About the Junior Artist Intensive
Summer Music Camp in the Colorado Rockies || Ages 10 – 18
Level I: Ages 10-15 (An audition is NOT required for this level)
Level II: Ages 13-18* (An audition IS required for this level)
Accepting applications for Violin; Viola; Cello; Double Bass; Piano; Composition.
In this two-week summer music camp for advanced high school musicians, students improve their musical skills and develop their unique voices through chamber ensembles, orchestra, performance classes, private lessons, audition preparation classes, workshops, musician wellness activities, and nature-based explorations.
Additionally, students collaborate to compose and premiere an original multi-disciplinary group composition for their final concert.
More Info
Tuition and Fees
Tuition (includes lodging and meals):
$3,600
Application Fee:
Early-Bird Deadline: $85 (non-refundable)
After Feb. 15th: $95 (non-refundable)
Piano Usage Fee:
$75 (only for piano majors)
Optional Fees:
Secondary instrument lessons fee: $175.
Bedding and bath linens: $150 (includes twin fitted and flat sheets, pillow, pillowcase, blanket, and a bath towel). Please note that laundry services are NOT available during this program.
This year, we are offering the following recruitment incentives:
- “Refer A Friend”: Refer a friend, such as a classmate or colleague, to attend a Rocky Ridge program (does not need to be the same program you attend). If you and your friend(s) successfully complete the program, you will receive a $100 “Thank You!” tuition refund by check. You may refer multiple friends in order to receive $100 per friend referred. The attending friend does not receive the discount.
- “Refer a Sibling”: If your sibling or close relative successfully completes a Rocky Ridge summer program, your sibling (or, for Youth programs, your parent or guardian) will receive a $100 “Thank You!” tuition refund by check. You may refer multiple sibling/relatives, but the discount only applies to the family member(s) you referred.
*IMPORTANT NOTE: We accept the following forms of payment:
- Check (no extra fees)
- Please make checks out to Rocky Ridge Music and mail to 1128 Pine St., Boulder CO. 80302.
- An ACH Bank Transfer will incur a processing fee of 1% (not more than $10).
- Credit or Debit cards payments will incur a processing fee of 2.9% + $0.25.
Audition Requirements & Deadlines
Junior Artist Intensive applicants for Level II must submit an audition (or a portfolio for Composition majors) to complete their application for admission and be considered for merit scholarship or other financial aid. An audition should consist of two contrasting pieces or movements that best represent the applicant’s level and accomplishment.
It is recommended that composition applicants submit a recording on their preferred instrument, as well. Composition portfolios may consist of live or MIDI recordings, .pdf’s of scores (manuscript or computer-engraved) or works created in digital audio workstations.
Applicants for Level I need not submit an audition; however, a recommendation letter from the student’s private teacher or ensemble director is very helpful to the Faculty in choosing the appropriate repertoire for the student.
**Parents – it is always best practice to consult with your child’s private lesson teacher during this process. Please contact us at rrmc@rockyridge.org if you have any further questions.**
- Violin:
- Viola:
At least two years of private lessons.
Understanding of two octave major and minor scales and is comfortable with shifting in 3rd position
Studying repertoire equivalent to Suzuki books 2-3.
- Cello:
At least two years of private lessons.
Understanding of two octave major and minor scales and is comfortable with shifting in 2nd and 3rd positions
Studying repertoire equivalent to Suzuki books 2-3
- Double Bass:
At least one year of private lessons.
Understanding of two octave major and minor scales from 3 sharps through 2 flats
Student should be comfortable with shifting into 2nd, 3rd, and 4th positions
Studying repertoire equivalent to Suzuki books 2 or 3 that utilizes whole, half, quarter, eighth and 16th notes.
- Piano
Examples of minimum requirements appropriate for this level (equivalent to Faber & Faber Piano Literature Book 4: Original Keyboard Classics) would be the following selections:
Bach: Prelude in CM from WTC Book 1, or a 2-part invention
Pescetti: Sonatina No. 6 in c minor Mvt. 3
Kuhlau: Sonatina op. 20 #1 in CM, 1st Mvt.
