Founded in 1979, Swallow Hill Music is a Denver nonprofit organization that presents concerts, teaches music classes for all ages, and offers musical outreach programs in the community.
Founded in 1979, Swallow Hill Music is a Denver nonprofit organization that presents concerts, teaches music classes for all ages, and offers musical outreach programs in the community.
Founded in 1979, Swallow Hill Music is a Denver nonprofit organization that presents concerts, teaches music classes for all ages, and offers musical outreach programs in the community.
Join us Saturday, November 14 for a day of banjo workshops, concerts, and community with Kaia Kater, Allison de Groot & NicGareiss, and Natalie Spears, plus Swallow Hill instructors and community members.
Come have a great whether you’re a picker, listener, or a bit of both!
Our diverse community programming provides learning, healing, and fun through music in under-resourced schools, retirement homes, transitional housing centers, and more spaces throughout the Denver metro area.
Join musician, musical historian, and BanjoFest favorite Rex Rideout as he examines how the banjo developed from its Western African roots into the instrument we know today. Rex will focus in particular on how the banjo evolved both physically and musically when it arrived in the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries and then expanded westward.
A long-time student of the fur trade of the American Southwest, Rex has served as an interpreter and instructor for numerous living history events from Fort Laramie, Wyoming, to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Rex appeared as “Fiddler” in the blockbuster Dreamworks film, Cowboys & Aliens. He can also be seen in the PBS film Badger Clark: Poet Among the Pines. Rex was Associate Music Producer for the PBS documentary Law for a Lawless Land. His writings have appeared in The Western Way, Fiddler Magazine and Wagon Tracks.
Syncopate Your Bum-Ditty
With Natalie Spears
Add nuance and groove to your bum-ditty accompaniment through syncopation. In this workshop, we’ll explore ghost strums, bums, and drop-thumb techniques to play with rhythm, accent, and timing. Sometimes songs don’t fit neatly into the traditional clawhammer bum-ditty pattern. This workshop will give participants a few more rhythmic tools to expand their accompaniment toolkit, whether you’re playing with others in a jam, learning songs from the old-time repertoire, or accompanying your own songwriting.
Using Melody to Build Unique Solos (Scruggs-Style)
With Sam Zickefoose-Armstrong
Pick out the melody and building different ways to improvise around it! Starting with just a standard banjo kick and then different rolls or techniques to expand on it and play it all over the fretboard. Sam has always had a passion for collaboration and lifting up other artists. His ability to listen closely, his commitment to fair treatment, and his desire for the strengths of each band member to shine, all make him a strong sideperson. Now, Sam is using these skills to step out of the role of a side person and venture into leading a band of his own.
Sam Armstrong Zickefoose
A fulltime member of the band The Lil Smokies. Sam creates original, traditional and modern folk music. Led by thoughtful, genre bending banjo playing and unique warm vocals. A diverse range of experiences from touring internationally to India and Turkey to performing with Railroad Earth and Ben Sollee shine through in Sam’s original compositions.
Natalie Spears
Natalie Spears brings listeners in touch with the warmth of community, the quiet awe of wild places, and the intimate corners of humanity. Her recent album, “The Hymn of Wild Things,” chronicles her experience of wonder, loss and metamorphosis. This is a collection of songs about the intimate corners of humanity, hers and ours alike. With a quiver of instruments (banjo, piano, guitar), she threads opposites together: love with loss; tradition with innovation; and the human experience with the more-than-human world.
Spears has played the John Hartford Memorial Festival, Blackpot Festival, Palisade Roots Festival, Chautauqua Community House, Crested Butte Performing Arts Center and the Wheeler Opera House.
Allison de Groot & Nic Gareiss
Featured as a duo on NPR’s “Best Roots Music of 2022,” AllisondeGroot and Nic Gareiss sound and move together, engaging tunes and gestures from Appalachia, Ireland, and beyond through banjo, voice, and percussive dance. AllisondeGroot has performed at the Newport Folk Festival, Celtic Connections, Rockygrass, Hardly Strictly, Winnipeg Folk Festival, and Tønder Festival. Shaped by the music scene in her hometown of Winnipeg, Canada, Allison also holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance from Berklee College of Music in Boston and has been awarded both the Joseph S. Stauffer Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Eisenson Family Prize for Excellence in American Roots Music. Her album with Tatiana Hargreaves won Best Bluegrass Album from the Independent Music Awards and was nominated for Liner Notes of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. Nic Gareiss has been hailed by the New York Times for his “dexterous melding of Irish and Appalachian dance” and called “the most inventive and expressive step dancer on the scene” by the Boston Herald. Holding a MA in Ethnochoreology from the University of Limerick, Nic received the 2021 Michigan Heritage Award, the region’s highest honor bestowed on traditional artists and was named “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine. Through their collaboration, the duo of AllisondeGroot & Nic Gareiss expands the conceptions and conventions of both banjo and percussive dance.
After their first decade of performance collaborations, Nic Gareiss and AllisondeGroot released The Thrill, a visual album inspired by the music of Appalachian musician Hobart Smith. The duo spent concentrated time immersing themselves in archival recordings of Smith (1897-1965) to create The Thrill. “We listened in hopes of having a conversation with his music,” Gareiss says, “not attempting to replicate – which would be impossible! – but hoping for a discourse, a tiff, a dialogue with his music.” The title itself comes from a quote from Hobart: “music fills you with a thrill you just can’t express.” Fifty percent of the proceeds of the album benefit Lonesome Pine Mutual Aid, an Appalachian organization which distributes flood relief including food, drinking water, and other community care across southwest Virginia where Hobart Smith lived and learned his music. The Thrill was named “Best Roots Music of 2022” by NPR and can be experienced exclusively on Bandcamp here: www.nicandallison.bandcamp.com
Kaïa Kater
Montreal-born Grenadian-Canadian Kaia’s jazz-fueled voice and deft songcraft have garnered acclaim from NPR’s Tiny Desk, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and No Depression. Through her artful banjo playing and lush songwriting, Kaia draws on influences rooted in Quebec, the Caribbean, and Appalachia, all of which reflect the diversity of her background; her ties to the Canadian folk music scene; her college years spent soaking up Appalachian music in West Virginia, her father’s experience growing up in Grenada, and her recent work in film composition.
Her new JUNO Award-winning album, Strange Medicine was created during a period of deep self-reflection and reinvention. The album finds Kater expanding her creative scope with cinematic arrangements, and working with guest artists such as Taj Mahal, Allison Russell, and Aoife O’Donovan. The album celebrates the power of women and oppressed people throughout history, while also sharing meditations on her own life.
Neva is from Fairbanks, Alaska and moved around a lot during the first years of her musical journey in classical violin before ending up in Colorado. After discovering alternative styles like Texas fiddle, old-time, Celtic, bluegrass, and jazz, music making and songwriting became a clear passion and direction in her life. This expanded into teaching, where she focuses on self-expression and having fun while building skills in ear training, chord progressions, communication, and arrangements across instruments.
Outside of music, Neva works in graphic design and illustration, enjoys snowboarding, and loves cooking and trying new foods.
First concert? Weird Al
What’s a song you could listen to all day long? “Day After Day” by Badfinger
Favorite Colorado hangout? Red Rocks Ampitheater
What’s your favorite thing about Swallow Hill? The welcoming community and mission to try new things and connect through music.
Milestone
🎸✨ Experience the Music of THE BEATLES with Milestone! ✨🎸
Join Milestone for an amazing live concert celebrating the timeless music of The Beatles! This talented group of top-tier musicians performs a two-hour journey through every era of the Fab Four — from the early classics to the legendary later albums.
No costumes. No impersonations. Just incredible musicianship, authentic performances, beautiful harmonies, and all the songs you know and love.
Sing and dance along, and relive the magic of the greatest band of all time!
🎶 Featuring hits from every Beatles album
🎤 Powerful vocals & lush harmonies
🕺 A fun, high-energy show for all ages
Come together with Milestone for a night of unforgettable music!
Two Runner
Amid the excitement and ambiguity of a new start, Paige Anderson of Two Runner poses poignant questions on Porchlight, her resolute and tenderhearted new record. Beautiful string arrangements, intimate confessionals, and rollicking hymns for the lost and determined, here is an artist who’s been on the road consistently since early childhood – with persistence and commitment to her craft clearly in no short supply.
Porchlight offers tunes that are warm and steady, relatable nostalgia twinged with the ache of needing to move on. The result aptly links the uncertainty of letting go and simultaneous resolve of someone faced with no other choice. A destiny perhaps sealed from an early age, as Anderson began her touring career in a six-person family bluegrass band from the age of nine. Now nearly a decade into her own music career, she’s seen stages warming up for Sierra Ferrell, Watchhouse and Molly Tuttle.
Although change often comes en masse, it is surreal and jarring to start again. Paige Anderson offers Two Runner as solace and escape for those needing to reset, with sage comfort and kindness from her own accounts, the way all great songwriters do. Porchlight is perhaps best summed up by the chorus in track five, ‘Mocking Crow’: “Wake up tomorrow, there’s no in between – your heart knows what you need.” A reckoning, a stark look in the mirror, hope, and forward movement against all odds.
Dustbowl Revival
How do you describe genre-defying roots music adventurers Dustbowl Revival? Even tireless founder and lead songwriter Z. Lupetin would agree you have to come to a show to find out. Going strong into their second decade after starting from a humble Craigslist ad posted in bohemian Venice Beach, some would say Dustbowl’s ever-evolving collective (there have been nearly thirty members!) plays a spicy cocktail of folky-funk or booty-shaking jangly rock n’ soul: expertly mixing their New Orleans-tinted brass section with their signature Laurel Canyon harmonies and fearless lyrics.
While most bands stay in one lane or fade away quickly, Dustbowl Revival is a testament to building a fanbase and their own sound the old-fashioned way, with hard work and moving songs that stick to your bones when you leave the concert. There’s a reason they continue to get written up in Rolling Stone and Billboard and get played on AAA radio 16 years after they set sail.
After releasing seven acclaimed albums starting in 2008, including their beloved live record With A Lampshade On (2015) recorded mostly at their LA homebase the famed Troubadour, and their charting self-titled record (2017) produced by Grammy-winner Ted Hutt (Flogging Molly, Old Crow Medicine Show), perhaps their magnum opus is 2020’s deeply personal Is It You, Is It Me – produced by Sam Kassirer (Lake Street Dive, Josh Ritter). It showcases their penchant for orchestral brass and intricate string work with politically-charged story-songs that unfold like mini-movies. It’s not surprising that Z. Lupetin was an award-winning playwright and moved to LA from Chicago to be a screenwriter before music took the reins. “Get Rid Of You”, an ode to the courageous kids in Parkland, FL who stood up to demand common-sense control laws be passed is a heart-wrenching staple of each show and “Get Right” – a new stomp blues that will be a part of their upcoming 2025 record, confronts the vigilante justice that exists throughout our country head on.
While staying proudly independent, the band has garnered over ten million streams and counting – with romantic jams like “Honey, I Love You” (featuring bluesmaster Keb’ Mo’) and fan favorites like “Sonic Boom” and “Debtors Prison” leading the charge. Many first learned about the band after the now 98-year old legend (and fan of the group) Dick Van Dyke let the gang shoot a music video with him dancing in his signature straw hat at his house – and of course the quirky jam to “Never Had To Go” went viral, being seen over five million times, while being featured on an HBO documentary about aging with joy.
Kate Madden
Kate has served on the board of Swallow Hill Music since 2026. Originally from Montana, she moved to Colorado in 2016 to attend law school. Her passion for music began early in life, and she played bassoon throughout school. When she isn’t supporting our communication efforts, you can find her at a concert, trying new Denver restaurants, camping/hiking, and adventuring with her new puppy.
First concert? Bob Dylan with Asleep at the Wheel
What song could you listen to all day long? “When I Was a Young Girl” by Marlon Williams
Favorite Colorado hangout? Washington Park
J. Villalobos
Development & Stewardship Coordinator (she/her/hers)
Originally from north Denver, J. brings a combined 12 years of non-profit administrative, development, and database experience to Swallow Hill Music. She has an academic background in poetry, and also a passion for music-making, playing guitar and songwriting when possible.
As the Development & Stewardship Coordinator she focuses on donor stewardship, gift processing, ensuring reporting accuracy, and general fundraising support. Outside of Swallow Hill Music J. frequents the movies, loves going to concerts, trying new Thai, Vietnamese, and Mexican restaurants, and reading a good book of poems.
First concert?Vicente Fernandez at the Denver Coliseum.
