Meet Our Teachers

Sofia Young is a musician from Atlanta, Georgia who found her way to Denver in August of 2022. Sofia grew up playing the piano, singing, and songwriting. She decided she wanted to make music her career in Middle School and has been pursuing it ever since. Throughout school, she pursued as many music programs and classes as possible, making her well-versed in music theory. Sofia has taken professional vocal lessons for over seven years and being a great technical vocalist is one of her main goals. She plans to spread her knowledge and experience to help others find, protect, and use their musical voices to their greatest potential.

Ethan graduated from CU Denver in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Music and now focuses on sharing his passion for teaching. He has a performance background in jazz piano, entertainment piano/vocals, and guitar/vocals, playing for requests at brewery patios. Ethan specializes in teaching piano and guitar, but is also able to teach bass, drums, songwriting, production, and vocals.

Frankie is a classically trained opera singer who is well-versed in various genres, including rock and pop. She has been singing her entire life and is passionate about songwriting and music composition, which has also made her proficient in music theory. She has studied various musical disciplines and is knowledgeable in playing the guitar, bass, ukulele, and piano. Her educational journey brought her to Denver, where she is currently attending the University of Colorado Denver, continuing her music education, and eager to share her passion and knowledge.

Joia Hansen, colloquially known as Spru Digz, is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, DJ, vocalist, and audio engineer. Playing piano from age 9 and collecting music since 13, Joia's musical journey has seen many twists and turns over the years. Starting with Fruity Loops in 2011 and working his way through Logic Pro, Serato Studio and now Ableton Live, he has finished and released hundreds of beats and dozens of songs. With a formal education in digital production, mixing, and a background in jazz theory, Joia's eye is currently set on developing a style of music that seamlessly integrates gritty funk 'n soul with alternative rhythms and neo-electronic soundscapes. His top priority as a teacher is to help his students find their authentic sound, and to spark a flame of passion that will stay lit for years to come!

Sarah is a multi-instrumentalist from sunny San Diego. She began playing the piano over a decade ago, and teaches piano, vocals, cello, and electric bass. She fell in love with music at a very young age, and has a life goal of pursuing music performance, education, and recording arts! Her current favorite genres of music are rock, metal, classical, indie, and alternative. 

Kellen has been a musician and artist for over thirty years, working across the artistic spectrum. He has toured with bands such as My November Guest, Kindred Fall, Nixon’s Ghost, and Dust Honey. As a creative arts director for various non-profits, artist collectives, and churches, Kellen has shared his talents through performances and workshops at conferences across seven states and six countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Mexico, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda.

Mars Garber is a Denver-based Audio Engineer and multi-instrumentalist. He graduated from CU Denver with a Bachelor of Science in Audio Engineering and a minor in Music Business. Mars has been sharing his passions, instructing both youth and adults alike in Colorado for over 9 years.

A dedicated music educator and multi-instrumentalist, Nikol brings over two decades of musical experience to every lesson. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Business and Technology from Millersville University of Pennsylvania in 2018, laying a strong foundation for her work in both performance and production. With 20 years on violin, 13 on guitar, and 7 on piano, she also brings 8 years of hands-on experience as an audio engineer. Passionate about pop and rock music, Nikol has a special love for music theory and incorporates solfege into her teaching to help students build strong, practical skills.

Garren is a versatile musician, adept at playing multiple instruments and passionate about sharing his knowledge as a teacher, DJ, and artist. Holding a bachelor's degree in music from Greenville College, Garren's musical journey began as a bass player at the age of 14. Recognizing the importance of catering to his students' preferences, he dedicated himself to mastering various instruments, including guitar, bass, piano, ukulele, and percussion.

In addition to his role as a music educator, Garren has been the lead singer and guitarist of the cover band "Glen," showcasing his dynamic skills in live performances. Not limited to covers, he further demonstrates his creativity as the bassist in a jazz fusion ensemble, contributing to the vibrant fusion of musical genres. Garren's artistic expression extends to teaching, songwriting and solo performances, where he helps students write their own original compositions, showcasing their unique musical voice and creativity.

Naomi O’Leary began piano at age four, hosted musical theater singalongs in her living room and at nursing homes throughout high school, and discovered the joys of accompanying opera rehearsals and large choirs while earning her bachelor’s degree in classical piano performance. Her experience later expanded into jazz and pop through her work with big bands and combos. This eventually led to professional gigs aboard international cruise ships, where she played piano and synthesizer for showbands in the theater and performed her own solo cocktail sets in lobbies, bars, and tea rooms.

Jared is a versatile educator who helps students find their voice through confidence, creativity, and curiosity. Having studied vocal performance, audio engineering, and music business at the University of Colorado in Denver, Jared brings both heart and technical skill to each lesson. He specializes in a range of styles that include metal, rhythm and blues, cross-cultural genres, and loves helping students explore outside the box. Jared‘s approach is grounded and healthy technique, emotional expression, and the belief that everyone has something powerful to share through music.

