ROCKY RIDGE STAFF and Faculty
A world-class community of musicians dedicated to music education
John Dilts, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Madison Casey, Accountant
Bob Nesbit, Property Manager
Melvina Carrick, President
Jessica Tolmach, Vice President
Stephen Dilts, Past President
Kristen Penny, Secretary
Gary Thornton
FACULTY, SUMMER PROGRAMS
Adam Flatt
YAS Faculty - Conductor in Odd Years (2021, 2023)
Orchestra Conductor
M.M., Indiana University; B.M., University of California at Berkeley
Adam Flatt, conductor, enjoys a busy and versatile musical presence in three different regions of the United States. He serves as Music Director of the Colorado Ballet, the Newport Symphony … Continued
Nicholas Carthy
YAS Faculty - Conductor in Even Years (2020, 2022)
Orchestra Conductor
Nicholas Carthy studied at the Guildhall School of Music in London with Mary Peppin and John York, and in 1981 won an Austrian government scholarship to study at the Mozarteum … Continued
Daniel Watt
JAS Faculty, JMP Faculty
Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
M.M., Northwestern University; B.M., University of Denver
Daniel Watt, a native of Colorado, is an active freelance musician across the Front Range. Mr. Watt serves as principal trombonist with the Fort Collins Symphony, the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, … Continued
Donald Williams
JAS & JMP Faculty
Trumpet
M.M., CU Boulder; B.M., University of Norther Colorado
A long-time resident of Colorado, Williams is a founding member of the Apollo Chamber Brass, a non-profit group dedicated to educational outreach and the continuing advancement of chamber music, and … Continued
Ilona Vukovic-Gay
Explorations With Music Composition Instructor
Composition, Viola
Bachelor of Violin Performance from Manhattan School of Music
Masters of Musical Arts in Viola and Composition from Yale University
Ilona Vukovic-Gay pursues a career as a performing musician and a composer. She is the Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s Assistant Principal Viola and string quartet violist. She has a Bachelor of … Continued
Andrew Campbell
YAS Faculty
Collaborative Piano
D.M.A., University of Michigan; M.M., Indiana University; B.M. Oberlin College
Andrew Campbell has established himself as one of the most versatile collaborative pianists in the United States with a performing career that has taken him to six continents. Recent appearances … Continued
David Korevaar
JAS and APS Faculty
Piano
David Korevaar, whose playing has been called a “musical epiphany” by Gramophone Magazine, performs an extensive repertoire as a soloist and chamber musician around the US and internationally. In addition … Continued
Gerardo Teissonnière
YAS Faculty
Piano
Graduate, Cleveland Institute of Music; Post-graduate Diploma studies in Europe with Dmitri Bashkirov and Joaquín Achúcarro
Regarded by international critics and audiences as an artist of extraordinary musicianship and rare sensibility since his acclaimed solo recital debut at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., … Continued
Greg Harris
JAZZ Faculty
Piano, Vibraphone
M.M., CU Boulder; B.A., Fort Lewis College
Multi-Instrumentalist Greg Tanner Harris leads the “Greg Harris Vibe Quintet,” and is a member of Bluegrass legend Pete Wernick’s Flexigrass, hip-hop/jazz/soul group Future Jazz Project, New World Citizen Band, 9th … Continued
Hsing-ay Hsu
APS Faculty (Session 2 only)
Piano
M.M., Yale; B.M., Juilliard
Since making her stage debut at age 4, Chinese pianist Hsing-ay Hsu (“Sing-I Shoo”) has performed at such notable venues as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Alice Tully Hall at … Continued
James Welch
JAS Faculty
Collaborative Piano
M.M., East Carolina University; B.M., SUNY Fredonia
James Welch serves on the faculty at the State University of New York at Fredonia as a collaborative pianist and instructor of class piano. He has accompanied for students and … Continued
Magdalena Stern-Baczewska
APS Faculty (Session 1 only)
Piano
D.M.A., Manhattan School of Music; M.M., B.M., Mannes College The New School for Music
Born in Poland, Magdalena Baczewska [baCHEVska] has enjoyed a multi-faceted career as a pianist, harpsichordist, educator, recording artist, producer, and an administrator, currently serving as Director of the Music Performance … Continued
Nathan Hess
JMP Faculty
Piano
D.M.A., M.M., University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music
Nathan Hess has appeared throughout the United States and Europe in solo, chamber, and concerto settings. He has soloed with the Manassas Symphony Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic, Erie Chamber Orchestra, Western New … Continued
SoYoung Lee