Chopin: Prelude op. 28 in e minor #4
Grieg: Waltz op. 12 #12 in a minor
Satie: Gnossienne #1, 3
Beethoven: Sonatina in Anh. 5 in FM
Clementi: a Sonatina from op. 36, First movement
Mozart Variations I and VI from “Ah, vous dirai je, maman”
Burgmuller: Tarantella op. 100
Khatchaturian: Album for children Vol. 1 #5
C.Ph.E.Bach: Solfeggietto
- Violin:
At Level II, the student has had 3-4 years of private lessons.
- Viola:
At least three years of private lessons.
Understanding of three octave major and minor scales and is comfortable with shifting to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th positions and with reading alto and treble clef.
Studying repertoire equivalent to Suzuki books 4 and up or the following pieces: Hoffmeister Concerto, Telemann Concerto, or any of the Bach Cello Suites.
- Cello:
At least three years of private lessons.
Understanding of three octave major and minor scales and is comfortable with shifting up to 4th-6th positions, with the ability to read tenor clef.
Studying repertoire equivalent to Suzuki books 4 and up or the following pieces: Dvorak Humoresque, Breval Sonata in C Major, Faure Elegy, or any of the Bach Cello Suites.
- Double Bass:
At least three years of private lessons
Understanding of two and/or three octave major and minor scales from at least 4 sharps to 4 flats and is comfortable with shifting up to thumb position, with the ability to read tenor clef.
Studying repertoire equivalent to Suzuki books 4 or 5 or movement of following pieces: Bottesini Concerto or Elegy, Dragonetti Concerto, Koussevitzky Concerto, etc (pieces of similar ability).
- Piano
At this level, the student has ideally had performance experience in recitals, and has some sight reading practice. They should be able to play scales hands together in both major and minor keys four octaves, and have learned to play arpeggios and chromatic scales. It is helpful if they are able to reach and comfortably play octaves and chords within an octave position.
The following repertoire is equivalent but not limited in difficulty to the following suggestions:
Bach: a movement from a French Suite
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata Op. 27 #2 First movement
Chopin: Prelude op. 28 #9 in Db “Raindrop”
Mendelssohn: Songs without Words Op. 30 #6 in f# min.“Venetian Gondola Song”
Mozart: Fantasie in d minor KV. 397
Tcherepnin: Bagatelles op. 5
Debussy: Dr. Gradus ad Parnassum from Children’s Corner Suite, Arabesque, Claire de Lune
Audition tips for all instruments:
- Try to avoid using excerpts from orchestral music. Instead, select pieces that are part of the accepted repertoire for your instrument.
- As much as possible, your two pieces should contrast in tempo.
- Please submit a video recording or a YouTube link; audio-only recordings will not be accepted. Please ensure your links are viewable by other parties before submitting.
Daily Schedule
Please check back for 2026’s schedule!
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Student and Family Handbook
Please check back for 2026’s schedule!
Prerequisites
Please see Audition Requirements.
Location and Transportation
Rocky Ridge Music is located near the base of Long’s Peak at Rocky Mountain National Park. It is just off of Highway 7, about 4 miles south of Estes Park and 6 miles north of Allenspark.
Driving from Denver: From Denver, take I-25 North. Exit onto Highway 66 West until you get to Lyons. See below for further instructions.
Driving from Boulder: Take Highway 36 North until you get to Lyons. See below for further instructions.
At Lyons, take Highway 7 to Allenspark (left). From Highway 7, turn west onto Longs Peak Road, which is at mile marker 9. There is a sign there that says, “Longs Peak Area.” Drive about 1/3 mile to our entrance on the right. Total drive time from Denver International Airport to RRM is about 1.5 hours.
Driving from Northern Colorado: Driving west on Highway 34, you’ll drive through the Big Thompson Canyon and into Estes Park. At the big intersection, take Highway 7 South. At the sign that says “Longs Peak Area,” you will turn right onto Longs Peak Rd. Drive about 1/3 mile to our entrance on the right.
The Estes Park Shuttle is available from Denver International Airport to RRM. Students should contact the shuttle directly at 970-586-5151 or visit their website www.estesparkshuttle.com for current information and to make a reservation. Please contact the Office for the 10% discount code!
Campus Map
Junior Artist FAQ
Will my child have a counselor during this program?
Yes! Counselors are selected from our College Intensive program. Counselors supervise, reside with, and mentor up to eight students during the Junior Artist Immersion.
When should I arrive for this program?
For youth programs, registration will take place until 1 p.m. We will provide lunch and parents are invited to stay for a brief orientation from 1pm-2pm.
