Parlando Faculty Bios and Information

Individual and group lessons on all instruments and voice continue year round. New students may begin lessons at any time. Tuition is prorated for new students who begin after the term has begun. Weekly private lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes long. Group lessons are also available as "duet" lessons or "trio lessons" when students are matched by level and rate of progress.

Strings

Liz Dinwiddie, viola and violin: M.M., University of Colorado at Boulder

Brad Ferree, viola, violin and piano: B.M., University of Colorado at Boulder

Emily Lewis, violin: M.M., University of Colorado at Boulder

Gyöngyi Petheo, violin and viola: Diploma, Franz Liszt Academy of Music

Casen Ross, cello: B.M., University of Colorado at Boulder

Britt Swenson, violin: M.M., Juilliard School

Eleanor Wells, cello: D.M.A. in progress, University of Colorado at Boulder

Jennifer West, double bass, bass guitar, violin: B.M.E. Lawrence University

Harp

Rosalie Gilbert, harp: M.M. in progress, University of Colorado at Boulder

Piano

Yuan-Jen Cheng: D.M.A., University of Colorado at Boulder

Kayla Dare: B.A., Faith Baptist Bible College

Brad Ferree , piano, viola and violin: B.M., University of Colorado at Boulder

Andrew Halladay , piano, voice and guitar: M.M. in progress, University of Colorado at Boulder

Keiko Haneda: M.A., Kunitachi College of Music, Tokyo

Pam Hayoun: B.M., University of Denver
Diplôme Supérieur d'Enseignement, École Normale de Musique, Paris

Christopher Hatton: D.M.A. in progress, University of Colorado at Boulder

Leslie Ann Leddy: B.A., Shorter College in Rome, Georgia

Gwin Lehman: B.A., University of Hawaii

Sharla Macy: M.E., Austin College

Kate Skrobacz, piano and voice: M.B.E., University of Colorado at Boulder

Pamela Sommer: M.M. in progress, University of Colorado at Boulder

Malia Van Rooy, piano and flute: B.M., Baylor University



Alexandra Zelinskaya: B.S. in progress, University of Colorado at Boulder

Woodwinds

Kirsten Boldt-Neurohr, bassoon: D.M.A. (ABD), University of Colorado at Boulder

Carol Codrescu, flute: M.M., New England Conservatory of Music
Post Graduate Certificate, Guildhall, London

Karen Dusek, clarinet: B.M., Eastman School of Music

Danny Meyer, saxophone and jazz combos: B.M., University of Colorado at Boulder

Malia Van Rooy, piano and flute: B.M., Baylor University

Tenly Williams, oboe: M.M., University of Texas at Austin

Brass

Sean Butterfield, trumpet: D.M.A. in progress, University of Colorado at Boulder

John Neurohr, trombone and low brass: D.M.A. in progress, University of Colorado at Boulder

Devon Park, French horn: M.M., Northwestern University

Percussion



Brian Dillon, drums and percussion: University of Colorado at Denver

Jazz Combos

Danny Meyer, saxophone and jazz combos: B.M., University of Colorado at Boulder

Voice and Theater

David Ayers, voice and theater: B.M., Northwestern University

Angela Gaylor, voice and theater: B.F.A., Cincinnati Conservatory of Music

Andrew Halladay , piano, voice and guitar: M.M. in progress, University of Colorado at Boulder

Ernie Hargett, choir: Hofstra University

Patricia Irby: M.M., Arizona State University

Kristina Macy, voice: M.M., New York University

Darlene Mueller: D.M.A. (ABD), University of Colorado at Boulder

Kate Skrobacz, voice and piano

Laura Williams, voice: M.M. in progress, University of Colorado at Boulder

Guitar

Andrew Halladay , piano, voice and guitar: M.M. in progress, University of Colorado at Boulder

David Honig: M.M., Yale University

Jeff Moskovics: B.S., University of Colorado at Denver

Eric Wiggs: M.M., University of Colorado at Boulder

Holden Young: B.M., Berklee College of Music

Early Childhood

Madelyn Clair: University of Pennsylvania

Adjunct Faculty

Kathleen Fagre, hammered dulcimer, songwriting: M.M., University of Colorado at Boulder

Faculty Bios

David Ayers (voice, theater) graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance and Theater. David has starred on Broadway as Sky in Mamma Mia!, originated the role of Fyedka in the 2005 Tony-nominated revival of Fiddler on the Roof, and most recently, the role of Fiyero in the hit Broadway musical Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre. His television credits include guest starring on Law and Order: Criminal Intent and The Guiding Light. Most recently David has work shopped two upcoming musicals by pop icons Barry Manilow and Elton John.

Sean Butterfield (trumpet) currently performs as principal trumpet with the Steamboat Springs Orchestra and section trumpet with the Colorado Ballet. He has performed with the Colorado Music Festival, Boulder Brass, San Juan Symphony, Colorado MahlerFest, Emerald City Opera, Fort Collins Symphony, Longmont Symphony, and Michigan Bach Collegium and various chamber ensembles including the Apollo Chamber Brass. He is experienced in the classical, jazz, and commercial idioms and as such keeps an active performance schedule throughout Colorado. Sean recently finished his coursework toward his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He earned his Master’s degree in Brass Performance and Pedagogy at Western Michigan University, studying with Scott Thornburg and Dr. Steven Jones. Born and raised in rural Colorado, he attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and received a Bachelor of Music with highest honors under the tutelage of Terry Sawchuk. Sean has also studied with Eric Berlin and Christopher Still, as well as such notable musicians as Michael Sachs, Ryan Anthony, John Hagstrom, Jeffrey Work, David Hickman, Mark Gould, Jens Lindeman, and the American Brass Quintet. Sean assists high school band directors throughout the Front Range, and he enjoys teaching students of all ages.

