Michael Paulez is the Director of Bands at Denver School of the Arts where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and Jazz Workshop Orchestra Big Bands and Combos. Mr. Paulez was the founding Director of Bands at Riverdale Ridge High School, and previously served in similar roles at Westminster High School (CO) and Wheat Ridge High School (CO). He earned his Bachelor of Music Education Degree with Honors from The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and his Master of Music Education degree with a Cognate in Conducting from The University of Colorado–Boulder. 

A passionate advocate for lifelong musicianship, Mr. Paulez performs on euphonium as a member of The Colorado Wind Ensemble and has recently performed with the Denver Municipal Band, Pikes Peak Brass Band, Denver Philharmonic, Arapahoe Philharmonic, Littleton Symphony Orchestra, and The National Repertory Orchestra. He has presented, conducted, and performed at numerous state, national, and international conferences, clinics, and workshops. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Colorado Wind Ensemble and has served as Technology Chair for the Colorado Music Educators Association from 2016-2024. 

In his free time, Michael loves exploring the mountains, going to concerts, and enjoying all the great scenes and experiences that Colorado has to offer with his husband, their infant son, and their German shepherd Luna. He is delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with such wonderful teachers and student musicians!

Alejandro Castaño, Drums/Jazz

Alejandro Castaño is jazz and Afro-Cuban drummer and percussionist residing in Denver, Colorado. He is a first generation Colombian and Cuba-American and draws inspiration from his culture into his music. Alejandro is an active performer and educator in the United States and abroad. Highlights of his performance and recording credits include Chuchito Valdés, Ron Miles, Benny Benack III, Gerardo Aguillón, Raul Murciano, Steve Turre, Greg Gisbert, Annie Booth and many others. Throughout his career, he has conducted numerous master classes at universities such as Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Truman State University, University of Jamestown, and University of Wyoming. Additionally, he has been a guest artist and educator at the National University of Costa Rica since 2012.

He received his Masters of Music in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he focused his research on the vibrant history and cultural influence of the music of Cuba.

Currently, he is an educator at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Denver School of the Arts, Kent Denver, and Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts, teaching percussion and Jazz. Alejandro can frequently be seen performing at Denver’s local jazz venues, festivals and beyond.

Stoney Black, Percussion/Drums/Jazz

Stoney Black currently resides in Denver, CO and is the former director of bands at Air Academy High School from 2003 – 2018. Stoney Black received a Bachelor of Arts in Percussion Performance from Adams State College in 1994 and continued his study of percussion at the University of Northern Colorado. In 1998, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Metropolitan State College in Denver, and he completed his Master of Arts in conducting from the American Band College at Southern Oregon University in 2007.

In 2018, Stoney Black was named the Colorado Springs Arts Business Education Consortium Winner for Distinguished Performing Arts Teacher. He has received recognition from The Colorado Springs Youth Symphony as Teacher of the Year in 2013 and was named “Outstanding Young Bandmaster” by Phi Beta Mu in 2006. In 2011 and 2013, he received a Merit Scholarship to attend Essentially Ellington Band Director Academy in New York. During his two summer sessions of the Band Director Academy, he was able to learn from many talented jazz faculty members that included Terrell Stafford, Ronald Carter, and Rodney Whitaker.

His ensembles have been selected to perform at the Colorado Music Educators Conference on six occasions. They have performed at The Reno Jazz Festival, The North Texas Jazz Festival, The JENerations Jazz Festival in New Orleans, The 18th & Vine Jazz Festival in Kansas City. Mr. Black has served on the CBA Marching Band Committee for over 10 years; he served on the CBA executive board as vice president from 2005 – 2009; and he also served on the Bands of America Marching Band Advisory Board from 2015 – 2018.

Marching Bands under his direction have been named as grand champion at over 20 band festivals and have earned 10 state championships along with 4 Bands of America Regional Class Championships in St. Louis, MO, Flagstaff, AZ, El Paso, TX, and The San Antonio Super Regional. In 2018 the Air Academy Marching Band was selected to perform in the Rose Parade.

