ROCKY MOUNTAIN REVERIE

A Musical Odyssey Through Colorado

May 12th, 2025; Hamilton Recital Hall @ The Lamont School of Music (7:30 pm)

365d

24h

60m

60s

What is "Rocky Mountain Reverie"?

“Rocky Mountain Reverie - A Musical Odyssey Through Colorado” is a captivating, emotional, & intense suite of music composed to celebrate the diverse, beautiful, & breathtaking landscapes, cultures, experiences, and people that define the great, beautiful, & powerful state of Colorado. Each piece is comprised of a theme centered around integral parts of Colorado that make it what it is and one around politics and the nature of the world we are currently living in.

Many historical, cultural, and political topics are covered throughout this suite, everything from the native american tribes that inhabited the land of Colorado, progressive ideologies, the Wild West, gold mining, tourism, and much more. This is the culmination of nearly two years of composing, arranging, orchestrating, & engraving to produce a pure, honest, and elegant dedication to what makes the colorful state of Colorado so special. This body of work is a true and honest musical testament to Gavin’s experience as a Colorado native weaving in & out of the unique and multifaceted tapestry called Colorado.

Thank you to the sponsorship, collaboration, promotion, & support from Fairly Errant Sound, Lan Vo Photography, the Longmont Concert Band, Denver Rock Orchestra, Colorado Repertory Jazz Orchestra (CJRO), the Longmont All-Star Jazz Band, The Lamont Society, Metropolitan Arts Academy, Denver Chamber Orchestra, KXDU, all of the students, alumni, & faculty of the Lamont School of Music who have helped this dream become a reality especially: Ryan Kilgroe, Kalen Solcomb, Ana Vashkmadze, Gabe Mervine, Adam Gang, & Gabriel Santiago. Much appreciation and thanks to members of the Colorado music scene and others' generosity and support in the research and support of this body of work, including Aakash Mittal, Doug Carmichael, Alex Loran, & Maggie Watson. Finally, this wouldn't have been able to come close to a reality if it weren't for the friends and family of Gavin Worland.

Each Piece, A Different Story...

1.) "Sunrise Over Cliff Dwellings" - Worland

Liner Notes:

Meant serve as an introduction to what lies ahead, this piece encapsulates the beauty of a Rocky Mountain Sunrise, the vibrant colors, intense sunlight beaming beyond the peaks, and the dawn of a new day, literally. Much of the inspiration for this composition is rooted in the Mesa Verde region of Colorado with the feeling of waking up and being ready to take on the adventure of traversing the many terrains and areas of Colorado.

With a drone setting the scene initially, this piece motivically develops with the entire ensemble supporting passing melodies. The main 4-note ostinato throughout the introduction is the number "5280" translated into the key of C (for Colorado), so the notes are the 5th of C, the 2nd of C, and then two octaves resembling the 8th and 0/ 1. The Flugelhorn & Alto lead the charge with the melody with vibrant colors of harmony shifting behind them.

Finally, we get a McCoy Tyner-inspired modal groove letting Flugelhorn, Alto, & vibraphone lead the way with a spacious melody and tasteful backgrounds utilizing upper extension triads and different pairings of quartal voicings to harmonize and give different harmonic colors as the piece evolves. Throughout this section of the piece, there is a powerful, and unmistakable dance-like quality to it that allows the piece to evolve and allows other groups of instruments to interject easily. The drum groove is heavily inspired by the playing of Yusef Dayes (especially the song "Black Classical Music").

The solo sections to this piece are inspired by Jack Landhardt's "That Stank", where the soloist is given plenty of space to build a solo, but with more of the ensemble supporting as the solo grows. While there is no major harmonic shifts in this piece, that is intentioanl. The main four chords of the piece resemble the 4-corners that Colorado is a part of.

As a conclusion to this suite's beginning, we go back to the "5280" quote with a very "orchestral" feeling being reinstated to the ensemble before the classic suspended to major tonic resolution at the end as the musical voices of the ensemble fade away after an exciting "morning" on this new day of new music.

This piece is centered around the political idea of,

Poem: “Closely” - Watson

Beyond the great divide,

Deep into the roaring wild,

Softness drags through the air

Like a dancer— swaying slowly,

Stretching towards the heavens

To sigh.

Sunlight drizzles

Across the horizon,

Sweeping into the valley

With outstretched palms,

Painting the world

Yellow.

Breathing deeply,

The lungs of the forest swell

Rich with vanilla, sweet ponderosa,

And the whisper of riverbeds,

Slipping through the trees.

Watch,

As sweet wisdom spills

From elden trunks like honey.

Nestled into these jagged cliffs,

Sandstone scratches

Out into morning,

Secrets rattling between the cracks.

For, if you listen closely,

You’ll hear their voices,

Whispering wishes into the wind.

If you listen closely,

You’ll start to recognize

What might have once been.

3.) "The Black Diamond" - Worland

Liner Notes:

Coming from the San Juan region, we head north to the mountain towns of Colorado such as Vail, Apsen, Copper Mountain, Winter Park, and others. The feeling of skiing/ snowboarding down a fast slope up in the mountains is unmistakable and unlike anything else—the sense of power, and freedom, yet at the mercy of gravity and mother nature.

Letting the drummer set the scene with a brushes solo at the very beginning of the piece before soft tutti hits (inspired by the Neal Hefit composition "Cute") enter to accompany and lead to a conclusion of the drum solo. Before leading into a fiery fast swung contrafact over the rhythm changes chord progression.

This piece's political theme is all about the uncertainty and constant movement in the United States' political world.

Poem: “Where I Go” - Watson

The mountain calls,
And I follow,
Quiet as snow
Settling on the pines.

My skis cut through the morning,
Whispering stories to the earth,
As cold air pulls me deeper
Into the bones of the world.

Through the Rockies,
Where the peaks hold secrets
And the clouds linger low,
I chase the horizon,
Leaving nothing behind
But the soft echo of my breath.

I’m a fleeting shadow,
A thread through the quiet,
But for a moment,
I am the mountain’s song,
Sung soft into the wind.

5.) "Into Rain" - Kilgroe/ Worland

Liner Notes:

After our time east, we notice a storm coming in...lets head out make our way to an area that's less prone to the intense weather that the eastern plains get, the foothils are a perfect place! Just close enough to the mountains where the Rockies dissipate incoming storms, yet far enough away we won't get covered in snow!

What a drive, heading west on I-70 is. The plains to either side of you, with the grandure and majesty of the hundreds of 14er's of Colorado ahead of you, but the weather seems to be getting worse...

Into Rain, intended to be a transition from beauty to despair, explores musical ideas that from both modern and timeless influences. My hope is to leave you, the audience, on the edge of your seats eager for what’s to come with a sense of contentment as to where you’ve already been taken.

Here are a few words from composer Ryan Kilgroe about the piece:

"When asked to compose a piece for RMR, I envisioned something unique. I wanted to create something new–something unheard. I wanted to engage the audience in a way that sticks out within the context of the RMR program."

A political theme of this piece is about,

Poem: "Into Rain" - Watson

At first, it’s soft.

Like a breath from the sky.
It rustles through the trees,

and meets the ground with a hush.