Kirsten M. Boldt-Neurohr (bassoon) earned a bachelor of music performance and education degree from Ithaca College, New York and a master in music performance degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. After three years in Oregon, as adjunct faculty at Southern Oregon University, Kirsten moved to Colorado. She is currently a doctoral candidate (ABD) in her Doctoral of Musical Arts degree in bassoon performance and pedagogy at the University of Colorado. She has studied with Gordon Soli; Dr. Lee Goodhew-Romm of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra in New York; Mark Eubanks of the Oregon Symphony; Martin Gatt of the London Symphony Orchestra (while she was studying at the Royal College of Music, London); Stephen Paulson and Robert Weir of the San Francisco Symphony; and Dr. Yoshiyuki Ishikawa. Kirsten has performed with the San Francisco Symphonietta, Berkeley Opera, the Schenectady Symphony, Rogue Valley Symphony, Redding Symphony, Fort Collins Symphony, San Juan Symphony, Emerald City Opera and the Longmont Symphony Orchestra, and is currently playing with Musica Sacra Chamber Orchestra and the Steamboat Springs Chamber Orchestra. Most recently, Kirsten was a soloist at the opening concert of the International Double Reed Society Conference June 2007 in Ithaca, New York. In addition to her teaching at Parlando, she is part-time Faculty at Metropolitan State College of Denver, where she teaches bassoon as well as courses in music theory and music appreciation.

Yuan-Jen Cheng (piano), originally from Taiwan, received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in piano performance from Soochow University, Taipei, where she studied with John Vaughan, Yo-Huei Lo, and Tuan-Mei Yang. She received her Master’s degree with distinction from Western Michigan University, where she was a teaching assistant of Lori Sims. Recently, she received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the University of Colorado-Boulder, studying with David Korevaar. A member of the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society since 1999, she has also performed in many masterclasses with world-class artists including Yefim Bronfman, Richard Cass, Penelope Crawford, John Perry, Pascal Rogé, Ursula Oppens, Arie Vardi, and Earl Wild. She was named “Senior Young Artist” in the Kalamazoo Bach Festival in 1999 and was the winner of the Bruce Ekstrand Competition at CU Boulder in December, 2002. She is an active performer and teaches students of all ages and levels including adults. With extensive experience as a collaborative pianist, Yuan-Jen also coaches chamber ensembles at Parlando.

Madelyn Clair (early childhood music) is well-known in the community and has taught music at many preschools in Boulder County for the past 10 years. She has appeared in concert in at the Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Lafayette and Broomfield Libraries, the Jewish Festival, and Fantastic Fridays. Her classes are high energy and engaging while focusing on the 8 Fundamentals of Early Childhood Musicianship. Using fun props and instruments, and referencing their parents as models, children develop a sense of pitch, rhythm and a joyful music expression that is all their own style. Madelyn teaches classes for infants through 6 years old. The classes are so much fun that it won’t be long before your child is asking “Is this a Music With Madelyn day?”

Carol Codrescu (flute, recorder) holds a Bachelor of Music in flute performance from Baylor University where she studied with Helen Ann Shanley, a Master of Music degree in Early Music Performance on baroque flute from New England Conservatory where she studied with Peter Bloom, and a Certificate of Advanced Study on baroque and keyed flutes from Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London, where she studied with Stephen Preston. She has studied in masterclasses with Stephen Preston, Jed Wentz, Geoffrey Gilbert, and Trevor Wye. Carol has performed in solo, chamber, and orchestral concerts in Colorado, England, Massachusetts, and Texas. She performed at the National Flute Association’s 1993 Convention in the Baroque Flute Masterclass for Sandra Miller. She was a semi-finalist in the 1998 National Flute Association’s Baroque Flute Artist Competition and was invited to perform at the 2001 and 2007 NFA Conventions on concerts of baroque chamber music. She has also served as tape judge for the NFA Baroque Flute Masterclass and Baroque Flute Artists Competitions. She teaches recorder, flute and chamber music at Parlando. (Photo credit Sue Daniels Photography,©2008)

Kayla Dare (piano) began playing the piano at age five and soon developed a lasting love for music. During her teen years she was successful in various local, state, and national piano competitions, and received a piano scholarship for college. While attending Faith Baptist Bible College, Kayla was actively involved in the music program as an instrumental, vocal, and chorale accompanist as well as solo pianist. After graduating in 2005 Kayla began teaching at an elementary school in Iowa while continuing to teach private piano lessons. Kayla has taught piano at four music studios including Parlando, and has several years of piano teaching experience. In addition to private piano lessons, Kayla teaches Kids N Keys classes and group piano lessons. Her goal for her students is that they obtain excellence as musicians as well as develop a lifelong appreciation for music. (Photo credit Sue Daniels Photography,©2008)

Brian Dillon (percussion, drums) is from Colorado and started drumming in Middle School. He attended Cherry Creek High School and was the leader of the drum line, recipient of the David Powell Outstanding Percussionist Award, and awarded a scholarship to attend the University of Northern Colorado. He studied percussion at the University of Colorado at Denver and in Kaua’i, Hawaii. Brian has been recognized in Modern Drummer Magazine and has 8 years of teaching experience. In 2003, he studied with one of the finest drummers in the world, Master Dave Weckl. Performing and recording with some of Colorado's best musicians, Brian provides a hands-on perspective to drumming concepts. Students of all ages and abilities will benefit from Brian’s teaching which is tailored to the learning style of each individual student. Brian uses a wide variety of books that emphasize the fundamentals of technique, applying the rudiments to the drum set, dynamic control, improvisation, and listening. Most of all, Brian makes learning how to play the drums fun.