Matt Fuller, Guitar/Jazz

Guitarist Matt Fuller is both an active performer as well as a passionate teacher. Some of his performing highlights include several US Tours, a performance at the Kolkata Jazz Festival in India, three years spent as a freelancing musician in NYC, and several performances with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.

He has over twenty years teaching experience, varying from beginning children to college masters students and professionals. He currently teaches jazz ensembles and guitar classes at Denver School of the Arts and is a faculty member at Rocky Ridge Jazz Camp. Matt runs and teaches at the Lafayette Park Guitar Studio, his private teaching studio in Lafayette, CO. Matt holds a MM degree in Jazz Performance/Pedagogy from CU Boulder, a BM degree in Music Education from Ft. Lewis College, and is a long time student of celebrated veteran jazz guitarist Dale Bruning. For more info, please visit: www.mattfullermusic.com

Dr. Greg Harris, Percussion/Drums/Jazz

Greg Tanner Harris, a dynamic musician and devoted educator, has left an indelible mark on the jazz and music education spheres. With a robust background in performance, teaching, and community service, Harris stands out as both a skilled artist and a compassionate advocate for the arts.

Starting his musical journey at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, Harris earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Education and Music Performance, specializing in percussion. His passion for percussion and jazz led him to pursue a Master of Music Degree in Percussion Performance at the University of Colorado – Boulder. Continuing his educational pursuit, Harris completed a Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Studies at the University of Colorado – Boulder. His dissertation explored the compositional practices of jazz musician Bobby Hutcherson, showcasing his commitment to understanding the diverse influences of jazz music.

Dr. Harris’s commitment to jazz extends beyond the classroom. As a performer, he has collaborated with acclaimed artists and participated in notable music festivals and concerts worldwide. His performances with West African Master Xylophonist SK Kakraba, Baaba Maal from Zimbabwe, and jazz icon Paquito D’Rivera have earned him recognition for his musical prowess and ability to connect with diverse audiences. Harris has also released several studio albums, showcasing his versatility as a multi-instrumentalist and composer.

Dr. Grant Larson, Saxophone/Woodwinds/Jazz

Equally comfortable in both classical and jazz settings, saxophonist Grant Larson regularly performs with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, and the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra. As a jazz artist, he has released two albums under his own name, and most recently, a collaborative album (Ascent) of original jazz compositions with fellow musicians Greg Tanner Harris, Matt Fuller, Braun Khan, and Dave Hammond. Grant holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Saxophone Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado at Boulder; a Master of Music from the University of Colorado; and a Bachelor of Music from Concordia College. He currently serves on the faculty at Red Rocks Community College, as the Saxophone Practicing Artist at Denver School of the Arts, is the wind ensemble conductor for the Colorado Youth Symphony Orchestras, and as the Jazz Camp program director at Rocky Ridge Music.

Stu MacAskie, Piano/Jazz

Jazz pianist Stu MacAskie has been performing professionally for some 35 years, including 8 years based in New York City. Using this experience along with a constant commitment to excellence he has a developed a highly personal playing, composing and arranging style steeped in the great American jazz tradition while drawing fresh ideas from contemporary street and world musics. The high demand for his skills as performer, composer, bandleader, recording artist and music educator has led to engagements and tours on three continents. The extensive list of jazz and pop artists he has performed alongside includes Bobby Shew, Bill Watrous, Eric Alexander, Antonio Hart, Richie Morales, Frank Morgan, Kevin Mahogany, Chris Calloway, The New York Voices and Hazel Miller. Awards include several New Mexico Music Industry Commission (NM MIC) awards and the coveted Performer’s Certificate from the School of Music at Indiana University. Mr. MacAskie has served on the faculty of several universities both here and abroad. He is currently a Guest Artist at the Denver School of the Arts. He makes his home in Denver, Colorado, and enjoys spending time in the Rocky Mountains.

