ROCKY RIDGE FACULTY & STAFF

Ilona Vukovic-Gay pursues a career as a composer and a performing musician. In the Tucson Symphony Orchestra she is the Young Composer’s Project Instructor, the Assistant Principal Viola and the violist in the TSO String Quartet. She is also on the Arizona Commission on the Arts roster as the violist in the Southwest String Quartet. … Continued

Keith Fitch currently heads the Composition Department and holds the Vincent K. and Edith H. Smith Chair in Composition at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he also directs the CIM New Music Ensemble. Called “gloriously luminous” by The Philadelphia Inquirer, his music has been consistently noted for its eloquence, expressivity, dramatic sense of musical … Continued

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 stories from around the world.  Whether built upon the verve and bounce of an Irish jig, the endearing asymmetry of a Welsh pipe tune, or … Continued

Romanian-born pianist Eli Kalman has performed extensively in Romania, Israel, Germany, Hungary, Japan, the United States, and Canada. Hailing from Romania and Israel, he was the recipient of the Paul Collins Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship for Excellence at UW-Madison. His lifelong passion for chamber music has been featured in performances at the Weill Hall at … Continued

Fred Hammond, born in Venezuela, is currently teaching piano at the Young Pianists Program of the Indiana University and IUPUI Music Academy. He has played in Spain, France, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and the United States. Together with his wife Marina Beretta-Hammond, the Hammonds made their debut as a duo in 1991 at the … Continued

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 & Lincoln Orchestra, and SuperCollider. Among his work as a studio musician, he has released 5 albums- Greg Harris Vibe Quintet, Open Space, Frames Live, … Continued

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 Lincoln Center, and abroad in Asia and Europe. A Steinway Artist, Ms. Hsu is winner of the William Kapell International Piano Competition Silver Medal, the … Continued

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 faculty on various instrumental juries and recitals, the accompanying and vocal coaching of the mainstage musicals, and various master classes.  International experiences have included the … Continued

Larry Graham launched his career with numerous successes in piano competitions such as the Kosciusko and Concert Artists Guild auditions. He was winner of the coveted “Prize of the Public” by overwhelming vote at the Queen Elizabeth Concours in Brussels. Graham has performed over 35 different concerti with orchestras and numerous solo engagements. Graham has … Continued

Steinway Artist Dr. Lei Weng was hailed as “the exceptionally brilliant Chinese pianist” in his Seattle debut performing Rachmaninoff’s third piano concerto with the Northwest Mahler Festival Orchestra. New York Concert Review acclaimed Lei Weng at his Carnegie Hall sold-out debut as “a colorist of exemplary control.” Regarding his return to Carnegie Hall two months … Continued

Internationally known pianist Lori Sims received the Gold Medal at the 1998 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, where she also won the prize for the best performance of a work by Brahms.  Ms. Sims’s other awards include first prize co-winner of the 1994 Felix Bartholdy-Mendelssohn Competition in Berlin, Germany, winner of the 1993 American Pianists’ Association … Continued

Marina and Fred Hammond made their debut as a duo in 1991 at the Fifth Latin American Music Festival in Caracas, Venezuela. Since then, they have been committed to promoting contemporary piano music. The Hammonds have given recitals and played with orchestra in the United States, Argentina, Venezuela, and Spain. In 2014, the duo released … Continued

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 York Chamber Orchestra, and York Symphony Orchestra, among others. Recent recital appearances and masterclasses have included the American Liszt Society Festival; The Americas Society in … Continued

Sergio Gallo joined Georgia State University in fall 2006, having previously served as faculty at the University of North Dakota and Millikin University. Dr. Gallo received his degrees from the Conservatoire Européen de Musique in Paris (Diplôme d’Excellence), the Franz Liszt Academy of Budapest, Hungary, the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (Master of Music and Artist … Continued

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 at Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory Adult Education & Preparatory Department, Millikin University Preparatory Division, and the Boulder Arts Academy & Boulder Ballet. A strong believer in … Continued

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 (the Oregon coast’s professional orchestra) and the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. His prominent presence in the musical life of Colorado extends back many years.  When Marin … Continued

Gary Lewis is the Director of Orchestras and Professor of Music in the College of Music at the University of Colorado at Boulder where he conducts the University Symphony Orchestra and oversees the entire orchestra program. He is also Music Director and Conductor of the Midland-Odessa (TX) Symphony Orchestra. At CU Boulder Mr. Lewis also … Continued

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 Indiana University where he studied bass with Bruce Bransby and Lawrence Hurst.  Ken has performed with the Ann Arbor, Flint, Saginaw Bay, Toledo, and Tucson … Continued