Carly Howard is a theatre artist, director, and musician who has been teaching voice for 10 years.  She has degrees in psychology and elementary education from CU Boulder and has experience teaching age ranges from pre-school to adult.  She writes and performs music with her band, Unnamed Moons, and has released one solo album with another in the works!  She is a mama to two wonderful kiddos (ages 4 and 9) and is married to her drummer :).  When Carly is not with her two kids, she is probably at yoga, writing/rehearsing music, or camping at a hot springs!

Alec Doniger is a Denver-based musician and producer. He has played the drums for sixteen years and is actively playing in five bands in the Denver music scene (Horse B, Tomato Soup, Pink Fuzz, Augustus, and Little T). He has a bachelor’s degree from CU Denver in music performance. Having taught elementary, middle and high school students for three years, teaching has become a sincere passion and privilege for Alec. It is such a joy to teach and share music! He aims to foster a learning environment where students feel empowered to be themselves. Ultimately, Alec strives to create a fun and collaborative experience for music students of all ages.

Ashley was adopted into a musical family at the age of 5 when she started her piano journey. She grew to love music at a young age with a dedicated mother as her teacher. She acquired her first student at the age of 12 since she was already at an early advanced stage in piano performance and sight reading skills.

Wiley is a software developer, multi-instrumentalist, and music producer with a deep love for music and technology. He plays guitar in the Denver-based rock band The Chillsbury Doughboys and brings that same creative energy to his teaching. A dedicated jazz enthusiast and proud supporter of KUVO, Wiley is a lifelong student of music theory, instrumentation, recording, and digital music production. His lessons blend technical expertise with real-world experience to help students grow as both musicians and creators.

Evelyn Miner (She/Her/Hers) is a lifelong, fourth generation Coloradan with German and Polish roots. She grew up surrounded by German and Polish music culture, and her great grandmother was an accordionist, organist, and someone she was very close to. Inspired from a young age, Evelyn has been involved in music in one way or another since grade school. From All State Choir between ages 9–17 to now assistant directing musicals and plays, music has always been a huge part of her life.

Evelyn is finishing her Bachelor’s in Music Education with an emphasis in Voice at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She has taught piano, voice, accordion, and organ for over three years. She is an avid member of three bands: Neue Polka Colorado and Mariachi Los Correcaminos (on accordion), and she is the founder and lead vocalist of her Denver based doo wop group, Evelyn and The Opals. Evelyn is a classically trained woman tenor, a professionally trained contralto jazz vocalist, jazz pianist, piano accordionist, and yodeler. Her hobbies include video games and baking. She looks forward to sharing her passion for music and performance with you!

Alex Golombek originally hails from Bellingham, Washington and has found a new home in Denver. His upbringing was immersed in the musical community from a young age. From being in a rock band called "Idell Drive," making a name in the bar circuit, to jazz bands, and solo classical wedding gigs, Alex explores a wide variety of genres and techniques. He graduated from Western Washington University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, a minor in Jazz, and Arts Enterprise and Cultural Innovation. With impassioned years of teaching under his belt, Alex enjoys mentoring musical students of all levels and affinities to all genres.

Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Josh started playing piano at age 8 and picked up guitar at 15. While earning his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, he took a formative course called Music and Identity at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, which deepened his love for music theory and self-expression through sound. Josh has over three years of experience teaching traveling music lessons to beginner and intermediate students, covering everything from Arabesque to The Beatles to Ode to Joy. As a passionate and patient instructor, he’s committed to making sure every student gets the most out of their musical journey.

Playing music and singing is a natural joy that everyone deserves in life. I believe sincerely and deeply that everyone is creative and consider it my life’s project to help spark that feeling in others.

Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Thomas has fostered a lifelong passion for music through his devotion to the study of piano, guitar and vocal performance. Beginning at the early age of 5, Thomas spent his formative years performing solo and as an ensemble member in dozens of choral and instrumental groups. From 2014-2018, he attended Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music, where he received a minor in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor's in Radio/TV/Film. His two decades of experience have expanded to include an eclectic range of disciplines including composition, music theory, and most importantly, pedagogy.

DJ, sought-after producer, and wizard behind 'oyster band' déCollage, Reed Cameron Fox is a Denver based imaginator. Reed graduated from University of Colorado Denver in 2013 with a double major in Audio Engineering & Music Business. Reed began teaching guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and music production lessons 10 years ago and has had a full roster of 35-50 students (1,500 lessons a year). Some of his students are learning to make beats and record their own songs using free and professional programs like Garageband, Ableton, and Logic Pro. Since 2009, Reed has been releasing music from his five* bands consistently, and loves coaching others through the music creation, release, and marketing process. 

Jamie is a professional vocal coach and music teacher, providing individualized instruction through one-on-one voice and music lessons. She has a background in music performance, education, film, songwriting, and engineering. As a musician and former student of the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut, Jamie can offer a wide range of instruction, from preparing for auditions to performing on stage, to singing karaoke and recording original songs. She provides coaching for all ages and experience levels.