Liz Dinwiddie (violin and viola) received her Bachelor of Music degree from Boston University and her Master of Music degree in Viola Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado at Boulder. While in Boston, Liz taught at the Belmont School District's Saturday School, a music enrichment program. She also coached chamber groups for the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. In 2005 Liz started a chamber music program for the students of the Boulder Youth Symphony. She formerly served as the Strings Coordinator for Keyboards for Kids in Golden. She currently plays in the Greeley Philharmonic and the Boulder Philharmonic. When not performing or teaching, Liz enjoys camping in the mountains.

Karen Dusek (Program Director, clarinet) graduated from the Eastman School of Music with high distinction. She studied clarinet with Stanley Hasty, Charles Neidich, Russell Dagon, and Anthony Gigliotti, and bass clarinet with Don Ambler. Karen has extensive teaching experience with students of all levels, beginner through adult, including college prep. She teaches clarinet and bass clarinet and offers group lessons as well as traditional private lessons. Her students participate in clarinet ensembles, recitals, competitions, and more. With a background in corporate business administration and marketing, she serves in an administrative capacity at the Parlando School for the Arts as Program Director. Her artistic pursuits include recordings on CRS and CBS Master Recording labels and collaborations with directors and principal dancers from local ballet companies. She has played clarinet and bass clarinet with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra since 1987. Former orchestra appointments include the Penfield Symphony and the Rochester Philharmonic both in New York. Her professional affiliations include the International Clarinet Association, the Denver Musicians Association, and she is a lifetime member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the national honor society for musicians. She taught at Boulder Arts Academy from 1992-2007 and now is the Program Director at Parlando School for the Arts. Karen serves as the Center Representative for the National Music Certificate Program, affiliated with the Royal Conservatory of Music, and Parlando is the official theory examination center in Colorado. (Photo credit Sue Daniels Photography,©2008)

Kathleen Fagre (hammered dulcimer, songwriting) is a performing musician and teacher with over thirty-five years’ experience. She has taught hammered dulcimer, composition, and piano in Boulder since 1990. She currently performs on hammered dulcimer with the classical jazz group Windy Peak, and accompanies choirs and theater groups throughout Colorado. Kathleen is a recording artist and a published composer of instrumental, choral, and solo vocal music. She is also the founder of KP Ministries, Inc., a nonprofit organization assisting small churches nationally and internationally with seminars on accompanying, piano improvisation, theory, and hymnody. Kathleen loves the hammered dulcimer for its unique textural sound, its simplicity, and the enjoyment it brings to students at any level playing alone or in community with other musicians. She is an energetic and dynamically creative person who uses the jazz, folk, and classical pallets of musical languages in her teaching. Kathleen enjoys flying sailplanes, photography, and climbing ‘14ers.’

Brad Ferree (viola, violin, piano) Brad Ferree has enjoyed an extensive career performing with his two main instruments, violin and piano. From 1996, when he won his first concerto competition on the piano, he has performed extensively enjoying such honors as the “Louisiana State University Music Award” which gave him a full tuition scholarship to attend college. Brad has performed professionally with many symphonies from Louisiana to Colorado. Some of his notable experiences were with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and Acadiana Symphony. In 2007, Brad was honored with the opportunity to perform the Stamitz viola concerto with the McPherson Chamber Orchestra. Through his many years of studies, he has had the opportunity to perform in master-classes with Roland Vamos, James Dunham and Donald McInnes. He has also studied with several important musicians such as Geraldine Walther, Dr.Jerzy Kosmala, Erika Eckert, Dr. David Lowe and Borislava Iltcheva. Brad obtained his Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance from Louisiana State University and his Master of Music from the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Angela Gaylor (voice, theater) has been on Broadway as Anne in the Tony-Award winning revival La Cage Aux Folles, Amber in Hairspray as well as the recent revival of Oklahoma! She has also appeared as the title role in Cinderella at Paper Mill Playhouse. Her career extends into television with Guest Stars on Law and Order: SVU and the role of Libby on All My Children. Angela is a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music's Musical Theatre department where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and the Laurie Beechman Award.

Rosalie Gilbert (harp) is an active professional harpist, with over a decade of experience in solo, ensemble, and freelance performance. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from The Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) in May 2008, and is starting graduate work at The University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) where she has been appointed the harp department teaching assistant. Rosalie has performed with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, the CIM Orchestra and Opera Orchestra, and the University Circle Wind Ensemble. She is performing with the CU Symphony Orchestra and Opera Orchestra, and the Jefferson Symphony this semester. She has also performed solo recitals in Ohio; Washington, D.C.; Maryland; Virginia and Maine. Among her festival credits are appearances at the Pierre Monteux School (ME), the International Festival at Roundtop (TX), and the National Festival Orchestra at Carnegie Hall (NY). She was named a Maryland Distinguished Scholar in the Arts in 2003 and received a Maryland Governor’s Merit Award in 2004. Her teachers have included Janet Harriman, Yolanda Kondonassis, Jeanne Chalifoux, Alice Chalifoux, and Paula Page. Originally from Maryland, Rosalie enjoys teaching and performing in beautiful Boulder.