Executive Director, APS Faculty, RRMA Faculty
Piano
D.M.A., University of California – Santa Barbara; M.M., University of Southern California
SoYoung Lee, Executive/Music Director at Rocky Ridge Music Center, received her Doctorate in Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She has held director positions … Continued
Spencer Myer
YAS Faculty
Piano
Lauded for “superb playing” and “poised, alert musicianship” by the Boston Globe, and labeled “definitely a man to watch” by London’s The Independent, American pianist Spencer Myer is one of … Continued
Tamara Goldstein
APS Faculty (Session 1 only), RRMA Faculty, Denver
Piano
D.M.A., University of Colorado Boulder; M.M., The Juilliard School; B.M., Indiana University
Pianist Tamara Goldstein enjoys a varied career as chamber musician, educator and recitalist. From a musical family, she received her early training at the PreCollege Divisions of the Manhattan School … Continued
Adam Flatt
YAS Faculty
Orchestra Conductor
M.M., Indiana University – Bloomington; B.A., University of California – Berkeley
Adam Flatt, conductor, enjoys a busy and versatile musical presence in three different regions of the United States. He serves as Music Director of the Colorado Ballet, the Newport Symphony … Continued
Jeffery Meyer
Conductor
Orchestra Conductor
D.M.A., State University of New York-Stony Brook
An accomplished conductor, pianist, and educator, Jeffery Meyer launched his career as a champion of contemporary orchestral music and innovative collaborations. He currently holds positions as the Artistic Director of … Continued
Ken Marrs
JAS & JMP Faculty
Orchestra Conductor, Double Bass
M.M., University of Arizona; B.M.E., Indiana University – Bloomington
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Ken Marrs began studying the double bass with Derek Weller and Stuart Sankey. He received a bachelor’s of music education in choral and instrumental music from … Continued
Dave Hammond
JAZZ Faculty
Drums
M.M., University of Denver; B.M., Berklee College of Music
Dave Hammond performed professionally in Boston, South America and Denver before becoming one of the founding music instructors at the Denver School of the Arts (DSA). Under the direction of … Continued
Greg Harris
JAZZ Faculty
Piano, Vibraphone
M.M., CU Boulder; B.A., Fort Lewis College
Multi-Instrumentalist Greg Tanner Harris leads the “Greg Harris Vibe Quintet,” and is a member of Bluegrass legend Pete Wernick’s Flexigrass, hip-hop/jazz/soul group Future Jazz Project, New World Citizen Band, 9th … Continued
Benjamin de Kock
YAS Faculty, RRMA Faculty, Denver
Double Bass
BM in Double Bass Performance, University of Cincinnati-Conservatory of Music
MM in Double Bass Performance, University of Cincinnati-Conservatory of Music
DMA in Double Bass Performance, University of Colorado at Boulder
Dr. Benjamin received his Bachelor and Masters degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music under the instruction of professor Albert Laszlo, and his Doctorate at the University of … Continued
Braun Khan
JAZZ Faculty
Double Bass, Electric Bass
M.M., Central Michigan University
Braun Khan is from Mount Pleasant Michigan and began playing the acoustic guitar and the electric bass in high school. He quickly developed a love for music and began performing … Continued
Claude Sim
YAS Faculty
Violin
BM - Oberlin Conservatory
Claude Sim enjoys a varied career as a chamber musician, orchestral leader, soloist, and multi-genre performing artist. He studied violin performance at the Oberlin Conservatory (BM ’99) with Greg Fulkerson, Almita … Continued
David Rife
JAS & JMP Faculty
Southwest String Quartet, Violin
M.M., New England Conservatory; B.M., Eastman School of Music
David Rife received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance from the Eastman School of Music and a Master of Music Degree in Violin Performance from the New England … Continued
David Rose
YAS Faculty
Viola
M.M., Indiana University – Bloomington; B.M., University of British Columbia
David Rose was born in Regina, Saskatchewan and there began his early musical education and violin study. At the suggestion of his first teacher, Ernest Kassian, David switched to the … Continued
Dawn Wohn
YAS Faculty
Violin
B.M. Juilliard
M.M. Yale University
D.M.A. Stony Brook University
Highly sought after as musician with a wide range of styles and interests, violinist Dawn Dongeun Wohn has performed throughout North and South America, Asia and Europe. She has appeared … Continued
Ilona Vukovic-Gay
Explorations With Music Composition Instructor
Composition, Viola
Bachelor of Violin Performance from Manhattan School of Music
Masters of Musical Arts in Viola and Composition from Yale University
