Teachers
Drum Set, Snare Drum
RYAN ELWOOD
720.404.2237
http://ryanelwood.com
Piano & Theory
BRAD MARCOTTE
720.446.9223
www.BradMarcottePiano.com
Oboe, Double Reeds
MICHAEL VIGLIOTTI
303.399.4330
www.DenverOboe.com
Guitar
Gabriel Balogh
970-556-9637
https://www.gabrielbalogh.com
Gabriel Balogh started playing the guitar at age eleven focusing on folk, rock, and blues styles. As a teenager, he discovered his love for classical music. Gabriel earned his Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar from Metropolitan State University in 2022, followed by his Master of Music in Guitar Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2024. In 2014, he won first prize in the Denver Classical Guitar Competition. In 2019, he was a finalist in the University of Denver International Guitar Competition.
Gabriel has studied under instructors Alex Komodore, Jonathan Leathwood, Marc Teicholz, and David Tanenbaum. He has had the privilege of participating in master classes with esteemed guitarists including Jason Vieaux, Thibaut Garcia, Xavier Jara, Paul Galbraith, Martha Masters, and David Russell, among others.
An enthusiastic transcriber for the guitar, Gabriel has contributed to the repertoire, with transcriptions of works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Albeniz, Granados, Scarlatti, C.P.E. Bach, and Johann Sebastian Bach.
Gabriel currently lives in Denver, CO. He is actively engaged in both performance and teaching across the Front Range, hoping to impart his knowledge and passion for classical guitar to aspiring musicians.
Violin
Joan Bertoluzzi
303-789-1457
Joan Bertoluzzi handles violin lessons in the Englewood area. The studio offers one-on-one instruction time with lessons designed to match each individual student’s level, learning style, and musical interests as well as goals, and all lessons take place in the teacher’s warm and inviting home studio in Englewood. Students as young as four and on up to adults are welcome to learn, and the instructor is a professional violinist herself who has been teaching for many years. Those looking to know more about the studio and its methods can receive a free lesson to get to know the teacher and her style.
Bass Trombone, Trombone, Baritone, Trumpet and Tuba
Dave Conway
303-517-4653
With an education in music performance, Dave has many years of experience in different styles of music including symphony, ballet, brass ensemble, brass quintet, jazz big band, and musicals. He has also provided music instruction for many years, and is currently assisting in the instruction at Lenski Elementary, Wilder elementary, East Elementary, and Highland Elementary.
Dave has performed in California with numerous organizations and symphonies, including American Youth Symphony, Santa Monica Symphony, Santa Barbara Ballet, and Japanese Philharmonic. Since moving to Colorado, he has played with The Denver Brass, Denver Young Artists Orchestra, Arapahoe Philharmonic, Aurora Symphony, Centennial Philharmonic, and Neophonic Jazz Orchestra. He has performed with Louis Bellson, Andy Williams, Dinah Shore, and has done studio recording for movies, television, and radio.
Dave is a brass specialist, providing instruction in our band classes as well as providing lessons to students in learning brass instruments.
Drum Set, Snare Drum
Ryan Elwood
720.404.2237
https://ryanelwood.com
Ryan Elwood is a drummer based out of Denver, Colorado. Throughout his career, he has performed at venues including Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Ball Arena. Ryan also records drums from his home studio and frequently tracks at many other studios, including The Keep Recording and Mighty Fine Productions.
Ryan has been a working musician since 2000, playing styles as varied as blues, funk, rock, pop, country, and jazz. Over the past two decades, he has become a highly sought-after sideman, performing and recording with artists and bands like Sheridan Boulevard and the Mixed Apes.
In addition to his work on stage and in the studio, Ryan is an educator who has been teaching private drum lessons since 2002.
Flute
Catherine Flinchum
(770) 500-4990
https://www.catherineflinchumflute.com/
Catherine Flinchum leads a versatile career as a flutist, teacher, and composer. Along with teaching sectional clinics and private lessons in the Denver-metro area, Catherine has performed with the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, Arapahoe Philharmonic, Denver Pops Orchestra, Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, Stratus Chamber Orchestra, and Colorado Symphony. Catherine’s involvement in chamber music has helped form Duo d’Azuree with harpist Jenna Hunt, and her avid interest in contemporary music has also led her to join the Nebula Ensemble and the Wild Beautiful Orchestra. Catherine completed a Performance Certificate in Flute and a Master of Music at the Lamont School of Music, studying under Julie Thornton, and a Bachelor of Music at Kennesaw State University, studying under Christina Smith. Her instrumental performances include flute, piccolo, alto, and bass flute.
Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Jazz Theory & Improvisation
Chuck Florian
303-730-1101
Chuck Florian has been teaching and performing music professionally for over 40 years, and is a Lead Instructor for Opening Notes, a youth music education program. Chuck established Achord Music Studios in 1988, which has grown to 14 of the area’s finest music educators providing music lessons to students of all ages. In addition, he has been the instructor for the band class at Lenski Elementary since 2001 and at Wilder Elementary since 2011. He has held instrumental music teaching positions in several school districts in Colorado. Chuck served with the Air Force Band of the Rockies from 1964 through 1968 before enrolling at Adams State University graduating with BA in Music Education in 1971. He directed the Trinidad High School (THS) band at the 1971 Cotton Bowl and his Jazz ensemble was selected to perform at the Texas Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet. The next year Chuck arranged the music for his THS band’s performance at a Broncos half time show. He currently directs the Littleton Community Band, the Windjammers Jazz Orchestra, the Fort Logan Memorial Band, and the Youth Jazz Project and is a member of the VFW Band of Colorado.
At Achord Music Studios, Chuck works with students on woodwind, brass, percussion and guitar.
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophone
Penny Harris
303-408-0999
Penny Harris grew up in Cheyenne, WY and then attended the University of Kansas where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree. Penny began playing the clarinet in fifth grade and soon developed a love of music. She started teaching a few private clarinet and saxophone students beginning in high school and has continued teaching since then. She began teaching band with LCMA Opening Notes in 2012 and is currently band director at Twain and Wilder Elementary Schools. She also teaches private clarinet and saxophone lessons at Achord Music Studios and in her home.
Penny has been playing principal clarinet with the Lakewood Symphony since 2010, playing with The Donald Ambler Clarinet Choir since 2006, and is active in music ministry at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. She also performs regularly as a freelance musician. When she is not teaching and playing music, Penny is busy with her four children.
Vocal Harmony
Pete Hyland
Pete Hyland is a retired high school chemistry teacher who sang with the Notre Dame Glee Club and, upon graduation, immediately got into barbershop quartet singing and has been doing that all of his life. He has sung in quartets, directed choruses, arranged for vocal ensembles as well as been, and continues to be, a vocalist with Big Bands. So he knows what it means to be a ‘life-long singer’ and knows how rewarding it can be. He’s been instilling that notion in the younger generations all of his life and believes that singing together is ‘bringing together’.
Flute, Fife
Karen McGuire
Karen McGuire specializes in teaching flute to beginner and intermediate students. She teaches fife to beginners through advanced students. The last few years, Karen was a band instructor at various Littleton Elementary schools. She enjoys participating in three community bands: VFW Band of Colorado, John Philip Sousa Band of Colorado and Mile High Fife and Drum Corps.
Guitar
Mark Stookesberry
Mark Stookesberry is a highly accomplished guitar instructor and performer with a passion for music education and a mastery of his craft. He began his collegiate musical journey under the guidance of Alex Kommodore at Metropolitan State College of Denver, further enriching his foundation. Mark then pursued and earned his Masters degree in Classical Guitar Performance from the prestigious Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver, studying under renowned artists Ricardo Iznaola and Jonathan Leathwood. Over the years, Mark has participated in numerous masterclasses with some of the top classical guitarists, including David Russell, Manuel Barrueco, Paul Galbraith, and Jonathan Leathwood. With a diverse and comprehensive education, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role as a guitar instructor for the Littleton Community Music Association, where he has been dedicated to nurturing musical talent for the past 12 years. His commitment to excellence and his ability to connect with students have made him a sought-after teacher, leaving a lasting impact on the local music community.
Brass – Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone
Justis Williams
Justis Williams began his musical journey at the age of 11. Instantly taking a liking to the trombone he would enter local competitions, play with youth brass quartets, and play at his local church. Justis would further develop his passion for music at the University of North Texas, where he received a Bachelor of Music in trombone performance as a student of Natalie Mannix. While at North Texas he taught private music lessons cultivating young musicians in the surrounding DFW metroplex. He would go on to Study at the University of Denver Lamont School of Music, where he served as a graduate teaching assistant. In 2020 he would receive a Masters of Music in trombone performance under the tutelage of Paul Naslund. The following year he would finish his academic journey with a Performance Certificate from the Lamont School of Music.
Justis has performed with the Colorado Symphony, Boulder Philharmonic, Colorado Chamber Orchestra, and many other orchestras. During the summers he spends his time playing with the Municipal wind band and jazz band throughout the Denver metropolitan area. As a performer with Inside the Orchestra he brings the love of orchestral music to children in communities all across Denver. To further his dedication to spreading the love of music, he has been teaching brass instruments to students in Colorado since 2019.