Cathy Peterson, Flute

Catherine Peterson is Assistant Principal/Second Flutist of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. A regular substitute flutist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from 2010-2019, she has also performed with the Detroit Symphony and the Cincinnati Symphony. Memorable projects have included performing the Claude Bolling Jazz Suite with Jeffrey Biegel, performing as Principal Flute with the Baltimore Symphony under Marin Alsop, and recording Ameriques by Varese with the Cincinnati Symphony.

An active chamber musician and educator, she performs with the nationally recognized Ivy Street Ensemble, and can often be heard on Colorado Public Radio. Cathy is the Flute Coach for Denver School of the Arts and teaches at the University of Denver’s Lamont Summer Academy. Her previous musical engagements include Principal Flutist with the Central City Opera, Principal Flutist with Emerald City Opera, and co-Principal flutist of the Strings Festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Cathy is Director of the Mile High Flute Academy, co-Director of Mile High Flute Benders, and is a regular performer at Front Range Chamber Players in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Her teachers include Jeff Zook, Leone Buyse, Tim Day, and Walfrid Kujala. You can learn more about Cathy at www.milehighflutist.com, and hear her recordings on the youtube channel EarWarp Chamber Music.

Zach Rich, Low Brass

Zach Rich is a multi-award winning composer, trombonist, and educator based in Denver, Colorado. Zach has written music for many professional ensembles and organizations including the Count Basie Orchestra; New York Youth Symphony; the Ravinia Steans Music Institute; Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas Music Educators Associations; Pathways to Jazz; the Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra; the Nashville Jazz Orchestra; the Greeley Philharmonic and many universities and high schools throughout the country. Recently, he has worked professionally with Billy Childs, Rufus Reid, Steve Wilson, Shane Endsley, John Clayton, Randy Brecker, Tia Fuller, Rene Marie, Ari Hoenig, Wayne Bergeron and the Count Basie Jazz Orchestra, just to name a few. His works have received awards from organizations such as ISJAC, the Jazz Education Network, ASCAP, ASMAC, Downbeat Magazine, Pathways to Jazz, the Helsinki Jazz Orchestra, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Zach continues to write for and perform with a variety of ensembles throughout the Front Range and Midwest areas. His debut album, “Solidarity” is available at a store near you and on all streaming platforms.

Roger Soren, Bassoon

Colorado Symphony Bassoonist and Contrabassoonist Roger Soren has been a guest artist at DSA since 2012 and has also taught at the University of Denver, Indiana University, Western Kentucky U, Bellarmine U, and Florida State College Jacksonville. He has also given Masterclasses and Recitals at over 30 other Universities, including Vanderbilt U, Boston Conservatory, Ball State, and U of Oklahoma.

Roger is an active member of the International Double Reed Society and has given performances and master classes at 8 international conferences, which include 2 world premiere performances. As a soloist, Roger has performed with the Colorado Symphony, Louisville Orchestra(KY), Symphony in C(NJ), Louisville Bach Society Orchestra and members of the Oklahoma Symphony. Roger joined the Colorado Symphony in 2011 after performing for 22 seasons with the Louisville Orchestra. He has also been a full time member of the Jacksonville and Indianapolis Symphonies. A sought after musician, Roger has also performed as a guest musician in the Chicago, Cincinnati, Montreal, Nashville, Naples, Grant Park and Alabama Symphonies and Detroit Opera.

Roger has recorded extensively with the Colorado, Nashville, and Louisville Orchestras, on First Edition, Naxos, Geffen, CRI, D’note, Koch and Bis record labels. A graduate of Indiana University, Roger studied bassoon with Sidney Rosenberg, Wilbur Simpson, Frank Wangler and Sam Jordan.

Roger has been married to Angela Soren since 1989, and they have 3 wonderful daughters.

