Embedded Files
DC Downbeat Instructors
Stephen Mirandi - Band & Orchestra - Flagstone Elementary School
Originally from New York, Mr. Mirandi got his Bachelor's degree in Music Education and Saxophone Performance from SUNY Potsdam, where he taught for the first two years of his career in several different elementary schools.
Mr. Mirandi enjoys being the elementary music teacher at Flagstone Elementary, where he gest to be involved in choir, orchestra, as well as band. Being in Colorado has let him pursue interests such as hiking and photography, since this state is gorgeous at every turn!
To reach Mr. Mirandi, please send an email to smirandi@dcsdk12.org
Ross Goldman - Band - Rock Ridge Elementary School
Mr. Goldman is a native South Floridian raised in a musical family. Playing in a variety of situations throughout childhood contributed to his extensive familiarity in most genres of music. This gave him an appreciation for performing on multiple instruments, including saxophones, flute, clarinet, piano, bass, and drums.
While Mr. Goldman attended the prestigious Frost School of Music at the University of Miami on scholarship, he was able to participate in masterclasses and play alongside many notables in the Jazz world, including Joshua Redman, Benny Golson, Maria Schnieder, Jim Snidero, John Fedchock, Jeff Coffin, Troy Roberts, and many more.
In his tenure at Pace High School in Miami Gardens, Mr. Goldman created the curriculum for the music program, and is a co-founder of the schools Academy of Performing/Visual Arts, providing a platform for his students to pursue their own careers in music.
Mr. Goldman looks forward to new career opportunities in Douglas County Schools at Rock Ridge Elementary and teaching through the DC Downbeat!
To reach Mr. Goldman, please send an email to rgoldman@dcsdk12.org
Amanda Cox - Band & Orchestra - Castle Rock Elementary School
Ms. Cox has been teaching music for 10 years in the Castle Rock area and holds a degree in Music Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She started playing viola in her elementary school's orchestra 25 years ago. Ms. Cox is currently a member of the Castle Rock Orchestra, where she continues to perform and grow as a musician. She loves teaching elementary orchestra and band because it is an excellent place for students to build confidence, creativity, and a strong sense of community. Ms. Cox believes that learning an instrument is an experience that can stay with students for a lifetime. Outside of school, Ms. Cox enjoys spending time paddleboarding, exploring Colorado, and spending time outdoors with her dog.
To reach Ms. Cox, please send an email to amcox@dcsdk12.org.
Lorena Perry - Orchestra - Sage Canyon & Rock Ridge Elementary Schools
Mrs. Perry is a music educator and professional musician who loves creating meaningful performing opportunities for young students. She currently serves as concertmaster of the Castle Rock Orchestra and has performed extensively throughout the Denver metro area with Opera Colorado and as a soloist and chorister with professional ensembles and churches. She founded the Castle Rock Children’s Choir and runs a private music studio specializing in strings, voice, and piano.
Mrs. Perry also enjoys sharing her love of music throughout the community. At Christmastime, you’ll find her spreading Christmas cheer at community events with the Original Dickens Carolers quartet.
She and her husband raised four children in Douglas County schools and have just one left to graduate.
Hunter Stone - Band - Sage Canyon Elementary School
A Colorado native, Mr. Stone grew up in Woodland Park, Colorado. He graduated from Luther College in 2021, where he performed with the Wind and Percussion Ensemble, Concert Band, Noble Brass Quintet, and various other ensembles.
Mr. Stone began his teaching career in Ottumwa, Iowa, teaching history for four years while also serving as an assistant marching band director. He currently teaches social studies at DCHS and serves as the asmr sistant marching band director.
Outside of teaching, Mr. Stone enjoys spending time with his wife and family, arranging music, and singing barbershop music. He is excited for the opportunity to share his love of music with young musicians!
To reach Mr. Stone, please send an email to hstone@dcsdk12.org.
Our Support Staff
Josh Galerstein - DC Downbeat Program Coordinator - DCHS Orchestra Director
Josh Galerstein joined Douglas County High School as Orchestra Director in 2024 and is serving as the Program Coordinator for DC Downbeat in 2026. He has been teaching in the greater Denver, Colorado area for 6 years, with previous teaching posts for band and orchestra in the Cherry Creek School District and Adams 12 Five Star Schools. At DC, Mr. Galerstein directs the string orchestra program, as well as conducts the spring musical production and serves as an assistant instructor for the DCHS Marching Band.
Outside of education, Mr. Galerstein performs professionally as a tubist with bands and orchestras throughout the Colorado front range. His freelance experience includes work with the Arapahoe Philharmonic, Longmont Symphony, and Colorado Wind Ensemble, among others.
Mr. Galerstein holds degrees in Music Education and Tuba Performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Outside of music, Mr Galerstein enjoys learning to cook dishes from around the world, spending time outdoors hiking and camping, and cheering on the sports teams from his Alma Mater and hometown Atlanta, Georgia.
To reach Mr. Galerstein, please send an email to jgalerstein@dcsdk12.org
Adam Van Alphen - Band & Orchestra Director - Mesa Middle School
Mr. Van Alphen was born and raised in Colorado and has taught instrumental music in Douglas County Schools for the past 23 years, including 18 years at Mesa Middle School within the DCHS feeder area. He attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in K–12 Music Education. Mr. Van Alphen currently lives in Castle Rock, Colorado, with his wife and four children and greatly enjoys being an active member of the local community.
To reach Mr. Van Alphen, please send an email to amvanalphen@dcsdk12.org.
Salvador Hernandez - Band Director - Douglas County High School
Mr. Salvador Hernandez is a dedicated music educator who is excited to help support the district’s new elementary band and orchestra program "DC Downbeat" and help introduce young musicians to the joy of making music. New to Douglas County High School, Mr. Hernandez brings a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to the Castle Rock community and is excited to see what the future holds for music throughout the area.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from UCLA, a Teaching Credential from Fresno State, and a Master of Music from Colorado State University, with teaching experience that includes beginning through advanced concert band, string orchestra, percussion, jazz, and other music courses. Throughout his career, Mr. Hernandez has worked with students at a wide range of experience levels and believes strongly in creating a welcoming environment where every child can feel successful, build confidence, develop responsibility and teamwork, and grow into a lifelong music-maker.
His background also includes extensive experience as a performer, conductor, and ensemble educator, including performances with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and championship-level marching ensembles. Most importantly, Mr. Hernandez believes that a student’s first experiences in music should be positive, encouraging, and fun, and he looks forward to partnering with families as students begin their musical journey.
To reach Mr Hernandez, please send an email to shernandez1@dcsdk12.org.
Kris Diamond - General Music Teacher - Sage Canyon Elementary School
Kris Diamond the music teacher at Sage Canyon! She began her teaching career in 2003 after receiving a Bachelor of Music Education degree at The University of Colorado. She also holds a Master of Music Education from Boston University and a Kodály certification from Colorado State University. SheI previously taught K-8 general music, choir, band, and orchestra in Jefferson County and Aurora Public Schools before entering Douglas County at Eldorado Elementary. She began the Sage Canyon music program and Wrangler Chorale in 2010 when Sage Canyon Elementary opened and has loved teaching many years of Wrangler musicians!
She lives in Castle Rock with her family and enjoys spending time outdoors and crafting.
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