Nicholas Carthy, Opera Music Director, 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 Salzburg with Hans Leygraf. After completing his studies he was offered a post as Kapellmeister at the Landestheater in Salzburg where he … Continued

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 Mr. Hammond DSA bands have performed at 13 of the last 16 Colorado Music Educators Association conferences, performed 14 times at the CBA State Concert … Continued

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 & Lincoln Orchestra, and SuperCollider. Among his work as a studio musician, he has released 5 albums- Greg Harris Vibe Quintet, Open Space, Frames Live, … Continued

Aaron’s journey with the bass has followed a varied route. After a childhood spent exploring the electric bass and performing in as many venues as possible, he initially chose not to pursue music full-time, and began attending liberal arts school in Athens, Ohio. It was here, however, that he became introduced to bluegrass and old-time music, and … Continued

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 extensively in church groups and local bands. His experiences ranged from pop/rock to gospel to funk. A few years after taking up the electric bass … Continued

Since his solo debut with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at the age of 14, violinist David Colwell has enjoyed an active performing career as a soloist and chamber musician in Canada, United States, and Europe.  Recent appearances include recitals with pianist Dmitri Novgorodsky in Spain at the Deià International Music Festival and at the Palau … Continued

David Rife, a native of South Carolina, received a 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 Conservatory of Music.  He has studied with Donald Weilerstein, Mazuko Ushioda, Jerry Lucktenburg, Dennis Bourret, and members of the Cleveland … Continued

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 viola at age 12 and immediately enjoyed the deep, warm sound of this new instrument. A few years later, he became a member of the … Continued

Nationally recognized violinist Erik Peterson is a member of the Colorado Symphony and Ivy Street Ensemble. An active teacher in the Denver Metro area, Erik has a large studio of talented violinists and continues to pursue excellence on the violin for both himself and his students! Erik is dedicated to chamber music performance and community … Continued

Gal Faganel is an acclaimed cello performer, teacher, coach, and recording artist. He has been praised in the press for his “exceptionally sensitive interpretation” (Slovenec – Slovenia), his “powerful and beautiful tone” (Dornse Krant – Netherlands), and his “brilliant virtuosity and youthful vigor” (Primorske Novice – Slovenia). As a performer, Faganel is frequently heard in … Continued

Harry Tuft started his singing career with the Dartmouth College Glee Club.  Listening to recordings by Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, and Bill Broonzy, he quickly took up guitar, and upon graduation was a regular in the Sunday “hootenannies” at the legendary Gilded Cage Coffeehouse in his native Philadelphia. Skiing in Colorado led to gigs in Georgetown … Continued

Ilona Vukovic-Gay pursues a career as a composer and a performing musician. In the Tucson Symphony Orchestra she is the Young Composer’s Project Instructor, the Assistant Principal Viola and the violist in the TSO String Quartet. She is also on the Arizona Commission on the Arts roster as the violist in the Southwest String Quartet. … Continued

Jameson Cooper, born in Sheffield, England, began studying the violin at age six and became Concertmaster of the National Youth Chamber Orchestra before entering the Royal Northern College of Music.  He continued his studies in the U.S. with Dorothy Delay, and Roland and Almita Vamos. Jameson has performed as soloist throughout Europe and the U.S … Continued

Violinist and violist José Leonardi Moore born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has served as a violinist and violist in different orchestras such as The Akron Symphony, Akron Baroque, Cleveland Opera Circle, Tuscarawas Philharmonic, Warren Philharmonic, Puerto Rico Symphony and Puerto Rico Philharmonic orchestras, among others. Dr. Moore is the Second Prize Winner at the … Continued

Bassist Karl Fenner joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in January 2016. A native of Houston, TX, he received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with Max Dimoff, and his Master of Music Degree from Rice University, with teachers Tim Pitts and Paul Ellison. Other teachers include, Albert Laszlo, Ken … Continued

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 Indiana University where he studied bass with Bruce Bransby and Lawrence Hurst.  Ken has performed with the Ann Arbor, Flint, Saginaw Bay, Toledo, and Tucson … Continued

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 a member of the Southwest String Quartet. As a chamber musician she has performed a wide variety of string quartet works from the classical to … Continued

Singer, fingerpicking guitarist, and lap-slide expert Mary Flower has become an internationally-known player, singer/songwriter, and teacher.  Called “a world-class finger-style guitarist” by Downbeat, Mary, a native of the Midwest, relocated from the  Denver music scene to Portland, Oregon in 2004. She continues to perform full-time at folk festivals and concert stages domestically and abroad, appearances that include … Continued