What song could you listen to all day long? Probably something with Roy Orbison’s epic vocals, ‘Only the Lonely,’ or ‘Blue Bayou.’ Very tough question!
Favorite Colorado hangout? Sie Film Center
Mimi Tiews
Patron Experience Associate (she/her/hers)
Mimi was born in Houston, Texas but spent the majority of growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After graduating from college in West Michigan with degrees in Art History and German, Mimi moved to Denver with the desire to meet new people and get involved in the culture and happenings in Colorado! She has always loved music, harboring dreams of singing and dancing that led her for a brief time to ballet boarding school, but now her passions have led her to supporting those spaces where people can learn and grow their passions for art in all its avenues!
She often assists with class and concert set-ups, daily communications, and greeting all the lovely folks who step into Swallow Hill each day. When she’s not behind the front desk, you can find Mimi sitting down with a good book in the sun or taking a walk listening to a podcast.
First concert?Kacey Musgraves!!
What song could you listen to all day long? “Hello Walls” by Willie Nelson
Favorite Colorado hangout? Leven!! Best sandwiches ever
Faith Koltak
Finance Director (she/her/hers)
Faith is originally from NE Ohio. Music has been the thread running through her life. Although both parents were music majors, she was encouraged to choose a “serious” profession. She set her sights on law; accounting had other plans. After a long, winding career, she feels incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to blend her quirky enjoyment of accounting and finance with her love of music.
As the Finance Director for Swallow Hill, Faith’s primary responsibility is to ensure the financial health of SHM. She willingly sacrifices her sanity to support the creative geniuses that make up the rest of our swoop. Away from work, she’s probably lending knowledge to a local horse sanctuary for loving nuzzles; tending to 200 house plants, 2 jumping spiders, and Siamese cat; escaping the city for the solitude of a good trail; reading; traveling or; playing poker.
First concert?The Bellamy Brothers (also the first time she won a radio station give away, age 9)
What song could you listen to all day long? This question is a trap! It totally depends on the day.
Favorite Colorado hangout? Anywhere I can photograph wildlife or hug a tree in solitude.
Apple Hultz
Patron Experience Associate (they/she)
Apple is an artist and creative born and raised in Denver, Colorado. After studying Spanish and International Affairs, Apple decided to pursue their art career and is drawn to spaces that foster art, community, and connection. At Swallow Hill, Apple is excited to be surrounded by the music community and learn more about the technical production of live shows. You can find Apple greeting guests at the front desk, setting rooms for classes, and lending a helpful hand wherever needed. Outside of work, you can find Apple making art, looking at art, and causing chaos throughout the metro area.
First concert?Old Crow Medicine Show
Favorite Colorado hangout? South Broadway
Luc Fuentes
Production Coordinator (they/them)
Luc is originally from Grand Junction, CO; they attended Colorado Mesa University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Music with Elective Studies in Business. They have a strong passion for all things music and working for nonprofit organizations. Luc first became interested in learning more about music when they started playing the violin at 11 years-old. Soon after, this led them to pick up the guitar, ukulele, piano, and eventually, to study voice (their personal favorite).
As the Production Coordinator, Luc is responsible for house managing and assisting with various onsite and offsite shows, supporting the Concerts Department in whatever ways are needed, and for creating a positive and impactful concert experience for artists/crews/engineers/Swallow Hill staff and volunteers.
Outside of Swallow Hill, you can find Luc singing in a local chorus, thrifting/antiquing, enjoying some good food, or spending time with friends and family!
First concert? James Bay with Noah Kahan as the opener in 2019
What song could you listen to all day long? “Will You Be There” by Michael Jackson
Favorite Colorado hangout? My grandparents house in GJ 😀
Katie Aiken
Concert Director(she/her/hers)
Katie Aiken is a culture worker dedicated to peoples’ experience of, and access to, music in many forms. As a program director, public folklorist, and arts manager, she has been part of many folk and roots institutions as they move their vision into new eras. Katie has worked for cultural non-profits, performance venues, and both folklife and contemporary arts organizations to serve diverse artists and audiences through arts programming.
She received an M.A. in Ethnomusicology from Columbia University and an M.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Denver, where her ethnographic work spoke to interplays between “traditional” and “popular” musics in the Americas. She has held positions at Irish Arts Center in New York City, Staten Island Arts, and the Western Folklife Center in Elko, Nevada. Katie grew up in northwest Colorado and first cut her teeth at local institutions like the Laboratory of Art and Ideas in Lakewood and Macky Auditorium in Boulder. She looks forward to celebrating and serving Denver’s musical communities with dynamic concerts and events.
Traveling Wilburys Revue
George Harrison, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne… The super-group The Traveling Wilburys never performed live the music they created out of that brief moment at the invitation of George Harrison to ‘get together and write some songs.’ Hits like Handle With Care, End Of The Line, Last Night…
The Traveling Wilburys Revue brings that music of the Wilburys and the hits from each of these individual artists to every show. Here Comes The Sun, Won’t Back Down, Pretty Woman, Like A Rolling Stone, Don’t Bring Me Down, and more that everyone knows and loves. Now fans can finally see and hear these great songs at every performance of The Traveling Wilburys Revue.
Shakedown Street
For over 30 years, Shakedown Street has been performing the immense catalog of the Grateful Dead. The ever-shifting repertoire draws from homegrown idioms steeped in traditional Americana, folk, blues, jazz, and rock and roll, with a healthy dose of the avant-garde. Dig deeper into the songs, their storylines, and the characters inhabiting them, and you’ll find enduring tales of murder and intrigue, gamblers and thieves, sinners and saints, tales of everyman, mythic and surreal, blue-collar rhapsodies in a kaleidoscopic tapestry awash in color, sound, and light.
Shakedown Street’s own story finds them continuing to play to enthusiastic sold-out audiences, while marching up and down, going around and around their beloved home in the mountains of Colorado. The band happily finds itself in the trusted role of connecting past, present and future Grateful Dead fans with the vital and vibrant energies of improvisational live music. Endlessly fun, exciting, dramatic, uplifting, inspirational. The band and audience in concert. A reset for the soul!
Colorado Springsteen
Colorado Springsteen brings the power of Bruce and the E Street band to life on stage and proves it all night! This band formed in 2022 to play the “Born in the USA” album for its 40th anniversary (June 4, 2024).
With capacity shows at the Aggie and Boulder Theater and enthusiastic responses from the audiences, Colorado Springsteen is moving ahead with more shows and a deeper setlist. Members of this group come from varied backgrounds but have an enormous amount of talent and experience.
Sugar Britches play a Tribute to John Prine
Sugar Britches is a blend of mischievous high-brow honky-tonk with eclectic instrumental accompaniment and clever lyrics, written by Brian Johanson and performed by a cavalcade of characters. Combining good ‘ol country heartache along with snarky folksy wit, Sugar Britches has been playing non-stop throughout Colorado and the great West in bars, parking lots, weddings, bat mitzvahs, rodeos, amphitheaters and regular-ass theaters since 2017.
Sugar Britches have received critical acclaim and plain old criticism. They have won hearts and minds and driven audiences wild with their sex appeal and wit. They have opened up for many national touring artists, including Reckless Kelly, Wynonna Judd & the Big Noise, Hannah Dasher, Jaime Wyatt, Big Richard, Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters, Pokey LaFarge, Corb Lund, The Reverend Horton Heat and Jason Eady.
The band released their first album, Don’t Make Her a Mixtape Yet You Idiot, in 2019, their second album, No One Cares That It’s Your Birthday in September of 2022, and they are working on new songs and artistic endeavors all the time.
The Band features Brian Johanson on lead vocals and guitar, Lance Ruby on lead electric guitar, Ansel Foxley on Dobro, Cameron Collums on upright bass and a rotating cast of amazing guest musicians. Keep your eyes peeled for all of our special guests!
A Tribute to Joni Mitchell, feat. Liz Barnez, Rebecca Folsom, Celeste Krenz
Join us for a celebration of the songs and artistry of Joni Mitchell as we bring her songs to life! Often referred to as the greatest contemporary songwriter, Joni has been a huge influence in our lives and music over the years. Joni’s career has spanned over half a century, and in that time, she explored and experimented in many genres of music and made them her own. We have selected some of our favorite Joni songs and aspire to honor the original and explore our individual artistry through her songs.
Liz Barnez, Rebecca Folsom, and Celeste Krenz will be singing and providing harmony vocals, guitar, and piano.
ABOUT THE FEATURED ARTISTS:
Liz Barnez has been a touring performing songwriter for over 35 years. Born and raised in New Orleans, Liz’s music is informed by the rhythms and musical traditions of her place of birth. She moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where she continues to write, record, and perform.
“You’ll want to listen to the lyrics, but you’ll want to dance while doing so” – A fan
Liz was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in November 2019 as a member of the “Mother Folkers”. She was named “Best Female Singer/Songwriter” by her peers and FoCoMA (Fort Collins Musicians Association), she was also presented with the Lifetime Music Award in 2016 by FoCoMA.
Liz is currently in the studio recording and is releasing a single a month in 2024 culminating in the release of the full album toward the end of the year!
Colorado singer-songwriter and international touring artist Rebecca Folsom is on a mission to change the world one listener at a time! Rebecca has released eleven albums and written and published two books of poetry. Her latest album, Sanctuary, is a collaboration with activists, social justice organizations, and those impacted in compromised, disempowered situations. The title song, Sanctuary, was a finalist in the 2021 International Songwriting Competition and went to #1 on the National Roots Folk Radio Chart. In addition, Rebecca facilitates vibrant coaching workshops.
“Rebecca Folsom’s newest album Sanctuary is worthy of awe.” Americana Highways
“Her songs hit like little earthquakes.’ Westword Magazine
Former Denverite Celeste Krenz is a singer / songwriter of rare talent, with a pure, sweet voice. Her music is infused with healthy doses of pop tunefulness and folky austerity–a classic example of Nashville songwriting a la Nanci Griffith, Iris DeMent, and Emmylou Harris.
“An infectious blend of sweet vocals, story based lyrics and acoustic sensibilities.” Billboard Magazine
“Meticulously drawn songwriting, equal parts, torch and poetry, brain and soul.” David Kirby, Denver Post
The 3eatles
The 3eatles perform the music of The Beatles the way it was intended to be heard – live, raucous, high-energy rock n’ roll.
To correctly reproduce the exact live sound of the world’s greatest rock n’ roll band, The 3eatles use the identical guitars and amps that The Beatles used when they played clubs; and they sing and play the verbatim parts that John, Paul, George, and Ringo sang and played on the Fab Four’s records.
The 3eatles got their start in Conifer, CO as an acoustic Beatles sound alike trio in late 2005 – hence the name The 3eatles. But it wasn’t long before they decided to fire up their electric guitars and add bass and drums to deliver the true Beatle sound.
The lads were noticed by a popular Denver radio station as the band that most captured the essence of the Beatles, and became regulars on their show “Breakfast With the Beatles”. From then on, they have been a Beatles fixture on the Denver music scene!
Although the name never changed (it was too catchy), the four talented musicians of The 3eatles continue to entertain enthusiastic crowds everywhere. Thousands of people have come to listen and dance to The 3eatles over the years, as they faithfully recreate the raw energy and passion of the amazing Beatles. We invite you to join them!
The Other Brothers
The Other Brothers unite some of Colorado’s most revered musicians to honor one of America’s greatest musical legacies: The Allman Brothers Band. This powerhouse lineup draws from an impressive pedigree, featuring members of JJ Grey & Mofro, Circles Around The Sun, John Oates Band, and the core of the original Derek Trucks Band, a combination that brings serious chops and deep respect to the music.
The Other Brothers channel the fire, soul, and fearless improvisation that made The Allman Brothers Band a force of nature. Anchored by Colorado’s thriving music scene, the band delivers the classics such as “Dreams,” “Jessica,” “Whipping Post” with intensity and authenticity, while also digging deep into rarities and unexpected gems rarely heard live.
Band Members:
Bill McKay (Steely Dead / Derek Trucks Band)
Mark Levy (Circles Around The Sun)
John Michel (John Oates Band)
James Dumm (Johnny & The Mongrels / Drunken Hearts)
Rob Eaton Jr. (Brother’s Keeper)
Will Trask (High Hawks)
Strum-Along
with Denver Uke Community
Unleash your inner Uke superstar at the Denver Uke Community Strum Along! After a day filled with Ukefest extravaganza, your brain might feel like a bursting piñata! Fear not, because we’ve got the ultimate remedy: an hour of non-stop strumming, where learning takes a break, and pure musical AWESOMENESS ensues!
