BAND STAFF
ZACHARY FRUITS
DIRECTOR OF BANDS
Zachary Fruits has been at the helm of the Rock Canyon High School Band Program since 2017. Having taught public schools in both Missouri and Colorado, he has developed award-winning concert, marching, and jazz bands. Mr. Fruits earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Performance Diploma in Clarinet from Missouri State University. He received a Master's Degree in Wind Conducting from Colorado State University, serving as a graduate assistant with the CSU Marching Band, Basketball Bands, and as director of the Presidential Pep Band. In addition, he served as guest conductor of the CSU Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band.
With the Rock Canyon Bands Mr. Fruits instructs and manages all aspects of a diverse music program which include the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, CBA competitive Marching Band, Pep Band, Color Guard, Percussion Ensemble, Pit Orchestra, Guitar, Music Theory, and Digital Music Production classes. His pedagogical objectives involve providing young people with well-rounded musical experiences, inspiring excellence at the highest level.
Mr. Fruits’ conducting mentors include Dr. Rebecca Phillips, Dr. Belva Prather, and Professor Jerry Hoover. Mr. Fruits is a member of The Conductors Guild, National Association for Music Education (NAfME), National Band Association (NBA), Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA), Colorado Bandmasters Association (CBA), and American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA).
GINA BLISS
WOODWIND INSTRUCTOR
Gina Bliss is a classically trained clarinetist who performs a wide range of musical works from classical to new music. Currently residing in Denver, Gina is an active performer and subs with local musical ensembles including Denver Philharmonic, Jefferson Symphony and the Colorado Wind Ensemble. She is also involved with musical theatre companies such as Candlelight Dinner Playhouse in Johnstown, CO . Gina has a well established and successful clarinet studio with students coming from all over the Colorado Front Range. Her students have placed first chair in Douglas County Honor bands, as well as in Cherry Creek Honor Band, Citywide, Jeffco Honor Band, and Continental League Honor Band. Her students range from elementary school through high school.
In addition to her clarinet studio, Gina works with the Rock Canyon High School Marching Band and Horizon High School Marching Band as their Woodwind Coach. She also coaches woodwinds with several schools in Douglas County and several middle schools and high schools throughout the Colorado Front Range. Gina Directs the Pit Orchestra at Rock Canyon High School.
Gina holds a Masters’ Degree in Music Performance from the University of Denver and Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from Northern Arizona University.
MARGUERITE SANFORD
COLOR GUARD DIRECTOR
Marguerite Sanford is a native of Colorado Springs, CO, and has been involved in the Color Guard activity for over a decade. She has performed internationally with independent groups based in Colorado and has worked with multiple groups qualifying for WGI World Championships for multiple years, herself earning semifinalist and finalist commendations. Mrs. Sanford has been dancing with OPE (Oracle performance ensemble) since 2014, performing an array of different styles including jazz, modern, ballet, contemporary, and lyrical. She also has experience with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, recently performing in the opening ceremony of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Bahrain and the BK Alumni performance at "Drums Along the Rockies." Mrs. Sanford is passionate about her craft and strives to develop the future of the activity through teaching. Mrs. Sanford has been involved in the Rock Canyon Bands Program since 2016.
Blair Bickerton
Color Guard Instructor
Blair Bickerton first got involved with Color Guard in 2010. She spun with the Dakota Ridge Color Guard for five years and competed at WGI World Championships in 2019 with Rise Winterguard before joining the Rock Canyon staff that same year. Color Guard has been and continues to be a passion project for Blair and she feels incredibly grateful to be a part of this program and have the opportunity to help it grow.
Teag Solberg
RCHS Percussion Director
Teag Solberg was born and raised near Chicago, Illinois. He studied with Chicago professional percussionist, Bobby Christian. He also studied Music Performance at Weber State University, 1982-1985. In September of 1985, Mr. Solberg joined the Air Force Band and served ten years there as a percussionist, soloist, and drum set player.
He has performed at many prestigious events for U.S. Presidents, statesmen, international dignitaries, and celebrities – such as Presidents Reagan & Bush 41, Mikael Gorbachev, and state governors. He has also performed with entertainers such as Bob Hope, Henry Mancini, Dinah Shore, Patty Andrews, Robert Goulet, Merv Griffin, Arturo Sandoval, Tanya Tucker, Al Hurt, Chubby Checkers, Fred Rogers, and at the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
Mr. Solberg performs classical, jazz, country, pop, and marching genres of music. He performed locally with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, and the Arapahoe, Littleton, Aurora, Jefferson County, and Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as the Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra. He currently performs with the Parker Symphony Orchestra as Principal Timpanist and as Percussion Section Leader. He also plays drum set with Swing Connection, a 10-piece swing band, the Joe Peterson Orchestra, the Tait Solberg Jazz Quartet, and Young Voices Choir of Colorado.
Mr. Solberg has been a dedicated teacher of percussion and drums for thirty years. He has been Head Percussion Instructor at Heritage High School and Legend High School and has taught at Pine Lane Intermediate School. He has been adjudicator for the Douglas County Solo and Ensemble competition and the Rocky Mountain Percussion Association.
ROCK CANYON FEEDER BAND DIRECTORS
ROCKY HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL
SCOTT MCGOWAN
TIMBER TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | REDSTONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BETHANY WESSEL
BUFFALO RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | WILDCAT MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
DOUG TIDABACK