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 in NYC as a freelancing musician and teacher from 2012-2015. His debut album as a leader Waiting for Violet was released in May 2014 and … Continued

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 stories from around the world.  Whether built upon the verve and bounce of an Irish jig, the endearing asymmetry of a Welsh pipe tune, or … Continued

Born and raised in Brooklyn NY, Pat began playing the guitar at the age of 13. His earliest musical influence was his father, Philip, an accomplished woodwind player and jazz musician. Pat received his Master of Music in Guitar Performance from Stony Brook University (SUNY) in 1981. The same year, he had the honor of … Continued

Cellist Si-Yan Darren Li has appeared in solo and chamber music performances at many renowned concert venues, such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, the 92nd Street Y, Victoria Concert Hall (Singapore), Izumi Hall (Osaka), Suntory Hall (Tokyo), National Concert Hall (Taipei), and the Basilica de San Lorenzo (Florence). He has also performed at the Ravinia Festival, the Kronberg … Continued

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 of violin students, several of whom have placed in competitions and soloed with local orchestras. After studying with John Ferrell at The University of Arizona … Continued

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 been a member of the voice faculty at the State University of New York at Fredonia where he is currently Full Professor and former Chair … Continued

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 earned numerous superior ratings at state and local festivals, and were invited to perform with the University of Arizona Community Chorus (2015) and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra (2016). Past teaching … Continued

Harry Tuft started his singing career with the Dartmouth College Glee Club.  Listening to recordings by Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, and Bill Broonzy, he quickly took up guitar, and upon graduation was a regular in the Sunday “hootenannies” at the legendary Gilded Cage Coffeehouse in his native Philadelphia. Skiing in Colorado led to gigs in Georgetown … Continued

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 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1993 she was the recipient of a Summer Fellowship at Northwestern University. Ihasz has been teaching beginning conducting at … Continued

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 and orchestral genres. As the conductor of university, high school and community ensembles, he has performed both nationally and internationally. Under his leadership as the … Continued

Catherine Peterson is second/assistant principal flutist of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. A regular substitute flutist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from 2010-2015, she performed Afternoon of a Faun at Myerhoff Symphony Hall under the direction of Louis Langree, and toured Carnegie Hall with the BSO. She has also performed with the Detroit Symphony and the Cincinnati Symphony. An active … Continued

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! and of New Prairie Camerata, a chamber initiative that showcases a community’s historical and architectural gems through performance and stimulates community participation. A Fulbright scholar … Continued

South African native Dr. Cobus du Toit is on the faculty at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. As an international soloist and chamber musician Cobus has concertized in Russia, Taiwan, Japan, Germany, France and Indonesia. Pretoria News declared: “du Toit makes you believe the impossible. With du Toit in flight one is never aware of … Continued

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 degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory (BM), the University of Illinois (MM) and Indiana University (DM). His teachers have been Howard Klug, Lawrence McDonald, Eli Eban, … Continued

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 conventions. He is the soprano saxophonist with the Chautauqua Saxophone Quartet and has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Music Festival … Continued

Jason Lichtenwalter plays oboe and English horn with the Colorado Symphony in Denver and the Britt Festival Orchestra in southern Oregon. Previous positions include Acting Principal Oboe with the Dallas Opera Orchestra and Associate Principal/2nd Oboe with the Honolulu Symphony. He has also performed as oboist and English hornist with the Fort Worth Symphony, the … Continued

Jerome Greyson Fleg has played as a freelance, chamber, and orchestral clarinetist throughout the United States, Europe and South America. He is principal clarinet with Boulder Chamber Orchestra and Antero Winds, and bass clarinet with the Central City Opera. Mr. Fleg has toured as the principal clarinet with the Mantovani Orchestra and has played with … Continued

Bassoonist Kaori Uno-Jack has performed nationally and internationally as both soloist and chamber musician, earning many awards and much recognition including the Honor Competition at the University of Colorado (2004 and 2007), fifth of 137 bassoonists at the 24th Japan Wind and Percussion Competition in 2007, and a finalist in the Tsuyama Japan International Double … Continued

Recognized for his flexible tone and warm, singing style, Peter Cooper is in demand as a soloist and teacher in Asia, Europe and the United States. Principal oboist of the Colorado Symphony since 1993 and faculty member at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Cooper also held positions as associate principal oboist of the San … Continued

Dr. Rebecca Mindock is the Associate Professor of Double Reeds at the University of South Alabama. She completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Oboe Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Colorado-Boulder, from which she also has a Master of Music degree. She earned bachelors degrees in Music and English Literature from the … Continued

