Katie’s vision is to develop beautiful hearts and enrich lives through quality and equitable cello instruction and music education. Outside of El Sistema Colorado, Katie enjoys collaborating with singer-songwriters and local rock bands, tending to her garden with her cat, reading, cooking, and traveling.

Elise Cole is a cellist who believes in connecting people through the joy of making music. In addition to performing, Elise has a passion for teaching. She graduated from the Eastman School of Music and is currently pursuing a Masters of Cello Performance at the University of Boulder.

Alex Vittal teaches viola and violin privately and with El Sistema Colorado. Ensembles include: Sphere Ensemble - Executive Director, Violist, Arranger Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado - Violist, Arranger Steamboat Symphony Orchestra - Violist Highlands Square Ensemble string quartet - Violist

Taylor Sapanara is a violist pursuing a Master’s degree in Viola Performance at the University of Colorado Boulder. In addition to teaching, Taylor is a participant in The Boulder Symphony and a substitute position with The Greeley Philharmonic.

Jacob Kaminski is pursuing a doctoral degree in conducting from the University of Colorado Boulder. In addition to El Sistema, he also works as an assistant conductor for Denver Young Artists Orchestra. Jacob holds a Masters Degree in conducting and a Bachelors degree in Bass Performance.es here

Nixon Garcia is a Venezuelan conductor trained in El Sistema and the Conservatorio Simón Bolívar. He’s led youth orchestras and helped set a Guinness World Record with the Sistema Venezuela for the largest orchestra in the world. Passionate about the arts, he enjoys hiking, cooking, and traveling

Emilie Tupper is a violinist, currently pursuing a Master's of Music at the University of Colorado Boulder. She recently moved to Boulder from Rochester, NY, where she taught violin at an El-Sistema-based music program, taught early childhood music, and performed with the Syracuse Orchestra.

Venezuelan violinist, with experience in teaching young children, faithful believer that music is capable of helping us feel the world around us in a different way.

Allyson is an energetic and passionate violist in the Denver Metro area. She believes in the power of music education and loves serving the community through El Sistema. She is a member of various ensembles including Boulder Phil, Colorado Springs Phil, Sphere, and Playground Ensemble.

Kurt Melendy received his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Master of Music and Chamber Music from the University of Michigan. He serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the International Society of Bassists and actively freelances throughout Colorado and Wyoming.

Born and raised in Chile, Nicolas has been playing the viola and violin since he was young. He has played in professional orchestras in Chile and is currently playing in the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to teaching, he is working towards furthering his professional career as a violist. When Nicolas is not teaching at El Sistema, he enjoys playing for a mariachi band, volleyball, and spending time with family.