About the Instructors/Admin
Mr. Andrews
Video introduction
Mr. Andrews is a composer, music teacher, and performer living in the heart of Colorado Springs. In his experience, instrumental performance was a catalyst for substantive change; it developed his patience, stamina, emotional intelligence, and ability to capture an audience. More importantly, music provided a means by which he could impart the beauty and goodness of the fine arts with new and unlikely audiences. He found learning an instrument and collaborating with others in an orchestra or band to be a formative and unforgettable experience. In high school, Mr. Andrews was selected to be concertmaster for one of Texas’ All-State Orchestras (TMEA) and then finished high school at Interlochen Arts Academy. He received my master’s degree in violin performance and pedagogy from the University of Colorado Boulder (2023) and had the privilege of studying with the late Charles Wetherbee, whose guidance helped pave the way for a musical life. I was also given the chance to play for and study under many great recording artists and teachers, including David Korevaar, the Takács Quartet, and the Orion String Quartet. It has been Mr. Andrews's joy to teach and perform for those of every age, ability, and background and he hopes you consider joining in with instrumental music and a generation of students who urgently need it. paytonandrews@gmail.com
Mr. Dale
Video introductionMr. Dale is proud to be the Orchestra Director at Rock Canyon High School and is thrilled to be a part of the RCEIM program again this year!
Mr. Dale was born and raised in Minnesota, where he started Suzuki cello at the age of four. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where he majored in Cello Performance, Music Education, and Musical Arts (with a Music Therapy concentration) and minored in Viola da Gamba performance. Before moving to Colorado, Mr. Dale taught Orchestra for three years in New York and two years in New Jersey. Prior to coming to Douglas County, Mr. Dale directed the Standley Lake High School Orchestra (JEFFCO School District) and taught beginning string lessons at seven of the elementary schools in the Standley Lake area of Westminster. Mr. Dale has now been here in Douglas County for almost a decade and loves being a part of the Rock Canyon area Orchestra community.Mr. Dale is a proud husband to his beautiful and talented wife, Julia (who teaches Choir at Rock Canyon), and is the proud father of two young children, Charlie and Ellie, who both attend Redstone Elementary. In addition to spending time with his family, Mr. Dale loves Bach, baseball, the great outdoors.benjamin.dale@dcsdk12.org
Ms. Davidson-Stanfill
Ms. Davidson-Stanfill is a veteran teacher with an expertise in beginning instrumental instruction. She taught for 27 years in various combinations of subjects, always including beginning instrumental instruction. Ms. Davidson-Stanfill started this program, originally in the Rock Canyon feeder area in 2009, in response to District budget cuts and in response to many people requesting that a band and orchestra program continue. Her program grew to include the Castle View and Chaparral feeder areas in 2010, won the Macaroni Kids Best Music Lessons Award in 2014, expanded to include the Ponderosa, ThunderRidge and Mountain Vista areas in 2014, and won the Macaroni Kids Best Music Lessons Award in 2016 and again in 2019. Last year, the program expands to include the Douglas County HS feeder area as well. Keeping the opportunity to play an instrument available to our kids is her top priority.d.davidsonstanfill@comcast.net
Mr. Tidaback
Video introduction
Mr. Tidaback has been performing and teaching music for over 30 years. Originally from a small farm town in Illinois, Doug studied Music Performance and Education from the University of Illinois, San Jose State University, Chapman University, and the University of Arizona. He has performed with the Monterey Symphony, The Temptations, The Supremes, Harry Connick Jr, Aretha Franklin, and many others. Mr. Tidaback founded school music programs at Bonny Doon School in California, Central Catholic Schools of Bloomington Illinois, and the Tucson Jazz Institute in Tuscon, Arizona. Students from his award winning ensembles have gone on to study at Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Yale, Juilliard, Berklee, The Manhattan School of Music, Miami, USC, and other great universities. Mr. Tidaback recently moved to the Denver area to be close to family.tidaback@gmail.com
Ms. Wessel
Ms. Wessel has had a passion for music her entire life. She graduated from CSU-Pueblo in 2003 with a degree in Music Education, K-12. Ms. Wessel has taught general music, choir, and band in the Douglas County School District since 2005. She teaches private lessons after school and also directs youth theater and camps for Performing Arts Academy and Inspire Theater Company. Ms. Wessel is a Disney fanatic and proud wife to Matt and Mom to Lydia, Wyatt, Daphne, and Emmett. mainstreetbethany@gmail.com