Marc J. Teets

Marc has been playing drums for 16 years. Raised in Ft. Collins most of his life, Marc’s first introduction into music began with piano at the age of 5. After attending his first concert as a kid, he found out the drums were what he really wanted to play!. Marc played percussion in middle school and performed in the district Honor band and Honor Orchestra.  Continuing his studies at Fort Collins High School, he enrolled in lessons with the respected local drum instructor, Ray Wassinger, to fine tune his playing and technique. Marc attended Mesa State College where he played with the band, Autumns Chase.  He then completed his degree in audio engineering at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Tempe, Az.  With a solid background in place, Marc has performed in various groups all over Colorado. Marc currently plays with Denver group The Northern Way and has shared the stage with many national acts.   Marc believes in creating a strong foundation for his students by teaching them proper technique and skills needed to express themselves through their music…while still making it fun!!  Marc’s mission is to pass along his knowledge and experience to his students and help guide them in finding their voice through their instrument.

Anthony Deyo

As one of the area’s primer bass players, Anthony has the capability to perform at a high level in any genre. 
   Anthony grew up playing bass as early as elementary school.  His passion for playing, writing, and appreciating music was obvious from the beginning.  Years of formal training in the disciplines of jazz and classical music allowed for Anthony to have a very deep understanding of music theory and composition. 
  After school, Anthony began touring around the country with bands such as Holy Moses and the High Rollers, and Patchwork Blue.  Continuously writing, recording, and touring with these bands gave Anthony the experience needed to perform at a high level on the stage and in the recording studio.  
  Now a musician for over twenty years, Anthony has discovered a new fuel for his musical passions, teaching!  Students in Anthony’s lessons are encouraged to think like a musician (not just a bass player) and create their own music by understanding the concepts learned though music theory.  Rock, Blues, Jazz, Classical, Funk, Reggae, & Latin styles are all covered throughout his teachings.  Finger style, picking, and slap techniques are also presented according to the ability level and interests of the individual student.  Anthony’s lessons are customized so that any electric or upright bass student from pure beginner to expert level will benefit from his instruction.

Allan Evett

Allan is a pianist/keyboard player, originally from Chicago. He has played for a wide variety of acts, and has covered many different styles of music for the past 25 years. These days he can be found: giving piano and keyboard lessons; covering the keyboard chair for various live acts; playing piano for diners at a local cafe; in a studio somewhere - putting down tracks for either his own compositions, or those of another artist.

Allan began playing piano at the age of seven and has never found himself far from a keyboard since then. In fact, over the years, various keyboards continue to find him. Somewhere back in the 80's - along a winding, lengthy trail of synthesizers, racks, and cabling - he managed to study music theory, composition and arranging at Columbia College, Chicago - under the guidance of William Russo - and graduated with a B.A. in music. From there he worked his way through the Chicago music scene: playing for several jobbing/big bands, accompanying improv theater, and doing a fair share of studio work.

Allan has had the honor of sharing the stage with many different acts and solo artists. In addition, he has played on numerous recordings, both in Chicago and Nashville, and has credits on several commercials and documentaries as a player, composer, and arranger.

John Franzen

  I have written and directed three operas.
 “Doomeager”  - San Francisco at the Firehouse Theater
 “Bone Songs”  - Copenhagen at the Mermaid Theatre
 “Lightning”  -  Minneapolis at The Heart of the Beast Theater 

I was Music Director and Composer for the Firehouse Theater in San Francisco for 4 years.  We toured nationally from New York to Los Angeles. 

I have been the Music Director and/or Composer for several theater companies in Minneapolis and have composed numerous scores for theatrical productions.  I was Composer-in-Residence for the city of Minneapolis for one year which was sponsored and funded by a joint grant of the U.S. government, the Minnesota State Arts Board, and the city of Minneapolis.  I was active in the modern dance community in Minneapolis, writing many scores for choreographers across the country. 

I have composed original music for 3 films.  One of them, “Autumn Passage” won a bronze medal at the Chicago film festival.  The other 2 films were shown as part of an art installation in London, New York, and Minneapolis.

Much of my work has involved experimental concepts using electronic and traditional instruments as well as theatrical and dance elements.  However, I have written many pieces for theater in traditional veins such as folk, jazz, ethnic, classical, and popular idioms. 

I have been a music teacher all of my life primarily focusing on the guitar.  Banjo is my second instrument.  I have taught ages 3 to 80.  I have taught the mentally and physically handicapped individuals at various social agencies.  I have worked with at-risk teenagers, helping them form a rock band.  I taught guitar at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul.  I have taught guitar to inmates at Stillwater State Prison, helping them achieve their BA degrees.  For 3 years I taught music for several grade schools throughout the state of Minnesota under the auspices of the Minnesota Board of Education.  In the schools I taught math, science, English, history, and art through the use of music. 

