Our Blog
Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts Statement on the Boulder Hate Crime
To our Boulder community and beyond: We are heartbroken and horrified by the recent hate crime in our beloved city. Boulder is a place that thrives on compassion, creativity, and connection—and this act of violence stands in direct opposition to everything we hold...
Faculty Highlight: Piano Teacher Brian Hickman
The Center for Musical Arts has a variety of talented teachers. In this interview, we sat down with piano instructor Brian Hickman to learn about his career path, his teaching philosophy, his interests, and more.Center for Musical Arts: Hello! My name is Erica Reid....
Faculty Highlight: Rex Spease
The Center for Musical Arts is proud to work with knowledgeable faculty with unique backgrounds. In this interview with saxophone, clarinet, flute, and jazz improv instructor Rex Spease we explore Rex's military and rock band backgrounds, the importance of...
Faculty Highlight: Steve Foreman
The Center for Musical Arts is proud to work with knowledgeable faculty with unique backgrounds. In this interview with low brass (tuba, trombone, euphonium, baritone) instructor Steve Foreman we explore his teaching style, his interests outside of music, and more....
Faculty Highlight: Ruth Galloway
The Center for Musical Arts is proud to work with knowledgeable faculty with unique backgrounds. In this interview with piano, violin, and viola instructor Ruth Galloway we explore her teaching style, her fascinating education and career path, and much more. Watch or...
Faculty Highlight: Ryan Sapp
The Center for Musical Arts is proud to work with knowledgeable faculty with unique backgrounds. In this interview with percussion instructor Ryan Sapp we explore his teaching style, what first drew him to the drum set, and much more. Watch or read the interview...
Student Spotlight: Interview with Annika Ekrem
(image: Youth Seminar student Annika Ekrem) During our 2020 Youth Seminar, we connected with a participating clarinetist named Annika Ekrem. Annika is a college student studying chemistry, but music plays a critical role in her life too. Learn about how this bright...
Class Highlight: Michael Lenssen’s Lessons & “Composing with Computers”
This interview is part of an ongoing series highlighting specific classes available through the Center for Musical Arts. Watch the interview or read a transcript below. Center for Musical Arts: Hello! We are here with Michael Lenssen, who is going to tell us a little...
Faculty Highlight: Michael Quam
Friends and students of the Center for Musical Arts may know Michael Quam as an instructor for guitar, ukulele, mandolin and more, but do you also know he has a robust career as a sound and recording engineer? This summer, the Colorado Music Festival (the performance...
Add Music to Your Learning Pod!
We can add music to your learning pod this fall! Have you formed a "learning pod" with other families in your neighborhood, to support your child's learning this fall and winter? The Center for Musical Arts can help out by adding unique and high-quality music...
The State of the Center: Online and Beyond
At the Center for Musical Arts, no in-person lessons or classes have been held since March 12, the day that Boulder Valley School District announced their closing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “‘Business as usual’ has become a thing of the past,” says Center...
Music Finds A Way
by Kathy Kucsan, Ph.D. | Co-Founder and Education Director We’re now in the fourth week of shutdown at the Center for Musical Arts. I feel wistful thinking of the silent building, dormant after twenty years of everyday music-making. The kid in me wonders if the pianos...
The Heartstrings Program Celebrates 20 Years
In 2020, the Center for Musical Arts’ Heartstrings program celebrates 20 years of providing need-based tuition assistance and access to low- or no-cost musical instruments for students who cannot afford to rent them from a music store. Education Director Dr. Kathy...