Castle Rock Music

Aaron has been teaching guitar for over two decades. He recognizes everyone's musical goals are as different as the individual themselves. He strives to help students, of any age and ability, reach their goals in a personal and engaging way. Aaron is passionate about sharing his love of music with others, and recognizes there is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning music. He believes personal instruction should be tailored to the student.

After spending his 20s and 30s performing in bands spanning from pop, rock, funk, and corporate bands, as well as countless recording sessions, Aaron returned to school to focus on music theory and earned a degree in music and certification in audio technology.

Aaron can still be found performing on stage, in the studio, behind the mixing console, and coaching a local pop/rock ensembles. Whatever your musical goals are, Aaron is here to help.

Bill started teaching in 2004 and teaches electric and acoustic guitar. He is very patient and instructs all levels, but especially enjoys beginners. Bill has a passion for the guitar and making sure his students get started off correctly.

Chris Sparks is a 24-year-old musician from Centennial Colorado with 15 years of experience, playing both 6 and 7 string guitar.

He graduated from MSU Denver in 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in Music. Chris believes playing music should first and foremost be enjoyable. He wants to pass that joy on to others by encouraging them through an engaging, personalized learning experience, which prioritizes the student's interests.

He has experience with genres ranging from jazz to metal, creating video game-inspired electronic music, and guitar-based instrumental rap beats. He performs live in the Denver area, recently completed writing and recording guitar for two albums, and plans on releasing more. Some of Chris's favorite artists include The Unicorns, La Dispute, Tigers Jaw, and After The Burial.

Mike Maurer began playing guitar at a very early age, studying with Jock Bartley of national hit sensation, Firefall. Receiving a degree from the University of Colorado Denver, Mike was a natural at guitar and infatuated with the blues. Not wasting much time, Mike received national merit winning a youth talent showcase in New Orleans. After his Debut release, Chasing Pearl, Mike toured extensively, sharing the stage with acts such as Johnny Winter, Tab Benoit, Earth Wind and Fire and many more.

Aside from endorsements and regional awards, Mike has been teaching classes and private music lessons for Guitar, piano, and bass in the Denver metro area and Los Angeles for 15 years, with a passion and dedication to the growth and progress of his students, His recent student achievements include scholarships to Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory among others.

As a guitarist, Timothy is prepared to teach a variety of skills, including alternate picking, finger-picking, scales, chord vocabulary, music theory, and ear training. All taught in a way that applies to many genres and real-world playing scenarios.

Timothy's influences range from jazz to classical, Spanish romance, rock, R&B, indie acoustic, and folk. His playing and teaching reflect his personal fusion of these styles.

He believes meeting students where they are is the best way to have a productive learning experience. His main goal is to equip them with the foundational tools that will carry them through their musical journey.

Will received his Bachelor in the Arts in Music from Metropolitan State University of Denver. He has been playing guitar for 17 years, and piano for 10 years. In the past 3 years, he has been giving music lessons to students in Colorado. He has experience playing classical, acoustic, and electric guitar and is well-versed in classical, folk, rock, jazz, and blues. He teaches the ukulele and the piano at a beginner/intermediate level.

Will's goal is to have his students succeed and thrive playing the music they've always wanted to play, or to create the music they've always wanted to create. Will believes it's better to learn in simple steps, and always aims to make the lesson engaging and fun.

Hi, I’m Dechen. I’m a lifelong musician and Buddhist. I’ve been making a living in the music industry for over 20 years as an entertainer, vocalist, composer, performer, and multi-instrumentalist.

I've written hundreds of songs and recorded a bunch of albums. I’ve played major venues and festivals and shared the stage with top acts. I’ve studied and taught music at the university level. And I’m also a master teacher and mentor, uniquely positioned to offer insight due to my extensive mindfulness training and meditation practice. 

Haven is a Guitarist, Drummer, Bassist, and Vocalist with over 10 years of experience.

He's a lifelong headbanger, specializing in Rock, Metal, Punk and believe it or not… Musical Theatre. For over 5 years he has led bands as a frontman, performing at venues across Colorado, and guided others as their instructor. He's excited to be a band instructor at Castle Rock Music.

Haven has experience teaching people of all ages and skill levels. He believes that the best way to learn an instrument is not from a book, but by playing the songs you want to play and learning new musical techniques through the songs themselves.

Outside of music, Haven has studied Filmmaking and graduated from Colorado Film School with a degree in Writing and Directing. He's also interested in Dance, Comic Books, Video Games, and Restoring Classic Cars.

Alex received her Bachelor's degree in Music Performance in 2019. She is a Colorado native, born and raised in Fort Collins, and has been involved in music her entire life. Alex received multiple music scholarships and originally studied music theory and composition during her time at CSU. She has taught over one hundred students around Colorado focusing primarily on voice, strings, and piano. Students describe her as caring, patient, and encouraging.

Alex sang and played with the CSU concert/chamber choirs and orchestras. She reads and sings in Italian, German, French, Latin, Spanish, and English. She has sang or played in well over fifty recitals, musicals, operas, band gigs, and more all around Colorado. Her approach to teaching is fun, positive, and organized. She understands and is open to how every student learns differently and has varying musical goals. Her primary reason for teaching is to help spread the love and knowledge of music throughout the community.

Alex loves spending time outside, traveling, hiking, or walking her cat. Alex is an ally to all art forms and enjoys attending visual art shows, participating in culinary art challenges with her boyfriend, or dancing at a live music performance.

Owen has dedicated much of his life to music, gaining experience with musical theatre, traditional and A capella choirs, jazz bands, bluegrass groups, solo-acoustic performing, songwriting, and music production.

He received a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Performance and Recording Arts from the University of Colorado at Denver in May 2024. He continues to pursue music playing in a band and writing songs. His primary instruments are voice and guitar, but he also enjoys playing the keys, banjo, and dobro.

When it comes to teaching, Owen is patient and attentive, focused on providing a positive experience for each student, catering to their individual personalities and goals. He strives to help students explore what inspires them while offering a well-rounded music education, ensuring students develop techniques that support longevity. He also aims to show students how to have a healthy relationship with practicing.