Susan McCaffery- Children's Piano
My first experience of a musical instrument was a borrowed wooden recorder at an elementary school in a rather musically-famous town called Liverpool, England. This was soon followed by flute and then piano. Weekly flute lessons for over 10 years resulted in beginner through advanced certifications from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, including music theory. Around age 11, I began piano lessons for a couple of years with Dennis Rattle, father of Sir Simon Rattle of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. For much of my childhood, I played music daily with others, including a flute choir, orchestra, and vocal choir, leading to many performances in each case. Music helped keep my spirit alive through a tough and strict educational system.
I later completed a Bachelor’s honors degree in mathematics at the University of Leeds, England, where I was a regular member of the university wind band. Next up was a Ph.D. in applied mathematics, before moving to Colorado in 1997. Since then, my traditional music background has been widely expanded. For a year and a half, I studied in Boulder with sitar maestro Roshan Jamal Bhartiya. Through his oral-teaching tradition, he transmitted many Indian scales and “ragas” to me on my flute. Multi-instrument ensembles with Roshan gave valuable experience in perfection of timing and rhythm. Subsequent piano lessons with Michael Petersen in Longmont introduced me to the world of jazz and improvisation. I am currently active in both flute and piano with groups in Denver and Boulder, with another diverse genre of Caucasian and Central-Asian folk and religious music, which I find both meditative and deeply touching. I have been teaching flute and piano for over ten years. My search in both studying and teaching is for the joy, heart, meaning, and power of music. Through it, we can discover who we are and how to express ourselves. It offers the opportunity to develop our inherent potential by reaching further inside of ourselves, not just for musical ability but for everyday qualities such as self-confidence and exchange with others. Music is beautiful, vast, and multi-dimensional: a universe waiting to be explored!
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In Studio Lessons
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Michael Santulli
Michael Santulli has been playing and studying music for about two decades. At the age of 10 he began playing bass and studying music theory with his local symphony. His experience with the symphony inspired him to take up the piano, which he has now been playing for over 15 years. Since playing his first note, Michael has continuously been adding new styles, techniques, and instruments, like guitar and ukulele, to his repertoire.
Now, Michael enjoys playing a wide variety of genres from classical, to blues, to rock and jazz. He currently performs solo as a singer-songwriter and with several Colorado-based bands taking the stage from Denver to New York City to Rome. His technical versatility, passion for music and decade of experience teaching make him an ideal instructor to help you reach your musical goals!
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In Studio Lessons
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Jacie Zou
Jacie Zou first began her musical journey on the piano at age four and is a passionate musician specializing in violin, viola and piano. Jacie is a graduate of the International Baccalaureate program at Niwot High School and now attends the University of Colorado Boulder studying music and neuroscience. She has participated in numerous piano performances ranging from recitals to performing at the Boulder Bach Festival, formerly known as the World Bach Competition. Jacie is dedicated to helping aspiring musicians unlock their potential and discover music.
Jacie aims to develop a strong foundation for learning music by focusing on technique, performance skills and musicality, but also emphasizes the importance of appreciating and enjoying music by nurturing creativity. It is important to Jacie to create an educational and enjoyable environment to foster a lifelong love for music.
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Anastasia Nezmanova
Music and the arts have always been a part of my life. I started my piano training at the age of 5. My family is from Russia, and I feel extremely lucky to have received classical training in Russian technique from some amazing piano masters. I hope to pass on some of this knowledge! Attending Denver School of the Arts as a piano major from 7th-12th grade, I had the opportunity to improve my music theory, have a personal senior recital, learn from other students, teachers, as well as collaborations with other arts majors. Although my training is in classical piano I also love playing music for the soul and signing.
I am excited to work with any age and experience level to cultivate musicians that are excited and passionate about their craft. Whether you are starting from zero, want to learn how to improve the musicality of a classical sonata, or learn to play background chords while singing your favorite song, I’m your girl. Toddlers, teenagers, and adults, all are welcome! I aim to foster a love for music by teaching my students how to express emotion through the piano, captivate audiences, and set personalized goals after getting to know each other.