We proudly guarantee that you will NOT learn another thing (promise!). Instead, get ready to jam, groove, and sway along with your fellow ukulele enthusiasts. It’s a guaranteed recipe for joy and laughter.
Forge unforgettable connections as you strum along with both new and old ukulele pals. Embrace the camaraderie, share tunes, and bask in the soulful sounds that only ukulele lovers can create!
Lindsay Temple
Concert Production Assistant (she/her/hers)
Lindsay was born and raised in Daytona Beach, Florida. She is excited about supportive roles in the music industry. At work, Lindsay can be found managing shows at Swallow Hill on the weekends. In her free time, she enjoys writing music journalism, sunbathing and dancing.
First concert? Itzhak Perlman
What song could you listen to all day long? “Please Don’t Make Me Cry” by Lianne La Havas
Sam grew up in Huntington Beach, CA and participated in multiple community theaters throughout the Southern California area. She then moved to North Carolina for college in search for new areas of study and went on to complete her B.A. in Sociology in 3 1/2 years. After graduating from Elon University, Sam worked for multiple award-winning venues such as DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center), The Washington Ballet, and The National Theatre in DC. She moved to Denver in 2016 and has never felt more at home in the mountains. As the Concert Production Assistant, Sam is the point of contact for touring artists, to make sure Swallow Hill is a home away from home, and that everything goes smoothly and seamlessly during showtime. In her free time, Sam loves to read books and go camping. She also enjoys grabbing coffee with friends and talking about the waves of life. Take it easy!
First concert? Weird Al Yankovic
What song could you listen to all day long? “Long Distance Runaround” by Yes
Favorite Denver (or Colorado) hangout? Stella’s Coffee Haus
Blake Schierer
Concert Production Manager (he/him/his)
Blake is originally from Chicago, IL and has been a musician since he was a kid. Blake went to school at the University of Montana before returning back to Chicago and starting a career in large scale sports event management. He moved to Denver in 2015, and after 13 years in the sports industry, made the jump to follow his heart and passion for music and joined the Swallow Hill team. He is grateful and thrilled to be a part of the Concert Production team, bringing live music (and joy!) to the community.
When not at Swallow Hill, you can find Blake playing with his band, rooting for the Bears, Cubs, and Blackhawks at a local sports bar, hanging with his wife (and dogs) at City Park, or catching a live show.
First concert? The Beach Boys under the St. Louis Arch in 1992
What song could you listen to all day long? “A Day in the Life” by The Beatles
Favorite Denver (or Colorado) hangout? Reverence Brewing Company
Ukulele Nature Walk
with the Denver Ukulele Community
Join us for a unique experience at the Denver UkeFest’s Ukulele Meditation Nature Walk! Take some steps into a serene place where music, nature (as much as we can get in Denver proper), and mindfulness converge to create an unforgettable hour of tranquility that will nourish your soul and calm your mind. We will begin with a stroll to an urban oasis on our way to a peaceful meditation session.
During our time together, we will connect with our inner self and the world around us by letting the gentle strumming of ukulele chords guide us into a state of blissful relaxation. As we bask in the serenity, feel life’s worries melt away, leaving us rejuvenated and ready to embrace the festivities of Ukefest. Let our melodies, meditation, and the great outdoors come together in perfect harmony as we unwind, recharge, and get ready for a day of fun and celebration at Ukefest!
Solo Uke and Gypsy Jazz
with John Nash
Solo playing w/ ukulele can be such a rewarding endeavor on the ukulele. When learning to juggle melody, harmony and rhythm it can be challenging to hold this last, and most important element down.
In this workshop we’ll be exploring the Django Reinhardt classic Limehouse Blues and using it to learn some fundamental rhythms of gypsy jazz. At the same time we’ll learn how to weave in the melody while keeping our strumming pattern consistent and solid.
Fretboard Findings
with Bryan Tolentino
Use your whole neck – you paid for it, might as well! Get more color, vocabulary, and options on your whole uke in this workshop.
Navigate up and down the fretboard, use the chromatic scale logically and tastefully, and learn how to hear the I-V and I-IV-V chord progressions in various keys.
The Art of Solo Ukulele
with James Hill
Playing melody, harmony and rhythm at the same time is the ukulele’s greatest magic trick.
Learn the secrets of chord-melody from James Hill with this fun workshop.
Clawhammer Ukulele
with Jem Zornow
“Clawhammer” is a traditional banjo technique that adds an energetic, driving rhythm to any song. Most people don’t realize it, but the high G string on a ukulele makes the instrument perfect for clawhammer playing.
Join Jem in this workshop to learn the basics of clawhammer ukulele, to add energy and spice to your bluegrass and folk playing.
The Polyphonic Uke
with Chris McGarry
Polyphony in music occurs when two or more independent parts are performed simultaneously.
This workshop will explore various approaches to rounds, partner songs and more on the ukulele. Musicians in this workshop will learn to take simple melodies, and divide them into multiple parts – a perfect practice for small ukulele gatherings or clubs.
Musicians will learn solo polyphonic techniques as well for an additional challenge.
Bluegrass Ukulele
with Casey Cormier
What can sound like a banjo, guitar, and mandolin all in one? An ukulele, of course!
Learn to roll, chop, and boom-chick your way through bluegrass classics, adopt the etiquette of jam sessions, and take or pass a solo in this workshop that’ll have Bill Monroe dancing in his casket!
Ukulele 101
with Daniella Katzir
Welcome to the wonderful world of ukulele! In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of how to tune and play this four-string instrument from the island of Hawaii.
In this course we’ll learn to tune our ukuleles, play a handful of chords, strum easy songs, pluck simple melodies, and have fun with our four-string friends.
Sarah Keller
Cafe Staff (she/her/hers)
Sarah Keller was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and has been singing and playing music for as long as she can remember. After majoring in Environmental Studies, she worked as an organic vegetable farmer for three years. She found her way back to music through classes at Swallow Hill, and is grateful to have joined the Quinlan Café staff, where she fixes drinks and creates meaningful and friendly experiences for our community members! When she’s not at the Café, you can find her writing and performing music with her band mud & marrow, making jewelry, and loving the great outdoors.
First concert? The Beatles 1964 Tribute Band at Red Rocks
What song could you listen to all day long? “Everything Happens to Me” by Chet Baker
Favorite Denver (or Colorado) hangout? Stella’s Coffee Haus
Teen Jam
Learn to better express yourself through music while forming relationships with peers in the Teen Jam Session. This monthly jam is youth-led and free for musicians aged 13-18 who are looking to explore their live jamming skills. This includes developing improvisation chops, ironing out songwriting ideas, and collaborating with like-minded artists in a safe space. We’ll provide a complete backline of drums, amps, axes, keys, and mics.
Tabla Jam
Learn the basics and compositions of Tabla. Develop the clarity, the stamina, and a better understanding of its language in these three hour monthly sessions which explore the sounds and feels of the Tabla: the iconic pair of twin hand drums of North Indian heritage. Tabla players, new students, percussionists, and non-percussionists looking to learn Hindustani and other musical genres that feature this instrument are welcome. In these sessions led by Nabin Shrestha, we’ll provide some of the instruments, but also invite other kinds of instruments to accompany the jam.
We want to create a Tabla player community by introducing the instrument’s language to non-Tabla players and play Hindustani compositions across various genres and instruments. Rhythm players will begin to understand the language and all the math behind the Tabla compositions.
Swallow Hill Sing Along
Join us for a free sing along every other week! We’ll sing well-known folk, pop, country, musical theatre, and rock tunes. Lyrics will be displayed on the screen, and no experience is required; just bring your voice and a willingness to join in song. All ages welcome. This Sing Along is geared toward people aged 16 and up.
Old-Time Jam
This jam brings together folks to play music of various old-time repertoire and traditions. Though mostly centered around the Southern Appalachian region, in recent years artists from both sides of the Atlantic and beyond like Black Twig Pickers, Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi, Anna & Elizabeth, and many more have demonstrated how old-time can exist and evolve in modern times. This music is most commonly played on acoustic guitars, banjos, and fiddles, however, all instruments are welcome. You are unique and special, come make music with us!
Jazz Jam
Improvising in jazz and other idioms requires balancing harmony, rhythms, and melodic patterns. Each Jazz Jam begins by examining a key portion of a jazz standard, planning how to improvise over the changes, and then giving everyone a chance to put theory into practice. We’ll spend the rest of our time applying what we’ve just learned in other jazz standards or pop tunes that attendees wish to play. Beginners will get to learn the full scope of music knowledge waiting for them. More advanced players will be able to deepen their theory and swap tricks. And everyone will get to solo and build their confidence.
If you require the use of a drum set, please call (303) 777-1003 at least one day PRIOR to the day of the jam.
Irish Jam
This is a beginner/intermediate traditional Irish-style music session. We are sheet music friendly so bring a tune or two and your instrument. All instruments and songs are welcome.
Loop 2 Loop Vocal Improv Jam
Tom Weiser and Roy Willey use their loopers to create improvised vocal grooves and soundscapes to listen to, sing with, move to, and play over. Come as a listener, or as a participant. At times, Roy and Tom will facilitate structures that will help ease your way into joining the groove. Singers, movers, instrumentalists, and spoken word artists welcome. This jam is open for all experience levels.
Denver Uke Community
The Denver Uke Community is open to all ukulele players of any skill level. Held on the 3rd Saturday of every month at Swallow Hill (except during the summer), ukulele players get together and share songs in a supportive, group setting. For more info, please visit www.den-uke.com.
Clawhammer Corner
Clawhammer Corner meets on the last Thursday of each month and welcomes clawhammer banjo players of all levels. The point is to meet up and share the things you’re working on so we can learn from each other. Share a tune, a technique, or your favorite banjo player that gives you inspiration. Caleb will always have something ready to share/discuss should no one have anything they want to share or talk about.
Circle Singing is a community singing and sounding practice, spontaneous and evolving — like a drum circle for voices.
Based on practices developed by Bobby McFerrin and his collaborators, Circle Singing is a supportive, judgment-free space to play with your voice. Leaders create songs in the moment — patterns, percussive sounds, rhythms, harmonies, melodies, recognizable words, or invented language — and teach the parts orally to the rest of the group. The parts layer together into completely original compositions, each song a unique creation, never sung before, never to be sung again.
It’s a very organic, playful, community singing experience. This is a free, open vocal jam where all voices are welcome!
Bluegrass Jam
Our bluegrass jam is a place for you to try a song out that you’ve been working on or learn new songs that you’ve never heard. Anyone can drop into this informal and collaborative setting anytime and get direction on technique, performance, and song repertoire. Drop in, tune-up, and chill out while playing a traditional bluegrass jam.
Wednesday Night Jam
February jams led by Caleb Schwing | 8 pm in the Quinlan Cafe
Caleb grew up in Evergreen as well as the Park Hill neighborhood of Denver. After spending ten years living in Los Angeles, he’s is back where it all started and happy to be part of the community that helped shape him as a musician at an early age. Caleb holds down the fort at the front desk, handles instrument donations and is the unofficial bouncer at Swallow Hill. Outside of work you can find him with BBQ sauce on his shirt watching Ancient Aliens, bagging thick trout up Bear creek or crying purple tears down at Coors Field. Come through and jam!
Tuesday Night Jam
Led by Mike Jagel | 8 pm in the Quinlan Cafe
The Tuesday Night Jam with Mike Jagel is a storied hour, steeped well into decades of ‘Hill lore. Mike brings in beautiful charts of SH standards, cowboy classics, bluegrass bangers and encourages students to bring in their own charts of whatever they may want to lead. Count on Mike to keep time and bring out the best in beginner jammers as well as the Tuesday night regular rippers.
Monday Night Jam
Led by Spencer Erik Crawford | 8 pm in the Quinlan Cafe
The Monday Night Cafe Jam knows no boundaries when it comes to genres, as Spencer will lead Zydeco sing-a-longs into Prince’s Greatest Hits and Bluegrass classics into Top 40 AM Gold. Spencer will call out chords, changes and get you choogling as you kick off your week. Students are encouraged to lead tunes when they feel called.
Meaghan Lillis
Office Manager (she/her/they)
Born and raised in Colorado, Meaghan received her BS in Music from CU Denver in 2008. Since then, she’s sung and played keys/synth/keytar in a wide variety of Denver bands, taught piano and voice lessons at schools for over a decade, and recorded multiple albums. As Swallow Hill’s office manager, Meaghan helps keep each department humming, gets resources to staff and teachers, and oversees admin organization and scheduling. When not at Swallow Hill or playing music around the city, you can find Meaghan hiking/biking local trails, backpacking in the mountains and desert, or cooking a new recipe.