Andrew Halladay (piano, voice, guitar) is currently pursuing his master of music degree in composition at the University of Colorado. He also received his bachelor of music in composition, magna cum laude in 2005. Andrew has been teaching students of all ages for the last eight years in a variety of genres and styles with a focus on musical expression. Being primarily a composer, Andrew enjoys challenging students not only with musical technique but also with musical meaning and often improvisation. Since the Fall of 2005, Andrew has been working with Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church as a guest conductor and resident composer. Andrew has written original anthems for Montview’s Westminster Choir and arranged several hymns for the Montview brass quintet, choir, organ and congregation.

Keiko Haneda (piano, solfege) began piano lessons at age four. She received a Master of Arts in Piano Performance from Kunitachi College of Music, Tokyo. She had lessons with Vladimir Ashkenazy, Jorg Demus, Detlef Klaus, Beveridge Webster, Akira Imai, Max Egger, and participated in the piano classes of Professor Paul Badura-Skoda. Ms. Haneda has taught and accompanied at the Boulder Arts Academy, as well as for the summer program at the Boulder Conservatory Theater and the Saint Thomas University Church’s Choir. As a teacher, she emphasizes the importance of speaking the language of music and incorporates music theory into every lesson. With more than 25 years of teaching experience, many of her students have gone on to study piano in college and have won awards and competitions.

Ernie Hargett (choir, voice) began playing piano and singing gospel at the age of ten. To hear Ernie put it, gospel is in his soul. Ernie has founded gospel choirs, arranged songs, recorded gospel music and most of all, sung. From traditional standards like Amazing Grace to the hip hop sound of Kirk Franklin he has done it all. Ernie studied at Hofstra University, and privately with Marguerite Burke. He has been directing gospel choirs for over 25 years. Ernie is currently the minister of music at Second Baptist Church in Boulder where he directs 6 choirs. In addition to gospel, Ernie worked at Walt Disney World as a singer for five years. He has performed on Broadway and in touring companies. Ernie teaches gospel and jazz voice lessons focusing on stylization. His gifted ear and contagious enthusiasm ensure a joyful experience for everyone in his choirs, workshops, lessons, and classes.

Christopher Hatton (piano) is a multi-faceted artist and teacher who enjoys performing and teaching the classical repertoire as well as jazz and other popular styles. He has over ten years teaching experience at all ages and levels. Chris is currently a doctoral candidate in Piano Performance at the Univeristy of Colorado at Boulder, studying with the acclaimed teacher, Doris Lehnert. He received his masters degree in Piano Performance from Colorado State University where he studied with Dr. Janet Landreth and his undergraduate degree in Piano from the University of Kansas, where he studied with Dr. Richard Angeletti. In the jazz idiom, Chris has studied with the great pianist/ organist Pat Bianchi and saxophonist/composer Peter Sommer. Chris performs jazz professionally as a freelance artist throughout the Front Range. As a teacher, Chris does not adhere to one specific style but individually tailors his teaching to the needs of each student. He has taught class piano at the college level for over five years, and he has experience teaching private students from the ages of 5 to 85. Chris believes that students at every level can achieve great results with the right instruction, and he also encourages fun and musicality above all else.

Pam Hayoun (piano) received a Bachelor of Music Cum Laude in Piano Performance from the University of Denver and a Diplôme Superieur d'Enseignement with Honors from the École Normale de Musique in Paris, France. She is an experienced accompanist performing with numerous chamber ensembles including Vivaldi and musical theaters in the U.S. and in France. She accompanies for the eurhythmy classes at Shining Mountain Waldorf School and the Tara Performing Arts High School. Pam performs with vocalist Patricia Irby to bring musical theater excerpts to senior residences and other venues in the community. She has over 25 years of teaching experience in Paris, Annecy and in the United States. (Photo credit Sue Daniels Photography,©2008)

Dave Honig (guitar) has over thirty years of experience as a professional musician and educator. His wide ranging activities as a performer and composer have earned him the praise of some of the greatest musicians of our time in classical performance, jazz, and composition. He has been teaching privately since age 17 and has directed guitar programs at Colorado College in Colorado Springs and at Arlington Academy in Boston. He currently instructs at Front Range Community College, and has performed at the Aspen Music Festival. He received a Masters Degree in Classical Guitar from Yale University and also attended Boston Conservatory, Berklee School of Music, and the Longy School of Music. His background includes: classical guitar studies with Eliot Fisk and Robert Guthrie; masterclass lessons in classical guitar with Manuel Barrucco, Pepe Romero, Carlos Barbosa Lima, Ernesto Bitteti, Oscar Ghiglia, and Fred Hand; early music studies with Robert Strizich, Robert Hill, Eugen Dombois, Thomas Binkley, and Hopkinson Smith; and jazz guitar studies with Billy Bauer and Willie Ruff. Dave continues to pursue new musical projects and endeavors, and performs regularly in the Denver metro area. Dave’s students acquire a high degree of technical proficiency based on the curriculum he developed for students pursuing classical guitar for either a college prep track or just for fun.