But then,

The air shifts,
And a coolness scratches my skin with
Whispers of something older than time.

The world sways gently,
Like an ancient song—
Unfolding in the dark light.
It bends the sky into streaks of silver,
Turning roads into rivers,
And fields into restless oceans.

And I walk through it all—
Feet sinking,
Water rushing between my toes,
As if the earth itself is breathing
Beneath me,
Sucking the sorrow from my bones.

Then,
A howl rips through the pines,
Splinters the oaks,
aAd erupts from the throat of the world.

And I stand,
Watching the world smear and bleed and blur,
Swallowing itself whole.

And still, I do not run.

7.) "Pure Imagination" - Worland

Liner Notes:

Centered around two defining pieces of what makes my hometown, Longmont, Colorado, such a special place. Nestled at the foot of the Rockies, at just under 5,000 ft above sea level, sits a town that has origins in the late 1800s with Chicago-based businessmen moving as a part of the westward expansion. The quaint town of Longmont suddenly becomes a hot spot for new people moving to Colorado, and the historic downtown Longmont is born. Our main street isn't just any usual Main Street; it's a national highway (US287)! So you can go from Laramie, WY to south Denver on the same road while cutting through the most historic and popular part of town.

This composition is a culmination of beauty, peace, and reminiscence of what Longmont was and where it's headed with the future of Longmont already being built. Centered around the voicing (1-2-5-7), this piece was recognized as one that can be extremely maluable to shift between a wide array of tonal and harmonic centers. By doing this, the music evokes an extremely colorful sound to it.

For additional history on Longmont, please visit: https://longmontcolorado.gov/museum/historic-collections/history-of-longmont/

Poem: “Throwing Pennies Into the Dark”- Watson

The sun slips behind the

Shadow of the mountains and
I whisper cheap professions

Into the dusk,

Reminding myself that

Day crests from night,

Light seeps from darkness,

And the good can only ever emerge from

The bad.

Careless copper coins clatter into the clambering waters.

With blackened fingers,

I toss another penny into the lake

And watch it flounder towards

The bottom,

Sinking slowly beneath the trembling waters.

My words ebb at the edge of the pond,

Thrashing against the moss.

But slowly,

Lurching through the dark,

My wishes will triumph, rising languidly,

Climbing into the light.

9.) "Sublimity In The 5280" - Worland

Liner Notes:

After our journey, we are ready to leave. After our flight from DIA is booked, we head back to Denver to wait for our flight out the next morning. We head to downtown Denver, and find some of the most elecrtifying and exciting places to meet people at. Whether it's at Ball Arena watching the Nuggets, Avalanche, or Mamoth play, or we're enjoying a nice cocktail at an elegant bar such as , we are leaving with such a whirlwind of emotions. So many things that have all happened in just this short trip!

This piece is a testament to the perseverance, stubbornness, and pride that Coloradans have in where they live. A great sense of hope and optimism for the future permeates through this conclusive piece where there are some "new" and exotic harmonic things happening here and there. As I call it, "ear candy" others might refer to it as "wild Jacob Collier stuff"!

The saying is "too many people are moving here and congesting I-25" but, it simply is just a saying. The people of Colorado have been nothing but loving and open to anyone and everyone whether you've lived here your whole life or new to the altitude!

This piece is meant to encapsulate that feeling while paying homage to those listed above and some of the music that has made the scene here so popular with bands such as "One Republic," "Lettuce," "The Motet," Umphreys McGee's," and others.

Starting everything off is a chord progression that has quite frankly, been stuck in my head for years now. If you couldn't compositionally tell yet, I love moving the harmony to make any note fit any chord, and hat's how we start! With a C...sharp, as a nod to Colorado,

By the end of this piece, we are in "epic orchestral mode", letting the sunset happen as we have concluded our adventure through the state of Colorado. By now, our Traveller understands what makes this state what it is and the epic beauty and grandeur the different landscapes this state has in their own ways. No, it is far from perfect, especially historically but, it's the people and places of Colorado that make it the slice of heaven that we are lucky to live in.

Despite my gripes and frustrations with the politics of the United States of America, I am still optimistic (hot take I know). That's why this piece is programmed at the end, to leave everyone involved in the process of both playing and listening, to feel optimistic and excited for the future. To be passionate and fiery about what your believe in, while remaining a Warrior of Peace.

Poem: “Flightless Bird” - Watson

Matted hair, filthy hands,

And a pilling, leather-bound copy of the bible,

Which I’ve never read.

Shuffling boots, scraping across asphalt,

Stumbling down allies and prodding through bustling streets.

Magazine clippings brimming from my red pleather purse,

Fingerprints cluttering the lenses of my bent, wire sunglasses,

And the faint taste of rubber and old spirits crowding my mouth.

A flightless bird, I stagger,

Faltering out into the day.

2.) "Traveler" - Santiago/ Worland

Liner Notes:

With permission from Mr. Gabriel Santiago, this piece is placed second within the program to musically convey that the listener is the "Traveler" about to embark on their journey throughout the state of Colorado.

After segwaying from the first piece, "Traveler" brings the feeling of optimism and wonder of what lies ahead on your journey through Colorado. A sense of optimistm and excitement as to what or who you might discover on your journey today.

Throughout this composition, you will continue to hear an offbeat rhythmic pattern that is the lifeblood of this piece and carries everything as the harmony morphs with anticipation for the grandiose finale. A feeling of anticipation and excitement leads to an overwhelming feeling of joy and relief of "this is where I'm supposed to be".

Both Gabriel and Gavin solo on this piece over the same chord progression but with vastly different backgrounds and energy levels behind them. After the final solo, the chromatic mediant-based chord progression is in full effect, ensemble-wide before Gabriel and Gavin trade choruses of improvisation.

After this epic climax and a musical sense of relief, we go back to the intimate beginnings of the piece to feature Santiago's chord progression more. Having chords like Ebmaj7b6 gives the listener this tension, as if you're worried about your journey through Colorado, but with the resolutions like , those evoke the feeling of stability and confidence to start your journey, no matter what lies ahead...

Politically, this song is about...

For more information on Gabriel Santiago, visit: https://www.gabrielsantiagoproject.com/

Poem: "Crowd the Silence" - Watson

Often,

When the loneliness settles

Like dust on untouched glass,

My heart parts,

softly,

fissuring open

and leaving

A garden of chrysanthemums

In its wake.

It's usually my lungs that go next—

filling with panic,

slow and trembling,

like a tide rising

before it floods my body

with black, black, black.

And to the drunk, hungry world,

I surrender—

And slip into the dark.

Nowhere is closer than somewhere

And I am far too tired to trek.

So I curl inside my lungs,

Into the violent ocean of black,

and hope its crush might cradle me warm.

And like a fly in the drain,

Caught in rusted pipes,

I thrash and thrash and thrash,

Buzzing until I crowd the silence.