Rocky Ridge offers optional airport assistance at Denver International for students in order to reach their shuttle to Estes Park. Please call our office (970-586-4031) or email rrmc@rockyridge.org with any travel or transportation questions or concerns.
Where will I live on campus?
Our residential cabins are dorm-style with bunk beds; youth program students will reside with their counselor and 3-6 roommates. Bathhouses with showers are just a short walk away.
Check out our campus building gallery using the button below to see what our residential cabins look like.
Rocky Ridge welcomes and supports all Trans and Gender Non-Conforming students. If you are interested in optional alternative housing for your student, please contact us at rrmc@rockyridge.org or 970-586-4031.
Will I receive music in advance?
Each student will be assigned to a chamber ensemble and the program orchestra. It’s likely you will receive chamber music assignments in advance, however you may only receive your orchestra music on the first or second day of the program.
Do I need to bring bedding?
Rocky Ridge can provide you with bedding and towels for a $150 fee. Please indicate your interest in this option on your application. Otherwise, you are free to bring your own bedding or sleeping bag and towels. Please note that laundry services are NOT available during this program.
Do you screen your teachers before they work one-on-one with my child?
All of our teachers are professionally background-checked.
Sign Up
Deadline
Applications open: October 15, 2025
February 15, 2026: Early Bird Deadline, priority consideration of program spots and merit scholarships.
March 15, 2026: Final Deadline
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Faculty
Eva Kennedy
M.M., Cleveland Institute of Music
B.M., Cleveland Institute of Music
Violist Eva Kennedy has had a lifelong passion for chamber music ever since playing in her
very first quartet at the age of 7 in her hometown of Worthington, Ohio. As a founding member of the
Callisto Quartet, she has had the opportunity to perform some of classical music’s greatest repertoire
across North America and around the world. The Callisto Quartet has been internationally
recognized with major prizes from the Banff, Bordeaux, Melbourne, and Fischoff competitions, and
maintains an active performing schedule with appearances at venues such as Carnegie Hall, the
Kennedy Center, the Ravinia Festival, and many others. Eva holds Bachelor and Master of Music
degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, as well as a Master’s degree from Rice University,
where she was in residence with the Callisto Quartet. She also spent a semester at the Paris
Conservatory as an exchange student. Her mentors have included Deborah Price, Jeffrey Irvine,
Sabine Toutain, Lynne Ramsey, and James Dunham.
Alongside her passion for performing, Eva also has a great love for teaching. This year, she
has found great joy in implementing a new chamber music curriculum developed by the Callisto
Quartet, designed to demystify the process behind great ensemble playing for students and help
them become their own best teachers. She has taught and given masterclasses for violinists,
violists, and chamber ensembles at numerous music schools, festivals, and universities across the
country.
Eva is Canadian through her father’s side and has both American and Canadian
citizenships. Outside of music, she enjoys rock climbing and traveling with her family.
Gregory Lewis
M.M., Yale University
B.M., University of Manitoba
Praised for his “brilliant technique” (Chronicle Journal) and “wonderful musical personality” (Winnipeg Free Press), Canadian violinist Gregory Lewis enjoys an international career as a soloist and chamber musician. Lewis has appeared as soloist with orchestras including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, Colburn Academy Virtuosi, Strathcona Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Manitoba Symphony Orchestra. Named one of CBC’s “30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30”, Lewis received First Prize at the 2017 Canadian National Music Festival and was selected as a winner of the 2023 Canada Council for the Arts Musical Instrument Bank Competition.
In 2022, Lewis had the great privilege of joining the Callisto Quartet. In recent seasons, the Callisto Quartet has received Grand Prize at the 2018 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition and Second Prize at the 2019 Banff International String Quartet Competition. The Callisto Quartet maintains a busy international touring schedule, appearing at notable venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kauffman Center, the Kennedy Center, and the Ravinia Festival. The Callisto Quartet was in residence at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts from 2020-2022, and now serves as Fellowship Quartet in Residence at Yale University and Associate Artists in Residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium. The Callisto Quartet is managed exclusively by Kanzen Arts. Lewis’s passion for chamber music has led to performances at the Four Seasons, Norfolk, Olympic, Ravinia, and Yellow Barn music festivals. He holds degrees from the University of Manitoba, Yale University, and the Colburn School, where he studied with Oleg Pokhanovski, Chris Anstey, Ani Kavafian, and Martin Beaver. Lewis performs on the 1768 “Miller” Gagliano, on generous loan by the Canada Council for the Arts.