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 stories from around the world.  Whether built upon the verve and bounce of an Irish jig, the endearing asymmetry of a Welsh pipe tune, or … Continued

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 she studied with Dr. David Korevaar. A prizewinner in the Simone Belsky Competition, she is in demand as a soloist and collaborative pianist. Many of … Continued

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 at Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory Adult Education & Preparatory Department, Millikin University Preparatory Division, and the Boulder Arts Academy & Boulder Ballet. A strong believer in … Continued

Allyson Fleck is currently Midsummer’s Music Festival Assistant Artistic Director and Violist in beautiful Door County, Wisconsin. Recently, Allyson won Assistant Principal Viola in the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra. She is active in the freelance community playing with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, substitute viola with the Colorado Symphony and Boulder Philharmonic. Additionally, Allyson teaches strings … Continued

Conner Hollingsworth earned his Bachelor of Music degree in double bass performance from Northeastern Illinois University in 2012 studying with Greg Sarchet of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. While living in Chicago Conner served as principal bass for the Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra, Classical Symphony Orchestra, and Lakeshore Symphony Orchestra. Some of Conner’s performance highlights … Continued

Dallas Thornton is a Boulder native and a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. With over 18 years of experience studying and playing music, the joy of sound is in his blood. He has written hundreds of songs, produced several original albums, and performed for audiences in 9 countries. His love … Continued

A native of Rochester, New York, Jessica Chen is a dedicated and accomplished violinist, violin teacher, and arts advocate. In her fifth year of professionally performing and teaching, Chen is committed to connecting with audiences through rich and unique musical experiences. As a teacher, Chen provides students with a comprehensive and holistic approach, engaging students … Continued

Julia Beebe graduated from Indiana University South Bend’s Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts in December 2015, earning a Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance. Over her 4 years there, she worked closely with the members of the Euclid Quartet, studying viola under Luis Vargas. In her junior year, Julia was given the … Continued

Katarina Majcen 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 Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge (UK) where her teacher was Caroline Bosanquet, and a Master of Music degree in cello performance from the Royal Conservatoire of … Continued

“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 an energetic performer and teacher living in Boulder, Colorado. Adept on multiple instruments, he can be seen and heard performing regularly with the Boulder Bach … Continued

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 stories from around the world.  Whether built upon the verve and bounce of an Irish jig, the endearing asymmetry of a Welsh pipe tune, or … Continued

Jenna Palensky is a doctoral candidate in ethnomusicology at the University of Colorado in Boulder with an area emphasis in Eastern European music. Ms. Palensky is an active performer, researcher, conductor, and educator in the Boulder community. She is the conductor and artistic director of Boulder’s Romanian folk choir, Doina; performs with the Denver-based Balkan … Continued

Szilvia Schranz is professional singer and educator with more than 13 years of experience teaching voice and piano to students of all ages. In 2003, Ms. Schranz was asked by The School at Columbia University, one of the top K-8 private schools in New York City, to create the after-school choir and singing program which … Continued

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 Richard Paley, Mordechai Rechtman, and Gadi Ledderman. Daniel then studied with Judith Farmer at the University of Southern California for his Masters, there winning the … Continued

Flutist, Dalcroze Eurhythmics instructor, and Suzuki educator, Emma Shubin has been joyfully making music since the age of six. She is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy where she studied music, creative writing, and photography. A proponent of integrative education, Emma is the co-founder and director of the Colorado based non-profit Integral Steps, which strives … Continued

Kathryn Hendrickson is a flutist and educator from Fairbanks, Alaska. She holds both a bachelor’s (BM) and master’s degree (MA) from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, which she completed under the tutelage of Dorli McWayne. In addition to her studies at the university, she participated in masterclasses and lessons with Carol Wincenc, John Barcellona, Hilliary … Continued

Clarinetist Kellan Toohey is an avid performer whose varied career includes recitals and solo appearances, chamber music, teaching, and orchestral playing. He recently completed a D.M.A. in Clarinet performance and pedagogy at the University of Colorado in Boulder, studying with Daniel Silver. His other teachers have included Jon Manasse, Burt Hara, Bil Jackson, Steve Cohen, … Continued

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 Valparaiso University, as well as private students in her home. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from St. Olaf College in Minnesota, and continued … Continued

Teresita Lozano is a PhD candidate in ethnomusicology at the University of Colorado Boulder. A native of the El Paso, Texas – Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua borderland and daughter of Mexican immigrants, Teresita engages in music research that explores the relationship between music, Diaspora, and inherited memory in the construction of multicultural identities. Teresita has a … Continued