Patricia Irby (voice) received a master's degree in Vocal Performance from Arizona State University and furthered her education here at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. She comes to us from Phoenix, Arizona, where she was a voice instructor and music theater director at Glendale Community College for eleven years. Formerly she taught voice at Boulder Arts Academy and directed the Boulder Youth Choir. A registered Music Together® teacher, Patricia was an early childhood music instructor for Swallow Hill Music Association, Mountain Song Music Studio, and the Boulder Jewish Community Center. She loves working with kids and has done many special children's music programs for the Denver Jewish Community Center, the Denver Library, and the Chautauqua Community House in Boulder. She also volunteers her time to the Boulder County Safehouse serving as an outreach musical play consultant. Patricia has performed in Opera and Music Theater nationwide and locally. In Arizona she directed Canterbury Transfer, a professional renaissance madrigal quartet, for nine years. The group made two recordings, Canterbury Transfer-Madrigals, and A Canterbury Christmas which was sold in record stores locally and received airplay on local radio stations. Patricia has recently recorded with the group Sailor's Dream, a female, a cappella vocal trio specializing in Irish Folk Songs, especially those of the sea. She currently teaches music at Boulder Country Day School.

Travis LaBerge (Executive Director) is originally from Middlebury, Vermont. He 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 met and eventually married Christine Galli LaBerge, who also studied piano with Mr. Albulescu.

In 1999, Travis founded Travis LaBerge Music, a piano studio located at The Dairy Center for the Arts. At its largest point, the studio boasted a staff of more than 10 teachers and over 130 students. Since 1999 Travis and Christine LaBerge have played over 600 classical piano concerts at various retirement centers, weddings, fundraisers, and private gatherings. The average number of annual performances is currently being reduced significantly, however, due to the addition of their son, Copland Avery, born in February 2007. Copland is named after the great American composer, Aaron Copland, and is the pride and joy of Travis’s life.

In 2003, Travis and Christine founded a nonprofit organization called Parlando. Parlando is a musical term that means, “To speak in a musical way.” The main goal of Parlando was to bring more music into the lives of children and senior citizens. Travis served as Executive Director of Parlando and raised nearly $80,000 in support of Parlando’s life-changing programs from 2003 to early 2007.

In August of 2007, Travis LaBerge oversaw Parlando’s expansion into the Parlando School for the Arts. This new organization now represents the largest music studio in Boulder with approximately 50 teachers and more than 600 students. More information can be found at www.exceptionalpiano.com and www.parlando.org. Travis continues to serve as Executive Director.In his free time Travis enjoys spending time with his family, cycling, playing piano, reading, writing, exercise, gardening, and playing with his dogs: Sergei and Stravinsky, named after the famous Russian composers Sergei Rachmaninoff and Igor Stravinsky. Travis, Christine and Copland live in Westminster. (Photo credit Sue Daniels Photography,©2008)

Leslie Ann Leddy (voice and piano), a native of Georgia, is a graduate of Shorter College, Rome, GA. She attended the Brevard Music Festival in Brevard, NC and the Shorter Summer Keyboard Extravaganza in Rome, GA. Leslie Ann’s awards include the Georgia Music Teacher's National Association State Piano Competition, winner of the Kawai Southern Keyboards Piano Competition, and an honorable invitation to study at the St. Petersburg Piano Institute from Francis Larimer. Her teachers include Mary Ann Knight, Dr. Douglas Weeks, Dr. Ruby Morgan, and Joan Yarborough. She has also attended master classes and lectures of Dr. Frederick Olsen, Barbara Lister-Sink, Andrew Cooperstock, and Peter Schikele (P.D.Q. Bach). She has concertized throughout Eastern Europe and Greece. Her passions include composing, the study of world music and art, traveling, exploring the great outdoors, and most of all, “getting young students enlivened with the joy of music.”

Gwindolyn Lehman (piano) was born in Germany in 1956 into a U.S. military family. Their many travels offered her an early opportunity to study world music first hand. Her music-loving parents supported her in studying piano at age 6 in Taiwan. Then at age 10 she began her studies of piano with Thelma Braun of Juilliard School of Music, who became her lifetime teacher, friend and cohort. With a foundation in piano, Gwin has learned recorder, flute, guitar and ukulele and has played other instruments just for fun. Gwin received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology at the University of Hawaii. After working several years as a family therapist she returned to music as her love and profession. Since 1986 she has performed and taught music, both instrumental and vocal, to students of all ages, privately and in Waldorf and public schools. She was the director of Na Pua No’eau, a U.H. gifted and talented performing group for Hawaiian children. She has also directed ukulele groups, piano classes, and musical theater. She taught privately in her own studio in Kea’au, Hawaii, until moving to Boulder in 2001. She now teaches private lessons with Parlando and directs a children’s band that play world music for peace. She continues traveling to Hawaii to perform, teach and be with family.

Emily Lewis (violin) was born in Boulder, CO. She began her musical studies on the piano at five in Nagoya, Japan. Upon returning to the United States at the age of nine, she switched to the violin. During high school, Emily became interested in two of her current passions; teaching and chamber music. Emily runs sectionals for various high school orchestras in Boulder and Jefferson County school districts. An active performer, Emily is a member of the MEO String Quartet of Boulder, the Fort Collins and Cheyenne Symphonies and formerly the Madison Symphony. Emily graduated in 2006 from the University of Colorado with a Master of Music, where she studied with Jennifer John, serving as her graduate assistant, and violinist Ed Dusinberre of the Takacs Quartet. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in music education in 2004 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying with Tyrone Grieve, and served as the UW Symphony concertmaster for two years. When not playing the violin, Emily is often out riding her bicycle, hiking in the mountains, practicing yoga, or salsa dancing.

