Meet our Music Teachers

Meet Benito, a classical and jazz saxophonist, piano player, electro-acoustic performance artist, DJ, producer, recording/mixing/mastering engineer, and film/television composer.  Benito has been a music teacher for over 10 years in Colorado Springs, as well as performing live across the state with a variety of ensembles.  A graduate of Pikes Peak Community College and the University of Colorado, Benito is the founder and curator of the Colorado Springs Free Improvisation Collective.

Teaches:  Piano, Saxophone, Guitar, Clarinet, Flute

Ensembles:  Jazz Ensemble, Rock Band

Courses:  Recording, Music Production, Film Scoring, Composition, Music Theory

Meet Dan, a contemporary and jazz guitarist, bass player and percussionist as well as a producer/DJ, recording/mixing/mastering engineer and film/television editor.  A graduate of Pikes Peak Community College and CSU Pueblo undergrad, Daniel has a performing career stretching over 25 years and a variety of genres and been a music teacher for over 15 years.

Teaches:  Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Piano

Ensembles:  Jazz Ensemble, Rock Band

Courses:  Recording, Music Production, Film Scoring, Composition, Music Theory

Meet Daniel, a Colorado Springs local, having graduated from Rampart High School. An avid multi-instrumentalist, Daniel participated in All State Choir for Colorado and has a piano performance career stretching over 10 years.  A graduate of Pikes Peak Community College and CSU Pueblo, Daniel studied under Dr. Abe Minzer and Dr. Zahari Metchkov. He focuses on studying the large piano works of the master composers, with a concentration on piano pedagogy, and has been a music teacher for over 5 years. Daniel enjoys giving back and contributing to his community, and has been donating free lessons to underprivileged music students for the last 7 years. “I enjoy sharing the joy of music with my students. I love to watch a student develop and learn, and I just want to help students be the best they can be.”

Teaches:  Piano Lessons

Meet Damion, a graduate of CSU Pueblo with a degree in Music Performance. Damion is currently studying piano under the direction of Dr. Zahari Metchkov. Damion loves to contribute to the local music community, as a featured performer for the Pueblo Keyboard Arts Festival, and an accompanist for Christ The King Church in Pueblo, as well as the Harrison High School Choir in Colorado Springs. Damion has a passion for teaching and learning, and loves to share the joy of music with his students. Damion is an incredibly friendly music teacher, possessing the ability to work well with children and beginning students, understanding their needs and goals, helping student progress as a musician and reach their goals.

Teaches:  Piano Lessons
Courses:  Accompaniment Training, Piano Practice Habits and Pedagogy

Meet Dewey, an award-winning drummer and percussionist who has been playing for over 45 years, with a professional career stretching over 30 of those years as a recording session drummer who has backed up numerous professional touring artists including War, Chicago, the Neville Brothers, and Tribal Tech. Dewey has been teaching percussion, drumline, and drum lessons for over 35 years, either privately or as a public-school teacher for District 11 for the last 18 years, teaching in numerous high schools and middle schools across Colorado Springs. Passionate about teaching music, Dewey is a community oriented, dependable instructor who cares about the progress of his students, and has been the go-to instructor for drumline and percussion in Colorado Springs for the last 20 years. Dewey says, “I want the student to learn and I want them to learn things the right way.”

Teaches:  Drum lessons, band and orchestral percussion lessons, drumline lessons
Courses: Music Theory, Drum Line, Music Reading for Percussionists, Rudiment Refresher, Making a Living in the Music Industry, Interview Techniques for Musicians, Music Industry Boot Camp, Recording Session Training

Meet Edward, a jazz, rock, pop pianist and singer with over 25 years of musical experience and over 10 years of professional gigging and recording experience. After studying at the University of Northern Colorado under the tutelage of jazz pianist Dana Landry, he returned to Colorado Springs take the position of Adjunct Professor at Pikes Peak Community College in the Music Department. Edward gives back to his community by playing at First United Methodist Church in the Crossroads praise band. His music can be found on Spotify, playing with jazz singer and poet Phil Ginsburg, as well as with Dwight Bement, the touring saxophonist for ZZ Top in the 70s.

Teaches:  Piano Lessons, Jazz Piano Lessons, Keyboard Lessons

Meet Emily, a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, majoring in Music Composition. She is a pianist, guitarist, composer, conductor, improvisor, and vocalist, as well as a seasoned performer. The winner of the 2012-2013 Helene C. Lottinville Prize from the University of Oklahoma School of Music, Emily now brings her unique skillset to the Colorado Springs local music scene. Having lead and organized many Worship Music groups, she now contributes as the Owner and Director of the Psalter Project for the last 3 years, composing new and updated versions of hymns, and breathing new life into this classic musical tradition.

Teaches:  Piano Lessons, Guitar Lessons

Meet J​onah, an energetic piano and guitar teacher with 5+ years of teaching music lessons for students of all ages.  He is dedicated to the advancement of you or your child’s musical prowess. He has been studying and playing the piano and guitar for over 15 years. Having recently completed his AA in music, he is currently working to complete his B.M.E. At Colorado State University, Pueblo. He has performed in guilds, competitions, and festivals. Recently, Jonah has studied with some of the best piano teachers and performers in Colorado and abroad including, Andrew Cooperstock, Abe Minzer and Zahari Metchkov. Additionally, Jonah had the pleasure of studying briefly with the international virtuoso Marianna Prjevalskaya while she was on tour here in Colorado. Although classically trained, Jonah has a wide musical repertoire and can tailor his lesson plan to fit you or your child’s personal goals. Jonah strives to see his students perform and succeed and can offer multiple extracurricular performance opportunities throughout your studies to help build confidence as a musician. Jonah is focused on encouraging a well-rounded musician by emphasizing great technique, lots of performance, and good practice habits.

Teaches:  Piano Lessons, Guitar Lessons

Meet Sean, a jazz and classical bassist with 16 years of playing experience, fluent on both electric and upright bass. He has been a music teacher for 7 years, both individual bass lessons and ensemble coaching for jazz, funk, pop, and rock. Previously having studied in the UNC Greeley Jazz Program, Sean is currently finishing his degree at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, where he has been managing, conducing, and rehearsing the pep band for 3 years, as well as leading the Honors Jazz Ensemble for the past 2 years. His 8-year career as a professional musician includes performing with a wide variety of ensembles and bands, playing orchestral, jazz, pop, country, bluegrass, and rock. Sean has played across Colorado, including the UNC Jazz Festival, The Broadmoor’s Weekend of Jazz, and the Hummingbird Festival.

Teaches:  Electric Bass Lessons, Upright Bass Lessons