Hannah Moses
M.M., Rice University
Praised for her sensitivity and beauty of sound, cellist Hannah Moses has performed worldwide both as a soloist and as a founding member of the Callisto Quartet. A Cleveland native, Moses holds degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music and Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where her teachers have included Richard Weiss, Melissa Kraut, and Norman Fischer. As cellist of the Callisto Quartet, Moses maintains an active concert schedule and has appeared at venues and festivals across the globe, including the Ravinia Festival, the Kennedy Center, the Heidelberg String Quartet Festival, and more. Callisto has garnered top prizes at many major international chamber music competitions, including Grand Prize at the 2018 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, Second Prize at the 2019 Banff International String Quartet Competition, and prizes at the Bordeaux, Melbourne, and Wigmore Hall Competitions.
A committed educator, Moses assisted in creating a unique chamber music curriculum with the Callisto Quartet entitled “Chamber Music Deconstructed”, which has been successfully received in schools across the country. Additionally, Moses has served on cello faculty at the Cleveland Music School Settlement, Aurora School of Music, and the Westport Suzuki School, and appeared as guest artist and juror at the 2018 Tennessee Cello Workshop Competition, after winning the competition in 2015. Moses has been actively involved in chamber music coaching at CIM’s Young Artist Program, of which she is a graduate, and has served on summer faculty at Credo Chamber Music, Bravo International Music Festival, and the Hudson Montessori School Chamber Music Intensive. Currently, the Callisto Quartet is in residence at Yale University, where they mentor the undergraduate ensembles.
When not traveling with the Callisto Quartet, Moses enjoys running, cooking, and rock climbing. She currently resides in New Haven, CT, with her cat, Snickers.
Ken Marrs
Master's in Choral Conducting at the University of Arizona
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Ken Marrs studied the double bass with Derek Weller, Stuart Sankey, Bruce Bransby and Lawrence Hurst. He holds a bachelor’s degree in choral and instrumental music education from Indiana University and a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Arizona. Ken has performed with the Ann Arbor, Flint, Saginaw Bay, Toledo, and Tucson Symphony Orchestras, the Arizona Opera Company as well as with True Concord. Ken has taught and performed with orchestras on four continents.
He teaches orchestra, concert band, and jazz band at Mica Mountain HS in Vail, AZ and directs the Vail Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Maggie Polk Olivo
Maggie Polk Olivo is a musical collaborator, creative, and educator. She holds degrees in music composition and music education from IU Jacobs School of Music and is a certified Kodaly educator and arts integration specialist. She works alongside Dr. Brenda Brenner at the Jacobs Fairview Violin Project, also directing Jacobs Academy’s Musical Beginnings and Bloomington’s Bridges Musical Arts Youth Organization.
She’s presented sessions at the American String Teachers Association, Indiana Music Educators Association, and the South Central Indiana Early Youth and Childhood. Olivo’s been recognized as the 2021 Greater Chamber of Commerce’s “Outstanding Educator of the Year,” Jacobs OECD’s “Entrepreneur of the Month,” IMEA Music Teacher of the Year finalist, and presented her district’s Star of Excellence and Equity and Inclusion Spotlight Award. As a composer, her works have been performed by faculty from Jacobs School of Music, University of New Mexico, Willamette University, and University of Arizona, with commissions from the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and Amity Trio. Recently, she’s authored interactive music lessons for Peter Burkholder’s “Charles Ives at 150” festival, Amity Trio’s “Illuminating Apologues,” and F-flat Books.
Mari Tomizuka
B.M., Arizona State University
Mari Tomizuka was raised in Tucson. As a student of Eugene Pridonoff, she received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance degree from Arizona State University. After a year studying and teaching undergraduate piano at the University of Miami, Florida, she accepted a teaching assistantship at New England Conservatory. Following the completion of her “modern piano” studies and Master’s Degree in Boston, she migrated to Europe to study with Stanley Hoogland and specialize in performance on historical instruments.