First concert? Garbage at the Mammoth (now the Fillmore) Theater!
What song could you listen to all day long? “Chameleon” by Herbie Hancock
Favorite Denver (or Colorado) hangout? Apex Park, Tonantzin Cafe, and My Brother’s Bar
David Dugan
Talent Buyer (he/him/his)
Born and raised in Fort Collins, Colorado, David is an experienced musician and event’s manager with over 15 years of involvement in the professional music and entertainment industry. Before joining Swallow Hill Music, he spent time working at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the Bohemian Foundation, and Lost Lake Lounge; where he helped to plan, promote, and produce live events. As a musician, David has released multiple studio projects and played concerts all across the world. In his role as Talent Buyer, David is responsible for booking concerts at Swallow Hill Music. Outside of work, you can find him cheering on the Colorado Avalanche, golfing with his friends, or taking in a local concert.
First concert? Eddie Money
What song could you listen to all day long? “The Modern Age” by The Strokes
Favorite Denver (or Colorado) hangout? Fort Greene Bar & The Harvard Gultch Par 3 Golf Course
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Andy McQueen
Sound Engineer (he/him/his)
Andy is originally from right here in Denver, Colorado. He went to school for audio production, but he first worked at Swallow Hill in the realm of construction.
In the role of an audio engineer he is responsible for the setup, tear down, and sound engineering of live performances. When he isn’t working you’ll find him learning and improving on many craft skills and occasionally playing frisbee with his friend Pepper.
First concert? Bob Weir at Red Rocks (but the first show I chose to attend was Nirvana.)
What song could you listen to all day long? “Coffee and Cigarettes” by Lagwagon
Amy is a Minnesota native who relocated to Denver in 2021 to pursue her master’s degree at the University of Denver. In 2023, her academic journey culminated in earning her master’s in Arts and Culture Management, with a specialized focus on outreach and advocacy. Her experience in nonprofit organizations and passion for the arts led her to Swallow Hill.
As the Concert Production Assistant, Amy’s primary responsibilities include managing venue operations, supporting a variety of events and concerts, and handling administrative duties. Additionally, she serves as the primary day-of-show contact to ensure the smooth and consistent “run of show.”
You can find Amy at a local ice rink when she is not working. Since 2010, Amy is a professional figure skater and has traveled as far as Saudi Arabia and the Philippines to perform in ice skating productions. When she’s not busy, you can find her running or hiking on the numerous trails of Colorado.
First concert? The Beach Boys
What song could you listen to all day long? “The Mother We Share” by Chvrches
Favorite Denver (or Colorado) hangout? Steam Espresso Bar
Caleb Schwing
Guitar, Piano, Songwriting (he/him/his)
Caleb spent his childhood in Evergreen before his rotten parents uprooted him for the metropolis of Denver at the ripe age of 13. After graduating Denver School of the Arts and frequenting Swallow Hill, he moved to the Desert City of Los Angeles where he spent four years as a working songwriter and producer. He is now back in his home state and Excited to share what he’s learned along the way.
Caleb Specializes in songwriting, production and guitar yet struggles in the fields of diet, spelling and knowing why his wife is mad at him. Outside of the studio you’ll find him fishing with his brother, watching the Nuggets with his Shar-Pei Kingsley or alone in a stranger’s house buying cowboy boots off of facebook marketplace.
If you like to laugh, cry and play Willie Nelson, consider Caleb as your next instructor and best friend.
First concert? 30 Seconds to Mars at Boulder Theater
What song could you listen to all day long? “Here, There and Everywhere” by The Beatles
Favorite Denver (or Colorado) hangout? Thin Man
Katherine Thomas
Customer Service Associate (she/her/hers)
Born and raised in Denver, Kat has always been interested in music, playing the piano from a young age. Her love for the arts and appreciation of the community music can bring, has lead her to Swallow Hill as a Customer Service Associate. While she primarily had experience serving food n booze, she is now serving sick tunes. Working with students and teachers to coordinate all the daily craziness with a big ol’ smile n dance behind the scenes. She often assists with classroom/concert set-ups, daily communications and anyone that may need a helping hand. When Kat is not working she can be found at a local dog park, a good sunset spot or anywhere with some dancing!
First concert? Fall Out Boy with Wiz Khalifa opening
What song could you listen to all day long? Feathery by Milky Chance
Favorite Denver (or Colorado) hangout? Daniel’s Park in Castle Pines
Tori Barnett
Marketing Director (she/her/hers)
Tori, a Colorado native, is the marketing director at Swallow Hill. She brings more than two decades of experience to her role in marketing and communications, including 15 years in the nonprofit sector. Her career path was inspired by a desire to create a positive impact on Denver’s communities, and she thoroughly enjoys nurturing a love for music at Swallow Hill. She possesses an expertise in building marketing programs through brand development, data-driven strategies, and cultivating meaningful connections. Outside of work, you’ll find her trying to grow vegetables, climbing or biking in the mountains, or exploring the nooks and crannies of Denver’s cultural scene.
First concert? Weezer at the Ogden
What song could you listen to all day long? Everyday People by Sly and the Family Stone. (Also love the Joan Jett & The Blackhearts cover!)
Favorite Denver (or Colorado) hangout? Goosetown Station in Golden
Andrew Roberts
Facilities Technician (he/him/his)
Andrew “Squirrel” Roberts spent his childhood in Loveland Colorado and Lewisburg West Virginia. Andrew works in facilities making sure the building and parking lot look beautiful and that all the electrical, plumbing, boiler, roofing etc… is in working order. Andrew has worked as a painter, roofer, handyman for years as well as a music director at the School of Rock. Andrew plays bass guitar, synthesizers, a little bit of drums and knocks em dead at karaoke! When not at Swallow Hill, Andrew can be found adventuring on his motorcycle, seeing a local band, hanging with his chickens & pooch or just jamming out.
What was the first concert you attended? Yes at Fiddler’s Green in 1997
What song could you listen to all day long? I never get sick of any song by Rush or Squarepusher.
Favorite Denver hangout? Mutiny Information Cafe
Harry Todd
School and Customer Service Associate (he/him/his)
Harry has tried to leave his hometown of Denver many times, but its just never lasted. He has worked in the music world in a variety of different roles — college radio host, music journalist, and record store clerk at good ol’ Twist & Shout Records on Colfax. At Swallow Hill, Harry gets to work with teachers and their students to book private lessons while hanging out at the front desk. He also gets to defend his title as Swallow Hill’s inaugural ping pong tournament champion when time allows. Catch Harry around town biking, baking, and brute-forcing his way through the crossword.
First Concert? David Byrne at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 2004
What song could you listen to all day long? “Condition the World is In” by Religious Souls.
Favorite Denver (or Colorado) hangout? Novel Strand Brewing Company
Our Music School operates in six sessions of eight weeks throughout the year – see the chart below to see when the next round of classes will be on sale.
Marcus was born and raised in the Denver area. He began taking hand drum lessons at age 9 at Swallow Hill Music and now teaches djembe, congas, cajon, bongos, and various support / backup percussion. He always loved drumming and especially playing for worship services since that time. This being the case, drumming has not just been a hobby but has great spiritual significance in his life. He also works with repairing and rebuilding hand drums. Outside of work, Marcus loves working with animals and plants at home as well as volunteering for his church. He breeds various reptiles as well as other animals, and especially loves gardening cacti.
What was your first concert? Tony Melendez (a guitarist with no arms who plays with his feet!)
What song could you listen to all day? “Ride on to Die” by Michael Card
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? The dog park
Favorite Swallow Hill memory? When I was about 10, my Swallow Hill drum teacher (now long time friend), brought me to meet his wife and introduce me to his son who his wife was pregnant with at the time. This is one of my favorite memories because I am still close with them to this day and they have been a major part of my life growing up, and I would not have been blessed to come to know such wonderful people if it was not for Swallow Hill!
Sherise Talbott
Membership and Individual Donor Manager (she/her/hers)
Born and raised in Colorado, Sherise grew up on the Front Range in Longmont and Fort Collins and moved to Denver in 2010. Sherise has her Bachelor of Arts in Art Education and Ceramics from Colorado State. She comes to Swallow Hill from the retail and art museum realm. In previous roles, Sherise oversaw visitor experience, volunteer coordination, programming development and retail management. As Swallow Hill’s Membership and Individual Donor Manager she will lead strategies for acquiring new members, to grow and develop the membership and donor programs. In her free time, Sherise loves to read, listen to music, make art and cuddle with her affectionate cat, Leeloo. Spending time with family and in nature are some of her favorite pastimes.
What was your first concert? Bad Religion at the Paramount Theatre
What song could you listen to all day? Anything with Dorthy Ashby
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? The Arkansas River, just outside of Salida
Josiah Contreras
Bass Guitar, Guitar, Ukulele
Josiah hails from right here in beautiful Denver. With musicians for parents (who have both taught at Swallow Hill), the musician’s path was laid out for Josiah at an early age. After picking up the bass guitar and playing at church, Josiah went off to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music, where he learned from such heavy hitters as Victor Wooten, James Genus and Livingston Taylor. After returning home, Josiah has built up his playing career as a freelance musician, along with his own band, Elk Song. Josiah eventually found his way back home to Swallow Hill, and is excited to take on a new generation of students. Outside the world of music, Josiah loves kicking back to enjoy a good movie, or hiking or rock climbing like a true Coloradan.
First concert? NSYNC, Mile High Stadium!
What song could you listen to all day long? “Ain’t It Fun” by Paramore
Favorite Colorado hangout? Anywhere there’s family or friends!
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory?One of my favorite memories in Swallow Hill was putting on a concert in Daniel’s Hall to celebrate my mom’s life. So thankful that it took place in a space she loved so much.
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Drum Set, Percussion, Theory, Audio Production
Eman was born in New York, but grew up in Aurora, CO. He has been performing for 8 years, began officially teaching lessons in 2020, and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music (B.M.) from MSU Denver the same year. Outside of work, Eman loves playing golf and softball, playing video games, and tinkering with electronics.
First concert? Marcus Roberts when I was 7 or 8 – but I went to see Odd Future on my own at 17.
What’s a song you could listen to all day long? “Aguas De Marco” by Elis Regina and Antonio Carlos Jobim, or “Back to the Future (Part 1)” by D’Angelo
Favorite Colorado hangout? Meadowlark Bar
James Hill
An award-winning songwriter who “gives the ukulele its dignity back without ever taking himself too seriously” (Songlines), James Hill “proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that in the right hands the uke can be a formidable axe” (Ann Arbor News).
“If you thought James Hill was simply the ukulele wunderkind,” writes Penguin Eggs magazine, “his latest album will convince you that he is also a great songwriter.”
Produced by Joel Plaskett in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, The Old Silo invites you into a world of new beginnings, old regrets, beautiful women, horny geezers and gold diggers. Nominated for both JUNO and ECMA awards, the album cuts a winding path through Folk, Roots and Americana, “reflecting the musical maturity of Hill and Plaskett and delivering in every aspect of music-making.” (The Manitoban)
Bryan Tolentino
‘Ukulele player, Bryan Tolentino has been known, for the past forty plus years, as an accompanist who performed and continues to perform, locally and abroad with some of Hawaiʻi’s most well known and accomplished Hawaiian music artists.
Bryan’s recorded on over 60+ CD’s for other artists as well as compilations adding his unique “fairy dusting”, as he calls it. He says, “You must feel Hawaiian Music,” evident in his award winning recordings featured on Nā Hōkū Hanohano and Grammy nominated CD’s which have also garnered many awards. He blends all that he’s learned, as an accompanist, into his own unique sound.
Bryan has performed and recorded with notable Hawaiian entertainers such as: Raiatea Helm, Jake Shimabukuro, Herb Ohta, Jr., Aunty Genoa Keawe, Pomaika‘i Lyman, Karen Keawehawai‘i, Ku‘uipo Kumukahi, Marlene Sai, Jerry Santos and Olomana, O’Brian Eselu, Nathan Aweau, Frank Hewett, Byron Yasui, Benny Chong, Sonny Lim, Jeff Peterson, Wailau Ryder, Kalei Gamiao, ‘Elua Kane, Owana Salazar, Weldon Kekauoha, Natalie Ai, ‘Iolani Kamau‘u, Napua Greig, Kuana Torres Kahele, Aaron Salā, Keao Costa, Blaine Kamalani Kia, NUE – Nā ‘Ukulele ‘Ekolu – Bryan, Kama Hopkins and Halehaku Seabury, The Side Order Band – with Del Beazley, Chris Kamaka and Asa Young, and more!