4.) "Plainsong Serenade" - Worland

Liner Notes:

After our time in the mountains, we head east along I-70, to the the eastern plains of Colorado. While, everyone hustles and bustles along I-25, places like Fort Lupton,

might be one of the

This composition begins with some open voicings on the piano, setting the scene for the vast openness of the plains. Light woodwind solos begin being dispersed sparingly while overlapping with one another. This is meant to resemble the flow of wheat blowing in the wind or the feeling of wind turbines seamlessly slicing through the air. These solos continue behind the melody being played by Trombone, an instrument that has great meaning to the area since Glenn Miller was raised in Fort Morgan, CO after moving here from Missouri at a young age. While the trombone melody glides through the texture the sounds of the wildlife from the plains make their voices heard. The birds, the rattlesnakes, the cattle, and everything inbetween seep their way into the texture of this piece.

Being heavily inspired by composers such as Maria Schneider, Mike Holober, and others, this piece evolves into a harmonically sophisticated landscape where textures within the ensemble vary wildly from extremely thin to extremely dense. Trombone acts as our "main character" traveling through the plains, showing the listener all of the things that make the plains what they are, especially how crucial that area of Colorado is to the nation, but to the rest of the state as well.

A political theme of this piece is about the good that politics and a democracy can do.

Poem: “Setting Sun” - Watson

Before me,

The prairie unfolds into a vast stillness.

Leaves stir,

And birds scatter

Toward the golden horizon.

I stumble into the morning,
Barefoot and hungry,
Letting the fog sweep me
Through fields of columbine and clover.

I tangle in the grasses

as the world stirs.

I lose myself in the quiet
Until the day turns
heavy like bruised fruit

left to soften in the sun.

The light bleeds across the fields,

And I feel it—

the slow unravelling.

I watch the cattle I raised

Stand low and weary,

Their eyes wide,

As if this is

The first time

They’ve ever seen the sky.

I grip the rotting oak
Of my childhood barn,
Pressing my palms into the grain,

Into the years.

Resisting the shift,

Bracing against the pull of time.

But the fire finds me,
Quiet and certain,
And ash begins to fall,
Like rain I once prayed for,
Soft and slow,
Blanketing the earth.

6.) "Once Every 1000 Years" - Worland

Liner Notes:

After living through the 2013 floods firsthand and being familiar with wildfires, this piece had those two main things at the center of the inspiration. While I have a personal tie to this piece, historically, this piece can convey feelings about the Sand Creek Massacre or the Japanese Internment Camps.

This composition starts with "rain" being depicted ensemble-wide by nearly every instrument. As the introduction progresses, the rain gets harder and more frequent, mimicking the sound and feeling of the start of an intense rainstorm. By the time the groove comes in, it's pouring, an absolute downpour is taking place sonically and the listener must brace for impact for what is about to happen...

Leading the way is a distorted electric guitar line that gives us this raw and menacing feeling of uncertainty and impending doom for the destruction about to be unleashed.

Being heavily inspired by rock/ metal bands such as "Dream Theater", "Animals As Leaders", "Metallica", "Type 0 Negative", and others, this piece is supposed to make you feel uneasy, anxious, and just downright uncomfortable. Whether it's piercing harmonies or disjunct rhythms, or the atonal solos, this piece is centered around the idea an extreme view on the quote "Art should disturb the peace".

Political theme? More like a national anthem for the past quarter century of this nations history. While there have been some good that has happened throughout my lifetime as an American citizen, my generation has lost count of the "once in a lifetime" and "unprecedented" events we have lived through.

Poem: “What A Sight” - Watson

The forest retreats

As its tender flowers

Wither beneath a thrashing flame,

Weeping into the endless smoke.

Wild embers scatter across the woods

And the fire gnaws at the ancient trees—

A rabid creature

Consuming its prey,

Bones and all.

Rain sizzles,

Falling in thick sheets of crimson,

Crying out as smoke explodes

Into the cosmos.

Only the unfortunate

Suffer so beautifully.

The world keeps crumbling

Into my begging hands,

And I hold the pieces close.

Ash begins to fall,

And darkness slowly spills

Into the simmering night.

8.) "Without A Name" - Mittal/ Worland

Liner Notes:

Quite literally, this piece is in tribute to folks within the music community of Colorado who have laid the foundation for all of us today. Folks like Fred Hess, Paul Whiteman, Greg Gisbert, Bill Frissel, Clare Church, Pete Lewis, Eric Gunnison, Freddie Rodriguez, Ken Walker, Eric "Benny" Bloom, Mark Harris, Annie Booth, Joe Keel, Elyn Rucker, Gabe Mervine, Dianne Reeves, Hugh Ragin, Jimmie Lunceford, Nelson Rangell, Bob Montgomery, Keith Oxman, Dominic Lalli, Dale Bruning, Brad Goode, Tia Fuller, Purnell Steen, Peter Olstad, Will Swindler, Art Lande, Charlie Burrel, and Ron Miles.

These are just some of the musical pioneers who blazed their trails while enabling and helping to bring up the next generations with them simultaneously.

Lead by a flugelhorn melody, this piece is heavily inspired by the compositions of mentors Gavin, such as Art Lande and Ron Miles. The tempo and time are there, but it is fluid, everyone is in a place of collaboration and musical storytelling. As Art Lande says, "Allow for the music to breathe and let everyone's voices be heard". One musical trait of Art & Ron's music is how simple and meaningful they are, almost like it's a folk song the elders sing to the young. There is a feeling of familiarity and peace in their compositions even if you had never heard them before.

As this piece develops, improvisation and space become key components of this piece as an homage to the compositions of Ron and Art begin to shed light in this work of Gavin's.

This piece is from the pen of saxophone maestro and composer Aakash Mittal. Off of his 2015 album "Ocean" featuring the late, great Ron Miles. Mittal aims to highlight the use of the melodic cue.

Starting with an open/ free drum solo, using brushes, this sets the mood for the piece with feelings of questioning, wonder, and incoming splendor, with a longing to know what has just begun will soon come to an end.

For more information about Aakash Mittal please visit:

Poem: - Watson

Poem

Poem: - Watson

Embrace the earth’s aching palms.

Let your cold bones soften against

Her simmering heart, and watch

The sun settle right beyond the hills.

Gasp for her rich mountain air,

Race across her open, glittering fields,

And tumble through her valleys,

Letting the soft grass

Peak between your toes

And lick at your shins.

Listen to her rustle,

Listen to her sing.

And when she caresses you once more,

Let her cradle your limp form as

You wail into the night.

Instrumentation of "Rocky Mountain Reverie"

- (1) Oboe; English horn double

- (5) Multi-Reeds: two soprano sax., 2 flutes, 2 clarinet doubles

- (1) Bass Clarinet in Bb

- (2) Bassoons; 1 contrabasson double

- (4) French Horn in F (Straight & Stop Mutes)

- (5) Trumpets/ Flugelhorns w/ Bucket, Cup, Plunger & Straight mutes (1 feature)

- (3) Tenor Trombones w/ Bucket, Cup, Plunger & Straight mutes

- (1) Bass Trombone w/ Bucket, Cup, Plunger & Straight mutes

- Spoken Word

- (1) Acoustic Guitar; w/ effects

- (1) Electric Guitar; w/ effects

- (1) Acoustic Grand Piano; w/ synthesizer parts

- (1) Upright/ Electric Bass

- (1) Drum Set (sticks, brushes, mallets)

- (2) Auxiliary/ Orchestral Percussion (Vibraphone, Castanets, Shakers, Water Log)

- (5) Violin 1

- (5) Violin 2

- (6) Violas

- (6) Cellos

- (2) Contrabass

Personnel

Comprised of the finest musicians, & artists in Colorado, this is the "Warriors of Peace Symphonic Jazz Orchestra."