Danny Meyer (saxophone, jazz combos) is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder and the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts. He has studied with Art Lande, John Davis, Tom Myer, John Gunther, and Alphonse Keasley. His awards include the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program, the Telluride All-Star Band, and the 2006 Downbeat Award as a member of the CU Jazz Ensemble I. Mr. Danny, as his young students refer to him, has taught at the Denver Public Schools Saturday Morning Music Program and the Aspen Jazz Festival Young Musician Jazz Program. As a jazz artist, he performs throughout the Front Range at repeat venues and for special events including the Telluride Jazz Festival and Westcliffe Jazz Camp and Festival.

Jeff Moskovics (guitar and mandolin) has studied guitar for over eleven years, and has performed around Colorado in bands, choirs and music groups since he was in high school. In the spring of 2008 he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Industry Studies from the University of Colorado at Denver, where he studied guitar under Doctor Sean McGowan and Professor Paul Musso. He specializes in improvisation, rock, blues, and a bit of jazz and classical. Jeff strongly believes that students should have fun while playing guitar, and he uses materials that encourage growth in theory, reading, and proper technique, which can be applied to any style of music that interests a student.

Kristina Macy (voice) is a coloratura soprano and holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, Classical Voice from the University of Colorado and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance, Musical Theatre from New York University where she was an Adjunct Voice Faculty member. Her New York credits include Gianetta in The Gondoliers, Mrs. Anderson in A Little Night Music, and ensemble in 110 In the Shade. Other regional credits include The Mikado (Yum Yum), Pirates of Penzance (Kate), Cabaret (Rosie and Lady), L’Enfant et les Sortileges (The Bat), and Fables (The Narrator). Other productions include The King and I, Iolanthe, H.M.S. Pinafore, L’Elisir D’Amore, Dialogues of the Carmelites and La Bohème. Kristina is excited to be back in Boulder and teaching with the Broadway in Boulder program at the Parlando School for the Arts

Sharla Macy (piano) had the pleasure of growing up in a very accomplished musical family. Her grandmother was her first teacher of piano at age four. Sharla now brings to Parlando a blend in backgrounds. She holds a B.A. in Music and Masters in Education from Austin College, Special Studies in Music Therapy from SMU and a Masters in Counseling from St. Mary’s University. She has been licensed as a Marriage, Family Therapist for twenty years. Sharla has over twenty years experience teaching piano to students of ages elementary through adult at all levels of learning. In addition, she specializes in teaching students with special needs and works with music as a means of relaxation and life enhancement. She has a particular enthusiasm for and many years of experience in performing and teaching two-piano and duet repertoire as a means of connection and pleasure in performance. She was on the faculty for many years at the Community School of Music and Arts in California and also the Boulder Arts Academy. Sharla values the joy music brings to the lives of her students, families and community.

Darlene Mueller (voice) holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska and Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts (ABD) degrees in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Darlene has been happily teaching healthy singing for over twenty years and enjoys teaching a variety of vocal styles, including Classical, Musical Theater, Pop, Jazz, and even a little Country! Happy to teach all ages, Darlene especially enjoys teaching young voices ages eleven and up. In addition to years as a voice instructor in a private high school in Milwaukee, at the University of Colorado-Boulder Community School, and at the Hastings College Preparatory School, Darlene has served on the faculty of Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and currently teaches at Aims Community College in Greeley, Colorado. A lyric coloratura soprano, Darlene has performed extensively as a soloist in major choral works (Bach’s Magnificat, Brahms’ Ein deutches Requiem, Stravinsky’s Svadebka) and is admired for her portrayals of comic operatic roles (Lucy in Menotti’s The Telephone, Miss Wordsworth in Britten’s Albert Herring, Mrs. Nordstrom in Sondheim’s A Little Night Music). She performed in the 35th Anniversary Season at the Skylight Opera Theater in Milwaukee (Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado), at the Mozart’s 200th Anniversary at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall in New York City, and has toured as a choral musician in Belgium, Germany and Austria. (Photo credit Sue Daniels Photography,©2008)

John Neurohr (trombone and low brass) is Principal Trombonist with both the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra in Wyoming and the Longmont Symphony Orchestra in Colorado. He is also a founding member of the Apollo Chamber Brass. Formerly, he was second trombonist of the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra in California, trombonist of the California Parallélè Ensemble, and bass trombonist of the 1997 edition of Walt Disney World’s All-American College Band, where he performed with such notable jazz artists as Arturo Sandoval, Phil Wilson, and Jim Snidero. As a solo recitalist, he has performed at the Colorado Music Festival, the Pendulum New Music Concert Series, and the St. Mark’s Concert Series in Medford, Oregon. As a featured soloist, John has appeared twice with the University of Colorado Wind Symphony and once with the West Virginia University Symphony Orchestra. In 2003, he was one of six finalists selected for the prestigious Bruce Ekstrand Memorial Competition, being the only brass player to have advanced to the final round in the competition’s history. Currently, John is a Doctorate in Musical Arts Candidate (ABD) in Trombone Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Trombone Studio. Previous education includes the Master of Music Performance degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, the Bachelor of Music Education degree from West Virginia University, graduating summa cum laude, and a summer of study at the Aspen Music Festival and School. During the summer of 2000, he was Professor of Lower Brass and Jazz at the North Carolina Governor’s School East.

