We are always hiring, so this may not be a complete list of our teachers. If you are wondering if we teach something that isn’t listed here, please do not hesitate to call! If you are a teacher looking for work, please contact us for more information.
Benito Vena
Benito is a classical and jazz saxophonist, piano player, electro-acoustic performance artist, DJ, producer, recording/mixing/mastering engineer, and film/television composer, as well as the owner of Rocky Mountain Academy of Music. A graduate of Pikes Peak Community College and the University of Colorado, 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. Benito is also the founder and curator of the Colorado Springs Free Improvisation Collective.
Teaches: Piano Lessons, Saxophone Lessons, Guitar Lessons, Bass Guitar Lessons, Clarinet Lessons
Ensembles: Jazz Ensemble, Rock Band
Courses: Recording, Music Production, Film Scoring, Composition, Music Theory
Dan Swanagon
Dan is 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 UCCS, 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 Lessons, Bass Guitar Lessons, Drum Lessons, Piano Lessons, Banjo Lessons
Ensembles: Jazz Ensemble, Rock Band
Courses: Recording, Music Production, Film Scoring, Composition, Music Theory
Daniel Smith
Daniel Smith is 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
Dewey Steele
Dewey is 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
Angela Marvin
Angela earned her Master of Music in Cello Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music in Long Beach, California. Her performance career has spanned from Hollywood studios and concert halls to tours across Europe and Asia. She is currently an active performer and teacher around the state of Colorado, playing regularly with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, and at other events like weddings, chamber recitals, and the annual Flying W Ranch Christmas Jubilee series. Along with cello, she specializes in transcription and arranging with an audio engineering background. As a teacher, she believes in a strong technical pedagogy while encouraging all musical curiosities whether traditional for the cello or not.
Teaches: Violin Lessons, Viola Lessons, Cello Lessons, Double Bass Lessons
Madalyn Botkin
Madalyn has lived in the Springs all her life and has been playing cello for over a decade, both inside and outside of school. She graduated from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) with a major in Visual and Performing Arts. She previously played and traveled locally and internationally with the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony. In addition to being in an orchestra, she has experience playing in small groups in the Chamber Ensemble at UCCS, as well as performing solo pieces at recitals. Madalyn joined the Rocky Mountain Academy of Music in 2018 and is dedicated to helping cello students develop their best sound, and crafts lessons to fit different individuals’ goals and learning styles.
Teaches: Cello Lessons
James Liverman
James Liverman is a trumpet player with over 32 years of experience. He has performed with numerous orchestras, wind ensembles and chamber ensembles throughout the United States and Europe. He regularly performs with the Colorado Symphony, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Fort Collins Symphony, and Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. For the past 17. years, he has been serving in the United States Army Bands as principal trumpet for U.S Army Europe Band & Chorus, the 4th Infantry Division Band, the 101st Airborne Division Band, and the 77th Army Band in Fort Sill, OK. He has also had the opportunity to perform as solo cornet and flugelhorn with the Western Missouri Brass Band, Fountain City Brass Band, and the Colorado Brass. When not performing in the Colorado Springs and Denver areas, he prefers to spend time with his wife and four children exploring the beautiful Colorado countryside.
Teaches: Trumpet Lessons
Luke Hall
Luke is a pianist, composer, and producer who recently graduated from Oral Roberts University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition and Film Scoring. He was voted the 2022 Outstanding Music Composition Student by ORU faculty upon graduation. Luke has been a pianist for various churches around the country including Peak City Church and The Springs Church in Colorado Springs. He has composed original music for advertisements, churches, podcasts, and films. Luke loves teaching and supporting growing musicians and encourages a fun and positive learning environment.
Teaches: Piano Lessons, Music Theory, Composition, Film Scoring, Music Production
Brandon Kunkel
Brandon Kunkel is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist native to Colorado Springs. He earned a degree in Music Performance from Pikes Peak State College, where he studied clarinet with William Malone, voice with Gayle Grace, and piano with Sara McDaniel. He also learned saxophone and flute during his time at PPSC and continues to refine his technique on all instruments including the voice. Brandon has performed in numerous concert bands, marching ensembles, choirs, theatre pit orchestras, and jazz bands across his school and professional experiences. He was previously the music director of a local church choir, an adjunct instructor and chamber ensemble director at PPSC, and Vice President of Music and Performance at the Pikes Peak chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Brandon focuses on total musicianship with his students including tone production, music theory, and technical skills. He hopes to give every student the tools they need to sing or play their chosen instrument with less frustration, so they can find fulfillment in making music and performing, even just for themselves.
Teaches: Clarinet Lessons, Voice Lessons, Saxophone Lessons, Flute Lessons, Piano Lessons, Microphone Technique