Emma began playing the violin at ten years old followed soon after by viola, cello, piano, and voice. She then started composing classical music at eleven.

She has studied voice with Laura Nolen, Rochelle Gallup-Walter, and Ginger Allen; violin and viola with Basil Vendrys, Lydia Sviatslovskaya, and Dr Emily Ondracek-Peterson; and cello with Olga Orgranovitch.

She has been studying music theory and composition, at the collegiate level, for the past 6 years with Dr. C. Howard Treibitz. She intends to pursue a career in music composition for film.

Emma believes music theory is an essential skill for musicians and she loves to teach it in a fun and uncomplicated way.

Performing pieces authentically and with proper technique are two of the most important traits of a great musician. Emma focuses on teaching this in a number of ways, including encouraging students to learn the history of the music they wish to learn.

Students can expect critiques and positive affirmations as they build their skills and repertoire.

Lorina has been singing her entire life, and performing on stage for most of it. She loves Broadway, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Gospel, Classical, and everything in between.

She was in the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale for five years, the Fine Arts Center Youth Repertory Ensemble for two, and dozens of church choirs and shows throughout middle school, high school, and college. She has directed 6 VBS dramas with elementary and middle school actors, and loves working with young performers especially.

Lorina recently graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver with a major in Music Performance. Her dream is to teach private lessons and direct community theatre and choirs.

She is excited to help students grow their confidence on stage and off, and find joy in using their voices.

I started playing piano at eight years old and it quickly became my lifelong pursuit.

I played primarily classical in my 20s and 30s, at church through my 40s, and at 50, I took on a new challenge and started playing Jazz. For eight years I studied with a Grammy Nominated Artist from Colorado Springs. I love jazz harmony and theory.

I hold a masters degree in education and love teaching. It's my hope that I can help instill a lifetime love for music in my students.

Kayla McGuff graduated from Jacksonville State University with a degree in Music Education. She has experience teaching private music lessons on various instruments, from beginner to intermediate students. During the pursuit of her bachelors degree, Kayla spent five years studying trumpet performance under Dr. Christopher Probst; while also participating in a number of choral and brass ensembles. As well as performing and instructing with the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps.

At JSU Kayla specialized in the study of trumpet performance and teaching, along with instrumental education in many others instruments, including French Horn, Voice, and Piano. Kayla has experience teaching beginner ukulele classes, beginner band classes, as well as marching band techniques for marching bands and drum corps.

She believes that music is an expressive outlet that gives people the opportunity to channel their emotions in a constructive way. Her goal as a teacher is to give students the tools and skills needed to become not only a successful player but also a passionate musician.

Celine has been singing and performing for the majority of her life, and has been in love with it since the beginning! She is currently earning her bachelor of music with a concentration in voice performance at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She has gained experience by being involved in several choirs throughout middle school, high school, and college. A couple of these include the choir Versailles, where she accompanied the Colorado Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker, and the well known Metropolitan State University of Denver Chorale. Having spent years studying proper singing technique, she has become very well rounded in many different genres of music. Celine has also been involved in many theatre productions such as Chicago, Mamma Mia!, Les Misérables, and many more.

In addition to teaching voice, Celine also teaches beginner piano! She works especially well with younger kids when it comes to learning the basics, while still keeping lessons lighthearted and fun.

Celine first discovered her love of teaching when she volunteered as the music director for Castle Rock Middle School's Rogue of the Railway musical. Since then she has been inspired to share her love for music with her students, while encouraging them to grow as knowledgeable musicians.

April received her Master of Music Degree from the Longy School of Music of Bard College and Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance from Northern Arizona University, and has spent the last 4 years teaching piano and flute privately. She believes in the importance of a mind and body connection through training in yoga, Alexander Technique, body mapping, and long arduous hikes. She also believes in the importance of social justice and equal opportunity, spending time volunteering for El Sistema Colorado and teaching flute sectionals at Adams City High School through the educational outreach program of Colorado Wind Ensemble.

Having spent years trained classically in ear training, theory, technique, and music history, she now turns her attention to playing music from the heart. She spent the last year mostly improvising music, tuning into the moment as a conduit for inspiration, and blurring the lines between audience and performer. She also started a project, Nothing is Everything, featuring ambient meditative music to play for meditations, yoga classes, and performance art events. The goal for herself and students is to find the balance between discipline and creativity!

Luke is a recent graduate of the University of Colorado at Denver, with a degree in Piano Performance and Music Business (Magna Cum Laude). Having studied the piano for over 20 years, he is well-versed in all styles, with an emphasis on Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Soul, and Funk music. Luke performs regularly in one of his several bands, as well as weekly church gigs in the Denver/Lakewood area.

