Kathryn CymermanVoice, Piano

Katie began teaching voice professionally while at the State University of New York at Fredonia, where she received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. During her time studying voice pedagogy and assistant teaching, she quickly developed the teaching philosophy that progress starts with the student-teacher relationship.

“Singing can be incredibly vulnerable, and a student must feel full support and comfort from the teacher to build confidence and trust.”

She is a recent graduate of the University of Denver, where she received her Master of Music in Vocal Performance. At the Lamont School of Music (UD) she taught voice to non-music majors and was an assistant teacher of opera.

As a classically trained singer, and after several years of teaching and research, Katie strongly believe in the use of proper technique for healthy production. She specializes in Mixed Voice (blending of the chest and head voice) and Belting used in musical theatre. Both of which can be applied to all genres of singing.

Katie teaches voice for all ages, levels, and styles. She also teaches beginner piano (her first instrument).

Email Kathryn:kathryn@castlerockmusic.com

Hazel AtwoodVoice

Hazel has been involved with music the majority of her life. Music is truly her passion; she expresses this with each and every student she aids.

With technique from world renowned coaches, and education from great mentors and professors, she has the ability to prepare students for any opportunity they may have or want to accomplish.

She is educated to teach any genre of piano, guitar, and especially voice. Her biggest focus being strong healthy technique and finding your uniquely catered sound.

Email Hazel:hazel@castlerockmusic.com

Lorina HoppeVoice

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.

Email Lorina:lorina@castlerockmusic.com

Connie WindeckerPiano

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.

Email Connie:connie@castlerockmusic.com

Kayla McGuffPiano, Trumpet, Ukulele, Guitar (Beginner)

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.

Email Kayla:kayla@castlerockmusic.com

Victoria StanleyPiano, Voice

Victoria has been singing in choirs, musicals, and solo performances for most of her life.

She has 2 years of professional experience traveling with a variety of choir ensembles across the United States, including the Hawaiian islands. She has performed solo at Red Rocks Amphitheater and accompanied the Colorado Ballet, for a performance of The Nutcracker, with her high school choir Versailles.

She attended Lee University for their degree in music business and is continuing her education at CU Denver.

Victoria believes in helping her students find a love for music.

"It should be something they enjoy and find passion in."

Victoria especially enjoys working with piano students who are just starting. She is passionate about helping them grow and learn the necessary techniques and theory, while also having fun making music!

Email Victoria:victoria@castlerockmusic.com

Celine SpearsPiano, Voice

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.

Email Celine:celine@castlerockmusic.com

April CheungPiano, Flute

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!

Email April:april@castlerockmusic.com

Luke MaxsonPiano, Music Technology

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.

Email Luke:luke@castlerockmusic.com

Marguerite JuenemannPiano, Voice

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".

Email Marguerite:marguerite@castlerockmusic.com

Chris SparksGuitar

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.

Email Chris:chris.sparks@castlerockmusic.com

Aaron WalkerGuitar, Ukulele, Bass

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.

Email Aaron:aaron@castlerockmusic.com

Timothy HortonGuitar

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.

Email Timothy:timothy@castlerockmusic.com

Mike MaurerGuitar, Bass, Piano

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.

Email Mike:mike@castlerockmusic.com

Will FaberGuitar, Ukulele, Piano

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.

Email Will:will@castlerockmusic.com

Bill FaturGuitar

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.

Email Bill:bill@castlerockmusic.com

Eric ImbroscianoDrums

Eric began studying drums in New York at 12 years old. He was originally influenced by the 90s grunge and rock but soon began studying Jazz, Funk, and Fusion after hearing Jazz/Fusion giant Dennis Chambers.

While studying at State University of New York at Oneonta, he toured the east coast performing at music festivals and venues with numerous artists from the 2000s.

After moving to Colorado Eric quickly became a sought out drummer in the Denver area, performing at the Mishawaka Amphitheater, Ogden Theater, Arise Music Festival, Sonic Bloom Music Festival, Cervantes, Bluebird, Boulder Theater, Aggie Theater, Gothic Theater, Fox Theater, and more.