Bryan also worked with award winning hula hālau, engineers and producers. The noted halau includes: Nā Wai ‘Eha O Puna, Hālau Kekuaokalā‘au‘ala‘iliahi, Hālau Maoli Pua, Ka Pā Hula O Kauanoe O Wa‘ahila, Keali‘ika’apunihonua Ke‘ena A‘o Hula, Hālau Ka Liko Pua O Kalaniakea and Kuhai Hālau O Kawaikapuokalani Pa Olapa Kahiko. Engineers and producers: Imua Garza, Dave Tucciarone, Milan Bertosa, Steve Kramer, Gaylord Holomalia, Flip McDiarmid, Shawn Pimental, Kip and Max Ebersbach, all among the best in the music business.
In May 2005, Bryan opened another musical chapter by releasing his solo CD “Ka ‘Ukulele Lele” that became a Nā Hōkū Hanohano finalist for Instrumental Album of the year.
Ten years later in April 2015, he released a duet CD, “Ukulele Friends”, with Herb Ohta Jr. that received a Nā Hōkū Hanohano award for 2016 ‘Ukulele Album of the Year. In the Summer of 2016, he expanded his role by joining the Performing Arts Academy at Kamehameha Schools – Kapalama campus, educating young adults interested in learning and performing the ‘ukulele. He released a second duet CD with Herb Ohta Jr. ‘Ukulele Friends: The Sequel In December 2017, also winning a Nā Hōkū Hanohano award! NUE – Nā ‘Ukulele ‘Ekolu with Kama Hopkins and Halehaku Seabury released their CD “In the Heart of Paradise” on Dec. 30, 2021.
Bryan Tolentino continues to teach in person and online, sharing his love for the ‘ukulele through performances and workshops.
Daniella Katzir & Casey Cormier
Casey Cormier and Daniella Katzir have been performing together for ten years along the Colorado front range. They first met as ukulele teachers at Swallow Hill Music, found shared musical influences in their past and present, and soon were accompanying one another on gigs ranging from Americana, funk, and even Hawaiian in style. Their duo sets blend original works with a variety of creative covers, and are sure to fill their audiences with happiness and inspiration.
Chris McGarry
Chris McGarry has played a variety of roles throughout his musical career. McGarry served at Swallow Hill Music from 2007-2017 teaching the ukulele, writing curriculum and serving as the Director of Outreach and Instruction. Chris can currently be found at Swanson Elementary in Arvada teaching K-5 general music (with a classroom set of ukuleles, of course.) As a ukuleleist, Chris utilizes the ukulele as a tool to pull together his varied and often conflicting stylistic impulses. These influences include his formal music education, his work as a folk music historian and performer, his time in electrified bands and his experience as a songwriter steeped in Americana traditions. McGarry is currently completing his Master’s of Music Education (Kodály emphasis) at Colorado State University.
John Nash
John Nash is a ukulele artist creating original music out of Denvver, CO. Brandishing his own unique style on the instrument, he is constantly pushing the boundaries of what can be done on this instrument. He is also the founder and moderator for the website Ukulele Inspired, creating content highlighting the ukulele and creating a venue for all of the community to connect and be inspired.
Nash was born in the Philippines, raised in Alaska, and has lived in Seattle, Brazil, Hawaii and the Bay Area. He has been playing and teaching music for most of his life and in 2008 found the ukulele while living on Oahu. He immediately fell in love with its sweet sound, its capability, its portability, and most of all its innate ability to bring people together.
Jem Zornow
A Denver based musician and teacher who loves to mix genres and styles from across eras, Jem’s music is a blend of New Americana, folk pop, and jazz. A classically trained vocalist, his music is inspired by the classics and adapted to connect with all audiences. He evokes the vocal styles of Amos Lee, Van Morrison, and Frank Sinatra. He performs original music, as well as classics from the Great American Songbook and folk covers. Jem is a strong multi-instrumentalist, playing the piano, guitar, banjo and ukulele. His music moves, delights, and inspires audiences. Most importantly, he brings people together.
Deon Abeyta
Customer Service Associate (he/him/his)
Deon was raised in the heart of Arvada, Colorado and graduated in 2019 with a degree in Fine Arts Animation. Music was a big part of Deon’s family with his brother and other members performing. Though he never picked up playing music (yet), he gained a joy for listening to it, singing along and seeing live shows and appreciates the joy and universal language it brings to cultures and communities.
Working at the front desk, he enjoys meeting & assisting patrons, teachers, and musicians with his approachable presence. He can also be found assisting with classroom or show setups, every day responses to calls and emails, and showing up wherever else he may be needed.
First concert? Lol, either a free Mariah Carey show or Aly & AJ
What song could you listen to all day long? Anything by Arcade Fire or Fall Out Boy
Favorite Colorado hangout? Olde Town Arvada
Want to hear about new classes, workshops, and jams?
Senior Manager of Concert Production (she/her/hers)
Shauna is a musician, songwriter, and event producer. Raised in New England and South Florida, she spent many evenings with family and friends playing guitars, harmonizing and jamming. As a solo artist and with her band, Shauna has released 4 albums and performed over 2500 shows internationally and in the US. She is thrilled to now be part of Swallow Hill’s Concert Production Team, helping to bring the joy of music to our community. When not making music, Shauna enjoys traveling, hiking, and hanging with her husband Bryan and their cats Ellie and Penny and dogs Abby and Jonsi.
First concert? Elton John & Billy Joel
Favorite Denver (or Colorado) hangout? St. Mary’s Glacier.
What song could you listen to all day long? “Walkman” by Bad Bad Hats
Erin Kerns
Cafe Manager (she/her/hers)
Originally from Pennsylvania, Erin moved to Colorado in 2003. She holds multiple degrees, and worked in the restaurant business for 28 years – she now works as a realtor in NW Denver. She loved the restaurant business, but has a deep love for learning. With her background in hospitality and customer service, Erin is well equipped to run the Quinlan Cafe.
Erin has always loved using her hands and creative hobbies. She owns her own business, Kerns Designs, making Macrame plant hangers and wall hangings. Outside of work, you can find her gardening, spending time with her husband Jarett, a bluegrass musician who has taught at Swallow Hill for 9 years, or hanging with her 2 dogs, Mack and Libby.
First Concert: Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch
What song could you listen to all day? Jarett playing anything ❤️
Favorite Denver/Colorado Hangout? Anywhere I am surrounded by friends and family!
Denver native Roy Willey is a musician, teacher, and song leader specializing in Circle Singing and Vocal Improvisation. He’s studied intensively with some of the top names in the improv world, including Bobby McFerrin, Rhiannon, and Meredith Monk, as well as learning the art of community building through song in the Ubuntu Choir tradition. He performs regularly with the live-looping duo Loop2Loop, as well as with Ameya Vocal Improv Ensemble.
At Swallow Hill, his offerings include introductory singing, improv singing, and live looping, and he leads Circle Singing and the Swallow Hill Community Chorus. When he’s not teaching or performing, you can find him hiking or gardening at home in the Lakewood neighborhood where he grew up.
First Concert? Van Halen — 1979, Balch Fieldhouse in Boulder
What song could you listen to all day long? “Sweet in the Mornin’ ” by Bobby McFerrin (or really anything off his Medicine Music album.)
Favorite Denver hangout? Denver Botanic Gardens
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill? It’s the very definition of a music community. I love that any time I walk into the building, I find people of every age group and skill level, learning everything from Ukulele, to Tabla, to Blues Harp.
Christy is originally from Hyde Park, New York, where she began her professional singing career as a folk singer. She studied classical voice for six years and began teaching voice in 2000, which brought her to Swallow Hill. She teaches voice, harmony and performance. When she is not working, she spends time hiking, traveling, and attending her grandkids games.
First Concert: Judy Collins
What song could you listen to all day long? Carl Orff‘s Carmina Burana – O Fortuna
Favorite hangout? Swallow Hill of course!
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? My favorite thing about Swallow Hill is the music relationships I have formed. Learning, performing, sharing, teaching with people who love music.
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, longtime Swallow Hill teacher Paul Trunko started here as a staff member and then moved to teaching while performing in the area music scene. He’s a past and sometimes member of bands like Papa Juke, Shakedown Street, One Kind Favor, The Keepers, Quickdraw, and currently performs with Stef Kull in a piano/guitar duo. Paul teaches Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Beginning Harmonica and Electric Bass in a variety of genres including rock, blues, bluegrass, and folk. When not teaching you can find Paul working in his home studio, managing cartoon band Jammy Man, or riding his e-bike up and down the hills in Golden.
First Concert: Natural Gas, Gary Wright, Peter Frampton – 1976?
What song could you listen to all day long? With A Little Help From My Friends – Joe Cocker
Favorite hangout? Any Mexican Restaurant
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? Teachers Concerts
Amy Sweetin
Music Therapy, Instructor of Guitar, Voice
Board Certified Music Therapist | professional certificate in Neurologic Music Therapy | vocalist, guitarist, pianist
Teaching style: Amy strongly believes in the power of music to provide healing and growth to all people in all stages of life.
Lover of world music | Swallow Hill outreach instructor | folk-fusion inspiration | toured Southeast Asia | autoharp master
Teaching style: With a relaxed style, Michael believes teaching is about empowering students through their own creativity. He believes real leaps happen when the students love the sound of their chosen instrument and are learning songs or music they love.
Electric Bass, Drum Set, Guitar, Music Theory, Percussion, Piano/Keyboard
Born and raised in Denver, Matt has been composing, performing, recording, and teaching in Colorado for 30 years. He earned a B.A. in Music from Metro State University in 2002 where he studied with the great Ron Miles. Matt has also studied with world renowned bassist and educator, Victor Wooten. Wanting to share his musical experiences with more people, Matt began teaching at Swallow Hill in 2008. He teaches Electric Bass, Guitar, Jazz Ensembles, Music Theory, Little Swallows, Kids Guitar, Piano and Drums. He customizes lessons to each students’ interests, goals, and skill level. Matt focuses on playing by ear, music theory, chord charts, tablature, and standard notation. When Matt is not teaching, he is playing his bass, watching sports, and enjoying time with his family.
First Concert: The Warlock Pinchers at The Gothic Theater (before the remodel) circa 91-92
What song could you listen to all day long? “Unconditional” – Ron Miles
Favorite hangout? Local 46
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? I love the community at Swallow Hill, and I love the flexibility we have as instructors to teach a wide variety of ages, subjects, and classes.
Boulder Native | Niwot Raised | Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance | University of Denver | 15+ years at Swallow Hill | member of Perpetual Motion and the Coyote Poets of the Universe | lover of pottery + gardening
Teaching style: Having fun is a big priority, along with exposing students to different genres of fiddle music, with an overarching goal to fit fiddle into an ensemble.
Elyse Midgyett
See Elyse’s current group class here, or sign up for private lessons with Elyse here.
Voice
Elyse was born and raised in Denver, and has worked in marketing and at the front desk at Swallow Hill. Now, in a teaching role and with some experience under her belt, it has brought her to this next step, as a private instructor at Swallow Hill. She has also been involved in the Denver music scene since 2017 as a regular performer in many different groups. She teaches versatile singing within a multitude of genres, and can teach basic music theory. When she isn’t working, you can find her caring for plants, enjoying the outdoors, or trying to plan a good vacation.
What song could you listen to all day long? Be OK by Samoht
Favorite hangout? Lowry Beer Garden
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? My favorite things about Swallow Hill is it’s dedication to delivering high quality music to the masses and live music opportunities it shares with it’s employees. When I was on the marketing team I was able to attend every show in the botanic garden series and one beautiful evening, Judy Collins washed over the entire garden with her stunning folk voice in a rendition of Danny Boy and I couldn’t help but shed tears. It was so quiet as everyone around was in pure awe of the beauty. I was so glad to be apart of that.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Kristen received her Master’s Degree in Music Therapy from Slippery Rock University, and moved around the country before settling in Denver in 2022. She’s practiced music therapy since 2014, and has worked with clients of all ages and abilities, from infants in neonatal intensive care to elders in hospice. Her clinical specialties include: mental health, neurodivergent children and adults, medical, survivors of trauma, and wellness. As a clinician, she strives to cultivate an affirming space where clients can be and express however they need to in the moment — building upon their unique interests and strengths to support their health through music. Kristen offers individual music therapy sessions through the school, and also hosts First Friday’s free music therapy drop-in groups. In addition to her work with the school, she’s a Little Swallows early childhood music instructor and offers music therapy and therapeutic music lessons as part of Swallow Hill’s outreach team at the VA Hospital, The Gathering Place, senior communities, and more. Outside of work, Kristen enjoys hiking, songwriting, and spending time with her cat and golden retriever.
