I've been playing piano since I was 6 yrs. old, and guitar and organ since I was 13. I've been able to use music in so many ways, and that is the opportunity I want for my students. From singing in school and church choirs, to accompanying and directing them, I've had a lot of enjoyable experiences. I've had the fun of performing solo and with bands, and have been teaching music for about 25 yrs, both privately and in the schools. My BA is in music education and my Masters is in individual performance. I've taught K-Jr College music classes in general music, chorus, piano, guitar, and theory. I think my favorite form of teaching is still one-on-one lessons. Working with one student allows me to adjust my teaching to their particular learning style and needs.

Meet the Educator
My name is Sue (Ms Sue). I am thrilled to be an educator in the Take Lessons. I have been involved with music and music programs since I can remember, learning how to read music when I was six in a private band. I received by BA in Music Education K-12, choral and instrumental from Colorado State University. I taught at Prairie Middle School in Cherry Creek for three years. I raised and home schooled my four children. I have a Masters in Music Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder. I truly enjoy sharing my passion for music with children and am looking forward to a rewarding time of discovery, of exploration, of excitement, of continual growth in awareness, and of experiencing the thrill of accomplishment with your child and you!

Alex has been playing music for 10 years and teaching guitar for 6 years. He received his Bachelors Degree in Music from the University of Colorado. With over 8 years of touring and performing experience, Alex is capable of teaching all levels and styles from beginner through advanced. He provides lessons for all ages including children as young as 5 as well as adults on acoustic/electric guitar and electric bass. Available for private or group lessons, Alex teaches all styles of music including Rock, Country, Jazz, Experimental, Pop, Metal, Reggae, Blues, Folk, Classical as well as Theory, Improvisation, Composition, Notation, and Ear Training. Alex understands that every student is unique in their own way and caters his teaching style accordingly in order to keep each student progressing and having fun. So whether you just want to learn a few songs to play out on your porch, or looking for someone to provide a structured, challenging plan, Alex is capable of helping you...

I have had a love of music from a very early age. At age 5, I started learning how to play piano and by middle school, I started playing the drums. I continued to play music throughout high school and college, and learned to perform percussion for just about every genre of music. All of this led to my Bachelors of Arts in Music Education with an emphasis in Percussion and Jazz Studies. As part of the requirements for this degree, I took many classes exploring all areas of music and teaching and found teaching to be a passion of mine. My musical experience includes teaching drum lessons to individuals and groups, organizing and instructing two drum lines for elementary school age children, being the lead drummer for a local band playing jazz, rock, funk and blues, and being the choir leader and drum player for my church. In the past, I was also the drum major for a local, national award winning drill team.

I feel that my experience has allowed me to gain the ability to teach in...

I enjoy a wide variety of musical genres and play in multiple ensembles. In my free time I enjoy going to music festivals and playing music with my friends. I also enjoy being outdoors and animals.

General Info: BA in music from Metropolitan State University of Denver
Levels: Beginner to Advanced

In-Home Lessons: No

In-Studio Lessons: Yes

Ages: 5 & up

Subjects Taught: Violin, mandolin, and fiddle

Specialties: I play a variety of styles including classical, jazz, and bluegrass.

I've performed and taught in a wide variety of settings. My early professional experiences have included 3 years in the Army Band, several cruise line contracts, and freelance work as a performer and composer. Through these times, I've learned to excel in many styles. I recently graduated from NYU, where I was an adjunct faculty member. Here, I also performed and worked with a wonderful faculty including Kenny Werner, Brian Lynch, Chris Potter, Ralph Alessi, Tony Moreno, and trumpet guru Laurie Frink, who all inspire me as a musician and a teacher. While in New York, I was a faculty member at Douglaston School of Music and Art, where I worked with younger students .
It is my belief that discipline and technique are necessary elements that allow emotion and creativity to thrive. I also recommend a healthy dose of listening to what you love. Through this process, I strive to inspire my students, fellow musicians, and listeners.

Chris has spent the last 30 years studying and playing music, and has served as a music teacher for more than a decade. He has taught music in Denver Public Schools, Littleton Public Schools, Music and Arts Centers, Performing Arts Centers, and has given clinics in the United States, Central America, and Europe. He has also appeared on or produced over 50 recordings and performed in such notable venues as Carnegie Hall, Red Rocks Amphitheater, and the famous Jazz Cafe in Costa Rica. He holds a bachelors degree in music as well as certifications in Nero Linguistic Programming and Diaphramatic Costal Breathing. Chris teaches and performs on many instruments including guitar, ukelele, clarinet, saxophone, voice, and is well know for his flute playing. His motto is simple; “Improve life through music.” Lessons with Chris focus on the enjoyment of making music and the musical tools to play and create music for a lifetime. Chris' mission is to empower students to create any...

