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Reza Z earned his master’s degree in psychology from Duquesne University and his bachelor’s degree in psychology with a music minor degree from Rutgers University. He has worked with children with disabilities throughout his life, has taught guitar, bass, and music theory for 10 years, and has taught psychology classes over the last 15 years in higher education at Pikes Peak State College, UCCS, Penn State, Carnegie Mellon University, CUNY, and many other institutions. 

He has been playing guitar and bass for 35 years and has played in numerous bands throughout his life in clubs, at parties, and on the radio. He produced and recorded his own CD in 2009 and earned a guitar endorsement deal with XOX Audio Tools. He is also well versed in music production with Logic Pro X and can help his students compose, produce, and publish their own music. His teaching style is “student-centered”. He focuses on the individual needs of each student and whether it is theory, creativity, songwriting, or just about anything else, he will tailor his teaching style to accommodate your needs. When it comes to music, he is very down to earth, approachable, as well as meticulous and is eager to help his students learn. 

Alex has been a passionate student of music all of his life. He started playing the trumpet when he was 7 years old and has been playing the guitar seriously for 17 years now. He can play any style and has been putting great emphasis on classical guitar and jazz. He also plays the piano, the oud, and knows his way around many other instruments.

Alex believes that music is a beautiful language that offers complete creative freedom when one begins to understand not just the how, but the why. He is extremely passionate about spreading his love for the craft and helping others to find their way musically. One can play the notes on a page perfectly, but the real magic happens when you begin to tell a story!

Noelle Pennison is currently enrolled as a Music Major at Pikes Peak Community College. Growing up she sang often with her sister and became inspired by the renowned violinist, Lindsey Stirling. 
She has been playing the violin for over 8 years. She began learning in the Orchestra of Thomas Maclaren School in sixth grade and continued at the School for four years. During this time she even had the opportunity to play with her class at the Colorado Springs Philharmonic when she was in Orchestra IV as a 2nd Violinist and was also involved for a short time in the school’s bluegrass club where she was taught to improvise her playing and learn a bit of fiddle music. When she switched schools, she continued to play the violin and even developed the skill to play music by ear.

She soon became interested in the voice acting industry towards the end of high school and found that her love for singing helped her become an even better voice actress by broadening her vocal range. 

Noelle believes that music is a beautiful form of art that sparks peoples' creativity and wonder. Her ultimate goal is to share that with her students and help them explore their musical passion or help them find it.

Stephanie has a love of music and the arts.  She has enjoyed making music for many years.  Her main instruments include violin, drums/percussion, guitar, mandolin, and voice.  She also plays the bass guitar and ukulele.  Stephanie has played in various settings and has an eclectic style.  She has taught through private lessons, group classes, and in the general music classroom.  

Music and the arts are very important.  They help us to express our feelings/emotions, share of ourselves, enrich the lives of others as well as our own lives.  The arts also help us to experience new things and learn from our history.  The goal for my students is to spark a love and appreciation of the arts.

Originally from Pueblo, CO, Chris K earned his Master’s degree in  music education from Old Dominion University and his Bachelor’s in music therapy from Marylhurst University. As an educator, he emphasizes fundamentals and strives to meet the unique needs of each student.

A former musician for the U.S. Navy, he has traveled the world performing with the U.S. Navy Steel Drum Band, Sixth Fleet Band of Naples, Italy, and Seventh Fleet Band of Yokosuka, Japan. Chris was also on the faculty of the Armed Forces School of Music where he taught percussion and arranging to active duty Army, Navy, and Marine Corps students. He has also performed and/or recorded with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Wind Symphony, Portland Wind Symphony, jazz guitarist Geordie Kelly, composer/guitarist Dan Cosley, singer/songwriter William Stafford, and Colorado artists such as Wayne Hammerstadt, The Inman Brothers, and Last Patrol. He has released two solo EP recordings of original compositions entitled “Soundspace Vol. 1” and “Percussion”. Both are available for streaming on all major sites.