I can teach guitar styles such as classical, blues, folk, jazz, and popular with a emphasis on finger-style.  I teach students to read notation as well as to improvise.  I introduce music theory to help them understand what they are playing.  I play traditional “clawhammer” as well as bluegrass on the banjo.  I play steel-string, classical, electric and MIDI guitars.  I use various computer-aided tools for composition and performance.  I am accomplished in MIDI sequencing, notation, and software synthesis.  I usually write and record all of my music with the computer. 

My education includes ethnomusicology, musical composition, and electronic music at the University of Minnesota and contemporary music composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. 

 My special musical interests include early music, American folk, and experimental music.  I have been an electronic musician since the early 1970’s using homemade synthesizers, tape machines, and computers.  I compose, play, and record music daily.  I am an eclectic person who loves music from ancient times to the future. 

 I admire music from the whole planet.

My non-musical interests include photography, hiking and reading.

I have been a Human Resources Director, professional photographer, retail store manager, salesman, and ice cream vendor in past lives.

Jim Dupre

Jim has played professionally for 3 decades and is currently a member of the local favorite, 69 Times. His key influences include: Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Randy Rhoads and Chet Atkins.

Jim puts his focus on the student’s needs, as well as rhythm, use of chords and scales, improvisational phrasing, melody, technique and ear development. His calm cool demeanor is welcoming to all students, and with over 20 years of teaching experience and over 1,200 students along the way, Jim can deliver the results you are looking for.

Jen Loucks 

Jen has been a pianist and vocalist for twenty-five years.  Her interest began as the daughter of an accordionist who loved to liven family gatherings with music.  Jen began taking piano lessons in grade school, which soon evolved into a variety of musical outlets including piano recitals, contests, school choirs, and eventually drove her to pursue a degree in music education with an emphasis in piano and vocal performance at Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL. 

 Having performed recitals with works by Beethoven, Gottschalk, Debussy, and Mendelssohn, Jen’s musical interests lean heavily toward classical, particularly the romantic period.  She’s worked as a piano accompanist for vocal/instrumental soloists, choirs, and musical theaters on the academic and professional levels. For fun, she digs out Tori Amos, Ben Folds, and Elton John, and most recently, praise lead sheets.

 During Jen’s vocal career at Roosevelt University, she studied under Maria Lagios.  Jen’s experiences are in the styles of classical, opera, musical theater, and praise/worship.  She’s performed at such venues as the Auditorium Theater and the Symphony Center at Orchestra Hall in Chicago.

 Jen began her teaching career as a teenager with family members, friends, and colleagues, then moved to Fort Collins and taught at the Piano & Guitar Institute for seven years.  She believes that piano is the gateway instrument. If you can learn to play with ten fingers, a voice, two ears, and two feet, then you can pick up any other instrument and play. After twenty-five years as a pianist she decided to pick up a guitar and in six months, began teaching it.  Jen strongly believes that enthusiasm begets enthusiasm.  If she demonstrates her love for music, learning, and her instruments, then her students will be a product of that.  Jen delivers a well-rounded piano lesson, which instills independent reading, technique, theory, performance, and ensemble playing.   Jen has experience in teaching students of all ages and abilities, and provides a fun and consistent environment,instrumental in her students success.  

Subjects Taught: Piano, Voice, beginning guitar, and Theory.

Styles/My Speciality: Classical, popular, praise, and theater.

Alexa Massey

All ages, All levels.

Alexa (Lexi) Massey holds a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she graduated with Highest Honors. While at CU, Ms. Massey minored in voice, and studied piano, music composition, music technology. In addition, she studied baroque music, as well as Jazz and other world music. While at the University of Colorado, Alexa performed with the Colorado Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, Mariachi ensemble, Jazz Combo Workshop, and various works on the Pendulum Series: New Music at CU.
 
Prior to CU, Alexa performed with the Denver Young Artists Orchestra and the New Artists Philharmonic. As a soloist Alexa performed with the Rocky Mountain Chamber Orchestra. Ms. Massey won first place in the Loveland Chamber Orchestra’s concerto competition in 2002, and was the grand prize winner of the Kiwanis Club "Stars of Tomorrow" competition at the age of fifteen.
 
Alexa has completed graduate coursework in Suzuki Pedagogy at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music. Alexa enjoys working with children and adults of all ages and loves being part of the musical & artistic growth of others.
 