Devon Park (French horn) received his Master of Music degree from Northwestern University. He is a member of many area ensembles including the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, Greeley Philharmonic, and Central City Opera Orchestra. He has performed as soloist with the Mercury Ensemble of Denver, Inside the Orchestra children's concerts in Denver, and made guest appearances with the Colorado Symphony, Opera Colorado, and Colorado Music Festival. Devon has taught horn at Colorado Christian University, Colorado State University, Metro State College, Rocky Ridge Music Camp in Estes Park, and as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Gyöngyi Petheo (violin) received a Diploma from the Franz List Academy of Music and played full time in the Hungarian Symphony Orchestra. Since 1986, she has managed and played violin in the Columbine String Quartet. She is owner and manager of Columbine Entertainment, a full-service booking agency representing classical, jazz and variety groups. She is a member of the Boulder Philharmonic, Central City Opera, Greeley Philharmonic, and the Boulder Bach Festival Orchestras. Formerly she taught at the Boulder Arts Academy since it was founded in 1991 until it closed in 2007. Gyöngyi teaches the European method with a large variety of materials, including the Suzuki books.

Kate Skrobacz (piano, voice) began studying piano at age five and has been actively involved in music and the arts ever since. In 1998, Kate began studying voice and went on to study with renowned instructors including Ms. Charmaine Coppom, Dr. Juliana Bishop Hoch, and Ms. Margaret Lattimore. In 2004, Kate received a full scholarship to study voice and music education at the University of Colorado at Boulder. During her time at CU, she specialized in choral music and choral conducting. Kate performed as part of the University Choir and was honored with numerous awards during her time at CU, including the Provost Award for Outstanding Achievement. She graduated with highest honors for her bachelor’s degree in music. Kate has taught music lessons for over five years and is passionate about spreading her love for music and the arts. She hopes to inspire her students to become life-long musicians and to help them succeed in their pursuit of musical excellence. ( Photo credit Sue Daniels Photography, ©2008)

Pamela Sommer (piano) is currently pursuing a double Master’s Degree in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she studies under Dr. David Korevaar. She received her Bachelor’s Degree with honors in Piano Performance from Indiana University at Bloomington under the instruction of Menahem Pressler and Luba Edlina-Dubinsky, where she was the recipient of numerous scholarships and merit awards. Due to her avid interest in piano technique and injury prevention, Pamela has also pursued instruction through the Taubman Institute of Piano Technique as well as the Alexander Technique. She has attended master classes and lectures by Dorothy Taubman, Edna Golandsky, Barbara Conable, Barbara Lister-Sink, and Roger Vignoles, among others. Pamela is passionate about developing thoughtful musicians, problem-solvers, and contributors to the arts. In addition to her teaching, Pamela maintains an active interest in chamber music and accompanying.

Britt Swenson (violin) received her B.M. and M.M. degrees from the Juilliard School. She made her Carnegie Hall debut soloing with the New York Pops Orchestra and gave a Carnegie Hall recital in Weill Hall to benefit the Northern Lights Organization, which benefits children born with HIV/AIDS. She has performed throughout the US, Europe and Asia with such artists as Jean Pierre Rampal, Mstislav Rostroprovich and Yehudi Menuhin. Britt has been featured on NPR’s “Performance Today” and “Music from the Grand Teton Music Festival.” She has recorded extensively, including as soloist in Vivaldi Four Seasons with the Bismarck Symphony, as a chamber musician and in over 30 Hollywood movie soundtracks. Awarded the prestigious Frank Huntington Beebe Fellowship, Britt spent a year studying at the Mozarteum Academy in Salzburg, Austria. She is currently violinist with the five-member Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra, which tours throughout the US, performs regularly at Chautauqua and is featured in silent films on Turner Classic Movies. Britt has been a devoted teacher for over 15 years. She has been a teaching fellow at Harvard University and the Juilliard School. Britt has also worked with students of all ages in New York, Los Angeles and the Boulder/Denver area. Her teachers have included Cho Liang Lin, Sally Thomas, Stephen Clapp and Bayla Keyes. (Photo credit Sue Daniels Photography,©2008)

Malia Alford Van Rooy (piano, flute) has been actively involved in music since the age of four, taking private piano and flute lessons, playing for weddings and in church, and performing in various ensembles around the Denver area, as well as Texas, Washington, D.C., France, and China. Malia graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Music, majoring in flute and minoring in piano. She has performed with many ensembles, including the Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestra, Denver Young Artists' Orchestra, Denver Young Artists' Chamber Music, Baylor Symphonic Band, Baylor Wind Ensemble, Baylor Symphony Orchestra, and Baylor Chamber Winds, including quartets, quintets, and octets. She has also played in the pit orchestra for the Baylor Theatre's production of She Loves Me. She has performed in masterclasses with flute players such as William Bennett, Sheryl Cohen, and Walfrid Kujala and has studied under Karen Yonovitz, Marilyn Prestia, and Helen Ann Shanley. While at Baylor, she was the pianist and accompanist at her church, for services, choir, and in praise band. She also accompanied for various performances in the School of Music and has studied under Tamara Goldstein and Jane Abbott-Kirk. Malia has been teaching since the age of fifteen. Formerly she tatught in her own studio as well as at Baylor, A Child's Song, and the Lake Arlington Academy of Music in Arlington, Texas. Along with her love of art music, Malia enjoys jazz music and improvisation and would like to continue her musical studies and personal development in teaching, performing, and jazz improvisation.