Specifically Eric has performed and recorded with many Denver artists including Cass Clayton Band, Taylor Scott Band, Michelle Sarah Band, DJ Williams, The Sweet Lillies, Jaden Carlson Band, Great Family Reunion, electronic artists Marvel Years, Pretty Lights, Shuj Roswell, as well as with members of Lettuce, The Motet, The Meters, Jerry Garcia Band, Sunsquabi, and Karl Denson.

Currently Eric performs locally with his group Lit Society and wishes to share his knowledge of all styles of drumming with his students.

Email Eric:eric@castlerockmusic.com

Ryan SappDrums

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.

Email Ryan:ryan@castlerockmusic.com

Manny LopezDrums

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!

Email Manny:manny@castlerockmusic.com

Elliott WachsSaxophone, Clarinet, Woodwinds

Elliott Wachs is a professional sax player based out of Denver. Before moving out west Elliott earned a Bachelor in Saxophone Performance from McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul MN. During his time in Minneapolis he recorded on 5+ albums and toured nationally/internationally with several original projects including McNasty Brass Band, Frogleg, People Brothers Band, Fall of The House of Usher, Improvestra, and Mae Simpson. While playing with those groups Elliott was fortunate enough to share a bill with acts such as Soul Asylum, Steven Tyler, Zack Brown Band, George Porter Jr, Jon Cleary, and Melvin Seals.

He has been teaching the saxophone for over 14 years with multiple students earning college scholarships and continuing on to play outside of college. His approach towards teaching is to cater the curriculum towards the students interest while creating a solid foundation of technique and a routine that encourages consistent musical growth.

Email Elliott:elliott@castlerockmusic.com

Amy Medina MusickClarinet, Flute, Woodwinds, Double Reeds

Amy has been teaching and performing for over a decade. She studied at the Metropolitan State University of Denver as a double major in Music Performance and Music Education. Amy is a woodwind specialist who teaching oboe, flute, clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon.

She currently plays bass clarinet with the Colorado Wind Ensemble and has a woodwind studio located in Castle Rock, Colorado. Amy has held the positions Woodwind Technician, Woodwind Section Coach, and Private Instructor at several public schools around the Denver area.

She has also worked with the Castle Rock Youth Symphony, the Colorado Honor Band, and was previously a band teacher for Springboard After School.

Amy has turned her attention specifically to her woodwind studio in Castle Rock and works with students of all ages. They have auditioned for, and been accepted in to, the Denver Young Artist Orchestra, Colorado Honor Band, Colorado All-State Band, Continental League Honor Band, Continental League Honor Orchestra, CU Middle School Honor Band, and the Douglas County Middle School Honor Band.

Amy enjoys spending time with her wonderful husband and son and feels very blessed to have such an amazing life where she gets to share her love of music with others.

Email Amy:amy@castlerockmusic.com

Meaghan SaltonCello

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!

Email Meaghan:meaghan@castlerockmusic.com

Alexandria Mae MidcalfViolin & Viola

Alex completed a bachelor's degree in Violin Performance from Central Michigan University and master's degree in Violin Performance from Bowling Green State University and has more than five years of teaching experience. Before moving to Colorado from Michigan in the summer of 2023, Alex also performed as a section violinist in several orchestras.

Notable achievements include winning second place in the American Protege International Piano and Strings Competition and Golden Strings of America Competition, both of which resulted in performing a winner recital at Carnegie Hall in NYC.

During the summers of college and graduate school, she had the opportunity to attend the prestigous music festivals Meadowmount School of Music, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Round Top Festival Institute, Miami Music Festival, and the Monteux School.

Alex teaches traditional classical violin/viola and emphasizes the importance of note and rhythm reading in her lessons. She believes that any young violinist/violist has the capability to reach mastery on their instrument with enough practice, and it is her goal to present a comfortable and positive environment in her lessons; all while helping to expand their technique, knowledge, and most of all, musicality.

Alex welcomes students of all ages and levels.

Email Alexandria:alexandria@castlerockmusic.com

Daniela PopaViolin & Viola, Piano

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.

Email Daniela:daniela@castlerockmusic.com

Jason BowerTrumpet

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

Email Jason:jason@castlerockmusic.com