By creating a relaxed and safe lesson space, Luke encourages students to find the music that inspires them, while addressing basic fundamentals and applicable technique along the way. Since music can be a life-long journey for many, he will help students gain the tools and skills necessary to achieve whatever musical goals they may have. Luke also aims to supplement the repertoire with a healthy dose of theory and ear training to show students that music is more than just what happens on the page.

Anne graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver in May 2012 majoring in vocal performance. She began vocal training at 8 and piano lessons at 10. Anne has a heavy background in pop, rock, original compositions, blues, and jazz. Before attending CU Denver she studied at Cal Poly Pomona getting a grasp on classical and theater as well. Music theory, ear training, improvisation, healthy practice, performance, and stage presence are all elements she teaches. Anne aims to share her enthusiasm and passion for music while keeping lessons lighthearted and fun.

Marguerite Juenemann has an on-going performance career of over 30 years, nominated twice for a Grammy, toured in Benny Goodman's band in the 80's playing prestigious stages nationally and internationally. Her solo career experience covers R & B, Folk, Gospel, Bluegrass, Blues, and Jazz on stage and in the studio. She teaches singing, acoustic guitar and classical piano. She also encourages young composers to bring their original compositions to use as lesson material, teaching them how to protect their originals by transcribing them to staff paper for copyright and other purposes.

Academically, she was a piano/woodwinds major at CU Boulder, having studied both instruments since childhood. Teaching experience covers 18 years at State Universities on the East coast and in Denver, Conservatories in Europe, the UK as well as New England Conservatory in Boston, teaching not only Jazz and Improvisation but popular styles of music mentioned above.

Marguerite loves teaching budding musicians from age 7 to 77. As some have attested, she can be the same age as her student which makes them comfortable taking instruction from her. She is passionate about bringing out a students' talent with classic instruction, making it possible for the student to play any music they choose rather than only teaching how to play "that song".

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.

Rachel Margulies is a Colorado native with a deep love of music. She attended DIME Denver, a branch of the Detroit Institute of Music Education. There, she spent three years studying contemporary music, and continued at Metropolitan State University of Denver to finish her degree. She graduated in 2021 with a BA in Music for music performance. Her favorite genres are indie rock and folk punk, and some of her favorite artists include Mother Mother, Tune-Yards, Joywave, Radiohead, and The Taxpayers.

Rachel plays bass guitar in a local indie pop trio, the Devyn Rae Project. She's performed at events ranging from A Taste of Colorado to the Boulder International Film Festival, and has recorded studio tracks for multiple local artists. When she's not gigging, she loves painting, drawing, songwriting, and playing with her Welsh corgi, Taz.

Rachel aims to foster a love of music, to create a safe, happy learning environment for anyone of any age, and to guide students towards whatever goals they personally find important in their musical journey.

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.

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.

Andrew Rose has been teaching individuals and coaching ensembles for nearly a decade. He obtained a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree in Music Performance from Western Michigan University. After he finished his Master's Degree in 2014, he moved to Denver to be closer to the mountains and his family.

As a virtuoso of Upright and Electric Bass, Andrew maintains an active schedule as an in-demand performer where he continues to explore the further limits of bass solos and band interplay. His recent recording releases include Paul Mullikin's Orchestral Quintet album and Rob Mullin's album This Way Up!. He is also part of the Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts in Denver, where he leads small jazz ensembles.

With an in-depth knowledge of music theory and harmony, he can get students writing their own music as they learn to master their instrument. While he enjoys teaching the fundamentals, he loves sharing the joy of music most of all!

Having 20 years of experience to draw from, Andrew has the tools to keep you or your loved ones excited to achieve their musical goals.

Photo by: Jack Sasson

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.

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.

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.

Christopher Jones is a Drummer, Music Producer, and a southern California native originally from Los Angeles.

With a primary emphasis in marching percussion, R&B drum set, and instrumental music production, Chris received his Bachelors Degree in Independent music studies from the Berklee College of Music in Boston MA. As well as his Audio Technology Diploma from SAE School of Audio Engineering In Los Angeles. Chris also received the John Philip Sousa Award for his superior musicianship and outstanding dedication in band throughout high school. Chris has also studied under the several great percussionists including the Lance Delgado, Christopher Truit, Pete Sapadin, Anthony Espinosa, Matt Allen, Zach Hollander, and Henry Gillard.

Chris recently served as Percussion Caption Head for both the Bishop Alemany High School Drumline from 2016-2021 and the Chaminade College Prep High School Drumline from 2017-2020. Both drumlines competed against other groups in the Southern California indoor championships.

