| 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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