Since completing the post-graduate Certificate in Fortepiano from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, Netherlands, Ms. Tomizuka has appeared as both a soloist and in chamber music with principal players from the Concertgebouw Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic of Flanders, Opera Orchestra of Antwerp, Stavanger Symphony of Norway, Amsterdam Ballet Orchestra, Residentie Orchestra of the Hague, and the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century. She has been invited as a soloist to appear in festivals such as York Early Music (England), the Holland Festival of Early Music, Festival of Flanders (Belgium), and the International Music Festival of Granollers (Spain). Ms. Tomizuka has been featured in countless recital series in Holland, and after 17 years of living abroad in the Netherlands, she returned to her native Tucson. Her CD with classical mandolin virtuoso Richard Walz, “Mandolin Treasures from the Golden Era”, is available at Amazon.com. Current projects include promoting music by Haitian composers.
As a member of the Tucson Music Teachers Association, she owns and manages the 17th Street Ear Palace – a space dedicated to soirees, lessons and masterclasses, sound recordings, recitals, and public explorations of other genres of music.
Timothy De Prey
B.M., University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Timothy De Prey, pianist, is excited to join the Rocky Ridge Music team. He has been a piano instructor at the faculty of MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis Minnesota since 1997. MacPhail is the largest community music school in the United States.
Timothy’s students participate in MacPhail’s Crescendo for Piano Program and throughout his teaching career his students have won many competitions including the Junior Honor’s Competition, the Honor’s Competition and the prestigious Concerto and Aria Competition. Timothy enjoys working with students of all ages and levels, but specifically enjoys students who are interested in a variety of repertoire and technical challenges. Although he teaches through traditional methods, Timothy incorporates pop and jazz genres if the students are interested. Nearly half of his students are beginning adults or adults who have returned to music. He incorporates technology into his teaching with video tutorials and YouTube samples. He also has students who take lessons exclusively OnLine. This year, (2024) Timothy was awarded the James Ericksen Professional Development Grant administered through MacPhail. The grant financially supports his new project of composing teaching repertoire for his students from age 5 – 75.
Timothy is an active performer in the Twin Cities and has performed on six MacPhail Faculty Spotlight Performances including “By George” – the music of George Gershwin, “Flirting with Sondheim” and most recently “It Takes Two” – a review of Broadway’s most celebrated duets. In addition to his work at MacPhail, Timothy has been the principal accompanist for the well-respected Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus since 1991. As pianist for the chorus Timothy has had the opportunity to work with Michael Feinstein, Ann Hampton Callaway, Holly Near and Harvey Fierstein. Timothy can be heard on all 16 of TCGMC’s CD’s, on “Proud and Peaceful”- a CD of solo piano music from the pianists within GALA (Gay and Lesbian Choruses of America) and on his own CD’s, “in the evening air” – a collection of nocturnes, lullabies and night songs and “I Love a Piano” – a recording commemorating his 20th year accompanying the Twin Cities’ Gay Men’s Chorus and “this is the wonder” a holiday CD celebrating his 25th anniversary with the chorus.
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges proclaimed December 5, 2015 as Timothy De Prey Day in the City of Minneapolis honoring his work with MacPhail Center for Music and the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus. Timothy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in music therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a Master of Music degree in piano performance from the University of Minnesota.
Timothy Jones
M.M., University of Texas-Austin
B.M., The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University
Timothy Jones is an American pianist based in Austin, TX, recognized for his versatility as a performer, collaborator, and educator. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Peabody Institute, where he studied under Marian Hahn and received additional guidance from esteemed artists Leon Fleisher and Richard Goode. Tim’s achievements at Peabody include winning the 2019 Lillian Gutmann Memorial Prize in Piano Performance. He continued his studies at the University of Texas at Austin, earning both a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance under the mentorship of Anton Nel. Currently, Tim is pursuing an Artist Diploma as only the second pianist in UT Austin’s history to be admitted into this program.
Distinguished as the first solo pianist to receive a Collaborative Piano Teaching Assistantship at UT Austin, Tim was subsequently appointed Guest Artist Staff Pianist—a role created especially for him. This unique position allows him to serve as a valued collaborator and coach for instrumentalists and vocalists.
Tim has performed in prestigious venues including Lincoln Center, The Juilliard School, and the Krakow Academy of Music, and has been featured in major summer festivals such as Aspen Music Festival, Chautauqua Institution, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Virtuoso e Belcanto, and Summit Music Festival. His guest appearances as a collaborative pianist include engagements with Peabody Institute, Columbus State University, Georgia State University, University of Tennessee, University of Memphis, and University of Texas at San Antonio. Among his recent collaborators are members of the Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Austin Symphony Orchestras, with upcoming performances alongside the UT Austin New Music Ensemble featuring Grammy-winning soprano Hila Plittman.