He's also marched in the DCI Finals with Pacific Crest Drum & Bugle Corps; performed at the Nokia Theater, Disneyland Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood; appeared in a Target Commercial as the center snare; and marched the tournament of Roses Parade a few times.

Chris's philosophy as an educator is to provide new excitement through entertainment, inspiration through meaningful creativity, and leadership-based performance discipline through the development of a consistent work ethic.

Ryan has been teaching private lessons for over twenty years. His enthusiastic approach and positive reinforcement endears himself to students. Ryan received his Bachelor of Science degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Music Industry Studies from the University of Colorado – Denver majoring in Music Performance (Drum Set) with a minor in Music Business. Ryan is a very active performing and recording artist in the Colorado music scene having performed thousands of times over a twenty-five year career.

While learning an instrument takes many hours of practice, Ryan believes that music should ALWAYS be fun. Whether you are beginner, a student in school band, an aspiring professional musician, or a part-time hobbyist, Ryan strives to make playing music an enjoyable experience.

Manny has over 10 years of professional experience. His career has placed him in almost every musical situation possible and has led him to perform abroad in places like Mexico, Africa, and Peru while maintaining a consistent working schedule in Colorado. He currently leads two bands (Latin Jazz Project & Orquesta La Salsa) and is one of the most in demand drummer/percussionists in the area. Having studied at the University of Denver he is fluent in all styles of music from Latin styles, rock, jazz, funk & hip hop. Lessons will be structured according to each student and their interests, with a fundamental focus on reading, playing by ear (listening) technique, and improvisation. Manny also teaches Latin percussion (congas, timbales, bongo) All ability levels are welcome!

Amy has been teaching and performing professionally for over a decade. She has held positions such as Woodwind Technician, Woodwind Section Coach, and Private Instructor at several public schools around the Denver area and was previously a band teacher for Springboard After School. Amy teaches a variety of woodwind instruments such as oboe, flute, clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon.

Students in her studio have auditioned for and been accepted in to the Denver Young Artist Orchestra, Colorado Honor Band, Colorado All-State Band, Continental League Honor Band, and CU Middle School Honor Band. Amy believes that music should be an enjoyable experience; the more knowledge a student has of music and their instrument, the more fun music will be for them. Amy studied at the Metropolitan State University of Denver as a double major in Music Performance and Music Education, studying under the eminent Gregory Dufford, and prestigious Dr. David Kish.

Over the last two years, Amy has turned her attention specifically to her woodwind studio located in Castle Rock, Colorado, working with students of all ages. She has also been given the wonderful opportunity to couch the woodwind section for the prodigious Castle Rock Youth Symphony. Amy enjoys spending time with her stupendous husband and son and feels very blessed to have such an amazing life where she gets to share her love of music with others.

All ages and abilities accepted.

Meaghan Salton is an experienced performer and music educator, specializing in the Suzuki method. Meaghan has taught extensively throughout the Denver and Cleveland Metro Areas. She currently maintains an active private studio in Denver and is a faculty member of Denver Talent Education, a local Suzuki group class program. Meaghan holds a Bachelor of Music in cello performance from Cleveland State University, studying with members of the world renowned Cleveland Orchestra. In 2013, she completed her Master of Music degree with a concentration in Suzuki cello pedagogy at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, studying under the prominent Suzuki pedagogue, Carol Tarr.

Meaghan is a registered teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Lessons are tailored to each student’s individual needs and goals with a combination of traditional and Suzuki methods. All ages and ability levels are welcome!

Daniela Popa came to Colorado from Bucharest, Romania, in 2021. She graduated from the National University of Music in Bucharest in 2005 with a degree in Musicology, Composition and Music Pedagogy. For the last 17 years she has been teaching violin and piano at one of the best music schools in Bucharest, achieving the highest teaching certification for a Romanian teacher; during this time, she also taught private lessons. As her main instrument, she focused on violin in the school and piano for private lessons.

Her students regularly performed and excelled in nation and international festivals, contests, and concerts, including the “Merci Maestro” piano contest in Brussels, Belgium.

She is an experienced, passionate, and results-oriented music teacher, willing to bring the best of her knowledge, technique, method, and energy to students in Castle Rock. Music education in Europe has differences with the United States. Daniela believes this will be an enriching experience for students as well as for her, since she is always willing to broaden her horizons and searching for new challenges and achievements.

Daniela is also a choir professional. For 20+ years she was a member of one of the best mixed ensembles in Romania. They won several prizes in contests and festivals in Romania and across Europe.

Daniela is happy to become a part of the Castle Rock School of Music. She's looking forward to meeting and teaching you, and discovering together the amazing language of music, here in this nice Colorado town.

A degreed professional instructing all levels of Trumpet. Specializing in jazz trumpet.