Michael Williams, Flute

Praised by the San Francisco Chronicle for his “sweet but potent birdsong,” flutist Michael Williams can be heard on stages across the Front Range. Michael is Second Flute and Piccolo with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs and the newly appointed Principal Flute of the Boulder Symphony. He performed as Second Flute with the Colorado Symphony for the 2017-2018 season. Michael continues to perform with the Colorado Symphony as a frequent substitute as well as with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Boulder Philharmonic and Colorado Ballet Orchestra, including performances as guest principal. He has performed with the Wyoming Symphony, Fort Collins Symphony, Lexington Philharmonic, Island City Opera, and Opera Parallel. Michael was an orchestral fellow with the National Orchestral Institute, a featured artist for three seasons with the Switchboard New Music Festival in San Francisco, and has performed with the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra.

He is an active teacher in the Denver area and has an enthusiastic group of private students. Michael is a co-founder and co-director of the Mile High Flute Benders community flute choir and a Guest Artist at his alma mater the Denver School of the Arts. In addition to teaching, Michael often performs with Englewood Arts Symphony Spotlight school presentations which introduces new audiences to the instruments of the orchestra. While a graduate student at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, Michael was an Associate Instructor of Flute where he taught private flute lessons and led group technique classes for undergraduate performance majors. He holds a Master of Music from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Michael studied with Thomas Robertello, Tim Day, Catherine Payne, Alexa Still, and Catherine Peterson.

In addition to his performance activities Michael is an experienced fundraiser and arts administrator. He is currently the Development Manager for the National Flute Association. He has held positions with the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Conservatory, A Child’s Song, Colorado Symphony, Denver Young Artists Orchestra, and Colorado Ballet. Michael is currently an Advisory Member on the board of the Colorado Flute Association, having previously served terms as President and Vice President.

Elsbeth Williams, Clarinet

Elsbeth Williams originally hails from Fort Collins, CO. She moved to Denver in 2002 and is now an active performer and teacher throughout the Colorado Front Range. Elsbeth is the Principal Clarinetist with the Evergreen Chamber Orchestra and Assistant Principal/Second Clarinet/Eb Clarinet with the Arapahoe Philharmonic. She performs with the Colorado Chamber Orchestra and Opera, the Colorado Chorale, and the famed Ambler Clarinet Choir. As a freelance musician, Elsbeth enjoys playing chamber music and working on new music projects. Check out williamsclarinetstudio.com to hear more about her recent endeavors, including the world premiere of three new pop-up operas at the Teton Valley Homegrown Fall Arts Festival and the release of a new album entitled Colour Spectrum under Mad Duck Records. Elsbeth has enjoyed performing with other local ensembles, including the Boulder Ballet, the Longmont Symphony Orchestra, the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, the Boulder Symphony, and the Colorado Wind Ensemble.

Elsbeth is a graduate of the University of Denver, Lamont School of Music. As a Cherrington Global Scholar, Elsbeth studied and performed under the direction of acclaimed clarinetist Roger Salander at the Institute for European Studies in Vienna, Austria. She also studied briefly with Daniel Paloyan at the Conservatoire Darius Milhaud in Aix-en-Provence, France. Elsbeth has given concerts in France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Luxembourg. She has participated in master classes with renowned artists such as Oscar Espina Ruiz and Paquito D’Rivera and her primary teachers include Dr. Jeremy Reynolds (DU), Abby Raymond (CSO), Dr. Ray Kireilis (DU), and Dr. Charles Lawson (CSU).

In her spare time, Elsbeth and her wife enjoy hiking, camping, fly fishing and spending time with friends. They have adopted a love bird, who is also an active musician.

Ian Wisekal, Oboe

Ian Wisekal, a native of Dallas, TX and Stony Brook, NY, joined the faculty of the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music in 2013. He serves as Principal Oboe of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra and Crested Butte Music Festival, and previously held the position of Associate Principal Oboe with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. He can be heard playing principal oboe on that orchestra’s recording of Cofresí, which was nominated for a Latin Grammy.

Prof. Wisekal is an active performer throughout Colorado and beyond. He has performed at festivals in Sarasota, Banff (Canada), Japan, Puerto Rico and Austria, and for the International Double Reed Society conventions in Boulder and Bangkok. Besides his album with the PRSO, he has made recordings with, among others, the Colorado Symphony, Boise Philharmonic and Greeley Philharmonic, as soloist with the Lamont Symphony Orchestra, and in the studios of Colorado Public Radio.