Deidre is a lifetime musician and has been learning and playing music from a very young age. The movie Fantasia inspired her to play the harp when she was two. After taking piano lessons until she was ten, she finally started on the harp and has been playing both instruments ever since. Her family has always been musical. Deidre grew up singing in her family choir. That love of vocal music followed her to college at BYU- Idaho where she majored in Music. She sang with the Collegiate Singers at school and went on to sing with the Cumberland Oratorio Singers in North Carolina and the Colorado Springs Chorale in Colorado. Deidre has conducted choirs at her church for years and was the choir director at Mitchell High School from 2016-2017.

Deidre believes that music is universal and all encompassing. Her belief that everyone can sing combines with her love for her students and creates a safe place for exploration and accomplishment. Each student is individual and each has a unique journey, but everyone can do music. She laughs with her students and has fun while still guiding their steps forward. Her teaching is influenced by her cardinal rule: "Loud and proud. Strong and wrong." Whatever you do, do with confidence.

Travis' life in music started early on. He took piano lessons from kindergarten to fifth grade and started on trombone in third. All through junior high and high school he had the opportunity to play in youth and independent orchestras, concert, athletic and jazz bands. Travis went on to study music at the University of Colorado here in Colorado Springs where he studied under world-class musicians, traveled in a Gospel band, started a career in film composing and band directing. Outside of the music school he teaches junior high and high school band. 

After years of exploring, teaching and becoming competent on different instruments, Travis can safely say that learning music can be a pain...but it doesn’t have to be. His philosophy on learning any instrument or anything concerning music is that, “Learning naturally is learning efficiently”. Regardless of who you are or where you come from, our brains have common ways of retaining information. If learning is not, in some way, rewarding or seems out of reach, then the learning process slows down. What Travis tries to create with all his students is a fun, engaging and challenging environment where music can become simple and natural. 

Travis is glad you’ve considered The Colorado Springs Music School. He looks forward to working with you and helping you reach your goals!

Tiana Longmire is a classically trained singer, vocal arranger, vocal coach, and DJ pursuing a degree in Mathematics with a double minor in Music and Economics at the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs. Singing since the age of two and surrounded by a family of singers, musicians, and artists, her passion for music developed early on. With over 10 years of experience as a singer, she has been involved in choirs, musicals, showcases, competitions, etc. throughout the years.

Tiana currently teaches voice to various ages, specializing in R&B/Soul, but also has experience in Pop, Musical Theatre, Classical, and Gospel vocal styles. Tiana’s approach to lessons is individually goal-oriented, focusing on what her students want to accomplish not only in the long run but for each lesson. Though each student has different goals, she wants to make sure all of her students have a solid and healthy foundation for their instrument for years to come.

Sara Van Hecke is a singer-songwriter from the Chicagoland area. Sara has 10+ years of experience teaching, mentoring, and coaching in a wide range of settings. She has been composing and performing her own music since the age of 13. Sara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from DePaul University. Her teaching style is rooted inquiry based learning which challenges a student to actively learn through open questions and problem solving. Sara’s teaching is shaped by whatever the students’ goals are. If a student doesn’t know their goals yet, Sara can’t wait to help them discover what they are! Sara observes and encourages students to follow their instincts and inspiration - and of course to have fun! Sara is trained in trauma informed care and speaks conversational Spanish. She is passionate about celebrating diversity and creating a welcoming space for all.

Joy started playing violin at the age of 10. She continued her lessons and participation in school  orchestras throughout her educational years. In college she learned piano and took classes to learn how  to play all the other instruments in the symphony orchestra. In college she earned her Bachelor of  Liberal Arts with a minor in Music. She went on to play in community orchestras and played once with  the Denver Symphony. 

Joy started teaching music lessons seven years ago. She taught violin for two years at a private school in  conjunction with teaching her other private students. Her main instrument is the violin but she teaches  viola, cello and piano also. Joy taught herself to play guitar at the age of 16 and can pick up most any  other instrument or piece of music and learn it quickly and with ease. She also sings in two choirs, the  Roman Catholic Chamber choir and weekly with her church choir. She also cantors at her church. 

During the school year Joy works as an assistant teacher with School District 11. Joy’s passion is music  and has been playing and performing for over 50 years. She loves teaching music and watching her  students grow and excel.