Alexa remains active as a performer and calls Ft. Collins home. She is especially dedicated as a chamber musician. Most recently, she has become passionate about Klezmer, a style of Jewish wedding music.
 
Music, for me, is a teacher, healer, and inner sanctuary I carry with me at all times. Whether you want to be a musician as a career, or just play for fun at the end of your work or school day; everything is better when you have music in your life!
 

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain" - Bob Marley

Hi there! I'm David Becher. I've been playing bass for ten years. I have studied a variety of musical styles and genres including pop, rock, country, jazz, and many more. I have been teaching bass lessons for three years. I give instruction to all skill levels and ages, and I teach fretted, fretless, and acoustic bass.

During your lessons, we will explore a wide range of music to increase your versatility as a professional musician. In addition to learning essential music theory, we will discuss more abstract concepts like groove and tone. You may even be inclined to use the word "tasty" next to the word "licks." We will also examine the strengths and weaknesses of different techniques, working to incorporate them with your personal style.

I aim to be a mentor, not a dictator, because I believe your lessons will mean the most if you choose the curriculum. Let's work together to find the best learning style for you.

Eric Imbrosciano started playing music live at a very young age due to his father, a gigging blues musician in upstate NY.  After studying percussion all through high school, Eric attended college for music in Oneonta, NY.  There he met, performed and toured with many great musicians including Jeremy Wall (Spyro Gyra), Peter Prince and Moon Boot Lover, Sam Kininger Band and much more. 

            After moving to Fort Collins CO in 2008, Eric quickly established himself as a well respected musician in the community.  Whether it’s a rock show, church group, funk performance, jazz performance, electronic show, hip hop show, bluegrass performance, or even in musical theatre, you can find Eric putting on a solid performance somewhere in Northern Colorado.

            You can currently catch him with his funk/soul group The Nu Classics, or his quickly growing electronic group Ill Mannered, or at Crossroads Church Greeley, or catch him every Monday at Hodis Half Note - where he hosts the “The Funk Jam”. 

After studying drums for 16 years and teaching private lessons for 10 years, you can now meet up with Eric at Spotlight Music for drum instruction.  He is skilled in all styles of drum set performance and instruction.  Eric teaches all the fundamentals in drumming music in general in a fun and exciting way.  Lessons are educational and enjoyable.  “We all started playing drums cause it’s fun, so lets have fun!” –Eric Imbrosciano

>Jacob Lucero

Jacob Lucero started playing the violin when he was in 7^th grade. Born in Montrose, Colorado, he joined the Valley Youth Orchestra where he was a member and Concert Master until graduating from Rocky Mountain International Academy. During high school Jacob was also a member of the Valley Symphony Orchestra.

After graduation he attended Western State College of Colorado in Gunnison and received his B.A in Music Education and Music Business. While he was studying at Western State, he was the Concert Master of the Western State College Orchestra, and Western State College Chamber Ensemble. He was able to take lessons from Kenneth W. Todd, and had the opportunity to take a master class with Max Rabinovitsj.

Jacob moved to Fort Collins the spring of 2011, and is in the process of getting his Teaching License in the State of Colorado. Jacob performs for weddings, special events, and in a small chamber ensemble.

Vicki Bender

I began piano lessons at age 10 and continued for 9 more years. I teach beginner basics, techniques, metronome time, and different rhythms. My specialties include Gospel, Light Classical (Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Strauss), National Anthems, Marches, Waltz, Polkas, Country Western, Civil War, Folk, Big Band, Boogie Woogie, and Rock and Roll! I have taught piano for over 10 years.

I enjoy teaching all ages of piano students who are in pursuit of their dreams! I love all types, styles, and rhythms of music. I will sit and play the piano for anyone, anywhere. My biggest enjoyment in life is to share my music and talents with others. I teach piano, because it gives me the fulfillment of knowing that many people will have the same enjoyment in music expression.

Bill Harned

Bill Harned has a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from LSU.  He has participated in masterclasses with such names as Abbey Simon and Martin Canin of Julliard School.  He has won 1^st place in Mississippi Music Teacher’s Association state wide competitions on three occasions in piano solo.  He studied vocal accompanying in Salzburg, Austria for one summer.  His teachers of at least one year include 5 different professors of piano.

He specializes in classical piano.  His general pedagogy involves improving technique, learning music theory, and developing reading skills.  He also can teach popular styles that involve “faking” and improvising.  He enjoys playing off chord charts for the church band he plays in every week that performs contemporary Christian music.  He has experience playing piano and organ in 5 different churches.

Bill enjoys teaching all levels, especially beginners and adults.