Wisekal received his bachelor’s degree with high distinction from the Eastman School of Music and his master’s degree from Southern Methodist University, earning full scholarships at both institutions. In 2012, he traveled to study with David Walter at the Paris Conservatory thanks to a grant from the Pro-Symphony Association of Puerto Rico. His major teachers include Richard Killmer, Erin Hannigan, Terry Keevil and Ceci Lagarenné.

Ian has given masterclasses throughout the U.S. and abroad, appearing most recently at the universities of North Texas, Maryland, and Oklahoma, the Chicago Double Reed Festival, and as the headliner at the Fresno State Double Reed Day. His students have earned scholarships to top music schools and enjoy performing and teaching careers of their own.

In his spare time, Wisekal enjoys traveling, hiking, and photography. You can watch his videos of the 40 Barret Melodies, Ferling 48 Studies and more on his YouTube channel.

Anthony Zator, Trumpet/Brass/Jazz

A native of the Chicago area, international trumpeter/composer/arranger Anthony Zator began his musical journey at the age of 7 and soon after started working with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. His high school accomplishments led him to continue studying trumpet at DePaul University where he completed his BM. Upon completion of school, Anthony turned his attention to the manufacturing side of the industry, handcrafting trumpets at Schilke Music Products, Inc for five years before moving to the Denver area in 2007 to pursue performance and education opportunities as well as enjoy the majesty Colorado has to offer.

Zator joined the Arapahoe Philharmonic in 2010, was named principal trumpet in 2013, and served on the board of directors from 2016-2021. In addition to the AP, he has performed with the Aurora Symphony; dance bands Tunisia, Soul School and Thumpin’; international touring gospel bands House of Soul and At the Table with Dr. Martin Luther King; and Latin ensembles Mood Express and Conjunto Colores, among others. Recently, Anthony has also performed regularly with the Denver Brass as well as CJRO. Anthony is also an active band leader of the Otone Brass Band, a NOLA funk group, and
AZQ, a modern jazz quartet that debuted his original CD, Birth of a Rose, in 2010.

In addition to regularly performing, Anthony teaches group trumpet at the middle and high school level, directs a jazz combo, teaches music theory and music business along with private lessons at Denver School of the Arts, an affiliation he has had since 2009.

We are actively seeking students who play the following instruments:

• Flute
• Oboe*
• Bassoon*
• Clarinet
• Saxophone*
• Trumpet*
• Horn (aka French Horn)*
• Trombone
• Euphonium (aka Baritone)
• Tuba
• Percussion (all types)

*Denotes special need – we are actively seeking students to fill the roles being vacated by graduating seniors, or positions which are typically hard to fill

Band Audition Information for 2025/2026 Enrollment

Click the link below for the official document containing all the required steps to join our team.

• DSA Band Audition Information for 2025/2026

If you have any questions, please email us:

• dsabandsdepartment@gmail.com
• michael_paulez@dpsk12.net

Check out our helpful DSA Open House Handout

DSA Bands Pre-Audition Meeting

• Tuesday, December 10th (7-8p)
• This is a virtual meeting
• Join at this link: http://meet.google.com/ghr-iscq-wnn
  **Audition sign-ups will take place at the end of this meeting.**

DSA Bands Audition Dates/Times (by appointment only)

• Saturday, January 25th (9a-4p)
• Thursday, January 16th, 2025 (5-8p)
• Monday February 3rd, 2025 (5-8p)

Your audition itself will consist of:

• Interview
• Scales
• Prepared Piece
• Sight-Reading

For specifics on each of the above items, please visit: DSA Audition Information for 2025/2026

For a sample of what your prepared piece should look like, check out: DSA Bands Sample Prepared Pieces

Note: These examples are a minimal level of difficulty which should be representative of your playing. If you are struggling with this level of difficulty, you are still encouraged to audition. You are most certainly encouraged to perform music of your own choosing at similar or higher difficulty levels for your audition.