Ilona Vukovic-Gay pursues a career as a performing musician and a composer. She is the Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s Assistant Principal Viola and string quartet violist. She has a Bachelor of … Continued
Károly Schranz
YAS Faculty, Violin
Violin
Artist Diploma, Franz Liszt Academy - Budapest
Károly Schranz currently teaches at the University of Colorado – Boulder, and has taught at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Music Academy of the West, Aspen Music Festival. Until … Continued
Ken Marrs
JAS & JMP Faculty
Orchestra Conductor, Double Bass
M.M., University of Arizona; B.M.E., Indiana University – Bloomington
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Ken Marrs began studying the double bass with Derek Weller and Stuart Sankey. He received a bachelor’s of music education in choral and instrumental music from … Continued
Mary Beth Tyndall
JAS & JMP Program Director
Cello, Southwest String Quartet
M.M., University of Arizona; B.M., B.M.E., Ball State University
Mary Beth Tyndall is a cellist in the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and performs in the symphony’s string quartet. She is also on the Arizona Commission on the Arts roster as … Continued
Matt Fuller
JAZZ Faculty
Guitar
M.M., CU Boulder
Guitarist Matt Fuller is an active performer and educator, he teaches jazz guitar at Denver Metro State University. Matt recently relocated back to his home state of Colorado after living … Continued
Pasquale Bianculli
JAS & JMP Faculty
Guitar
Guitar Workshop in Oyster Bay, NY
MM - State University of New York at Stony Brook
Born into a musical family and raised in Brooklyn NY, Pat’s earliest musical influence was his father, Philip, an accomplished woodwind player and jazz musician. Following in his footsteps, he … Continued
Si-Yan Darren Li
YAS Faculty
Cello
Artist Diploma, M.M., Peabody Conservatory; B.M., Juilliard
Cellist Si-Yan Darren Li made his professional debut at the age of 9 and has since gone on to an international career as a recitalist, chamber musician and teacher. He … Continued
Wynne Wong-Rife
JAS & JMP Faculty
Southwest String Quartet, Violin
M.M., New England Conservatory; B.M., Eastman School of Music
Wynne Wong-Rife has a multi-faceted career as a member of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, The TSO String Quartet and the Southwest String Quartet. In addition, she teaches a large class … Continued
Brent Weber
YAS Faculty
Voice, Voice (classical)
B.M.E., Kansas State University
M.M., University of Missouri in Kansas City
M.M., Yale School of Music
A Fredonia voice faculty member since 2013, Brent Weber teaches Applied Voice, Opera Seminar, Opera History and has stage directed many productions including The Merry Widow, for the Hillman Opera … Continued
Daniel Ihasz
YAS Faculty
Voice
M.M., Performer's Certificate, Eastman School of Music
Lyric Baritone Daniel Ihasz earned a Master of Music degree in Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music, along with the prestigious Performer’s Certificate. Since 1992, he has … Continued
Derek Granger
JAS Faculty
Choir, Voice
B.M.E., University of Arizona
Derek Granger is the Director of Choirs at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, Arizona. Under his direction, the Flowing Wells Choirs have maintained an active presence in the community, have … Continued
Helen Ihasz
JMP Faculty
Choir, Voice
B.M.E., University of Wisconsin – Madison
Helen Ihasz has 25 years of teaching experience at a variety of levels in general, choral, and instrumental music in the public schools. She received her Bachelor’s of Music Education … Continued
Scott Glysson
JMP Faculty
Choir, Voice
D.M.A., M.M., University of Arizona; B.M., George Mason University
Scott Glysson is the Director of Choral Activities at West Liberty University in West Liberty, West Virginia. Glysson has been recognized for his achievements in conducting in both the choral … Continued
Catherine Peterson
JAS Faculty, JMP Faculty
Flute
M.M., University of Michigan; B.M., San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Catherine Peterson is second/assistant principal flutist of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. A regular substitute flutist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra since 2010, she has performed Afternoon of a Faun at Myerhoff Symphony Hall … Continued
Claudia Anderson
YAS Faculty
Flute
D.M.A., University of Iowa; M.M., University of Massachusetts
Claudia Anderson is known for her originality and brilliance as a solo and chamber music performer across the U.S. She is a founding member of the innovative flute duo ZAWA! … Continued
David Shea
JAS & YAS Faculty
Clarinet
D.M.A., Indiana University – Bloomington; M.M., University of Illinois
David Shea currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Texas Tech University, and is also principal clarinet in the Abilene Philharmonic and Lubbock Symphony Orchestras. He has earned … Continued
Grant Larson
JAS & JMP Faculty, JAZZ Program Director
Saxophone
D.M.A., M.M., CU Boulder
An active recitalist and proponent of new music, saxophonist Grant Larson has premiered works for saxophone by Paul, Hanson, Philip Wharton, Chiayu Hsu, Steven Makala, and John Drumheller at regional and national … Continued
Jason Lichtenwalter
JAS & YAS Faculty
Oboe, English Horn
M.M., Eastman School of Music; B.M., Oberlin Conservatory
Jason Lichtenwalter joined the Colorado Symphony as oboist/English hornist in 2002 and has held the same position with the Britt Festival Orchestra since 1998. Besides prior positions with the Dallas Opera Orchestra (Principal), … Continued
Kellan Toohey
RRMA Faculty, Boulder
Clarinet
D.M.A., CU Boulder; M.M., University of Northern Colorado; B.M., CU Boulder
Clarinetist Kellan Toohey is an avid performer whose varied career includes recitals and solo appearances, chamber music, teaching, and orchestral playing. He holds a DMA from the University of Colorado and … Continued
Kimberly Brody
RRMA Faculty
Oboe
B.M., St. Olaf College
Kim has lived in Boulder since 2001. She moved here from Chicago, where she played in numerous orchestras throughout the whole metro area. She taught at North Park University and … Continued
Paul Zaborac
JAS Faculty
Clarinet, Flute, Jazz, Oboe, Saxophone
DMA - Saxophone Performance & Pedagogy - University of Colorado, Boulder
MM - Saxophone Performance - Sydney Conservatorium of Music - Australia
BME - Simpson College
Paul Zaborac is a versatile saxophonist, composer, and educator. Well versed in both classical and jazz saxophone, he has performed throughout the U.S. and internationally in Costa Rica, China, Hong … Continued
Peter Cooper
YAS Faculty
Oboe
B.M., Northwestern University
Principal Oboist of the Colorado Symphony since 1993 and Senior Instructor of Oboe at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Mr. Cooper has also held positions as Associate Principal Oboist … Continued
Rémy Taghavi
YAS Faculty
Bassoon
D.M.A. (in progress), Stony Brook University; M.M. Juilliard School; B.M., University of Southern California
Noted for his “bubbling, charming” playing, Rémy Taghavi is a highly sought-after bassoonist and educator based in the Northeast, and has performed, toured and recorded with numerous groups across North … Continued
FACULTY, MUSIC ACADEMY
Donald Williams
JAS & JMP Faculty
Trumpet
M.M., CU Boulder; B.M., University of Norther Colorado
A long-time resident of Colorado, Williams is a founding member of the Apollo Chamber Brass, a non-profit group dedicated to educational outreach and the continuing advancement of chamber music, and … Continued
Dianne Betkowski
RRMA Faculty
Cello, Composition
Dianne Betkowski is an avid performer, teacher, chamber musician and composer who has lived in Denver since 2001. She has performed, toured and/or recorded with the Saint Louis Symphony, the … Continued
Ilona Vukovic-Gay
Explorations With Music Composition Instructor
Composition, Viola
Bachelor of Violin Performance from Manhattan School of Music
Masters of Musical Arts in Viola and Composition from Yale University
Ilona Vukovic-Gay pursues a career as a performing musician and a composer. She is the Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s Assistant Principal Viola and string quartet violist. She has a Bachelor of … Continued
Max Wolpert
RRMA Faculty, Boulder
Fiddle, Mandolin, Composition
B.M., Berklee College of Music
Fiddler, composer, and storyteller Max Wolpert conjures up monsters and myth where the traditional, classical, and theatrical meet. Drawing from tradition both musical and mythological, Max makes music inspired by … Continued
Carol Rankin
RRMA Faculty
Piano
Carol Rankin studied at the Mannes College of Music and received her Master of Music degree with distinction, and Artist Diploma from the New England Conservatory of Music. As winner … Continued
Margaret Patterson
RRMA Faculty, Boulder
Piano
D.M.A., M.M., CU Boulder
Margie Patterson has over 25 years teaching experience at all levels. She received her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Colorado, Boulder where … Continued
SoYoung Lee
Executive Director, APS Faculty, RRMA Faculty
Piano
D.M.A., University of California – Santa Barbara; M.M., University of Southern California
SoYoung Lee, Executive/Music Director at Rocky Ridge Music Center, received her Doctorate in Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She has held director positions … Continued
Susan Olenwine
Piano Faculty