Conductor

Mason Jackson

Mason is a conductor, educator, and trombonist who is passionate about community, collaboration, and the audience experience of great music. Currently pursuing a master's degree in wind conducting at the University of Denver, he also holds a Bachelor of Music Education and BM Trombone Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder. Mason taught music for three years in Shanghai, China, in collaboration with The Juilliard School, as well as in California where his high school program regularly received superior ratings and champion status at festivals and competitions.

Outside of music, you can find Mason teaching snowboarding and ripping powder at Winter Park Resort or enjoying nature with his wife Cindy and their dog Boba.

Poet/ Spoken Word Narrator

Maggie Watson

Maggie Watson is a writer & honors student located in Boulder, Colorado. She is currently pursuing a B.A. in English & Anthropology from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she is currently interning with the University’s French & Italian departments in the library’s rare and distinctive collections archives.

Upon her anticipated graduation in the spring of 2026, Maggie is determined to further her academic journey by pursuing a Ph.D. in a related field. Her ultimate goal is to become a professor while continuing her creative writing pursuits.

In her leisure time, she finds joy in playing jazz at local venues, cooking elaborate meals, & exploring the scenic beauty of Colorado through hiking and skiing. Maggie serves on the board of directors of the Longmont All-Star Jazz Band as the social media coordinator, an ensemble she is an alumnus of.

Live Painter

Jennifer Bobola

Jennifer Bobola is an award-winning artist and is shown internationally and nationally. She has been showing in Colorado since 2000. Her paintings combine Abstract Expressionism and rhythmic lines and create unique textures.

She uses a thoughtful approach, allowing experimentation and improvisation to make her work more balanced and alive while manipulating dimensions of color and shape.

Composer/ Composer Assistant

Ryan Kilgroe

Ryan Kilgroe is a passionate composer and trumpeter. Kilgroe’s background includes performing in academic and professional ensembles, instructing developing musicians, and composing for his musical peers.

In addition to being a composer and performer, Kilgroe also works as a K-12 substitute teacher, as well as a freelance brass educational coach and private lesson teacher.

Writing primarily modern-instrumental chamber music, Kilgroe’s favorite part of making music is the opportunity to pull influences from other cultures and perspectives to acknowledge, commemorate, and expand on the lived experiences of humanity

Oboe/ English Horn

Zach Gnall

A staunch advocate for music education and the impact it has on all students, Zach Gnall strives to create the best educational environment for his students and his classmates. Currently studying Oboe Performance at the University of Denver and previously Music Education at Shenandoah Conservatory, Gnall served as a mentor and guide to several aspiring music educators and other arts industry advocates. Having worked with numerous band programs in Virginia and Maryland, in addition to leading sectional work on oboe-specific practices at various schools in Colorado, Gnall has gained a well-rounded experience working with both a variety of students and a variety of other educators.

In terms of performance, Gnall is the oboist of the ShakaduGat Wind Quintet, a Denver-based collaborative project of five emerging artists promoting music education and community engagement through chamber music. Recently, ShakaduGat executed its first musical tour around the city of Denver spreading holiday cheer and musical education opportunities to schools, libraries, a food shelter, and more, performing music arranged by local Colorado composers. Gnall has had the opportunity and privilege to perform with various other local ensembles in addition to those found at DU, including Littleton Symphony Orchestra, Foothills Community Choir, Evergreen Chamber Orchestra, Trinity United Methodist Church, and Sunrise United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs as both an oboist and substitute music director. Gnall has also sung for Catholic weddings at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and Holy Ghost Church.

REED 1 (Soprano & Alto Saxophone, Flute)

Jonas Peterson

Jonas Peterson is a saxophonist, keyboardist, woodwind doubler, and composer from Park City, Utah. In high school, he was a member of the Caleb Chapman Soundhouse, where students develop their skills in jazz and commercial music through professional-level rehearsals, performances, touring, and recording opportunities. Through this program, Jonas toured across the U.S., as well as in Mexico and China.

He later moved to Denver to attend the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, where he studied saxophone and woodwinds with Art Bouton and Remy Le Boeuf while also refining his composition and keyboard skills. In November 2023, he released his debut EP, Evening Star, featuring six original compositions, available on all streaming platforms.

Jonas currently plays keys and saxophone in Denver’s DiscoPop group, Jewel House, which has released multiple music videos and singles, a live album featuring a big band, and has toured both the East and West Coasts of the U.S. multiple times.

REED 2 (Soprano & Alto Saxophone, Flute)

Alex Loran

Without music, Alex Loran would not be the person she is today. Since she was just a toddler, music has always been a safe space for her. Now, she is a student at the University of Colorado studying jazz performance. Alex began her musical journey learning piano at age three, and later, added singing and saxophone. She has been playing and singing since, mostly focusing on jazz but also exploring funk, r&b, soul, West African music, and Latin music. Alex’s own original music draws from all of these genres, as well as her own stories and creativity.

Alex has not only had experience learning and playing, but teaching as well. She has taken on mentoring roles in the Denver organization Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts and at Boulder High School, and teaches private lessons. Through these experiences she was able to discover a love for education. Alex plans on using her two biggest passions in the future by becoming a professor of jazz studies. She has been so fortunate to receive an education in jazz, and she wishes to share her knowledge with younger generations. She also hopes to empower young women to continue to learn and play jazz, a cause which she is passionate about. Music has always been welcoming to Alex, and she hopes to continue to make it accessible and exciting for others!

REED 3 (Tenor Saxophone & Clarinet)

Adam Gang

An up-and-coming saxophonist and music educator, Adam Gang has begun to make a name for himself in the Denver music scene. Adam performs across Colorado and currently serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music teaching Saxophone and Jazz Improvisation & Composition.

Since returning to Colorado in 2021 after nearly a decade abroad, Adam has shared the stage with Gabriel Mervine, Paa Kow, Eric Gunnison, Bijoux Barbosa, Mike Marlier, Henrique De Almeida, Brad Goode, Braxton Kahn, Tom Amend, Dru Heller, Alex Heffron, Wil Swindler, and Vlad Girshevich, among many others.

He has also performed with the Annie Booth Big Band, Remy Le Boeuf’s Assembly of Shadows, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Central City Opera, the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, and the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra.

In 2024, Adam was recognized by the DownBeat Student Music Awards as an Outstanding Soloist.

Adam was a multi-instrumental member of the band for the Colorado run of the touring Broadway productions Tina (2023) and MJ (2024).

As a leader, Adam has released two albums, Many Returns (2023, Synergy Records) and his newest project, Where Does This Find You (2024, Ninjazz Records). He also recorded as a sideman on Paa Kow’s album Ask (2014).

REED 4 (Tenor Saxophone & Clarinet)

Doug Carmichael

Doug Carmichael is a respected musician and dedicated music teacher based in Colorado, known for his captivating performances and inspiring teaching style. As a saxophonist with a passion for jazz, Doug has been an integral part of the Colorado music scene, performing with a variety of ensembles and connecting with audiences across the region. His playing style, rooted in jazz and infused with blues and modern influences, reflects his love for improvisation and his deep connection to the music.

Beyond performing, Doug is committed to sharing his knowledge with the next generation of musicians. As a teacher, he fosters creativity, discipline, and an appreciation for music in his students, whether they are aspiring professionals or simply exploring music for the joy of it. Doug’s approach combines technical instruction with an emphasis on expression, encouraging each student to find their unique musical voice.

Doug Carmichael’s contributions as a performer and educator have made him a valued member of Colorado’s musical community. There, he continues to inspire through his art and mentorship.

REED 5 (Baritone Saxophone)

Borui Pan

Saxophonist, improviser, and composer, Borui Pan is establishing himself as a truly unique and powerful writer with a beautiful tone. Originally from Guangzhou, China, Pan is currently pursuing a B.M. in Jazz Saxophone Studies under Adam Gang at the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver where he also studied with Art Bouton. During his 4 years in Denver, Pan has become a regular member of the Lamont Jazz Orchestra, performing at the Five Points Jazz Festival and the University of Northern Colorado Jazz Festival.

As a soloist, Pan has worked closely with mentors such as Bijoux Barbosa, Peter Stoltzman, and Gabriel Santiago in 1-on-1 sessions within small jazz ensembles. As a composer and improviser, Pan draws much of his influence from artists such as Pepper Adams, Brian Blade, Joe Henderson, Frank Basile, and Gary Smulyan and channels that into his bebop lines, and melodies within his improvising and compositions.

REED 6 (Bass Clarinet)

Ryan Black

Denver-based woodwind specialist who plays bari sax, tenor sax, alto sax, clarinet, bass

clarinet, and flute, Ryan Black is a freshman at the Lamont School of Music studying Jazz & Commercial Music. He is a member of the Jazz Orchestra conducted by Remy Le Boeuf.

Additionally, Ryan has studied saxophone for several years under Adam Gang. He was the All-State Jazz first tenor in 2024, and an All-State Band clarinetist the same year. For three years running, Ryan was awarded the Outstanding Festival Soloist award at Mile High Jazz and has earned a soloist award at the UNC Greeley Jazz Festival in 4 separate ensembles across two years.

Ryan is a CCJA alum and credits Ron Carter, Greg Gisbert, Mark Patterson, Darren

Rahn, Jason Crowe, and Daryl Gott for their inspiration and influence.

REED 7 (Bassoon)

Mela Studzinski

"Mel has a dog, she really likes her dog." - Mel

REED 7 (Contrabassoon)

Sara Fortunato

Sara Fortunato is a fourth-year bassoon performance major who is simultaneously pursuing a master's in managerial science at Daniels College of Business.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Sara comes from a musical family who pushed her to try an abundance of different talents. During her time at Lamont, Sara has come to love the community aspect of music-making and has applied herself to numerous projects involving inclusivity and team-building.

She hopes to graduate from DU with both degrees within the next year to pursue a career in business management of the arts.

French Horn 1

Delaney Sutherland

Born in Tampa, FL., and raised in Denver, CO., Delaney Sutherland is a Denver-based horn player and artist. Delaney has studied with David Byrd-Marrow and Carolyn Kunicki. They are in their fourth year at Lamont, studying horn performance and business and legal studies.

With a start in music later in life, they are a proud current student of the Lamont School of Music and a future student of the Eastman School of Music. Delaney began studying the horn in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic while on lockdown. That was when they discovered their passion for music and the horn. Since beginning study at Lamont, they have performed with the Lamont Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Woodwind Sextet, Brass Quintet, and Horn Choir. They have also performed as a guest member with the Parker Symphony, Cornerstone Orchestra, and as a fellow in the Denver Young Artists' Orchestra.

Outside of performing, Delaney is an avid arranger, composer, and musicologist, focused on ludomusicology and modern music. Outside of the music world, Delaney is a writer, artist, comedian, and social advocate.

att.kyhnHwI2JZ7DHC0KN7Ms5r_tdAaU2aQUeZ0JqcqGT3c.jpg

French Horn 2

Zach Regin

Zach Regin is a horn player from Bristol, Virginia and is currently based in Denver, CO. He comes from a musical family and began learning music from a young age. He has studied with Dr. Olivier Huesbscher, Gabriel Kovach, David Byrd-Marrow, and Carolyn Kunicki. He is in his fourth year studying at the Lamont School of Music.

Zach is an alumnus of the Brevard Music Center, Curtis Summerfest, Philadelphia International Music Festival, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and Round Top Festival Institute. He was selected as a winner in Virginia for the MTNA competition and finalist for the Southeast region. He participated in the 2020 National Honor Orchestra and is a previous member of the Roanoke Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Symphony of the Mountains Youth Orchestra, where he won the SMYO concerto competition. Professionally, Zach has performed as a guest member of the Longmont Symphony Orchestra and Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

Zach was a college fellow with the Denver Young Artists Orchestra for 3 seasons, where he coached younger horn students. He is in his fourth year with the student formed band, BetterWeather. He recorded solo horn on BetterWeather’s 2023 album Wayfare and he is currently recording solo horn on their second album, Next Time. Within Lamont, Zach is a founding member and brass head of the Denver Chamber Orchestra, which is an up and coming professional ensemble. His chamber group, Lamani Winds, performed throughout Denver and led outreach to the Children’s Hospital Colorado in the spring of 2024.

French Horn 3

Lee Cyphers

Cool Bio

French Horn 4

Katelyn Marsh

Cool Bio

Trumpet/ Flugelhorn 1

Alex Moulton

"Alex plays the trumpet and makes pretty noises on it" - testimony

Trumpet/ Flugelhorn 2

Gabe Mervine

At a time in music where history and originality never seem to go hand in hand, Gabriel Mervine takes steps every time he picks up his trumpet to bring these two closer together. With a musical upbringing, Gabriel has deeply rooted himself in the traditions of Jazz and Classical music while at the same time contributing to the modern music scene. He wishes to leave no stone unturned and no genre unexplored because in his mind, all music has the power to make the artist who he/she is.

Born in Princeton, New Jersey, Gabriel began his professional playing career at the age of thirteen. By the time he graduated high school, he was already looking at making a career out of playing the trumpet. He then went to the Colorado University at Boulder for Jazz Studies, but after one year decided to dedicate his time to becoming a working trumpet player, which would include continuing his studies privately with people such as Bobby Shew, Roger Ingram, and Greg Gisbert, just to name a few.

Gabriel quickly gained recognition and began performing with people such as Natalie Cole, Christian McBride, The Colorado Symphony, The Temptations, Terence Blanchard, The WHO, Lettuce, Karl Denson, John Scofield, Hugh Jackman, Lonnie Smith, Russell Malone, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Roberta Gambarini, the Motet, and Houston Person while also building a strong freelance career playing everything from Mariachi to Mahler. Gabriel now resides in Denver, Colorado, and keeps a rigorous schedule of local and national performances. He is currently seeking to broaden his musical repertoire with his own groups stretching into more modern original works while simultaneously trying to keep the music that inspired him at such a young age alive and well.

Trumpet/ Flugelhorn 3

Micah Klutsey

Micah Klutsey is a passionate performer and learner in various studies of music at Horizon High School. He has experience as a marching percussionist, classical trumpet and tuba player, jazz trumpet, small band leader, and arranger/compositionist. He is preparing to continue his education at the college level.

Trumpet/ Flugelhorn 4

Eviatar Schlossberg

Eviatar is a creative musician and educator. He is currently a graduate teaching assistant, pursuing his masters degree in trumpet performance at the University of Denver. He is also a licensed instrumental music teacher and was a band and orchestra teacher at Moore Middle School. Eviatar holds undergraduate degrees in music education, trumpet performance and German studies from Lawrence University.

You can catch him performing with the Lamont Symphony, Lamont Wind Ensemble or the DU Klezmer Band he founded.

Composer/ Arranger, Trumpet/ Flugelhorn 5 (feat.)

Gavin Worland

Gavin Worland is a trumpeter, composer, arranger, copyist, producer, and educator based in Denver, Colorado. As the bandleader of the acclaimed Warriors of Peace Jazz Orchestra, WOPJO is a driving force in the new generation of large jazz ensembles, carrying forward the spirit of peaceful political protest championed by idols such as Charles Mingus, Ron Miles, & Max Roach.

A versatile and in-demand performer, Gavin has been a featured lead trumpet player on several big band recordings nationwide and was a soloist in a film score composed by Jacob Montano. He has appeared as a bandleader and sideman at many of Colorado’s premier venues, including Dazzle, Nissi’s, Boettcher Concert Hall, the Orchid, the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, the King Center, & the Mercury Café.

Gavin’s wide-ranging musical versatility spans big bands, mariachi ensembles, quintets, soundpainting groups, and tribute bands. He has performed alongside internationally acclaimed artists & ensembles such as Greg Gisbert, Dr. Jeff Nevin, the Colorado Symphony, Dave Devine, "Detroit" Darryl Smith, Danielle Wertz, Gabriel Santiago, Stafford Hunter, Adam Gang, & Peter Stoltzman.

As an artist, Gavin draws inspiration from a broad array of influences such as trumpet greats like Philip Dizack, Shane Endsley, Greg Gisbert, John Raymond, & Ron Miles, as well as the writing and arranging styles of Remy LeBoeuf, Annie Booth, Jerry Hey, & Woody Herman. His forward-thinking sound is showcased through his work with groups including David Mesquitic, Nico Colucci, the Denver Rock Orchestra, Lamont Jazz Orchestra, & the Metropolitan State University Big Band.

A dedicated educator and scholar, Gavin served as a graduate teaching assistant at the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver where he did extensive research on music streaming services' double standards for artists, and the corruption of megachurches using music as a form of musical manipulation as a form of recruitment & retention. He has earned multiple soloist awards at festivals such as the University of Northern Colorado and the Skyline Jazz Festivals.

Gavin is an active member of professional organizations, including ASCAP, the International Trumpet Guild (ITG), Jazz Education Network (JEN), Chamber Music America (CMA), the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers (ISJAC), and others.

In Gavin's free time, he enjoys watching sports, collecting watches, and finding inspiration for his next creative project while traveling. Gavin plays a Yamaha Xeno Bb Trumpet and a customized 1953 Courtois flugelhorn, and is proud to be a Hawkins Mutes Affiliate.

Trombone 1

Mason Cooke

Mason Cooke is a passionate professional trombonist, composer, and teacher. He is a member of the Mountain State Brass Quintet and is an active freelancer in the Denver area. He has performed with groups such as Remy Le Boeuf’s Assembly of Shadows, The Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra (CJRO), The Annie Booth Big Band, Opera Colorado, and has performed as a musician in a touring Broadway musical.

Trombone 2

Nathan Smith

Nathan Smith is currently a sophomore at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music. From El Paso, TX, he is heavily involved in both the classical and jazz departments and hopes to become a performer and educator. In his spare time, he loves playing ultimate frisbee and disc golf. Nathan was also a 2024 member of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps.

Nathan currently plays on a Yamaha trombone with a Giddings mouthpiece.

Trombone 3

Keefe Ismael

Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Filipino-American trombonist Keefe Ismael is a rising professional musician and music educator. A versatile performer, recent engagements include, but are not limited to, the Cambrian Symphony, the Golden Gate Park Band, pits for musical theater productions all across the Bay, and an independently organized benefit recital entitled “A New Age,” a recital of 21st-century works in which proceeds were donated to HEAL Palestine and RAINN. He is also a grant recipient of Lift Music Fund, an organization dedicated to uplifting emerging BIPOC artists in the music industry.

As a music educator, Keefe has taught students from elementary school all the way through the adult amateur level. In the spring of 2023, he taught fifth-grade band in the public schools of Mountain View, CA through the Community School for Music and Arts. He has also provided coaching at several schools across the Bay Area, including Mt. Eden High School, Piedmont Hills High School, Redwood Middle School, and more. Currently, Keefe teaches low brass students in one-on-one instruction through his private teaching studio and helps teach undergraduate students as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Musicology and Ethnomusicology department at the University of Denver.

Keefe Ismael received his Bachelor’s Degree in Trombone Performance from San Jose State University studying under Tom Hornig on scholarship, and is currently pursuing graduate degrees in Trombone Performance and Musicology at the University of Denver, where he studies trombone under Richard Harris. In his free time, Keefe enjoys hitting the gym, craft coffee, and fighting for a better world through activism.

Learn more about Keefe at keefeismaelmusic.com.

Trombone 4 (Bass)

Jackson Strahan

Jackson Strahan is a musician with a multitude of different voices. He is currently a Bass Trombonist at the Lamont School of Music, but he has also performed on saxophone, flute, clarinet, and voice. He has played in multiple pit orchestras, wind bands, symphony orchestras, jazz groups, and big bands. Jackson has worked under Dr. Sondra Bell, Richard Harris, Zach Rich, George Curran, and Sterling Tanner on trombone, as well as Gordon Shaffer, Art Bouton, and Adam Gangon saxophone. As a performer, he has worked with the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Denver Jazz Orchestra, Academy Jazz Ensemble, Peak Big Band, Brad Goode, Jonathan Powell, Alex Iles, Mark Davidson, and Tatiana Mayfield Brown.

When not on his horns, Jackson is a photographer, and is one of the official photographers of the Lamont School of Music. He also enjoys building computers, keyboards, and other electronic devices.

Acoustic Guitar + Vocals

Gabriel Santiago

Gabriel Santiago, a native of Brazil, is a distinguished composer, arranger, and virtuoso on both acoustic and electric guitars. With a prolific career spanning 14 albums, including CDs and DVDs, Santiago has garnered acclaim for his compositions, hailed as "stunners" by JazzTimes Magazine.

Renowned as "a young master at both the acoustic and electric guitars", Santiago's musical journey includes invaluable mentorship from jazz luminaries such as Pat Metheny, Adam Rogers, and Maria Schneider. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award, further highlighting his exceptional talent and contribution to the music industry.

Notably, Santiago holds a Doctoral Degree in Music Composition from the University of Texas at Austin. His collaborations span a diverse spectrum of artists, from Chris Potter and Stefon Harris to John Clayton and Janek Gwizdala, from Odair Assad and Gilson Peranzzetta to André Mehmari and Romero Lumbambo. He also had the honor of being the first artist to record with renowned Recording Engineer Master Rupert Neve's inaugural line of microphones. Beyond his instrumental prowess, Gabriel Santiago is a versatile composer, crafting music for various ensembles – from Symphony Orchestras to Jazz Combos and everything in between. His compositions, influenced by Brazilian Music, Jazz, and Classical Music, resonate

across various media.

For more information and to explore his musical world, visit www.gabrielsantiagoproject.com.

Electric Guitar w/ Effects

Kalen Slocomb

Guitarist, Composer, and Educator Kalen Slocomb has been playing guitar for 17 years. He graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver after studying under Dave Devine, Ron Miles, Don Byron, and Shane Endsley. A versatile musician, Kalen plays and composes in many different styles but has a keen love for jazz and jazz fusion. He also finds great passion in sharing his love and knowledge of music with others.

Kalen is finishing his Master's in Music at the Lamont School of Music and looks forward to performing and teaching in his career beyond school.

Grand Piano

Joseph Hodges

I was raised for the first half of my home life in Hutto Texas. While I lived there I was given a keyboard around age 5 and just had fun with it and learned TV or video game themes by ear. I decided to take some lessons and I joined the jazz band.

The summer before 7th grade our family moved to Pittsburgh and I continued jazz band, but I also joined 2 youth big bands called the Twin Coaches Jr. Stage Band and WVU Honor Youth Jazz Band. I began jazz focused lessons at the Afro American Music Institute in Homewood PA with Howie Alexander and began to find my voice as an improviser. I also began going to jam sessions and gigging at this time. I continued lessons and attended 2 Interlochen summer camps and played music professionally through high school.

Currently I am a Sophomore studying Jazz Piano with Peter Stoltzman and Remy LeBoeuf at the University of Denver.

Lever Harp w/ Effects

Scott Kirkwood

Scott Kirkwood is a harpist based in Aurora, Colorado. While he currently focuses on playing electric harp with the Denver Rock Orchestra, he has played a variety of instruments since a young age. His wide range of musical experiences inspires his experimental style of harp playing - drawing from genres such as rock, folk, classical, and electronic music. When he's not harping, Scott works as a software engineer and loves to bake. He also enjoys games of all kinds such as tabletop, board, and video games.

Electric + Acoustic Bass

Adon Biggs

Adon Adonai Randall Biggs is a talented bassist, composer, and band leader hailing from Los Angeles, California. Throughout his career, Adon has performed with the likes of Kronos Quartet, and Stephen Anderson, and for events such as the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Boston’s St. Paddy’s Parade, and Denver’s Five Points Jazz Festival. Before relocating to Colorado, Adon served as a Sergeant in the 2d Marine Division Band (Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC) and led ensembles such as the 2d MARDIV Jazz Ensemble and Trio. He then moved to Colorado to study at University of Denver’s esteemed Lamont School of Music. Studying with the likes of Remy Le Boeuf, Annie Booth, Zachary Rich, Dr. Leanna Kirchoff, Art Bouton, and Eduardo “Bijoux” Barbosa.

Adon would go on to receive his Master’s Degree with Dual Concentrations in Composition and Jazz Performance. With his exceptional musicianship, unique background, and love of blending musical genres, Adon Biggs continues to captivate audiences with his performances as he establishes himself as the versatile and accomplished musician he is.

Drum Kit

Dylan Moore

Dylan Moore is a jazz drummer from the San Francisco Bay Area. He started playing drums in eighth grade, when he began teaching himself to play along to classic rock tunes. While attending Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, California, Dylan joined the percussion section of the school’s bands. Dylan was deeply involved in the school’s music programs, participating in the school’s Wind Ensemble, Philharmonic Orchestra, Marching Band, Winter Percussion, and Jazz Band. In his Junior and Senior years, he was Drum Captain where he had to lead the battery section during rehearsals, sectionals, and shows.

Dylan began studying jazz when he joined his high-school’s after-school jazz band. Shortly after he began taking private lessons with Patrick Talesfore Jr. where his passion for jazz took off. He was fortunate to attend the Stanford Jazz Camp in the summer of 2022 and the Berklee Aspire Five-Week Music Performance Intensive in the summer of 2023 with a partial merit scholarship. In his senior year of high school, he was awarded the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award.

Dylan now attends the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz and Commercial Music. As of now Dylan is trying to learn as much as possible and take on as many opportunities as he can so he can succeed as a performer.

Percussion

David Nelson

David, a percussionist from Evergreen, Colorado, began his musical journey in Junior High when he switched from his hand-me-down clarinet to percussion. He became the Section Leader and Center Snare through High School and performed in regional Summer Stock shows such as Fiddler on the Roof, Hello Dolly, and Brigadoon.

After a 30-year break, he returned to the orchestra pit to help with school productions of Guys and Dolls, South Pacific, and West Side Story, playing together with his children.

Recently, David has performed in The Rocky Mountain Brassworks with his son, Scott, and is currently a member of the Denver Rock Orchestra, playing alongside his daughter Rebecca

Percussion

Cheden Anastasion

Born and raised in Santa Fe New Mexico, Cheden Anastasion is an upcoming multi-percussionist specializing in jazz Vibraphone. He has played in at least 80 performances and was a member of over 20 different ensembles, including the Santa Fe symphony and the Swing Shift Big Band.

He received exclusively superior ratings in Solo and ensembles festivals, as well as multiple outstanding musician awards during the Albuquerque Jazz Festival. He was a two time participant in New Mexico all state, in both the Jazz and Classical departments. Cheden is currently a freshman at the University of Denver pursuing a degree in Jazz percussion performance.

Violin 1

Alayna McNeil

Alayna McNeil is currently in her first year of a Master of Music in violin performance at the University of Denver. She graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Alayna is the winner of the Faculty of Fine Arts Gold Medal, a three-time recipient of the Abbondanza Fine Arts Undergraduate Award, a two-time recipient of the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra Strings Award, and she received the Fine Arts Award for Excellence in 2023. As the inaugural winner of the 2022 Centric MusicFest/Primo Music Association scholarship, Alayna was featured as a performer in the 2022 Centric Music Fest in Lethbridge.

Alayna was the 2019 winner of the Rose Bowl award for the Most Artistic and Outstanding Performer in the Lethbridge Music Festival, and she received first place in her class at the 2021 Alberta Provincial Music Festival. In 2022, Alayna won the Lethbridge Symphony Young Artists Competition, and she was featured as a soloist with the symphony in 2023. In her spare time, Alayna enjoys reading, climbing, and snowboarding. She is highly passionate about collaborating with other musicians and sharing music with the community.

Violin 1

Lan Vo

Cool Bio

Violin 1

Eva Toncheva

Cool Bio

Violin 2

Jacob Unruh

Jacob Unruh is a violinist & teacher whose curiosity has led him to explore both classical and jazz music. Currently pursuing a master's degree in jazz performance at the University of North Texas, he is developing an inviting improvisational voice that embodies joy and celebrates the unknown. Initially a classical violin major at the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver, he became interested in jazz after visiting clubs with friends and improvising in practice rooms. Drawn to the spontaneous collective creation of music, he changed his major to jazz studies and designed much of his own curriculum.

At Lamont, he studied with jazz faculty Annie Booth, Peter Stoltzman, Bijoux Barbosa, Donna Wickham, & Art Bouton, while continuing classical lessons with soloist Igor Pikayzen. He now studies with jazz violinist Scott Tixier. He composed and performed "Olympic Gardens," a three-movement work for string quartet and jazz rhythm section. Jacob performed & was featured with the Lamont Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Remy LeBoeuf. He graduated with a B.M. in Jazz Studies & Commercial Music in 2024.

Since 2022, Jacob has taught violin in group classes & private lessons to children ages 6-15. He has taken pedagogy classes with Kathleen Spring and currently teaches at Flower Mound Music Academy, where he emphasizes joyful, accessible learning & encourages students to take creative risks. He values patience, enthusiasm, & dedication, aiming to help students develop the confidence & skills to build their own musical worlds while navigating today's musical landscape.

Violin 2

Gayle Schurz

Cool Bio

Violin 2

Fifi Garcia

FiFi Vargas is a violinist and music educator currently teaching in Westminster Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she was inducted into the National Music Honor Society for her excellence in performance and scholarship. Vargas has been recognized as a High Reliability Teacher for her demonstrated practice in instructional strategies, commitment to student learning, and use of meaningful, rigorous feedback.

She is passionate about inspiring young musicians and sharing the joy of music with the broader community.

Viola

Sebastian Saiz-Harrison

Cool Bio

Viola

Hailey Moy

Cool Bio

Viola

Melissa Escobar

Cool Bio

Cello

Kristian Dillon

Kristian Dillon began studying cello at age 10 and in 2024, earned a Bachelors of Music in Cello Performance at Shenandoah Conservatory studying under Julian Schwarz. He now studies at the Lamont School of Music under Matthew Zalkind. He has attended the Philadelphia International Music Festival, Eastern Music Festival, Gingold Chamber Music Festival, and the Musica Riva Festival in Riva del Garda, Italy. Mr. Dillon has performed as a member of the Provazek Quartet, Virginia Cello Ensemble, Denver Chamber Orchestra, and many ensembles at Shenandoah and Lamont.

He has also performed alongside ensembles such as the Inscape Chamber Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra, and for distinguished conductors such as Gianandrea Noseda and Michail Jurowsky.

Cello

Andrea Meyers

Cellist Andrea Meyers, a graduate of George Washington High School, earned her Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado and her Master of Arts from the University of Colorado, Denver. Her career as an orchestra director, cellist, conductor, adjudicator, and clinician spans decades in numerous school districts. Guest conductor work includes: the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge; All State Orchestras in Alabama, Hawaii and Florida; the University of Colorado/Boulder Summer Music Academy Middle School Orchestra; the CASTA Middle School String Camp, the Honors Chamber Orchestra Festival at Fort Lewis College; and numerous festivals and honor orchestras in Colorado.

Her career highlights include induction into the 2015 Colorado Music Educators Association Hall of Fame, serving as Past-President of the Colorado Chapter of the American String Teachers Association, receiving the Lifetime Service and Outstanding String Teacher Awards, and being a Music Education Grammy quarterfinalist. Participation in National ASTA includes Membership Chair and Member-at-Large. Ms. Meyers received the CMEA 25-Year Award and the National ASTA Chapter Leader Award. Ms. Meyers performs with Parker Symphony Orchestra, the San Juan Symphony in Durango, the Littleton Symphony, and the Lone Tree Orchestra. She performs on a 2004 Wolfram Neureither Montpellier 2004 cello paired with an Evan Orman 2024 bow modeled after John Kew DODD. Currently, Meyers is President-Elect for The Lamont School of Music, University of Denver. Within CMEA, she has served on the Advisory Board as the Active and Retired Membership Chair.

Her special interests include going to musicals, opera, ballet, jazz, and classical concerts, reading, and traveling. Meyers enjoys various chamber ensembles with Too Many Cellos (TMC), performances with Delta Omicron, freelance work, spending time with friends, family, and various special events as a member of the Denver Musicians' Union. She is truly inspired and enjoys conducting these various orchestras for their unique personalities, creativity, and musicianship.

Cello

Hudson Schill

Hudson T. Schill of Garland, TX, currently studies cello performance with Matthew Zalkind at the Lamont School of Music in Denver. He previously studied with Bion Tsang at the Butler School of Music in Austin. A two-time recipient of the Melville van der Spuy Memorial Scholarship for full music tuition at the Suzuki Music Institute of Dallas, Hudson studied with Donna Davis for 12 years and was coached by Jolyon Pegis. He has taken Master classes with Anne Martindale Williams, Peter Stumpf, Alan Rafferty, Zlatomir Fung, Bryan Dumm, Melissa Solomon de Freitas, Avi Friedlander, Nancy Hair, Emmanuel Lopez, and Meredith Blecha Wells.

Chamber music is Hudson’s passion and over the years he has been coached by Rossitza Goza, Scott Conklin, and Susan Dubois at the Lonestar Young Artists Program, Jackie Lee, Wei-Wei Le, and Chia Fe Lin at the Heartland Chamber Music Festival, Sarita Kwok and James Howsman at the Credo Festival, and Annie Fullard, Robert McDuffie, and Amy Schwartz Moretti at the McDuffie Center for Strings Labor Day Festival. With Chamber Music International, Hudson was a Youth Ambassador and played in the CMI Youth Ambassador string quartet.

Hudson was also invited to play in the inaugural cello choir of the National Association of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. He played in the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra and had the opportunity to play with chamber ensembles in Barcelona, Toledo, and Madrid as well as to give a solo recital in Pretoria, South Africa.

Double Bass

Ruby Flores

Ruby Godoy Flores has been playing bass for 10 years, when she decided the Violin was “too easy for her”. Her music journey began when she started singing in her elementary school choir, from there her love for music blossomed. From Playing the Violin in elementary school, to playing Baritone saxophone all four years of high school. While attending Arvada Highschool Ruby was a part of the Chamber orchestra, wind ensemble, symphonic band, jazz band, and the school’s musical pit. She also had the honor of making the all-county choir, orchestra, and as a special guest for the all-county band.

Ruby has studied Double Bass with Devin Guerrero and David Crowe. Aside from being a part of MSU Denver symphony orchestra, she has performed with the Littleton symphony and has also found a passion for mariachi music and is a key member of MSU Denver’s Mariachi Correcaminos as a guitarron player and as the Performance coordinator.

After graduating, Ruby is considering Graduate school but is still undecided as of now. Ruby is an avid musical lover and therefore her goal after finishing school is to become a pit musician while also hoping to continue to play mariachi music in her community.

Double Bass

Salvador Marmolejo

Cool Bio