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Christopher Clauss (Beginner to Intermediate)
Christopher is a Multi-instrumentalist singer-song writer from the east coast with a passion for performing and teaching music!
Originally a classically trained Violist, at 14 he changes his focus and picked up the electric guitar. Christopher has been blessed to front his own band, to learn and perform incredible music with some of his best friends, and to live a life that has been full of wonder and new connections and friendships.
After picking up the bass, and subsequently the drum kit and keyboard, Christopher set up his home studio and dove into the world of music engineering and production.
This desire to always learn and expand his knowledge has filled Christopher’s professional career with joy and experiences he cherishes.
Beginning in 2016, with a strong desire to share his passion with other inspired people, Christopher began teaching music to students both one on one, and in band-group settings at Lakehouse Music Studios in Asbury Park, NJ.
His teaching style is fun and patient, and focuses not just on technique and theory, but the innate connection we have with music; why do we feel emotionally touched by certain notes or moments in a song? His goal is to help students of all interests connect their inner passion, their experiences, and their hearts with their instrument to bring the experience of playing music to a whole new level.
He has toured the country and recorded albums playing with some of his favorite independent bands as a drummer, bassist and guitarist, such as progressive metal group Beatrix Potter, indie folk band The Accidental Seabirds, and hard rock group Baron Praxis.
With over fourteen years of experience performing in diverse genres, from folk to jazz to rock and metal and even Indian classical music, he is always looking for something new to learn and to share with his students.
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Christopher is available for off-site lessons
Corva Graham - Beginner to Intermediate
Corva is a patient and expressive musician and teacher who aims to channel students' musical interests into a lifelong love for music. Corva believes that every student has different pathways to learn music and tailors lessons to each student to develop both technical foundations and emotional expression. Corva is passionate about finding ways that music studies can integrate into and improve the busy lives of both students and adults.
Corva has been studying flute since elementary school, but originally began her studies of music through piano when she was four. Corva is currently studying both music and statistics at the University of Colorado Boulder. She enjoys performing with CU ensembles and engaging with the local community; Corva has performed as a soloist with the Boulder Philharmonic, Evergreen Chamber Orchestra, and the Denver Concert Band.
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Charles Blenzig - Intermediate to advanced jazz studies (Adult students only)
Charles Blenzig is a pianist, composer, arranger, producer, and percussionist who slips effortlessly among musical styles while retaining his own distinct sound. Born in the Bronx, he has been a part of the New York City Jazz scene for over 35 years. His first real visible gig was with the Gil Evans Orchestra which performed every Monday night at Sweet Basil Jazz Club in N.Y.C. Performing with the Orchestra gave Blenzig the opportunity to play some of the most influential arrangements in the history of Jazz and to perform with the finest Jazz musicians in the world including Hiram Bullock, Mark Egan, Alex Foster, Kenwood Denard, George Adams, and Gil Goldstein.
In the late 1990s he hosted The Late Night Session at the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club in the heart of Greenwich Village. The Session was a steady gig for nearly a decade which made him a recognizable face in the Jazz community. Charles has been musical director for singer/songwriter Michael Franks since 1990, for whom he has co- composed, produced, recorded, as well as arranged an evening of Frank’s songs for the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed on over 100 recordings, including four albums as a leader.
Blenzig has had the privilege of working with Gato Barbieri, Michael Brecker, Lou Soloff, Bill Evans (former saxophonist with Miles Davis), Marcus Miller, Larry Coryell, Mike Stern, Joe Beck, Joe Locke, Eddie Gomez, Grady Tate, Roy Ayers, John Patitucci, Manolo Badrena, Billy Heart, Harvey Mason, Lee Ritenour, Dave Weckl, and many others.
Along with performing, Charles is passionate about teaching Jazz and has taught for over 40 years, most notably at the State University of New York at Purchase where he mentored hundreds of young Jazz musicians such as Joey Calderazzo, Bill Charlap, Theo Hill, Bobby Avey, Bruce Harris, and Jonathan Saraga.
Charles has limited space for new students. Please use our chat feature to check current status.