The Parlando School for the Arts began as "Parlando Incorporated" in 2003 with the goal of increasing the accessibility of music to all people, but particularly our community's youth and elder populations. Founded by Travis and Christine LaBerge, Parlando operated on a relatively small scale for the first 4 years of its existence, providing valuable tuition-assistance to under-privileged and at-risk children, educational outreach to seniors by way of "on-site" music performances by professional musicians and inter-generational programming for youth and senior citizens.

In August of 2007, through a series of strategic mergers and collaborations, the Parlando School for the Arts was born. This new endeavor greatly expanded Parlando's capacity to bring music into the lives of more members of our community while providing valuable outreach to children, local schools and senior citizens.

Travis LaBerge, Founder and Executive Director, attended Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where he graduated with high honors degrees in both music and psychology. At Lehigh, Travis studied with world-renowned and award-winning pianist, Eugene Albulescu. While at Lehigh Travis was named a Presidential Scholar, a Roy Eckhardt College Scholar and an Asa Packer Scholar and was the recipient of the Elizabeth Major Nevius Award as well as the Outstanding Contribution to Student Life Award. In 1999, Travis founded the piano studio, Travis LaBerge Music (TLM). Over the next eight years Travis became one of the most sought after piano instructors in the region while performing over 700 piano concerts along the Front Range and holding teaching positions at Jarrow Montessori School and Boulder Country Day School. In 2007, Travis oversaw the expansion of TLM into the Parlando School for the Arts. Parlando is now one of the largest music schools in Colorado with 725 students and a faculty of 50 teachers. In addition to being Parlando’s Executive Director, Travis also serves on the Board of Trustees for Boulder Country Day School.

 

 

 

Headshot on this page courtesy of Sue Daniels Photography