly on Oboe and English Horn with Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra and the Colorado Wind Ensemble.  Michael was principle oboe of the Texas Wind Symphony for 8 years.  He also toured the country as Solo Oboist with the Mantovani Orchestra for the 1988-89 season.  He has performed in professional orchestras in Texas, Florida, Louisiana and Colorado. Michael Vigliotti may be reached at 303-399-4330 or MAVigliotti@juno.com.

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Kevin Smith - Drums and Percussion

Kevin has been a professional musician for 35 years. A well-known member of the Denver music community, his talents shine in all genres - rock, jazz, blues, funk, swing, Latin, alternative, and classical. Kevin performed with, as well as recorded with, many greats including: Bill Cosby, Johnny Smith, Frank Sinatra Jr., and Charlie Pride.  Kevin enjoys passing his experiences on to young upcoming musicians, helping them to advance in a very competitive industry. His approach to teaching is one of fun, balanced with technique, reading, and all the essential fundamentals

Debra Wilbur - Clarinet and Saxophone

Debra has been teaching and performing professionally for over 25 years and has taught at The Music Lesson Place since 1992. Her Bachelor of Music Education degree from The Ohio State University was achieved with both performing and scholastic honors. She also has completed coursework toward a Master's degree in performance, studying with Bil Jackson, Principal Clarinet with the Colorado Symphony.

As an active professional performing musician, she plays with the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, the Cheyenne (Wyoming) Symphony, and the Denver Municipal Band (one of a handful of professional concert bands in the U.S., and the oldest continually performing arts group in the Rocky Mountain region). She also is a respected freelance musician and has played with the Colorado Symphony, Opera Colorado, Santa Fe Opera, Colorado Springs Symphony, Colorado Music Festival, Ft. Collins Symphony, Greeley Philharmonic, Boulder Philharmonic, and many other groups. Debra has found that this extensive and active performing career really gives her an advantage in providing practical, real-world experience and problem-solving techniques to her students.

As a private teacher, Debra believes in a well-rounded music education.

She feels that her role is not only to teach students to push the right buttons on their instruments, but also to help nurture and encourage the next generation of music lovers. Debra states: "They learn to make and truly understand music! My personal style is enthusiastic, encouraging, interactive, and nurturing - but I also have high standards for my students. During the lesson process, students learn to problem-solve in creative ways and to listen carefully - after all, music is an aural art! Every student has some native ability. My role is to help develop that ability - to do that, we work on removing obstacles to success, so that their talent can shine through. I enjoy working with those who love learning - I truly like my students, and they know it. I am happy to work with students at all levels, from children to adults."

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