Collaborative Piano, Piano
Susan Olenwine earned both Bachelor and Master Degrees in performance at Manhattan School of Music where she studied with Constance Keene and Artur Balsam. She had additional studies in accompanying … Continued
Tamara Goldstein
APS Faculty (Session 1 only), RRMA Faculty, Denver
Piano
D.M.A., University of Colorado Boulder; M.M., The Juilliard School; B.M., Indiana University
Pianist Tamara Goldstein enjoys a varied career as chamber musician, educator and recitalist. From a musical family, she received her early training at the PreCollege Divisions of the Manhattan School … Continued
Benjamin de Kock
YAS Faculty, RRMA Faculty, Denver
Double Bass
BM in Double Bass Performance, University of Cincinnati-Conservatory of Music
MM in Double Bass Performance, University of Cincinnati-Conservatory of Music
DMA in Double Bass Performance, University of Colorado at Boulder
Dr. Benjamin received his Bachelor and Masters degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music under the instruction of professor Albert Laszlo, and his Doctorate at the University of … Continued
Dianne Betkowski
RRMA Faculty
Cello, Composition
Dianne Betkowski is an avid performer, teacher, chamber musician and composer who has lived in Denver since 2001. She has performed, toured and/or recorded with the Saint Louis Symphony, the … Continued
Erik Peterson
Violin
Violinist Erik Peterson enjoys sharing great music with a broad audience. With the Mendelssohn Trio and Ivy Street Ensemble he performs throughout Colorado, the United States, and Europe to reach … Continued
Ilona Vukovic-Gay
Explorations With Music Composition Instructor
Composition, Viola
Bachelor of Violin Performance from Manhattan School of Music
Masters of Musical Arts in Viola and Composition from Yale University
Ilona Vukovic-Gay pursues a career as a performing musician and a composer. She is the Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s Assistant Principal Viola and string quartet violist. She has a Bachelor of … Continued
Katarina Pliego
RRMA Faculty, Boulder
Cello, Double Bass
M.M., Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; B.M., Anglia Ruskin University – Cambridge
Katarina Pliego is currently pursuing a doctorate in cello performance at the University of Northern Colorado, studying with Gal Faganel. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree with honours from … Continued
Keith Barnhart
RRMA Faculty, Boulder
Guitar
M.M., San Francisco Conservatory of Music; B.M., University of Denver
“Keith is a perfect example of what we want in the field: brilliant, hard-working, patient, kind and charismatic.” ~Zachary Carretin, Artistic Director of the Boulder Bach Festival Keith Barnhart is … Continued
Max Legrand
RRMA Faculty, Denver
Banjo, Guitar
Max is a Colorado native, an experienced guitar instructor, and the creator of HappyBanjoDude… the most popular YouTube channel for banjo tutorials. He began his musical journey at age 13 … Continued
Max Wolpert
RRMA Faculty, Boulder
Fiddle, Mandolin, Composition
B.M., Berklee College of Music
Fiddler, composer, and storyteller Max Wolpert conjures up monsters and myth where the traditional, classical, and theatrical meet. Drawing from tradition both musical and mythological, Max makes music inspired by … Continued
Teague Bechtel
RRMA Faculty, Denver
Guitar
D.M.A., University of Northern Colorado
Teague Bechtel, a guitarist, music educator, and composer from the Orlando, Florida area, received his Doctorate of Arts in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado in 2018. Formerly … Continued
Tim Cuffman
RRMA Faculty, Boulder & Denver
Viola, Violin
Timothy Cuffman has over a decade of violin and viola teaching experience with students of all ages and levels of experience. He is committed to the progress of his students … Continued
Daniel Nester
RRMA Faculty, Denver
Beginning Recorder, Bassoon
M.M., University of Southern California; B.M., Tel Aviv University
Daniel Nester begun studying the bassoon at the age of 12 in Israel, where he finished his Bachelor of Music degree in the Tel Aviv University, under the guidance of … Continued
Kellan Toohey
RRMA Faculty, Boulder
Clarinet
D.M.A., CU Boulder; M.M., University of Northern Colorado; B.M., CU Boulder
Clarinetist Kellan Toohey is an avid performer whose varied career includes recitals and solo appearances, chamber music, teaching, and orchestral playing. He holds a DMA from the University of Colorado and … Continued
Kimberly Brody
RRMA Faculty
Oboe
B.M., St. Olaf College
Kim has lived in Boulder since 2001. She moved here from Chicago, where she played in numerous orchestras throughout the whole metro area. She taught at North Park University and … Continued