First Concert: Fountains of Wayne
What song could you listen to all day long? Night Shift – Lucy Dacus
Favorite hangout? Mt. Falcon park for an easy hike near Denver!
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? I love the supportive community at Swallow Hill. I always feel like my coworkers and the administrative staff care about my wellbeing and success at work. Swallow Hill feels like an organization that is truly committed to their mission and puts energy towards improving the health of our Colorado community through access to the arts.
Jason McIntyre is a singer-songwriter whose musical journey is as diverse and rich as the landscapes he traverses. Inspired by the timeless sounds of the great rock and roll bands of the 60s and 70s, the famed Texas Troubadours, and the legendary blues artists, Jason’s music resonates with a deep understanding of human complexities.
Hailing from the backroads of central Pennsylvania, Jason’s roots run deep, but his music has taken him far and wide. From the mountains of Colorado to his current home in Austin, Texas, his songs carry the echoes of the places he’s been and the people he’s met along the way.
Through his music and his outreach efforts, Jason seeks to create connections and inspire healing in the lives of others.
What was the first concert you attended? Dion opening for The Beach Boys in Ocean City, Maryland
What song could you listen to all day long? “Canola Fields” by James McMurtry
Where is your favorite hangout?
In Denver, I love and miss my old Whittier neighborhood!
In Austin, Tuesday nights at the Continental Club for James McMurtry are a weekly schooling in songwriting and Rock and Roll!
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory?
I’ve been afforded the opportunity to offer classes and workshops centric to my interests in songwriting and blues music to which I am grateful. I’ve met and worked with some great folks that share these interests. The Texas Songwriters Ensemble we had was a class that really took on a life of its own. It was cool to see that crew gel and come together.
Additionally, this will be the third year in a row of Michael O’Connor and I returning to perform at Swallow Hill in October. We hope to keep that a yearly thing that we can continue to build and share our songs, new and old.
LaDamion Massey
See LaDamion’s classes here and private lessons here.
University of Northern Colorado | B.M.E from Metropolitan State University | Opera Performance | Vocal Jazz I Et Cetera | Groovesociety: “Best Vocal Group of the Year”, “Best A Cappella Album” and “Best A Cappella Song” by the JPF International Music Awards | Director of SolPhase and Spirituals Project Community Choir | Sung with gospel legends such as Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Winans, Dorinda Clark, and more
As a performer, LaDamion has a passion for singing gospel, jazz and funk. He can be seen performing occasionally with the Atomic Brass Project and The Motet.
Jarett Mason
See Jarett’s classes here and his private lessons here.
Mandolin, Fiddle/Violin, Guitar, Ukulele
Michigan native | Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago | multi-instrumentalist | Masters of Education | DePaul University | member of Chain Station
Teaching style: Jarett plays and offers theory-based instruction on several instruments including mandolin, guitar, fiddle, and ukulele.
In the classroom, Ernie Martinez inspires a multitude of generations learning bluegrass and country, from beginners to advanced pickers and singers.
A Swallow Hill Faculty Member for 40 years, he is an extremely versatile musician who plays just about any instrument that has strings, and more. Ernie started playing piano in elementary school but got his start playing guitars and drums in late 60s garage bands. In 1971, while he was in junior high, upon hearing “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” and “Dueling Banjos”, Ernie took to the banjo, followed by the mandolin, resonator, and Dobro. In 1974 Ernie started his first bluegrass band, the Off the Wall Gang, and picked up the fiddle, piano, bass, and pedal steel a couple years later, becoming the leading go-to utility performer in Colorado, both live and in the studio. With over four decades on the live scene, Ernie has played with Tom Paxton, John McEuen, Jimmy Ibbotson, and countless others.. In 2013 he took third place in the RockyGrass Band contest with Camptown.
In the studio, Ernie has been on over 150 albums in Colorado and in Nashville, and is in demand as an album producer, songwriter, and arranger. He’s also released three albums of his own original work.
Ernie plays regularly with Runaway Express, Jon Chandler, Dakota Blonde, Timothy P. Irvin and the Rocky Mountain Stocking Stuffers, Reckless Abandon, Dustin Devine and the Real Deal, and Junction 5-12. Heis a member of the International Western Music Association having won instrumentalist of the year in 2018. In April 2019, Ernie made the cover of the Spring issue of Western Way.
Originally from Baton Rouge, Anna Leavitt has a Bachelors of Music in Cello Performance from Louisiana State University, a Masters from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver. She’s also done post graduate work in Suzuki Pedagogy books 1-5, and is currently a registered teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas and teaches cello here at Swallow Hill. When not at work, Anna can be found hiking or cooking. She likes reading histories about ancient Egypt, the Reformation, and Medieval archaeology.
First Concert: The Waverly Consort, an ensemble of period (Renaissance and pre-Renaissance) instruments.
What song could you listen to all day long? My grandson singing “Happy Birthday.”
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Logan Coffee at Stanley Marketplace
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? I remember when one of our cello classes played “Radioactive” and for three minutes, our cello players were rock stars!
Stef Kull
See Stef’s classes here and her private lessons here.
Long-time Colorado music teacher + performer | The Garage Doors | The Miles Lee Band | MSU Denver | Bachelor of Arts | music education | Swallow Hill teacher since 2009
Teaching Style: Stef combines traditional music education concepts and theory with a lot of improvisation, especially in rock, folk, and blues styles.
Clay Kirkland hails from Macon, Georgia. He got into teaching music to help people live their dreams of making music. When he is not at Swallow Hill, you can find him on the Kirkland Brothers Farm, walking through “Clay’s Eighty Acres” of wooded acreage, lake, and a creek. Wherever he may be, he is working on making plans for a harmonica and music school and meditation retreat. When he is not teaching or performing, you can find him developing a community garden behind the apartment building where he lives, or in the vegetable gardens and fruit orchards at the farm.
First Concert: The Animals, 1966
What song could you listen to all day long? “El Parana”, Gato Barbieri, on his “Under Fire” album, with a young, amazing Stanley Clarke, et.al.; “The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady”, Charles Mingus; “Wintertime”, Richard Reed and Clay Kirkland
Favorite hangout? Clay’s Eighty Acres
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? Spending a year and more than a hundred hours planning the annual “Beat the Reaper Concert” to celebrate his birthday, playing the show, and listening to the recording.
Born in Israel and raised in New Jersey, Daniella is a musician teaching her 25+ years of skills to ukulele enthusiast students at Swallow Hill, as well as Little Swallows. She has a B.A. in music from Naropa University. Playing music led her to Swallow Hill, where she fell in love with the community and decided she wanted to start teaching in 2012. She believes learning should be fun, so she chooses material relatable to her students. When she isn’t at Swallow Hill, she’s playing shows with her band, hiking in the mountains, playing fetch with her dog, or cooking up a feast for friends in the kitchen!
First Concert: It was either The Manhattan Transfer or Buster Poindexter. She was so young she can’t remember! But she remembers these were the two.
What song could you listen to all day long? O-o-h Child by The Five Stairsteps
Favorite hangout? Any beautiful beach!
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? I have many great memories to look back on over the years but hosting and performing at Swallow Hill’s Ukulele Festival is up there along with bringing my band into the building!
Aurora, CO | 1 of 8 billion earthling siblings | 3 years of college music school | Started teaching at Swallow Hill in 2000 | Chadzilla | Star Wars tatted
Teaching style: Chad focuses on reading, ear training, ensemble playing, and improvisation. Teaching genres include soul, R&B, rock, jazz, folk, funk, and punk.
Thomas Jennings is originally from Ipswich, Massachusetts, with a B.M. in jazz guitar performance from Lamont School of Music. While gigging and touring are wonderful, teaching is a special part of his career. Sharing in the joy of accomplishment with students is something he can’t get enough of. He teaches guitar in various genres and styles, music theory, and technology classes. He specializes in the creative and spontaneous relationship we have with our instruments. Other activities he loves include coffee, photography, and tinkering with computers.
First Concert: B.B. King! at the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly, MA. That theater is in the round and the stage slowly rotates for the entire performance.
What song could you listen to all day? “Love U Like The Sun In June” by Ryan Scott
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Queen City Coffee Collective on 1st and Cherokee in Baker neighborhood
Scruggs Style (3-finger), bluegrass, folk, and Clawhammer Banjo
Fairfield, Maine | husband | father of 3 | grandfather | B.A. in Music Education + Vocal Performance | Master’s in Music Education | member of Blue Moon Bluegrass Band | Mountain life
Teaching style: The objective is for students to have skills and tools to play music with others. Mike focuses on building repertoire of songs, playing/singing both lead and back-up, using tablature, basic chord theory, and ear training. Genres for Mike’s lessons include bluegrass, folk, country, western, blues, and rock.
Mountain dulcimer wizard and vocalist Willie Jaeger takes what is often thought of as a “simple” folk instrument and discovers its complexity. He strums, he fingerpicks, he flatpicks, he plays lead, and recently he’s been experimenting with electric dulcimer. His unique style of playing, and his popularity as a teacher at the renowned Swallow Hill School of Music, inspired Westword, Denver’s alternative weekly, to vote him Denver’s “Best Local Folkie.” He was a finalist (Silver) in the national mountain dulcimer championship at Winfield, Kansas, and in 2009 he won a Gold Medal for Best Original Instrumental Composition at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival. An engaging singer with a lyrical baritone, he also plays hammered dulcimer and guitar, and composes instrumentals and the occasional song.
Melissa is a self-taught artist and an award-winning Singer/Songwriter and educator from Denver. Her musical journey began in the Bay Area punk scene, grew in Colorado’s songwriting circles, and continues in performances worldwide as well as in the classroom. Melissa works with musicians and artists of any level and welcomes femme students searching for support in singing, songwriting, guitar, bass and production.
Electric Bass, Guitar, Music Theory, Piano/Keyboard, Ukulele, Mandolin
Originally from Arvada, Casey began playing guitar at age 11. As he dove deeper into music, he realized his calling was teaching other people what he had learned along the way. Casey teaches guitar, bass, ukulele, piano, mandolin, music theory, and various ensemble classes. As a teacher, he likes to focus on developing a firm understanding of rhythm, harmony, and how the instrument itself works. He is open to teaching any musical style/technique that the student is interested in. Outside of work, Casey enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, being outdoors, and playing chess.
First Concert: The first concert Casey remembers attending was the Guess Who in 1994.
What song could you listen to all day long? “Into The Fire” by Deep Purple
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? His favorite hangout would probably be a vacant trail deep in the mountains.
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? My favorite thing about Swallow Hill is that everyone who comes here all share a love for music.
Jen grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and has been singing in choirs since they could talk. They have studied opera, composition and studio recording in college, and learned to play some campfire guitar along the way. Jen leads the Women of Folk and Fireside Folk ensembles, and offers private lessons in voice, songwriting, or recording. With one foot in the classical world and the other in the folk world, Jen emphasizes technique as well as emotion while teaching so that students can learn more about formal music theory while also learning to rely on their ear to create a great performance. Jen loves hiking, eggs, yoga, in-season tomatoes, community, dreams, and cheese. Currently, they sing with St. Martin’s Chamber Choir and various churches and synagogues, and produce radio for Colorado Public Radio. Amphibious Heart is Jen’s most recent release, a full length studio album of original songs.
First Concert: The truth is Michael W. Smith with my Jr. High Youth Group, but can I just say The Meat Puppets & Blind Melon show I went to in High School?
What song could you listen to all day long? One song is hard, but I could loop Bjork’s album Homogenic all day long.
Favorite hangout? Long Table Brewhouse, Pablo’s on E Colfax
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? It’s really fun to come together with people in the community to make music. Seeing groups bond and grow as musicians and friends is so rewarding. By the end of the session things are sounding great, there’s so much joy in the music!
Julia Hays is from a family of musicians in the Boston area. She first learned to play in a couple of music festivals. While in Colorado, she fell in love with the mountains and decided to stay. Her professional playing has included everything from symphony and opera orchestras to western trios, a few Celtic bands, and her own jazz combos. In folk ensembles, she has played in the Denver area, at the Autry Museum in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, the Old Town School in Chicago, and in Kerrville, Texas. She spends most of her time teaching these days and loves it, but still keeps her hand in playing with a number of contra dance bands that perform in Denver and along the Front Range.
First Concert: The first Colorado concert: Red Rocks. The bill included Dr. John and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band along with a host of others
What song could you listen to all day long? Joao Bosco: Incompatibilidade de Genios, 2006 live dvd
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? The people I meet.
Caleb James Hall
See Caleb’s classes here and his private lessons here.