Let's get straight to it, I truly love teaching. Helping others attain the pure satisfaction that comes from musical accomplishment is one of my greatest joys. I strive to create an atmosphere that makes students feel comfortable so they are able to learn in a healthy way. Music should be fun and not something one feels forced to do, right? My goal is to stimulate creativity and inspire a drive in students to be the best musician they can be.

I have taught a wide variety of students in terms of age and musical direction, and love working with you to find what you want to play. With my experience in areas such as, orchestral percussion to rock drumming, as well as winning scholarships and attending college, I am confident I can help you do whatever you want in music.

Want to know a little more about my musical history? Here's a bio of my education and accomplishments:

I am a drummer and percussionist currently residing in Denver, Colorado. I began studying piano...

I started playing clarinet in the school band at age six. My father was a musician, and he thought that playing in the school band would help me overcome my extreme shyness. I remember my first music lesson. I really liked my teacher. He came to my house, and he helped me to care for my clarinet and make some sounds on it. I thought playing the clarinet was wonderful. Once in awhile my mom would have to urge me to practice, but I was so drawn to playing the clarinet from the start that I would practice a lot on my own.

I was the youngest member of the grade school band, but my music lessons helped me to keep up with the older kids. I had found a niche, and my niche helped me open up to other students in school and make friends.

I participated in band programs through middle school and high school. In middle school I began studying saxophone and flute so I could play in the jazz band. As a high school junior and senior I also got the opportunity to play in the Denver...

I am originally from Northeast Kansas, where I started playing guitar and studying music at the age of 9.

While studying guitar, I had several influential teachers, including internationally renowned finger-style guitarist, Andy McKee, and University of Montana Professor of Music and Classical Guitar, Dr. Luis Millan.

Later, in my teens, I also began playing the Banjo, Mandolin, accordion, and other various instruments.

While attending college at Washburn University in Topeka, KS, I began teaching private music lessons to students of all ages, and experience levels in Northeast Kansas. During this time, I also recorded and regularly performed with my bluegrass/country/cajun band.

I have experience playing and teaching numerous genres including rock, pop, country, blues, jazz, bluegrass, cajun/zydeco, reggae, classical, folk, etc.

I relocated to the Denver, CO area in the spring of 2011 after completion of my degree from Washburn University. I continue to teach...

Classical guitarist Zachary first began to study music while in high school in Helena, Montana. During this time, Zach enrolled in a summer program with National Guitar Workshop where he was fortunate to study under Steven Novacek (University of Washington & Cornish College of the Arts) and Benjamin Veredery (Yale University). Upon graduation, Zach continued his studies at Montana State University under the tutelage of Michael Videon. Zach distinguished himself early on and was the recipient of numerous honors and scholarships including the Ruth Carlson Memorial Scholarship and a Student Recitalist of Distinction award at the 2004 Christopher Parkening Masterclass. Also at MSU, Zach had the opportunity to perform in masterclasses with Ana Vidovic, Thibault Cauvin, James Reid and Michael Partington. During this period, Zach spent a year at the University of Georgia (Athens, GA) where he studied intensively under the renowned pedagogue John Sutherland. Upon graduation from Montana...

Born in Boston mass I am a DU educated pianist comfortable in any Jazz, Rock, or Classical setting but find my first love is the bluesy rollicking piano reminiscent of Jerry Lee Lewis, Dr. John, or Ray Charles. You might have seen me around town in my Top 40 group, Jazz trio, Funk band, Gospel choir, Burlesque band, or as accompaniment to any of the extremely talented singers I have worked with. I'm also a composer and songwriter with a sardonic songwriting style compared to Mose Allison and Dave Frishberg.

I attended the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music and graduated with a B.M. in Jazz and Commercial Piano. Not only have I studied intensely with local fixture Eric Gunnison, but also with internationally touring artist Gerri Allen and even with jazz legend Billy Taylor at a summer music institute in Amherst, Mass. In Highschool I won the Clarke Terry award for outstanding musicianship. In college I won the Lamont Made composition contest two years in a row, my...