Eleanor Wells (cello) graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts high school division in 1995 and went on to study at the University of Colorado at Boulder, as a full scholarship student with Judith Glyde. While at the University of Colorado, she received the Denes Koromzay Quartet Award and placed in the finals of the honors competition two years in a row. She also spent several summers at the Eastern Music Festival and the Aspen Music Festival. Her teachers have included John Erhlich, Yehuda Hanani, Robert Marsh, and Charles Wendt. Elle received her Master of Music degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara where she studied with Geoffrey Rutkowski and was awarded first place winner of the Santa Barbara Performing Arts Competition. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Colorado at Boulder and performs with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, the Greeley Philharmonic, and the Central City Opera Orchestra.

Jennifer West (double bass, bass guitar, violin) earned her Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education from Lawrence University Conservatory of Music where she studied bass with Laura Snyder of the Milwaukee Symphony. She is currently pursuing her Master of Music degree in Double Bass Performance at the University of Colorado – Boulder, where she is studying with Paul Erhard. Jennifer is also a registered Suzuki Bass Teacher and uses both Suzuki and traditional methods in her teaching. Jennifer recently moved to the area from Chicago where she taught orchestra and private bass and violin lessons at the Chicago Waldorf School, Smiling Strings, and Chicago Public Schools. She has performed with the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra, Ravenswood Community Orchestra, Evanston Symphony Orchestra, Kankakee Symphony Orchestra, Arlington Philharmonic Orchestra and the Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, as well as with many rock and folk bands, an improv string trio, a jazz trio, and for Second City and the HOUSE Theatre. Jennifer is currently a member of the Denver Philharmonic.

Eric Wiggs (guitar and bass guitar) holds a B.M. in Jazz Studies/Music Media from the University of Alabama and an M.M. in Jazz Performance/Pedagogy from CU-Boulder. Teaching students of all ages and levels since 2000, he is comfortable with all popular styles, jazz, and some classical guitar as well theory, harmony, ear training, jazz harmony and composition. Eric takes a fresh approach with each student, allowing them to work on what excites and inspires them. A full-time performer and teacher, Eric plays throughout the region with various rock, jazz, funk, and brazilian groups and has performed at venues such as Dazzle Jazz Club, El Chapultapec, Lannie's Clocktower, and The Fox Theatre.

Laura Williams (voice) is a mezzo-soprano and currently a Master's Student at the University of Colorado and has studied with Professor Patti Peterson and Charmaine Coppom. She received her Bachelors in Music at Brevard College, in Brevard North Carolina, where she studied with Julia Broxholm and Kathryn Gresham. Recent performances include Sister Lillian in Dead Man Walking, The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Gilmer in Godspell, Beatrice Hunsdorfer in The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds, Serse, in Serse and Ms. Watson in Big River. Originally from Florida, Laura loves both the beach and the mountains, and her Italian roots are to blame for her passion for Italian foods.

Tenly Williams (oboe) is an active contributor to the Colorado music community, performing with several orchestras and chamber music groups across the Front Range. Her career has included positions with the Binghamton Philharmonic and Fort Collins Symphony, as well as performances with the Austin Symphony, Boulder Philharmonic, Cheyenne Symphony, Colorado Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Symphony, Greeley Philharmonic, and San Antonio Symphony Orchestras. A Colorado native, Tenly is happy to be living in Denver after completing her Bachelor of Music degree at the Eastman School of Music in 2001 and her Master of Music degree at the University of Texas at Austin in 2005. She has performed at numerous summer festivals around the world from Dublin, Ireland to Banff, Canada. The summer of 2008 includes a performance with members of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Music in the Mountains Festival in Durango, Colorado. Also an active educator, Tenly has taught students of all ages and abilities at the University of Texas at Austin, the Denver School of the Arts, Boulder High School, and other community music schools. A commercial reed maker for Midwest Musical Imports since 2004, Tenly also presents reed making workshops.

Holden Young (guitar) is a teacher whose talent extends to all ages and abilities. He has studied music since the age of 5 when he started on the piano. By age 10 he was playing both guitar and piano, and by age 12 decided that the guitar was the instrument for him. After high school he continued his education at Berklee College of Music in Boston where he graduated in 2002 with honors. His studies included guitar performance (rock, folk, blues), world music, percussion, jazz studies, and songwriting. After graduation Holden headed to the city of music, Nashville, Tennessee. It was there he recorded his first album Not Much & Everything and became a proficient songwriter and performer. Now performing in Colorado and the mountain region with his two groups, HY3 and the Holden Young Experience, Holden is a full-time teacher and performer. His goal is to teach students what they want to learn in all-styles with a full-spectrum of chords, reading, transcribing, theory and rhythm practices.

Alexandra Zelinskaya (piano) is originally from Moscow, Russia. Alexandra studied in the Richter Children’s Music School and sang in the choir at Bolshoi Theater. After moving to the United States, she continued her studies in piano under the guidance of several teachers including Andrew Cooperstock. Alexandra had the esteemed privilege of attending the Brevard Summer Institute. A talented pianist, Alexandra is pursuing her other interests as a chemical engineering student at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She also enjoys tutoring and teaching math and science to children, volunteering, and taking dance classes. Alexandra’s grandmother, who was a concert pianist in Russia, inspired her to pursue her musical dreams, and she still encourages Alexandra even from the other side of the globe. (Photo credit Sue Daniels Photography,©2008)