Fiddle, Clawhammer Banjo
Originally from Denver, Caleb started out at Swallow Hill in the Quinlan Café as the Bar Manager. Then a mixture of luck and the right timing led him to teaching beginner fiddle and taking over the core clawhammer banjo classes. While he currently lives outside of Colorado, you can catch him virtually teaching students across the country through his role with Swallow Hill. When he is not working, he can be found around a table of friends playing Dungeons and Dragons.
First Concert: Red Hot Chili Peppers with Stone Temple Pilots at Fiddler’s Green
What song could you listen to all day long? “Love and Chains” by Vivian Leva and RIley Calcagno
Favorite hangout? St Mark’s Coffee shop/Thin Man
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? I love the community!
Martin is a bluegrass musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and music educator based in Denver, Colorado. He is a founding member of the bluegrass band Long Road Home, an acclaimed solo performer, and band leader for The Martin Gilmore Trio.
He has performed all over the United States, as well as in Europe and Africa. He is also a highly respected music educator, teaching at the University of Denver Enrichment Program, his own private studio, and right here at Swallow Hill Music. In 2017, he joined the faculty at the University of Northern Colorado teaching folk and bluegrass guitar.
Originally from New York, Star grew up on Florida’s west coast, where sand, surf, and a handy guitar playing Joan Baez and Bob Dylan tunes helped her wait out the hot summers. She started playing harp in 1983, and now teaches beginner to intermediate Celtic harp, Celtic Harp Ensemble, songwriting, and more. She likes to teach improvisation alongside note reading for playing harp. Her style is a progressive, one step at a time process, building confidence with each song and technique. When not playing music, Star leads an international dream work group.
First Concert: Paul Revere & The Raiders!
What song could you listen to all day? Rock and Roll Girls by John Fogerty
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg
Spencer Erik Crawford is from Northeast Kansas. He started teaching music in 2006 back in his hometown of Topeka, while attending Washburn University. In 2014, while he was teaching lessons at music stores and schools in Denver he was recruited by other teachers to join Swallow Hill. He teaches strings, keys/piano, and accordion, and tailors lesson plans to each student based on their skill level and musical interests. When Spencer is not teaching music, he enjoys performing solo or with his bands, That Damn Sasquatch, and the Spencer Erik Crawford Band. He also enjoys listening to music and hanging out with his family and friends.
First concert? B.B. King
What song could you listen to all day long? “A Love Supreme” – the whole album
Favorite Colorado hangout? Most bars and clubs, I’m not picky!
What’s your favorite Swallow Hill memory? When Buckwheat Zydeco played at Swallow Hill in 2014
Casey grew up in Colorado but moved to New Jersey for middle and high school. He received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Hartford in Connecticut, performing in jazz and rock groups on the east coast in the years following until moving back to Colorado in 2012. He teaches ukulele for Swallow Hill but also plays guitar as well as electric and upright bass. When not teaching or performing, he can be found hiking, skiing, or jamming.
First concert? The Who, Quadrophenia Tour, 1997
What song could you listen to all day long? “Zebra” by Beach House
Favorite Colorado hangout? Mission Ballroom for great live shows in Denver!
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? Swallow Hill is the best music community in Denver. From classes to concerts, festivals to jam sessions, there’s always something fun happening. My favorite is the annual Denver Ukefest, where touring artists, teachers, and enthusiasts come together to celebrate the mighty ukulele each year!
A Denver native, Ed has been playing World drums, drum kit, and percussion for over 50 years in various bands and ensembles. His music covers everything from folk, jazz, rock, blues, country, bluegrass, African, Flamenco, Brazilian, Eastern European and Middle Eastern styles. He enjoys teaching and found Swallow Hill to be the perfect place to educate folks about the power and spirituality of music. He teaches World hand drums, such as congas, djembe, cajon, drum kit, and various percussion instruments from many ethnic musics. He loves the outdoors, especially the Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah wilderness. He also is a student of spirituality, and loves reading and watching movies.
First Concert: His first major concert was the progressive rock band Yes at the Denver Coliseum, performing their Tales from Topographic Oceans tour.
What song could you listen to all day long? “You Are” by Pat Metheny
Favorite hangout? Mom & Pop breakfast places, and lots of places outdoors
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? My favorite memories are performing at the Teacher Feature Concerts, watching my son Josiah teach elementary school kids at the summer camps, and working with the Swallow Hill Choir when my wife was the director.
Deborah Collins
See Deborah’s classes here and private lessons here.
Guitar, Voice, Ukulele, Songwriting
As a teen growing up in rural Michigan, Deborah wrote music, played in a rock band, and sang in choirs. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from MSU Denver, and has taught at Swallow Hill since 2014. She specializes in teaching voice (any level in any genre) and guitar (especially beginner-intermediate rhythm guitar). Deborah also teaches songwriting, music theory, and beginner ukulele. Deborah is great for tentative learners because she is friendly and positive. She strives to make each lesson fun, stress-free, and customized to your personal goals. Deborah works with all ages. She is currently a member of the indie band, The Deborah Solo Trio, and is the parent of two young kids.
First Concert: The first concert Deborah attended was Guster in 1999, when she was a freshman in high school. Her older sister drove her and her friends all the way to Detroit to see Guster open for a much bigger band. They made posters and T-shirts and the people working there let them run down to the front since hardly anyone else had arrived early enough to see the first opening band.
What song could you listen to all day long? “In a River” by Rostam; Deborah even learned some chords on the mandolin just to play along with it.
Favorite hangout? Deborah loves to take a yearly trip to Lake Michigan to visit her family at the cottage her grandparents built in the 1950s. It’s awesome to take her kids there because that’s where she spent her summers as a kid, too.
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? Deborah’s favorite Swallow Hill memories are when her students have had those great breakthrough moments. She also loves participating in the annual Teacher Feature concert, and getting to share the stage with all the amazing musicians who teach at Swallow Hill.
Nic Clark is a Harmonicist born and raised in Colorado. Growing up Nic wasn’t as interested in hanging with his friends as much as he was with his family’s music collection. Whether it was listening to Ray Charles and Marvin Gaye with his Mom, or Hound dog Taylor with his dad, Nic always had a love for older American music. Nic got his first set of harmonicas on his 12th birthday, and soon began going to local jams and sitting in with some of Colorado’s most prominent Blues acts including The Delta Sonics, Johnny Long, Lionel Young, and Dan Trenor and Afrosippi. In 2010, he became one of the youngest musicians ever to be endorsed by Hohner Harmonicas.
Some of Nic’s accomplishments include “Favorite Harmonica” at the Colorado Blues Society Member’s Choice Awards (2017, 2015, and 2014), And a finalist at The International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN (2012, and 2014).
Nic has been fortunate enough to share the stage with many great roots musicians including John Nemeth, Jason Ricci, Lonnie Brooks, Billy Branch, Rick Estrin and The Nightcats, And Big Head Todd and The Monsters.
Born and raised in Colorado, Barry has been singing, playing piano, and performing since elementary school in Erie, Colorado. He studied piano and voice performance as well as acting at the University of Northern Colorado. He has performed across the U.S., and in Canada and Europe, including on stages across the Front Range like the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. He also performed for 14 years with “Denver’s Premiere Vocal Group,” the 17th Avenue All-Stars. His group was the Official Anthem Singers of the Denver Broncos for 2 seasons, singing every home game. When he’s not performing or teaching, you can see his work at the Denver Paper Fashion Show (4-time consecutive winner), and at Silver Dollar City in Branson Missouri as their (National Award Winning) “Master Pumpkin Carver.”
First Concert: Andre Crouch and the Disciples
What song could you listen to all day long? Anything by the crooners from the big band era, as well as “newcomers” Harry, Michael, and Samara Joy.
Favorite hangout? Wherever there is good food and great friends!
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? One of my favorite Swallow Hill things is to give accompaniment and back up singing for my students who dare to perform in public. Also for those who perform in musical theater shows or with their band/vocal group on stage. It’s so great to see them grow their confidence and power up their belief in what they want to do with their music. Then, to support them while they are on stage, in front of an audience, giving what they have to give! Exhilarating for both themselves and myself! It’s THE BEST!
Colorado | M.M. in Jazz Studies | member of Man vs. Village | performed with Howard Alden and Joe Giglio | workshops for Jefferson County Public Schools
Teachings style: David’s specialty is teaching formal composition and improvisation to children and teens.
Liat is originally from South Jersey, right outside of Philadelphia. While teaching preschool after moving to Denver, she was approached to become an outreach instructor at Swallow Hill, where she had always wanted to work. Although she now lives in Palisade, she teaches virtual classes in voice, guitar, ukulele, beginner piano, and songwriting/production. When she is not working, you can find her doing sound healings and running her business, Wake the Voice, where she blends her background in speech therapy, yoga, singing, and songwriting. You can also find her performing solo as Liat and the Sirens or with her band DARKARTS (based in Denver).
First concert? Sarah Brightman. I was obsessed with her album DIVE. A true siren.
Favorite hangout? Fruita, CO
What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? I used to do Instrument Petting zoos and Ukulele strum alongs. I taught outreach for a while before COVID hit. My heart always felt so warm after the family ukulele strum alongs at the Children’s Museum in Denver. Everyone was always in a great mood because they were trying something new with their families! Talk about bonding time!
Virginia was born in Colorado and grew up on a dairy farm near Fort Lupton. Virginia was a music educator in the public school system when music and arts programs were being reduced – she then started teaching for Swallow Hill in 2000. For 21 years she has taught guitar to adults and children 7 and up. More recently her focus has been on teaching piano and voice – she also plays and teaches the recorder and the modern lyre.
Outside work, Virginia can be found traveling the world by rail and ship with her retired railroad engineer and dockworker husband. She likes to be outdoors – gardening, hiking, biking, swimming, or horseback riding – whenever possible.
First concert? An orchestral concert conducted by Antonia Brico
What’s a song you could listen to all day long? Down By the Riverside
Favorite Colorado hangout? My home!
What’s your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? My favorite thing about Swallow Hill is sitting in a circle with people and sharing songs together. So many memories of great song moments have been had this way.
Bryan Leavelle
Maintenance Technician (he/him/his)
Originally from Southern California, Bryan moved to Colorado in 2010 and never looked back. He assists Jim in keeping the Swallow Hill building and surrounding property functioning smoothly, fixing what needs repairing, and performing preventative maintenance. Bryan is a lifelong musician, songwriter and audio engineer, and is glad to be able to blend his passion for music with his desire to work with his hands. When not making building improvements at Swallow Hill, Bryan can found performing in one of his bands, photographing wildlife, backpacking, and hanging out with his wife and kids.
First Concert: RX Bandits at The Glasshouse in Pomona, CA
What song could you listen to all day? “Passional” by Ruben Juarez
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Wherever the birds happen to be
Leah Franks
Customer Service Associate (she/her/hers)
Leah is originally from Kansas City and moved to Denver in 2007 to be closer to the vibrant live bluegrass and Americana scene in this area. She recently left a 15-year career in healthcare to pursue a new journey in the arts and music industry. She has spent many years involved in nonprofit arts and cultural organizations working closely with the City of Louisville, where she currently lives with her husband, to promote funding for cultural activities and live music.
As a Customer Service Associate, Leah assists with school enrollment, day-of concert setup, building management, and general friendly assistance at the front desk. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, knitting, and collecting vinyl bluegrass albums.
First Concert: Whitney Houston
What song could you listen to all day? “Wrecking Ball” by Gillian Welch
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Town Park in Telluride!
Allison Fleming
Development Director (she/her/hers)
Before moving to Colorado three years ago from California, Allison served the Reagan Presidential Foundation for six years; from there, she managed the corporate, foundation, and major gift accounts for the United Service Organizations (USO). As Swallow Hill’s Development Director, she leads the development program to drive fundraising success and expand revenue channels while supporting a strong donor and membership program. Allison has a Bachelor of Arts in History from UCLA and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from CSU. During her free time, Allison can be found enjoying a glass of wine with her fiance Shane, trying a new restaurant around town, or spending time with family.
First Concert: Backstreet Boys
What song could you listen to all day? “Great Food” by Joey Pecoraro
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout?Durango, CO
Catherine Cecil
Catherine is originally from Fort Collins, Colorado. She grew up in a family where music was ever present, and helped everyone connect with each other and themselves. Prior to Swallow Hill, Catherine has worked in a variety of spaces, including research, government affairs, and other arts nonprofits. She is also a student at the University of Denver. Catherine primarily works at the Front Desk, helping and getting to know students, concert-goers, and whomever else comes through. She also contributes to the administrative day-to-day of the music school and other Swallow Hill programs. When away from work, Catherine enjoys going to live shows, reading, and time spent with her loved ones.
First Concert: Earth, Wind, & Fire
What song could you listen to all day? “Douss” by Yasmine Hamdan
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Bingham Hill Park (Near Fort Collins)
Belle Mason
Belle was born and raised in Denver. She spent six years in Nashville where she studied songwriting and sociology at Belmont University. After graduating in 2020, Colorado called her home and back to Swallow Hill, where she had come to watch her one-man-band uncle play blues since she was a little girl. She is passionate about creating spaces where folks can find belonging, freedom, creativity, and fun, and is using her background in social understanding as the Assistant Customer Service Manager. Day to day, you can find Belle overseeing customer service team operations, scheduling building usage, and getting to know the folks who walk through the door each day. After work, she usually jets off to a yoga class, jogs around one of the many parks in Denver, or spends the evening cooking something yummy.
First Concert: The Jonas Brothers opening for the Cheetah Girls… yup…
What song could you listen to all day? Anything by Remi Wolf, however “Michael” is the favorite
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Fort Greene in Globeville or Bonnie Brae for the best ice cream
Jim McGowan
Facilities Manager (he/him/his)
Jim grew up in Toledo, Ohio, working in the family construction business since he was a kid. With a lifelong love of listening to and playing music, he continued to work in the trades after moving to Denver in 2004 – which was a perfect fit for the role as caretaker of the Swallow Hill building on Yale Avenue. Currently, Jim manages large-scale building renovation projects, takes on small-scale repairs, and occasionally moonlights as a sound engineer and teacher. When not at Swallow Hill, you can find Jim spending time with his partner and kids, at a concert, camping in Utah, or working on old trucks.
First Concert: Steely Dan, Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit Michigan, circa 1991
What song could you listen to all day? “Baby It’s You” by The Shirelles (a Burt Bacharach tune)
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Lakeside Amusement Park
Michael John McKee
Michael grew up in Gering, Nebraska listening to fishing boats and cattle. After teaching abroad in China and Honduras, Michael moved to Denver to pursue music. In his role here at Swallow Hill, he manages our wide range of community outreach programs that bring music education and music therapy to the Denver metro region. These programs include, but are not limited to, school assemblies, music therapy, and after-school enrichment classes. Michael spends his spare time in art museums or his garden.
First Concert:Bela Fleck & the Flecktones at Chautauqua Auditorium in 2003
What song could you listen to all day? “Swing Lo Magellan” by Dirty Projectors
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Three Dogs Tavern
Patty Jackson
Originally from central N.Y., Patty has called Westminster her home for the past 20 years. She recruits, orients, trains, and oversees Swallow Hill volunteers in a variety of roles across all departments including concerts and outreach programs.
Patty’s varied career path has taken her on many adventures, including Park Building and Maintenance, Youth Center Director, Hay Wagon Troubadour, and Drug and Alcohol Counselor. Patty is also a part-time musician and has called Swallow Hill Music her unofficial home away from home.
In her leisure time, Patty can be found camping, kayaking, teaching a mighty band of ukulele and guitar players, playing board games, playing with her bands, woodworking, and seeing live music.
First Concert: Joan Baez
What song could you listen to all day? “Michigan” by The Milk Carton Kids
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Any body of water with the sun on my face
David McDaniel
Director of Operations (he/him/his)
Originally from Gastonia, North Carolina, David became a Denverite in 2003 and has called the DU area home since then. David was a long-time Swallow Hill patron prior to joining the staff in 2019. Outside of Swallow Hill, David spends his time coaching baseball, skiing, and generally soaking up the outdoors.
First Concert: Matchbox Twenty
What song could you listen to all day? That’s a big commitment to put on paper.
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Salida, CO
Kelsy Lartius Miguel
School Program Manager (she/her/hers)
Kelsy grew up in Ames, Iowa and moved to Denver in the Fall of 2016. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Music Business, she started seeking out opportunities in Denver’s music industry and came across Swallow Hill. She started out on our customer service team before becoming the School Programs Manager. In her current role, she manages and supports the school registration system, development of school programs, and ensures that the needs of our students, teachers, and customer service staff are met. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs, checking out new breweries (and visiting old favorites), and hanging out in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.
First Concert: As a baby, her dad and aunt’s country rock band, Broken Bow
What song could you listen to all day? “Footsteps in the Dark” by The Isley Brothers
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Any outdoor patio in the sunshine on a 65 degree day (extra points if there’s a mountain view)
Samuel Boue
Staff Accountant (he/him/his)
Samuel is originally from Abidjan, on the Ivory Coast. His background and experience in finance and accounting and his desire to serve communities brought him to Swallow Hill in 2022. He oversees the daily financial operations and transactions, produces weekly and monthly reports, runs the accounts reconciliations, and handles the general ledger and journal entries. When Samuel is not working, he enjoys spending time with family, playing soccer and basketball at Denver city park. He can also be found traveling and reading.
First Concert: Main Entrée – a Louisiana Band
What song could you listen to all day? “Dadju” by Va Dire A Ton Ex, a French singer
Barry hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has a background in libraries and daily journalism, including ten years at The Denver Post. He first came to Swallow Hill as a banjo student to help him destress from working in journalism. As Community Marketing Manager, he ensures that Swallow Hill is visible at offsite, community events. He works with musicians to promote their concerts, as well as media relations, and maintaining Swallow Hill’s archives.
A songwriter and banjo player, Barry performs solo, and with indie folk band Distance Walk. He loves building Lego kits with his son, listening to true crime podcasts with his daughter, and exploring the city with his wife.
First Concert: Depeche Mode at Summerfest in Milwaukee, 1990
What song could you listen to all day? “Go Dig My Grave” by Lankum
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Pop-up events, things that happen once and never again. Denver’s a great town for that, you just have to look.
Joshua Abeyta
Outreach Director (he/him/they/them)
Born in the ancestral, occupied and unceded territories of the Arapaho, Cheyenne, Ute and many other people now known as Denver, Colorado, Joshua Abeyta is the Outreach Director at Swallow Hill.
After over a decade as a freelance educator and professional musician, Joshua stepped into an administrative role to manage the Little Swallows program in 2021 before receiving his promotion to oversee the Outreach department in October 2025. Joshua is a father of 2, with 2 bonus children and 2 grandchildren with his wife Nicole. When he isn’t at Swallow Hill, you can find him performing as a solo act under the stage name Lil Piñon or with one of his many bands including The Xisme and this broken beat. Otherwise, you may find him suiting up at the hockey rink, organizing potlucks and other community events, shooting pool, playing chess or foosball, rooting for the Avalanche, Nuggets, Broncos and, yes, even the Rockies, or plotting his next adventure out beyond the horizon.
First Concert: Oddly, an Alan Jackson concert at Bandimere Speedway
What song could you listen to all day? Anything by Anthony Ruptak or The Copper Children
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Wherever the harmonies are
Brian Hunter
As our Sound Engineer, Brian runs live sound in the Daniels Hall and Tuft Theatre, where he has worked with acts like Tommy Emmanuel, Guy Clark, John Oats and Roger McGuinn. Brian has more than 20 years of experience in the studio and in concert settings. Formally trained in the art of sound recording, he studied music technology at the University of Colorado at Denver, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Industry Studies. Music recorded by Brian can be heard on countless local demo & CD projects, and even on regional radio and Grammy-nominated albums.
Heather Howerton
Marketing Director (she/her/hers)
Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Heather Howerton is the Director of Marketing at Swallow Hill Music. She oversees marketing, communications, and branding strategies for concerts, classes, and community opportunities for the organization. In previous roles, Heather oversaw marketing, program development and planned events. She has always loved music and was excited to work for an organization where she could bridge her talents and passion. When she isn’t supporting our communication efforts, you can find her out seeing live music, adventuring with her dog Ham, or cooking or baking up new recipes.
What was your first concert? Phish
What song could you listen to all day long? “Can I Kick It” by A Tribe Called Quest
Favorite Denver (or Colorado) hangout? Anywhere on my paddleboard during the nice weather
Tyler Breuer
School Director (he/him/his)
Tyler was born and raised in “Denver Rock City” and serves as our School Director. In this role, he works with our teachers and staff to develop programming that fulfills the musical needs, wants, and desires of our current and future students to allow them to learn and engage in music. He was led to Swallow Hill through a few of the city’s other wonderful music and social justice nonprofits as well as his allegiance to Old Denver. When not at work, Ty is learning to be a dad, listening to dad rock, and playing in a cumbia dad band.
First Concert: The Rolling Stones
What song could you listen to all day? “Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King'” By Edvard Grieg
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? “Where the zero meets the fifteen”
Bruce Trujillo
Concert Director (she/her/ella)
Bruce Trujillo is a Chicana from occupied Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe land, in what’s now called Colorado – raised on the Western Slope, and currently in Denver. Bruce has been working in community and public media since 2012, with a mission to work with, and amplify voices of those who are systematically excluded, with a focus on independent and locally made music and art. Bruce’s connections to local and national/international music led her to Swallow Hill Music in 2021, to continue working on providing equitable representation in the live music landscape, focusing on BIPOC, femme, disabled, and 2SLGBTQ+ artists.
At Swallow Hill Music, Bruce oversees the entire Concert Department, booking your favorite shows in the building, creating and maintaining community partnerships that highlight live music, and ensuring all guests – music creators and lovers alike – are excited to come back.
Outside of Swallow Hill, Bruce stays busy checking out live music across the country, hosting her radio shows on Indie 102.3 and other events around town, as well as spending time in community with family and friends (plus 2 very small dogs).
First Concert: NSYNC at Mile High, baby.
What song could you listen to all day? “You’re Dead” by Norma Tanega
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Somewhere in the San Juan Mountains
Kome Muller
Chief Financial Officer (she/her/hers)
Kome joined the Swallow Hill team in 2018. After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, she discovered her love for music while working for concert promoter Bill Graham Presents doing promotions and public relations for concerts. She transitioned into the art world and managed a gallery in Sausalito, California for seven years. Here, she was introduced to nonprofits when she was asked by the gallery owner to oversee the finances of her animal rescue. After leaving the art gallery, Kome immersed herself in the nonprofit sector by becoming the Finance Manager for a breast cancer and AIDS/HIV organization. Kome moved to Denver from San Francisco in 2016 and was able to combine her passion for music and nonprofit work at Swallow Hill. When she is not working you can find her relaxing at her tiny cabin in the woods, watching her sons play ice hockey and hanging out with her pup named Pickles.
First Concert:Beach Boys
What song could you listen to all day? “Accidente” by Making Movies
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Our tiny cabin in Southern Colorado
Jessy Clark
Chief Executive Officer (she/her/hers)
Jessy was born in Denver, and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan before finding her way back to Denver after graduating from college. She has been in nonprofit organizations her entire career, with the last ten focusing specifically on operations. She is responsible for revenue generation, programs, systems and IT, and ensuring the team has what they need in order to be successful. When Jessy isn’t working, she plays golf, camps and travels extensively. She has also learned to play several instruments (guitar, uke and bass) while working at Swallow Hill.
First Concert: Rod Stewart
What song could you listen to all day? “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout? Bluegrass and Bourbon in Olde Town Arvada
Aengus Finnan
President and Chief Executive Officer (he/him/his)
Born in Ireland and raised in Ontario, Canada, Aengus is an artist, teacher, and arts administrator who previously worked for Folk Alliance International, the Ontario Arts Council, Community Futures, and Shelter Valley Productions. He toured North America for a decade as a singer-songwriter, releasing 3 albums, capping his career with a performance at the Kennedy Center. As CEO he is responsible for the long-term growth and development of Swallow Hill’s finances, team, programs, governance, partnerships, and profile. You can find him cycling, fostering cats, and sampling boutique distilleries when not at work.
First Concert:Paul Young
What song could you listen to all day? “The Downeaster ‘Alexa'” by Billy Joel
Favorite Denver/Colorado hangout?Beacon
Daniel Lorenzo
Digital Marketing Manager (he/him/his)
Daniel is originally from San Antonio, Texas and has been a musician since age 10. After studying music and journalism in college, he began a career in Digital Marketing and is grateful to now combine his passion for communication with his passion for music.
As the Digital Marketing Manager, he is responsible for spreading the joy of music by overseeing Swallow Hill’s social media, website, and email communications. When he isn’t working, you can find him playing guitar and viola in his band Chariots & Charioteers, running long-ish distances, or playing Dungeons & Dragons.
First Concert: Goo Goo Dolls & Counting Crows (when he was 10!)
What song could you listen to all day? “Bluebird” by Cory Wong with Chris Thile
with Jem Zornow