Alongside his performance career, Tim teaches piano and music theory at Velocity Music Academy and Clavierwerke School of Music in Austin, emphasizing a supportive, student-centered approach that nurtures artistic and technical development. Excited to join the faculty at Rocky Ridge Music Center for the Junior Artist Intensive, Tim looks forward to creating an inspiring, collaborative environment for emerging artists.
Eric Tsai
Eric Tsai is an up and coming Taiwanese-American violinist whose playing has been described as both “dashing” and “heart-wrenching” (NZ Herald), and whose thoughtful approach to old and new works alike has earned him a place on stages across the globe. The 2nd prize winner of the 2019 Michael Hill International Violin competition, Eric has garnered critical acclaim as a soloist and chamber player, as well as a champion of music from Taiwan. Simultaneously, he is a committed educator, passionate about raising up the next generation of young musicians, and maintaining a highly successful private pre-college studio.
Performing as a featured artist throughout the United States, Europe, Taiwan, and New Zealand, Eric is deeply committed to spreading hope and light to audiences around the world through his art. In 2021, at the height of the worldwide pandemic, he partnered with Taiwan Connection’s education outreach program and traveled to elementary schools situated in under-reached communities across the country. Other past community engagement projects include performances at homeless shelters, hospitals, and veteran homes across New York and Philadelphia. Highlights of the 2025-2026 season include the inaugural season of his summer festival, SPIRITUS and continued residencies with Callis Ensemble. Starting in the fall of 2025, Eric will join the internationally recognized Callisto Quartet as their new first violinist, engaging in a busy touring and teaching schedule with the group.
Eric’s mentors include Catherine Cho, Ida Kavafian, and Shmuel Ashkenasi, and he has also worked closely with renowned artists such as Pamela Frank, Peter Wiley, Joseph Lin, Ralph Kirshbaum, and Joseph Silverstein. Recent awards include the semifinals at the Premio Paganini competition in Genoa, Italy, bronze medal at the Fischoff Competition with his piano trio, the prestigious Chimei Arts Award, and participation in the Honors chamber program at Juilliard for the 2022-23 season. Eric received his B.M. from the Curtis Institute of Music and his M.M. from the Juilliard School, and recently completed his coursework at StonyBrook University as a Staller Fellow.
Peyton Hall Magalhaes
Brazilian-American cellist Peyton Hall Magalhaes is a sought after chamber musician
and solo performer. Born and raised in Lithuania to an American mother and
Brazilian-American father, Magalhaes was exposed to three diverse cultural and
musical traditions.
Magalhaes has performed and competed on stages in Estonia,
France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, and across the United states. Some of
his most notable accomplishments include first place at the “Ars Lituanica” competition
in Vilnius, Lithuania, winning a cello, playing at the Ryman in Nashville, TN, and
performing a solo at the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. Recently he was
invited to play the Friederich Gulda cello concerto at the National Philharmonic in
Lithuania.
Magalhaes obtained his bachelor’s degree from the Robert McDuffie Center
for Strings and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in cello performance at the
University of Colorado Boulder with professor David Requiro and serves as one of his
teaching assistants.
Allyson Stibbards
Allyson is a passionate and enthusiastic violist from Boulder, Colorado. She grew up as a Suzuki kid in Longmont, Colorado and performs with many ensembles in the Boulder and Denver Metro areas such as Sphere Ensemble, Boulder Philharmonic, Playground Ensemble, and the Altius Quartet. Allyson is committed to connecting with people through music whether performing or teaching. She believes performing music by living composers with the same intensity as Brahms or Beethoven is the path to keeping our field, as musicians, alive and meaningful. Allyson is also a dedicated teacher. She teaches both privately and at El Sistema Colorado. She completed her Master’s Degree at the New England Conservatory in Boston with Cathy Basrak and her Undergraduate at University of Colorado Boulder with Erika Eckert and Geraldine Walther. She is returning to CU Boulder in the fall of 2022 to pursue a Doctorate of Musical Arts. Allyson has enjoyed summers at the Tanglewood Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival.