Alumni
The Grand Junction High School band undoubtedly has a special place in the hearts of many. Over the course of 80 years and at least 10 band directors, the band has continued to offer successful opportunities and life changing experiences to thousands! We would like to create a database of band alumni and post news and announcements about our alumni's whereabouts, successes, and experiences.
Please email director Isaac Lavadie any information about alumni or announcements or join our GJHS Alumni Facebook page.
2000's:
Class of 2008
Travis Chapman
Kelsey Neil
James Haag
Tyler Hardwick
Justin Hays
Brendan Gibbons
Rory Blume
Collin Wilson
Katie Bock
Katie Nees
John Brennecke
Megan Poeppel
Sonya Cook
Peter Rosenthal
Keenan Neil
Amanda Lange
Mackenzie Wise
Daniel Ohlson
Chrystal Schefflen
Class of 2009
Tessa Honnen-Valley Forge Christian College
Cassandra Torske- University of Northern Colorado
Lyndi Beth Hoffman- Mesa State College
Kyle Thompson- Mesa State College
Eric J. Law- Berkley College
Michael Langston- Mesa State College
Kalea Sebesta- University of Colorado
Taylor Reiners-University of Hawaii
Darcy Leggett-University of Washington
Daniel Kell- Mesa State College
Nate Trumbo- York Christian College
Alex Murillo- Mesa State College
Detrick Snyder-CU Boulder
Andrew Kamas- Colorado State University
Class of 2010
Daniel LaPlant
Bryce MacEvoy-Moglia - Mesa State College
Josh Reed
Addison Eng - St. Olaf College
Hunter Donnelly-Renner - University of Denver
Aaron Heldmeyer - Colorado School of Mines
Erin Holl - Mesa State College
Amy Nelms - Graceland University
Haley Joyce - Colorado Mountain College
Michael Gebhard - Brigham Young University
Robert Matticks
Melanie Mosinski - Rennslaer Polytechnic Institute
Jonathan Wright - University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Calloway May - New York University
Cody Krieger - Mesa State College
Sean Edens - Mesa State College
Class of 2011
Spencer Pendry - Mesa State College
Clara Hankins - Mesa State College
Michael Foster
Tianna Thomason - Colorado Mountain College
Kailyn Bennett - University of Colorado, Boulder
Ben Wilson - Mesa State College
Sean Kennedy - Mesa State College
Cheyenne Green
Parker Hegstrom - Duke University
Kevin Melchoir - Mesa State College
Chris Bock - Mesa State College
Brooke Malone - Colorado State University
Matt Zerler - Mesa State College
Class of 2012
Meghan Casey - University of Wyoming
Sarah Wilson - Colorado Mesa University
Rebecca Gerry - Colorado Mesa University
Rayna Watkins - Colorado Mesa University
Devon Hoffman - Colorado Mesa University
Kara Diemer - Taylor University
Heather Seacrest - Cedarville University
Emmy Pipkin - Colorado State University
Allie Zirger - Colorado State University
Arlo Miller
Brian Lange - Colorado Mesa University
Julie Kembel - Biola University
Nicole Travis - University of Colorado
Laura Lockwood - University of Denver
John Maier - University of Colorado, Boulder
Amanda Johnson - University of Colorado, Boulder
Marcus Gutierrez - Colorado Mesa University
Class of 2013
Cameron Honnen - Colorado Mesa University
Keaton Michel - University of Northern Colorado
Alec Cowan - Colorado Mesa University
Emily Tyler
Briana Hendrickson
Dylan Ragar - University of Colorado
Ben Fairbanks - Colorado Mesa University
Brittney Davis - Colorado State University
Anne Hughes - Colorado State University
Julian Hedlund-Drumm - Westminster College
AJ Schlechten - University of Colorado, Boulder
Max Houtris - Cleveland Institute of Music
Jacob Filutze - MTU
Katherine Gibson - University of Denver
Zac Barger - University of Colorado, Boulder
Joel Trumbo - Colorado Mesa University
Shiloh Fox - Colorado Mesa University
Josh Hoffman - Colorado Mesa University
Adam Heldmeyer - Colorado School of Mines
Afton Lard - Delta Tech
Sam Gall - University of Northern Colorado
Seth Wollam (Director)
Graduate Student, IUP
Doctoral Candidate at University of North Texas
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Genice Matzke (Director)
Monument, CO
Band Director at Liberty High School, Lewis-Palmer SD
Thomas Chapman, Trumpet and Drum Major, Class of 2003
In 2008, Tom received his Music Education degree from the University of Northern Colorado. During that time, as a student teacher he worked with Matthew Arau of Loveland High School to put on their Spring Concert where he conducted two of the bands as well as the Loveland High Combined Bands. In January, 2009, Tom will be presenting at the Colorado Music Educator's Conference in Colorado Springs on Arts, Academics, and Athletics: Balancing the Spectrum and how to maintain excellence and advocate a music program. Since Fall of 2008, he has been asked to guest lecture at both CU and UNC and sit on a panel to discuss music advocacy at CSU. His students continue to experience success, and in 2009 sent three students out of four that auditioned to All-State Band (the fourth one was selected as an alternate). Tom lives with his wife, Jen, and pets in Kit Carson, CO, where he teaches K-12 music.
Kimberly Davis, Color Guard, Class of 2004
Kimberly was a member of the GJHS Color Guard where she served as Color Guard Captain for two years. She helped reintroduce the University of New Mexico Spirit Marching Band's color guard in 2006 as their captain. She also coached the color and winter guard at La Cueva High School, in Albuquerque, NM, from 2006-2008.
After graduating from the University of New Mexico in 2009 with a BA in mass communications, Kimberly began to pursue her MFA in documentary film production at the University of North Texas. She is currently in pre-production for her second film with the program, titled 5...6...,5,6,7,8, which will dive into the crazy experiences of independent winter guard. While following a
Dallas-based guard through their trek to the WGI International Championships, Kimberly plans on revisiting her own personal experience with this sport.
Sean Hopkins-Feuerborn, Trombone, Class of 2000
Sean is currently residing in Lakewood, CO, where he is Co-Head Geek for one of the Best Buy Geek Squads.
Mark Feuerborn, Baritone and Tuba, Class of 2005
Mark is a member of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and was a marching band visual tech for the GJHS Tiger Pride Band. Mark wishes to pursue a degree in some area of music, but would like to complete his drum corps career first. Mark marched contra 2 seasons with the Casper Troopers before moving to Knights in 2006 to march tuba, when the Casper Troopers did not field a corps.
David Feuerborn, Tuba, Class of 2007
David is a member of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and was a marching band visual tech for the GJHS Tiger Pride Band. David is currently in school earning his automotive degree. Upon completion, he plans to pursue a degree in music education. David marched 2005 on baritone with the Casper Troopers. In 2006 he moved to Blue Stars, when Casper did not field a corps and marched tuba. He chose to march with Blue Knights and continued with them in 2008.
1990's:
Kathy Joseph (Director)
Grand Junction, CO
Music Coordinator, MCVSD #51
CBA Hall of Fame Inductee 2007
"I played in the drum line my Junior year 1989, played percussion in symphonic band, and piano in jazz band. Fall of 1989 we went to state and captured 5th place out of all bands.
My Senior year of high school I played vibraphone 1990 in marching band. Then I played percussion in wind ensemble and flute in symphonic band. I played piano in jazz band. Both years were under the direction of Ms. Kathy Joseph. The senior year 1991 I was nominated for music department student of the year and received a nice plaque for this.
I went on to Mesa State College for four years 1991 - 1995 and studied music education. I didn't finish my degree.
In 2001 - 2003 I went back to school and work as a Respiratory Therapist in Colorado. I still work on my music as an organist and pianist for St George Episcopal Church in Leadville, CO. The organ is over one hundred years old and was originally a pump pipe organ changed to an electric pipe organ.
I really loved my years in music at GJHS and hope that you will post some of this on your alumni page. Many of us from those years went onto different places in the United States. I still keep in touch with some of them."
Amy Jo Martinson, Percussion, Class of 1991
Travis Swanson, 1995
Grand Junction, CO
Band Director, Orchard Mesa Middle School
Jeff Mason, 1995
Grand Junction, CO
Band Director, Palisade High School
Judd Berry, 1993
Grand Junction, CO
Lincoln Orchard Mesa Elementary
Emmy Espinoza (Cucuiat)
Grand Junction, CO
Nisley Elementary
1980's:
Cindy Horton (Quinn), 1987
Portland, OR
Tim Mills (Director)
Grand Junction, CO
Former Superintendent of Schools, MCVSD #51
1970's:
Pamela (Bush) Bersch, Flute, Class of 1973
Pam is a dental hygienist.
Linda (Hobbs) Feuerborn, Trumpet, Class of 1973
Linda is a Mentor for Ariel Services, a private music teacher for over 30 years, as well as managing her husbands custodial business and doing some custom sewing. Linda continues to teach music and sings in Schumann Singers. Though she has not been recently active due to family commitments, Linda has performed with High Desert Opera Company.
1960's:
Christina Miller, Class of 1969
Christina attended the University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP) and received a K-12 music education degree. She received scholarships in both instrumental and vocal areas. Chris currently lives in Oklahoma and is Mr. Lavadie's mother-in-law!
Bill Feuerborn, Baritone, Class of 1961
Currently is Facilities Manager for Holy Family Catholic School. Bill continues his love of music singing in the men's choir at IHM and supporting his children and grandchildren's musical pursuits.
Clarence Feuerborn, Trumpet, Class of 1963
Currently is Asst. Custodian at Holy Family Catholic School. Clarence sings in the Bookcliff Barbershop Harmony Chorus as well as several church groups.
Donald Hobbs, Trumpet, Class of 1968
Don is former City of Grand Junction Parks Supervisor and currently holds a position as Financial Advisor to the City of Grand Junction Budget Department
Christina (Gross) Hobbs, Clarinet, Class of 1968
Chris is a 4-5 elementary school teacher at Thunder Mountain Elementary and is very active in MVEA.
1950's:
1940's:
1930's:
1920's: