Teachers
Find the teacher that is right for you!
Contact the teacher directly or call us at 303-797-6995.
Karen McGuire - flute, fife
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.
Harry Grainger - flute, clarinet, saxophone, baroque flute, recorder, and EWI.
303-523-7838 (cell)
Objective:To share the enthusiasm and joy I have for music with students. I feel passionate about helping develop a child’s talents as a musician. I relate well to kids and will provide an atmosphere where kids are motivated to learn music and share the joy of playing.General teaching philosophy:I help my students build good fundamentals. I customize lessons to define and reach realistic goals and address students’ school band needs or other musical activities. I respect students’ other interests and pursuits. I am an experienced professional musician well versed in woodwinds and a variety of styles. I offer students a broad spectrum of musical knowledge. I teach all levels from a young beginner to an adult professional. I offer individual or group instruction. I play and teach all types of flutes, clarinets, saxophones, and recorders. I play and teach baroque flute and Electric Wind Instrument (EWI) to cover double reeds or any other sound you might need. I use high quality Yamaha and Roland synthesizers for my patches. I am available to teach in home, studio, and video lessons. *with the pandemic I have switched to primarily video lessons using Facetime, Chrome Duo, Zoom, and Skip.
Laura Kishiyama - saxophone, flute, clarinet
Laura is a Colorado native who holds a saxophone performance degree from the University of Northern Colorado where she played 2 years in the award winning Jazz Lab I. She was selected, by audition, to play in the Disney All-American College Band and later played on Carnival Cruise Lines Holiday ship before settling down to teach privately.Laura was the saxophone instructor at Arapahoe High School for 7 years, taught beginning band for Colorado Honor Band, Centennial Academy of Fine Arts Elementary and has been a clinician for various schools and honor bands. She plays in Colorado Wind Ensemble, William and the Romantics, Saxophonix (a saxophone trio), and various community bands. She fulfills her love of dance by teaching adult tap classes through South Suburban and Highlands Ranch recreation centers.Performing has been a huge part of Laura’s life whether she’s dancing or playing in a band and she’s grateful that she has been able to share her passion through teaching!
Joan Bertoluzzi - violin
303-789-1457
Larry Folz
Larry Folz is an active Professional Musician and Music Educator based in the Denver and surrounding areas. In addition to performing and recording with numerous National and Local Artists, he also serves as a Music Educator for numerous schools in the Denver, Littleton, and Cherry Creek School Districts ranging from Elementary to High School Band Programs. Larry’s musical background is based in both Classical and Jazz Performance with a Master of Music (MM) in Saxophone Performance from the University of Denver Lamont School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music (BM) in Saxophone Performance from the Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Joan Goddard - brass
Lisa Appleton - Violin, Viola, Cello
303.756.6701
LAppleton@mac.com
Lisa has 25 years teaching experience and is licensed Music K-12 through the Colorado State Board of Education. She holds a degree in Music Education from the University of Denver. Emphasizing the fun in playing an instrument, each class is tailored for student success by combining traditional note reading and Suzuki methods. Scale study, sight reading, and modeling techniques for home practice build student confidence. Each class closes with time for playing chamber music.
Bob Gillis
303.798.2500; C 303.523.1126
notes@bob-gillis.com
Trumpet, Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Keyboarding, Theory
Chuck Florian - Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Jazz Theory & Improvisation
303.730.1101
LCMA02@earthlink.net
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.
PENNY HARRIS - Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophone
303.408.0999
PennyH3842@gmail.com
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.
DAVE CONWAY - Bass Trombone, Trombone, Baritone, Trumpet and Tuba
303.517.4653
DavidCConway@q.com
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.